it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...everywhere you go

well i went into chengdu this weekend for a bit of last minute christmas shopping, and was greeted by an army of chinese santa clauses. again, this christmas staple is not there to spread the christmas spirit, although that is seriously wanting over here, but to sell products.

near the center of downtown is chunxi lu, the biggest open-air mall in chengdu. walking there from tianfu square you pass by the "street of cell phones," a thruway usually occupied by a thousand people handing out fliers for deals on cell phones and plans. this weekend it was filled with a thousand santas handing out fliers for cell phones and plans.

there's something unsettling about pushing through a crowd of santas--like a holiday version of that scene from being john malkovich. none of them are jolly, or for that matter fat. they scream at you to buy or chase you down and give you candy or maybe a flier. you just can't get away from it.

i'm looking forward to easter, when i'll be confronted with an army of 6 foot bunnies.