For the Brave Women (and some Men) Out There

I just finished watching North Country right now on TV and my blood has never boiled to the roof like this before. Though what was being depicted in the movie was not BASED on a true story, it was only INSPIRED by a true story. But I can not imagine anybody was able to endure such treatments in their work places.

For those of you who are interested in the movie, North Country is about an iron mining female worker (played by Charlize Theron who was nominated for Oscars for this role) who was sexually harassed by her male co-workers. She fought the battle all alone with almost zero person supporting her except her lawyer at first. The rest was history.

The movie was inspired by a real case - Jenson versus Eveleth Teconite Co. It took 10-20 years of courage and public display to the private lives of the plaintifs to finally get what they deserve, a protection at their work place and of course, some compensations.

This, is only one case. How many cases are there throughout the history where women endure the pain and fought against all odds that make us - women who are breathing and living now - have what we have and live the way we live? I am seriously clueless and ashamed.

May be that's why in a way we were thought history at school (one of the subject I hated the most and now kinda regret that I didn't pay too much attention at school) so that we know who have pathed the way for us. Yes, some of the information may have been twisted and distorted, and some seriously, who knows they are simply fables and tales. But history is part of us, they made us who we are today.

Hence, this post is dedicated to people, especially women (and maybe there were also some men) who have made it possible for us, women, to live a safe life and of equal rights (at least at most part of the world at the moment). I believe without these great people we would not be able to talk as we like, walk as we like, work as we like, have what we like and even think as we like. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And I hope to learn more about each and everyone of you as my life goes by and hopefully you will always leave your heartprints to the next generations to come. You have carved out life paths for us, I hope we will continue to do so and make the paths bigger and better.

The Tower of BUNS

Once a upon a time in a land not so far away, there was a story about the tower of buns, which I'll call it, Bak Pao Tower. (BP Tower?). Hhmmm ... I should refrain myself from being crappy because I'm seriously going to talk about history, here. Plus, I'm not even sure whether the bun was made of Bak (meat). :p

So let me start all over again ...

As we were strolling across Macau, we stumbled upon this antique house that not only they still preserve its structure like the one below but they also kept some interesting models, drawings, etc.



So, when my friend pointed at one of the model:



I quickly snapped the picture. Honestly, I've no idea what I was snapping at. I only knew my friend said ... oh isn't that the "bla bla bla bla" (I don't really understand Cantonese, you see and they were happily talking about it and I was happily being nosey about it too.)

Then they tried to explain the history which I didn't really quite grasped and finally I found a better version from Wikipedia (AGAIN??). :p .... Now can you see why I love to be online so much? The whole world is really at your fingertips. I love Internet.

So what's this tower all about?

"Nong" "nong" time ago, to be exact during the 18th century in the island of Cheung Chau (長洲), there was plaque and pirate attacking the citizens. Distressed, they used the images of god Pak Tai and paraded through the village lanes. I believe the pirates and the plague would have disappeared. Then, they started to create string of events and activities to commemorate this event. And one of the activity is Bun Snatching (搶包山).

Historically, men (young ones) would race up to get the buns. It was believed the higher the bun you got hold of, the better fortune it'd bring to the holder's family. Argh ... I should have climbed the one I saw but unfortunately, it's just a miniature. No wonder I only discovered 5 cents and not 5 million dollars on the floor. (Dream oh dream ...)

Well, it's still money :p ..... Bak Pao Tower Rocks :p

Ruin's of St Paul

So where was I when it comes to Macau?

Ah … I was eating THE egg tart and after that “enriching” the body session, I’m ready to “exercise”. The next stop, Ruins of St. Paul.

As you see from the map, well, I don’t even know where’s the egg tart place but I suspect is near the one I marked blue :p ... (which seems like everywhere) Oops. (BTW, you can easily get the very helpful map from the ferry terminal at the Visitor's Information Centre)

The red line is where Ruins of St. Paul is and the green line is where Senado Square is.

The whole walking experience was very pleasant. Not too far. Not too near. Around 10-15 minutes. I remember we passed through the main street. Shucks … sorry, I really can’t remember the details :p ... We asked strangers on the way and voila, the next thing we knew, we were at the Senado Square. (Can you believe that we were passing Senado Square at least 3-4x throughout my entire trip?) -.- What can you find there? Food oh glorious street food and shopping. (I didn't do much shopping so I personally can't comment on that. I can comment on the walking though. :p)

Then finally, I saw the sight where everyone loves to take photo with when they are in Macau. The Ruins of St. Paul. Yippeee!!! It’s time for me to be the model instead of the spectator :p … (Vomit) Don’t worry. I’m not going to put the picture when I am posing with The Ruins of St Paul. Happy? :p

So here there are the amazing façade that’s still standing after the fire that took down the church.

This one is at the back. You can actually go up there and look through the holes. Some people throw coins there. (Don’t know for what). May be they think since there are no wishing well, there’s still a wishing “hole” and they throw and throw and throw.

At the back of the facade, as you walked further you will discover this:

So, I first choose to the right and my next discovery was the Crypt and this is what I saw:

Apparently, they kept the bones of the ancient Japanese and Vietnamese martyrs at the side walls as being displayed below. It is recommended that one to remain very quiet and respectful while entering this place.

Next to the Crypt, there’s the Museum of Sacred Art. Inside you will discover paintings, statues and religious artifacts originated from 16^th – 19^th centuries. I took a few pictures of them, here they are:

But there’s only one that captured my attention:

Why? This picture depicts the Japanese martyrs that died for the cause of the religion. It seems holy but yet eerie. Just can’t help to wonder why human beings are so cruel for just a belief. Well, it’s not my place to comment. Let them be who they want to be as long as they are happy. Everybody has free will and one life to live. It’s seriously up to every individuals how they would like to start and end their life.