Sitting back under a marquee I am weighed down by the blanket of humidity that the day has wrapped around me. The rain is falling on the expanse of lawn and the brass band plays on despite the drops falling into the instruments creating a percussion all of it's own. Looking around I am captivated by the scenes acted out in front of me. I could be anywhere in the world. The band plays everything from "Born in the USA" to "The William Tell Overture" and the Frisbees fly from one end to the other. I see the gentle touches and the quiet secrets passing silently between the couples scattered across the lawn. In horrible contrast, too many older Western walruses lumber along with one or two human accessories draped over their arms. Stunningly beautiful girls act as welcome distractions from the wives waiting patiently at home. The amazing thing is...most of these men actually believe the girls are crazy about them... Acting classes start early in China.
Child acrobats hide behind the stage eating hamburgers in between balancing 10 spinning plates on stalks of cane. There is even a Charlie Chaplin wandering around frightening young children. Clowns bound around dressed in what looks like my bedspread. Then the Marines appear in their stiff uniforms to raise National Pride with the flags they bear and the crowd stops, stands and sings "The Star Spangled Banner".
Of course this is China so there are those who show no respect and continue their conversations ignoring the tearful faces of homesick citizens. The band plays on, and I catch the words...
"I see trees of green, Red roses too...."
My gaze takes in the patchwork of nations spread out around me, and I think to my self...
"What a wonderful world.
