Rather infuriating and irritating that I could not cross the border into China today as I have done hundreds of times in the past. New visa rules left me stranded for a day in HK. One is never stranded with nothing to do though, so I went to visit with Mr. Wing Chi Ip, owner of two Lockcha teashops, one for retail, one for the literati. To be sure, Hong Kong was never known to be the most cultured even as the education level is very high. Blame it on the obsession with food, shopping, or shopping for food, or shopping as food. In any case, I knew of nothing else as a kid. But I digress. Mr. Ip's elegant tea house in Hong Kong Park in Admiralty is a blend of Ming style furniture, traditional teawares, and modern lanterns made with bird cages. I stumbled into a recitation by some world class performers of the pi pa and flute, as well as a cellist, who was necessary for the piece from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Mr. Ip explained that this is a non-profitable cultural affair that he foots the bill for, all so that there is SOME culture left in HK. The sound of pi pa was often described as equivalent to pearls dropping gently into a jade bowl, small and large, at different speeds. What I do not like about Chinese music however, even the most sublime, are how melancholy they all are. Even the ones about war and patriotism and defeating the Mongols induces tears. Drip, drip, drip. Luckily, the Pu-erh was excellent, as always, from Mr. Ip, one of the top ten Pu-erh personalities awarded by China.
Had some stunningly delicious Phoenix Oolong also. I am determined to sell only the most expensive oolongs from now on. If you are an oolong fan, then you wouldn't care, you want just the best. If you are not an oolong fan, it also doesn't matter, you won't buy it. If you are an oolong fan, you are most definitely going to be a tea fanatic. If you are not a tea fanatic, you are probably not an oolong fan. Anyway, I talked myself into reducing my clientele base to less than 10% of what we have today just so I can indulge my own tea habits further.
I aspire to be Mr. Ip, dressed in a white Chinese tunic, white hair in a topknot, wispy white beard, bright happy demeanor and rosy complexion, master of calligraphy, tea, and appreciation for culture. One couldn't be a real tea snob without looking like one also?
Had some stunningly delicious Phoenix Oolong also. I am determined to sell only the most expensive oolongs from now on. If you are an oolong fan, then you wouldn't care, you want just the best. If you are not an oolong fan, it also doesn't matter, you won't buy it. If you are an oolong fan, you are most definitely going to be a tea fanatic. If you are not a tea fanatic, you are probably not an oolong fan. Anyway, I talked myself into reducing my clientele base to less than 10% of what we have today just so I can indulge my own tea habits further.
I aspire to be Mr. Ip, dressed in a white Chinese tunic, white hair in a topknot, wispy white beard, bright happy demeanor and rosy complexion, master of calligraphy, tea, and appreciation for culture. One couldn't be a real tea snob without looking like one also?
Taken from http://teapersonality.blogspot.com/
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