From Cellars to Penthouses: Beijing’s Disparity of Wealth

Everyday, I park my bicycle underground in one of the apartment buildings in my complex, and I walk past a few undergound “cellar” rooms where families live.

The apartment I currently live in is not a luxurious apartment by any means – it’s actually quite a basic 1 bedroom apartment, but still catastrophically different from those who live just floors below me, in the underground of the same apartment building…but in rooms I can’t imagine were originally built to be lived in.

Thanks to Migrant Children’s May newsletter, an article caught my eye that gave me a jolt back to reality – a reminder of the vast disparity in the standards of living you see on a regular basis in China. After almost five years of living in Beijing, I have almost become numb to the same sights that used to shock me when I first arrived to this complex and still developing city I now call home.

Examples of extremes in poverty and wealth are blatantly seen everywhere.  Just the other day, I saw a brand new Lamborghini speeding past a peddler lugging a mountain of recyclables piled high beyond comprehension and just across the street from my local corner selling chuar and jian bing is one of the most expensive apartment complexes in Beijing’s CBD.

If you have a few minutes to spare, check out this article The Cost of Success: Life in Beijing’s Cellars by Spiegel Online for eye-opening insight into a side of Beijing not often spoken of.

Another article on this topic – Newser’s article: For Many in Beijing, Home Is Deep Underground.

Migrant Children’s Foundation’s Pub Quiz

Test your trivia knowledge and entering a team into the first Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF) pub quiz of 2011!

Teams will be broken down to 2-5 players and enjoy drink specials (RMB 10 for bottled beers, spirits and soft drinks), complimentary snacks and try for your chance at winning some great prizes all while supporting a worthy organization!

The event will be held this Saturday, January 15 at Café Camardo from 7:00-9:30PM.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, January 15, 2010
• Time: 7:00-9:30PM
• Entry: RMB 50 per person
• Location: Café Camardo
• Address: 38-4 Xingfu Square, Xindong Road, Chaoyang District
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MCF’s Christmas Dinner Party

The Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF) will be hosting their very first Christmas party with a Christmas dinner of roast chicken with the trimmings, drink specials (10RMB for beer and spirit mixers) and a host of festive games and music this coming Saturday, December 18 from 6:30PM onwards at Café Camardo.

Bring a Christmas gift worth approx. RMB 20 to put under the tree and you’ll receive one in return!  All proceeds from this Christmas party will be invested back into their projects, so lend a hand while enjoying a great dinner party.  It’s Christmas come early…

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 18th December 2010
• Time: 6.30pm – Midnight
• Donation: 100RMB
• Location: Café Camardo
• Address: 38-4 Xingfu Square, Xindong Road, Chaoyang District
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• RSVP: Before Dec. 16, e-mail: helen@mcfchina.org

Migrant Children’s Foundation Background:

The Migrant Children’s Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in Beijing through volunteering. Every penny from the Christmas party will be invested back into our projects, so you’ll be lending a hand as well as having a great time.

HalloWIN All Weekend Long

So what are the Halloween hot spots to trick or treat this year?

Beijing’s got a pretty hefty line-up of events all weekend for whatever kind of mischief you plan to get yourself into whether you’re out to grub on some Halloween treats, win some big bucks or surround yourself with freaky fetishes, you’ve got your fair share of freaky parties and restaurants to choose from.

Halloween Warm-Up on Friday, October 29:

1.  Migrant Children’s Foundation: 

An evening of Halloween themed drinks, munchies and entertainment all in aid of the Migrant Children’s Foundation.

“There’ll be an array of dark delights for your entertainment including howlingly good happy hour drinks (until 10.30pm), freakishly tasty finger food, eccentric entertainment and a ghostly gallery of raffle prizes…and be sure to wear your freakiest Halloween costume as there’ll be a prize for the best dressed guest.“

2. Black & White with Something Bright:

Raffles Hotel Beijing gets rowdy with Open Bar from 10PM-12:30AM for RMB 150.

3. All-Star’s Spooky Halloween Menu:

4-Course Menu including everything from Creepy Appetizers (Trio Bruchetta), Witch’s Brew (Creamy Pumpkin Soup), Body Parts (Pork Chops) to Graveyard Pie (Spiced Pumpkin Pie).

Top 7 Haunting Hot Spots for Halloween 2010

Saturday, October 30:

7. Urbanite Dance Competition:

Hosted by 2XS, the event will showcase international dance performances and a Scholastic Team Competition with a ¥2000 RMB cash prize.

