Smoky junk

My stuff arrived from China yesterday.  25 boxes full of stuff, of which about 15 belong to me.

My first observation as I opened the box was that as soon as the tape seal is broken, you can smell Beijing.  Funny, the smell (kind of smoky but mixed in with something else) was so familiar.  When you live there you don't consciously smell it, but I think subconsciously it is always there.  I think if you blindfolded anyone who has lived extensively in Beijing, took them out of Beijing for a few weeks, and then had them smell that smell they would know immediately what it is.

My second observation was on how useless all the crap we buy really is.  My overwhelming feeling as I unpacked all these boxes was not one of joy or rediscovery or something.  No, instead I just kept thinking to myself "what am I going to do with this shit?".   I guess come winter I will be happy to have my winter clothes, but so much of the stuff was just random things.  If these things had all fallen off the vessel into the ocean I seriously doubt I would have ever noticed their loss.

Comments

[nina]

Not only the smell of Beijing is unique somehow, but also the part of thinking which keep you in control in such a city which can make your dream and imagination goes as far as possible...anywhere then nowhere, even if the dream be broke in reality you still will have other dream to be on hold somewhere the "smoky" air. It is a city with the dusty air, staring eyes, little black book and the quiet piano solo at night.