Night of the Arm Defenders

Yesterday I turned 31, but knowing that most of our little group would have moved on by then, we decided to celebrate in some Chinese style last Friday. The oriental flavour was mostly courtesy of Matt, who has experienced a few Chinese birthdays and other celebrations while working as a teacher up in the northeast. Apparently the done thing is to hire out a private room in a restaurant, with your own team of waiters, then adjourn to a (private again) karaoke booth à la Lost In Translation. Fortunately, this being western China, none of this broke the bank as it sounds like it could.

The evening was made even more Chinese by the group's present to me: Arm Defenders. Let me explain... one of the defining images of China for me, one that will linger in memory long after we leave, is one of women of various ages going about their daily business wearing an extra layer of sleeve, secure in the knowledge that their forearms are safe. Don't ask me why they wear these forearm protectors so much, or why I'm so fascinated by them (I don't think there's anything kinky underlying it) - just believe in the power of the Arm Defender. (The image of Chinese males that sticks in my mind, by the way, is the incredibly popular yet to me extremely uncomfortable practice of squatting in the street, best appreciated with a gang of like-minded mates and a fag - more on this in the future no doubt.)

Quintessential China, female and male versions


Considering the almost mythical power that Arm Defenders can exert, my joy was understandable.


It only got better - I had an army of arm-defending lieutenants (note the different, subordinate colour).


Then came the cake. Hovering so close to it turned out to be poor tactics..


I was told this was also a Chinese birthday tradition. Hm. I'm still not sure.


Back at the hostel, the resident piglets were more than happy to follow with tradition.


After further limb defence in the hostel bar..


..it was time for more high culture.


6am, and to our disgust McDonald's had switched to their breakfast menu and wouldn't serve us Quarterpounders or fries. Still, with Arm Defenders intact even a crappy Sausage McMuffin couldn't faze us.