• Time: 7PM-10PM
• Location: Mako Live House (Shuangjing Bridge)
• RSVP: Jessica.T2XS@gmail.com

6. Divinaura Masquerage Party:

Hosted by Divinaura (Enoch, Shanti & Claire), this Masquerage Party will take place in Bed Bar with food, drinks, DJs and special prizes courtesy of Paper, Meili Autumn, Kocoon Spa and more!

Exclusive Ladies Party from 7:30-9PM with RMB 180 entrance (tapas, wine and lucky prizes included) and Gentlemen are allowed entrance for RMB 100 after 9PM (includes glass of wine).

“Veil it, paint it, or mask it; just come as anything else but yourself.”

• Time: Ladies – 7:30PM-onwards, Gents: 9PM-onwards
• Location: Bed Bar
• RSVP: http://crush3r.com/page/geyrcncbvu?i=gjzmaxxeza

5. Trick or Treat at TERRA:

With all night Happy Hour Drink Specials, 20RMB shots, tasting plates and DJ Suiki, Terra will be full of treats.

• Time: 7PM-onwards
• Location: TERRA

4. Scarlett goes GAGA for Halloween:

Free flow cocktails for all those dressed as Lady Gaga and set of 10 shooters for RMB 88!

• Time: 9PM-late
• Location: Scarlett (Hotel G) – A7 Gongti Xilu
• RSVP: Marc- 1520140320
  

3. Haunted House Party:

Yan Club transforms into a Haunted House for a “spooktacular” celebration.

• Time: 9PM-late
• Location: Yan Club (KunLun Hotel)
  

2. Yen Fetish 2010:

In an all white warehouse space in 798 Art District, the annual YEN Fetish is at it again. Featuring DJ Blackie, DJ Usami, Ou Yang & Yang Bing.  For those with freaky fetishes! First year in Beijing, I went to YEN Fetish and never saw so many head-to-toe leather suits (think gimp suit from Pulp Fiction). 

“From the sexy to the scary, freaks of all varieties get down and dirty at the 706 Factory with the Yen party crew, where “skin is in” and your lustful longings can come out to play.”

• Time: 10pm-5am
• Location: 706 Factory in 798 Art District  706大厂房(798艺术区内)
• Price: 150RMB (door, includes one drink); 80RMB (presale). Online tickets: http://clubzone.cn/
• Website: See www.o2culture.com for the full list and more details.

1.  BLING’s Cash Money Halloween Bash:

RMB 5,000 Cold, Hard CASH goes to the most innovative, creative costume. Bring your friends to increase your chances of winning!  Free Entrance before 11PM.

• Time: 9PM-late
• Location: Club BLING (Solana)
• RSVP: Hill – 13810858776

And if partying is not your thing?

At least indulge in some Spooky Lollipop Cupcakes.

Treat yourself to Lollipop Spiced Pumpkin Cupcake Treats decorated as Mummies, Pumpkins, Cobwebs and Tombstone cupcakes.  300RMB per dozen.

To order, e-mail: cupcakes@lollipopbakery.cn

HAPPY HALLOWIZZLE!!

MCF’s Indian Summer Garden Party

The Migrant Children’s Foundation is hosting an afternoon of Indian themed delights this Sunday, July 4th from 12pm – 3pm at Face Bar’s beautiful oriental garden.

Showcasing some tasty Indian nibbles and discounted drinks and a live dance performance, you can take this unique opportunity to find out more about Migrant Children’s Foundation and meet the students and teachers of one of their partner school..

The Migrant Children’s Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in Beijing through volunteering. Every penny from The Indian Summer Garden Party will be invested back into our projects, so you’ll be lending a hand as well as having a great time.

Date: Sunday, July 4

Time: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Where? Face Bar, 26 Dongcaoyuan, Gongti Nan Lu, Beijing (download a map)
Entry: 150RMB (payable on the door, children under twelve years enjoy free entry)

Inspire & Be Inspired: The Migrant Children’s Foundation Launch Party

Come out and support the Migrant Children’s Foundation as they celebrate their official launch with an evening of live music, drinks and a chance to find out much more about this great organization and how you can get involved.

The Migrant Children’s Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of disadvantaged children in Beijing through volunteering. Every penny from the launch party will be invested back into our projects, so you’ll be lending a hand as well as having a great time.

Date: Wednesday, May 12

Time: 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Where? Face Bar, 26 Dongcaoyuan, Gongti Nan Lu, Beijing
Entry: 100RMB – inclusive of gift MCF, a complimentary drink and snacks