Dominic T. wrote:
> Another slight tangent, I had a great conversation with the owner of a
> local indian restaraunt I frequent by my home and he was telling me how
> the culture is changing quite rapidly in India and he isn't happy.
Having spent most of my asian past in Nepal and India I can only agree,
and while not too happy about those changes mentioned I´d leave the
choice with the locals.
The last time in DJ I had my friend, a highly educated head-monk of a
very traditional well-known monastery live in my room. He was about to
give up his old live [monastery, family, village] in favor of pursuing
a western style career. He had no idea as to where, how or what to
start, just going somewhere, learn something and make $$.
Back in Nepal it all started with the introduction of satellite TV some
years back. Once they´ve seen it, they wanted ["needed"] it.
Despite all cultural differences among those 80+ people one could
understand Nepal as one big family, and the same thing that happened
here at the beginning of industrialisation, social security in a big
family slowly being replaced by financial security [bio-survival notes]
happens big time over there these days with the well known devastating
effects and this is but one aspect of the complex changes happening. Go
to China to have a look at almost the same story in Fast-Forward mode.
> In that way I'd love to never see DJ puerh, just to keep them honest and traditional.
As soon as I´m back there I´ll give it a shot and see what happens. I
got some pressing molds waiting, hehe
> Also I've recently become a complete devotee of moscato wines.
Dunno about Haitai, never seen it, but I´m partial to
"Gewürztraminer" myself, shllllrp...
Karsten ["Thiele silver" Ostfriesen blend]
> psyflakem wrote:
> > Unfortunately from what I´ve learned up there it´s not that easy for
> > outsiders - not impossible though, but I personally don´t expect
> > things to radically change in the near future. This game is still 100%
> > ruled by money and traditions, with very few noteworthy exceptions,
> > sniff ...
> > See conventional vs. bio-organical farming, or packing teas [grrrr] -
> > why change anything ?
> > Also remember that not only the odd garden but the whole tea industry
> > in DJ had been lying in ruins several times in the 50s, 60s and 70s and
> > nobody, except the workers gave a SH.T. To give you an idea: 8 months
> > ago when my neighbor´s house burnt down, the fire brigade arrived 1
> > hour late AND without water. Get the point ?
> >
> > The clocks tick pretty slow up there, on the other hand this makes it
> > so damn charming.
> >
> > Back to nettles and rose-buds ...
> >
> > Karsten [2006 Alishan]
>
> Wow, great post... the clock does indeed tick slower and I love that as
> well... and tea has staunchly stayed traditional and old school. There
> is nothing wrong with that, and I could see how this idea would be seen
> as radical or unworthy to any true puerh artisans but I bet there are a
> few radical ones who wouldn't be afraid to step out of the box to try
> something new. Finding that needle in a large haystack is another
> story... I'd still love to taste it though.
>
> on a slight side-note... I think I've seen you mention a love for the
> muscatel/muscat flavors... if so there is an amazing drink made by a
> company called Haitai. It is a little squat cola-like can with the word
> Muscat on the front. It is amazing. It is a pure muscat drink with
> small chunks of muscat all through it. mmm. I get it in asian markets
> (especially Korean groceries). Also I've recently become a complete
> devotee of moscato wines.
>
> Another slight tangent, I had a great conversation with the owner of a
> local indian restaraunt I frequent by my home and he was telling me how
> the culture is changing quite rapidly in India and he isn't happy. With
> Bangalore booming and such he stated how his mother is trying to hold
> onto her values such as making everything from scratch and not eating
> packaged foods and preservatives and such. That is what is good about
> those places, and unfortunately to try to "compete" with the west they
> are accelerating too rapidly to our unhealthy fast-paced lives and I
> (and he) think it is a huge mistake. In that way I'd love to never see
> DJ puerh, just to keep them honest and traditional. But damn would I
> love to try it :)
>
> - Dominic 
One more Pu-Erh mistery 
