So here is the inaugural edition of of “Weird Wednesdays in China“, a wacky bi-weekly roundup of strange news in China. Some of it will be timely, all of it will be timeless.
On order this week, crabs, pigs, chains embedded in arms and helpful directions from Google maps.
The Amazing Two-trotter Pig of Henan
Now that’s some tough pork. This 100kg, 10-month-old pig was born without hind legs. Incredibly, its owner, Wang Xihai, managed to teach the pig how to balance and get around on just its two front legs by lifting it by its tail while guiding and balancing it. Wang’s wife had wanted to let the piglet die when she saw it was born with only two legs, but he persuaded her to let it live. “She thought it was disturbing, but I stopped her, considering that it was a life anyway.” I think we should all chip in and get the “lil” guy a porker version of this.
Directions from Japan to China
I’m not sure why Lanzhou was chosen as the “China” pinpoint, but someone at Google has a great sense of humour — check out these Google Map directions for travelling from Japan to China. Pay particular attention to step #43.
Directions from China to the US are even more ambitious (steps #94 and #103).
Chain Man needs handout
On the more tragic side of weird news is the story of 27-year-old Zhang Chuanqiu, who was chained to a cowshed in rural Hunan in 2005 by village officials over a loan dispute. Zhang’s chains were so tight that the flesh of his wrists began to grow around them. “They cause me a lot of pain. They are always inflamed and ooze pus all the time. But we have no money so I have to rely on charity or the good heart of a hospital or doctor to save my hands,” he said. Zhang is trying to raise the more than 10,000 RMB he needs to have doctors remove the chains. If you have means to donate, you can do so here. Points to AT for the clever title.
Vending machine selling live crabs in Nanjing subway
Here I was thinking Japan had cornered the market on weird vending machines, and along comes an entrepreneurial hairy crab peddler who is boxing up and dealing the furry crustaceans via a temperature-controlled vending machine in a Nanjing subway station. Prices range from 10 to 50 RMB, and if you find a dead one, you get thee free live ones. Perfect for the busy working mom in need of a quick delicacy dinner solution. Still, this Osaka vending machine is way cooler — maybe not for the commuter on the go though.
