Beijing's ***** emporium

This is an article I was told by a friend. The actual Article is from the BBC site

The Links in this article and the pictures in those links contains contents which are unsuitable for small viewers

There are many thousands of Chinese restaurants around in the UK and everyone has their favourite dish, but only in China itself do chefs specialise in a range of slightly more unusual delicacies.

Many of the restaurant's guests are wealthy businessmen. The dish in front of me is grey and shiny. "Russian dog," says my waitress Nancy. "Big dog," I reply. "Yes," she says. "Big dog's penis..." We are in a cosy restaurant in a dark street in Beijing but my appetite seems to have gone for a stroll outside. Nancy has brought out a whole selection of delicacies. They are draped awkwardly across a huge platter, with a crocodile carved out of a carrot as the centrepiece. Nestling beside the dog's penis are its clammy testicles, and beside that a giant salami-shaped object. Donkey," says Nancy. "Good for the skin..." She guides me round the penis platter. "Snake? Very potent. They have two penises each." I did not know that

Deer-blood cocktail

"Sheep... horse... ox... seal - excellent for the circulation." She points to three dark, shrivelled lumps which look like liquorice allsorts - a special treat apparently - reindeer, from Manchuria. Government officials... two of them... they're having the penis hotpot Nancy. The Guolizhuang restaurant claims to be China's only speciality pe
nis emporium, and no, it is not a joke. The atmosphere is more exotic spa than boozy night-out. Nancy describes herself as a nutritionist. "We don't call them waiters here. And we don't serve much alcohol," she says. "Only common people come here to get drunk and laugh." But she does offer me a deer-blood and vodka cocktail, which I decide to skip.

Medicinal purposes

The restaurant's gristly menu was dreamt up by a man called Mr Guo(Boiled ox penis). The Chinese believe that eating penis can enhance your virility. He is 81 now and retired. After fleeing China's civil war back in 1949, he moved to Taiwan, and then to Atlanta, Georgia, where he began to look deeper into traditional Chinese medicine, and experiment on the appendages of man's best friend. Apparently, they are low in cholesterol and good, not just for boosting the male sex drive, but for treating all sorts of ailments. Laughter trickles through the walls of our dining room.
"Government officials," says Nancy. "Two of them upstairs. They're having the penis hotpot."
Most of the restaurant's guests are either wealthy businessmen or government bureaucrats who, as Nancy puts it, have been brought here by people who want their help. What better way to secure a contract than over a steaming penis fondue. Discretion is assured as all the tables are in private rooms. The glitziest one has gold dishes. "Some like their food served raw," says Nancy, "like sushi. But we can cook it anyway you like."

Rare order

"Not long ago, a particularly rich real estate mogul came in with four friends. All men. Women don't come here so often, and they shouldn't eat testicles," says Nancy solemnly. The men spent $5,700 (£3,000) on a particularly rare dish, something that needed to be ordered months in advance. "Tiger penis," says Nancy. Bull's perineum. Bull's perineum is also a delicacy. The illegal trade in tiger parts is a big problem in China. Campaigners say the species is being driven towards extinction because of its popularity as a source of traditional medicine. I mention this, delicately, to Nancy, but she insists that all her tiger supplies come from animals that have died of old age. "Anyway, we only have one or two orders a year," she says. "So what does it taste like?" I ask. "Oh, the same as all the others," she says blithely. And does it have any particular potency? "No. People just like to order tiger to show off how much money they have." Welcome to the People's Republic of China - tigers beware.
Sliced and pickled

"Oh yes," she adds, "the same group also ate an aborted reindeer foetus. "That is very good for your skin. And here it is..." Another "nutritionist" walks in bearing something small and red wrapped in cling film. My appetite is heading for the airport. Still, I think, it would be rude not to try something. I am normally OK about this sort of thing. I have had fried cockroaches and sheep's eyes, so... There is a small bowl of sliced and pickled ox penis on the table. I pick up a piece with my chopsticks and start to chew. It is cold and bland and rubbery. Nancy gives me a matronly smile. "This one," she says, "should be eaten every day

Reference from
BBC News(main Article [ proof ])
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Guardian Angel

Sorry everyone. I have been really busy these days so I was unable to write anything for my blog. Today I have decided Share another mail sent to me by a cute friend.

There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop. The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was Yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes. Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.

As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress. It was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no Effort to speak to her. Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different. As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk.

I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, "Hello." The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a "hi"; after a long Stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, "Because, I'm Different." I immediately said, "That you are!” and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder and said, "I know." "Little girl," I said, "You remind me of an angel, sweet and Innocent." She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and Said, "Really?" "Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all the people walking by." She nodded her head yes, and smiled.
With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her Wings to spread, then she said "I am." "I'm your Guardian Angel," said the girl with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless -- sure I was seeing things. She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done"… I got to my feet and said, "Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?" She looked at me, smiled, and said, "You're the only one that Could see me," and then she was gone. And with that, my life was changed dramatically.


