When a local government official (dressed in a tracksuit) turned up at the College recently with CCTV, looking for a foreigner, we thought it was just another 5-minute interview they were after. It wouldn't have been the first time we've made a cheesy "we love Pu'er" appearance. As it happens, this government employer was arranging the production of a 7-million yuan television feature on Pu'er, to be broadcast round the clock on May Day, when much of the nation will be putting their feet up in front of the TV. We all failed the audition, except for Ali, who inspired them to take a more subtle approach to representing an appreciation of tea. Rather than having a band of us dressed up in minority costumes speaking poor Chinese, they opted to have a "handsome, cool guy" sitting in a cafe on a rainy day, glancing at a passer-by as the best Pu'er tea in the Province slips smoothly down his throat. It took at least an hour and a half to set up his scene (with a crew of 20+) but only 15 minutes to shoot, as Ali took to his new career like a duck to water.
Speaking of ducks, they're growing every day and spend their time at the training centre splashing around in puddles and playing with wet leaves. We may need a larger box to get them back to Simao.
Oh, did the 7 million include Ali's pay? Not in cash, but they did deliver a 6-kilo bag of fantastic tea cakes to the centre last night, by way of thanks.
Speaking of ducks, they're growing every day and spend their time at the training centre splashing around in puddles and playing with wet leaves. We may need a larger box to get them back to Simao.
Oh, did the 7 million include Ali's pay? Not in cash, but they did deliver a 6-kilo bag of fantastic tea cakes to the centre last night, by way of thanks.
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