In China, women and umbrellas go together like PB & J. The umbrella is an indispensable fashion accessory. The young, the old, the female and occasional male, carry the instrument rain or shine. It’s a multi-use tool. Dark skin (being black, as they say) is considered low-class.
I have an incredible fear of umbrellas and umbrella-related blindness. No, it’s not an irrational fear. Don’t mock until you walk in the shoes of The Stevo.
The collapsible umbrella was invented in China 1700 years ago and distributed to the world via the Silk Road. There’s more to China than Chinese food.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:30 am
I commiserate entirely. I too have cowered in the streets after a rain…mostly European streets where like China everyone has umbrellas up the ying yang. I’m always sure I’m going to get a spoke in the eye. And they come out in the lightest of drizzles too.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:06 am
I have never been able to figure out why umbrellas haven’t caught on in AZ. We’re the perfect state for year-round umbrella use! I would love to have a cool-looking little parasol to trot around Tucson with.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:43 am
aos: We live in a dangerous world.
Jax: Perhaps you could start a trend? Or get the boy to start carrying an umbrella. Then you could import cool ones and make a million dollars.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:01 am
You’re afraid of umbrellas?
Wanda Rizzutos last blog post..Oh. Sorry.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
Yes, Wanda, afraid the way Republicans are afraid of free thought.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Jackie, perhaps it’s all in the naming of the article. In Spanish, there are two words. The first, is sombrilla froom shade, which would be the same as our parasol (note the word “sol” or sun in there, as in to stop it or keep it off of oneself). The second is paragua, or literally stop water, which would be our rain umbrellas. I bet if someone invested in a cute line of parasols (sombrillaa) and marketed them as that and not as an umbrella, they’d catch on. Just think, you could have one for every outfit!
STEVO…I love the picture. I like the light and the coloring. Nice job!
Corinas last blog post..Sister Number 1~Sylvia
September 4th, 2008 at 5:13 am
I love umbrellas, but it’s hard to find an adequately beautiful one. You may have seen my umbrella in another part of the Internet. I love the thing, it’s so pretty.
Pandemonics last blog post..Frank Sex Talk with the Daughter’s Boyfriend
September 4th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Corina: Thanks
Pan: There are whole stores here that sell nothing but umbrellas. I like the ones made for children with the little ears on the top.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:29 am
I think Corina and Stevo have the right idea– parasols for every outfit, paired with having my son make them cool. I sense big bucks.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Gorgeous photo, stevo. I noticed in Vietnam that many of the women wore gloves and long-sleeves while riding their motos — same idea, keep that sun from tanning, as the browner the skin, the less attractive the person. We had long talks about how parents revere light skin. Similar thing happens in certain ethnicities and races in the U.S. I told the story of how my daughter, who has blue eyes, is always being praised for her eyes. The older Hispanic women often just love light eyes.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:08 am
yb: I get “You have blue eyes!” a lot. My eyes aren’t blue. Any eyes that are not Chinese are considered blue, I think. It’s good to know this isn’t an isolated attitude. People are strange when it comes to prizing physical characteristics.