So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is Always watching over you. Like the story says, we all need someone... And, every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way. The value of a friend is measured in the heart. I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you always.

Advice Story

This was an advice story sent by a friend so I have decided to share it will you all. I’m sure that she wouldn’t like me to include her name in this post.

Last night you and your best friend had a fight. You decide not to talk to her the next day. She smiles at you. You grind your teeth at her. She tells her friends nice things about you. You spread bad rumors about her. She tries to come and talk to you. But you push her aside. She thinks you are a great friend. You think she is a terrible friend. She writes nice notes to you, telling you about the best times you shared together. You write about all the bad times you can remember experiencing together. Deep down you know she's sorry. But all you have is hate.
The next day you find a note. It reads:


Dear -------------,

I tried to tell you yesterday, but you didn't let me speak, I tried to tell you good things, but you were afraid to hear them. I tried to smile at you, to take away the hate. But now it's time to tell you, even though it's a bit late. That I am dying.
I have a bad condition and it is getting worse. I'm sorry to have to tell you that I won't be able to see you today. I wrote this to you today in the hospital. My time is up. I'm sorry I should have told you sooner I'm really sorry about our argument; you are such a great friend. I promise I shall watch over you,

Lots of love

You run to the hospital to tell her you are sorry, but only her mum is left. Her hand clasped over her face. And she was crying. Down on her knees she prays, for her daughter to come back. You are too late. You wish you told her sorry sooner and got to say goodbye. All friends have their ups and downs, and sometimes you need to say sorry... Don't wait for the other person to do it first. Because you never know what could happen.
If you really love your friends and would watch down on them when you pass away
If you judge people, you have no time to love them

Girl or a Boy ?

Best friends are defined as two or more people who confide in each other their deepest darkest secrets and emotions. Life altering decisions are usually made based off of their "best friends'" opinion. We all have them....everyone has that one individual who through thick and thin, no matter what, can and always will depend on that one person to laugh, to cry, to vent etc. I mean that's what a best friend is for correct? However more times than not, a best friend usually consists of 2 girls or 2 guys. Rare is the connection between a man and a woman where a bond can be created and never amount to much more than a friendship......uuuuup until this generation.

It seems that as our generation grows, girls and guys are developing such closeness where they do indeed become best friends. But where is the thin line drawn where feelings won't evolve into nothing more than "I just like you as a friend". Essentially, when a man and a woman start dating and getting to know each other, it is with the expectation that in order for a relationship to succeed and reach its greatest potential, they should become each other's best friend. Eventually they get to know everything about one another such as favorite color, behavior, favorite numbers, nuances and the like, music, style, movies, sports etc. They learn and develop the mighty powerful "Communication" aspect that is so essential in a relationship along with trust. But isn't this what best friends do as well? Aren't they(they being man/woman) supposed to eventually know anything and everything about one another almost like the back of their own hand. If such is the case, then wouldn't the best friends idealistically be each others soul-mates. After all, if he/she endures pain or hurt from their significant other, who is the one person they come running to....exactly, their best friend. The best friend always happens to know just what to say and what to do to make everything go away. What stops this 1 half of this friendship from having inner desires, or deep down believing it can work as a relationship. Rhetorically ask yourself "How can a Man and a Woman become best friends without the threat of strong feelings developing" and what are the secrets behind this kind of friendship succeeding?


Restrictions!! that is the one attribute in every successful male/female best friendship. In my opinion, these kinds of friendships are not possible unless restrictions are applied before a friendship of that magnitude can exist. The biggest example, but NOT LIMITED to, of a restriction is the "look" of their counterpart. One is either dorky/geeky/not attractive/ while the other is good looking/popular/stylistic/humble. This is because it doesn't cause one or the other to develop feelings that wouldn't compliment their own tastes. A perfect example of this is the movie " Just Friends", a very nice and funny movie about 1 half of the best friend relationship looking to break down that barrier, that label of being "the best friend". But then therein lies an even bigger feeling: insecurity. Does a man/woman choose someone who is the total opposite of what they would envision being with because deep down they know it be difficult to resist. Men are hunters, and women love to be hunted...a game of cat and mouse, if played right, the cat and mouse eventually play great music together. Sure you can be "just friends", but best friends? perhaps not.


Although other restrictions can apply when developing these kind of friendships such as culture, age(which is a huge determining factor that prevents a male/female from "going there"), in the end, when two attractive, educated, great individuals become each others best friend; a spark at some pt or another will develop and then it becomes a battle between the mind and the heart. The mind understands you are just friends so "it can't go there" however the heart will always go after what it wants. How does one know "it can never go there"? Is it possible to build a " Wall " between the individual and their feelings? How thick can that wall be? If hollow enough, it may leave an opportunity for the heart to metaphorically become a bulldozer and break through that wall....

What I belive is that a girl and a boy can be best friends if they understand each other and trust each other. So whats your idea? please comment it back......