One dinner...

Lately I'm getting my teeth into a quite interesting book named’ No dog, not many Chinese', first edition published in 1998 by a Briton, in which it reveals the life towards foreign traders/officials during 1843 and 1943, the time most of the coastal cities in China have been served as treaty ports for international trade. It was really breathtaking to disclose how spoiled and superior those foreign invaders have been treated, the things they used, the food they ate, the place they stayed were a huge contrast against the Chinese residents' status over that period of time. However, their well-off condition didn't bring them anything more than health; problems occurred from inadequate sanitation, dietary excesses have meant nothing by an ever-lasting need for cemeteries.

I eager to show you one extract which was deemed to be the symbol of their extravagant life-style:

'Unfortunately, most of his patients:

begin dinner with a rich soup, and a glass of sherry; then they partake of one or two side dishes with champagne; then some beef, mutton, or fowls and bacon, with more champagne, or beer; then rice and curry and ham; afterwards game, then pudding, pastry, jelly, custard, or blancmange, and more champagne; then cheese and salad, and bread and butter, and a glass of port wine; then in many cases, oranges, figs, raisins and walnuts are eaten with two or three glasses of claret or some other wine; and this AWFUL repast is finished at last with a cup of strong coffee and cigars.'

Your eyes aren't lying to you, and it's not a weekly recipe, but in one meal... I was stunned in mute after reading this section, in no time my brain turned empty but swiftly got infused with the terrified pictures of massive Chinese victims who were severely suffering from famine and poverty. I believe you might have got the same images popped out of your mind as I do.