nothing symbolises runaway consumerism like the designer thong. a thong for goodness' sake. i have always claimed to distance myself from any such expressions of materialistic indulgence. but a few weeks ago, as i was swinging around in ya show, (the 5 storey westerner-focused clothes market in beijing), i spied them - my first pair of fashionable flip-flops. who put that black stripe there in the middle? genius. i had to have them.
of course it didn't stop there. i needed to buy some shorts to match my new thongs, and a fake D+G cap to match my shorts, and how could i survive without ersatz italian sunglasses to top off the combination? i was swooning with all the bargaining. i emerged from the market in my completely new, completely fake, completely matching set and cruised down the street as if i was the coolest banana in beijing.
no - i still believe that there is no happiness to be found in materialistic pursuits, but no trip to china would be complete without a visit to the new temple - the market - for a spot of worship at the twin alters of capitalism and consumerism.
and of course one mustn't forget to wear one's designer thongs. because they just look so good.
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