Vu from Compton

So I just found out that Beijing is adding a ferris wheel that will be bigger than the London Eye. 

A quote from yahoo:

“The giant ferris wheel will have 48 air conditioned observation capsules, each of which can carry up to 40 passengers, and on a good day even the Great Wall is expected to be visible in the mountains to Beijing’s north.”

This article was obviously intended for people who haven’t been to China because if you have been there you know that there is no such thing as a good day. I might be from Compton, but I’m not stupid.  Everyday is polluted China. Everyday there is horrible visibility.  On a good day, the skies will be more of a grey rather than a dark brown. 

Not all is lost though, a trip on this wheel will be significantly cheaper than other simalar wheels.  One trip around will cost approximately 100 RMB or 13.41 USD (based on today’s conversion rates). 

One other perspective… 

It will cost your normal China man 10% of his monthly salary.

Imagine that in American dollars for American citizens.  Average american makes 50k per year, so a ticket would cost $416.  Youch!!!!!

Below are some photos from the London eye.  It was well worth the 15 pounds/30 dollars because there were great views of London’s greatest landmarks. =) 

I just got back from a 12 day China trip. I was there to tour factories, but wanted to bring to attention the horrendous conditions Chinese citizens face daily. To start, of the 12 days I was there, I didn’t see the sun or blue sky. I asked some locals when do they see a blue sky, and they stated only after a big rainstorm. I can’t imagine living where “the sun don’t shine.” In addition to all the health hazzards, the lack of sun might affect people mentally for example, Seattle has the nation’s highest suicide rate due to it’s dreary weather and lack of sun. I am assuming lack of sun/color will lead to serotonin deficiencies which result in depression.

Below are some photos of a normal day in Guzhen, China. After a few days in the pollution, I got sick, lost my voice, had a runny noise, and my throat was dry and swollen. Who knows how many people will lose their life due to these pollutants. This is a normal day in China, it looks like this everyday!

2 hours east in a less industrialized area, still no sun, but not as bad as the previous picture.

My second rant is horrible factory conditions. Below is a factory that is pouring phosphorus into glass. Notice how they are not using masks or gloves while pouring the phosphorus.

The following is statement is taken from the Agency for Toxic Substances:

Exposure to white phosphorus may cause burns and irritation, liver, kidney, heart, lung, or bone damage, and death.

One other note, this factory is currently making light bulbs for GE, and Phillips. These Chinese workers work 6 days a week, and get paid 1000 RMB a year which is equivalent to 135 US Dollars. No safety glasses, no gloves, etc… These big companies should be ashamed of themselves! Rest assured that the factory we choose will have higher safety standards.

Here’s another interesting thing about sprial lights. If they are made in China, they are made by hand. It’s cheaper to hire labor than hire a machine to make these things.

My trip started and ended in Hong Kong, luckily it’s not that pulluted there. You can still see the sun in the cloud of haze.

I have a new appreciation for Compton’s clean air.