WT Pang has bugged me about writing about a theory (paralogism?) that I have been freely espousing at the Lighters gatherings regarding “上有天堂, 下有蘇杭.” I hesitated as it may expose my stupidity, especially after reading Ted Hsieh’s scholarly paper juxtaposed next to mine. But after a glass or two of wine, I am typing here.

Why 蘇杭? The sceneries in many places are just as beautiful, the women in other regions are just as attractive if not more so (especially those in HK, as we Lighters all know), and the food in that area, besides the hairy crabs, are bland, and nothing to write home about. Then, why 蘇杭?

This is because of the wine drinking culture there. Wine is a common drink even the children would have a bowl or two on the Dragon Boat day. “酒釀, 酒釀湯丸” are common desert. And there are unique “糟魚, 糟肉” wine dishes. Wine is as ubiquitous as soy source in the kitchen. In addition, that region produces a variety of famous wines, such as 紹興, 花彫, and 女兒紅, just to name a few. After a few glasses of wine, everything looks more beautiful and enchanting. Then comes so called the inspirations that prompt the writer to write, poets to compose, and artist to paint the beautiful world they see under influence. Then the rest of us study the writings, admire the paintings, recites the poems, visualize the beauties they extolled, become inspired and then say, “啊, 上有天堂, 下有蘇杭.”Most of those saying this, have never been to 蘇杭, and only learned 蘇杭 from books, pictures, and paintings.By the way, this wine drinking culture also explained why with so many Shanghainese, we had no problems polish off the wine brought by Joshua Hung (A2) the last time.

For any theory with a grain of validity not a blatant paralogism, it should have some universality. Asked about the most beautiful city in Europe, most people would name Paris, the city of love. If Eiffel Tower was built anywhere else, it would remain as an eyesore as it was labeled at first. But Paris is in the middle of the wine-producing and wine-imbibing region of Europe. After many intoxicated or inspired painters painted, photographers photographed, writers wrote, poets composed about the beauty of Eiffel Tower, voila; it became the most beautiful iron structure in the world, and the symbol and icon of Paris. Regarding other beauties of Paris, a city of love, center of high couture, need I say more?

Asked about the most beautiful city in North America, many would tell you that they have left their hearts in San Francisco. Another steel structure gained the fame there — the Golden Gate Bridge, the most photographed bridge in the world. How many know it is not even close to the longest suspension bridge in the world? It is the tenth. California and San Francisco in particular, happen to be the wine-producing region of U.S. In this case, the inspired musicians joined the chorus of writers, poets, and artists telling the world the beauties of California and San Francisco in particular. Regarding other beauties, we all have heard the song of California Girl with lyrics of “I wish them all were California Girls” by the Beach Boys. We also know the famous white sandy beaches where the golden California girls tan themselves au naturel showing off their beauty Again most have never been to either Paris or San Francisco, and only learned these two cities from songs, books, pictures and painting.”

Now the northern part of China also produces a variety of alcoholic beverages. But you never heard “上有天堂, 下有東北.” Because the beverages there are fiery kind of distilled, high alcoholic concentration liquors like 五加皮, 高 梁, 竹葉青, 玫瑰露, 大麯, 茅臺 and etc. A few swallows of these inflammable liquids, instead of being inspired, one becomes stupefied. Instead of painting, writing, composing, or singing, one either claims to be the king of the world getting into fistfights with other “kings,” or collapses to a senseless stupor. No songs, paintings, poems or writings of beauties. The same goes for the Vodka drinking Russia, the Scotch drinking Scotland, and the Bourbon Whisky drinking Southern U.S. These regions share the same red neck images no matter how beautiful they really are or what beauties they have.

For whatever the reasons, while the common proclaim “食在廣州,“ wine is not part of the local cuisine. To promote tourism, recently the HK government basically eliminated the import duty of wine. Someday people may say “啊, 上有天堂, 下有香港,” and I would be vindicated for being a secret admirer of a HK beauty.

WT Pang would like to supplement one reason. “The women in that region, 蘇州 in particular, talk so melodically, it melts your bones, warms your heart and causes you to lose your senses. Even when they argue, they swear, they sound like music to my ears,” so he says. Recently his son, a committed bachelor for close to 40 years, suddenly fell in love head over heels and married a Shanghainese girl on temporally assignment to his HK office. This somehow reminds me the “Sirens songs” of Greek mythology with a happy ending. Also I wonder if she brought the wine, or wine drinking culture with her. Attached are photos at the wedding including a photo of the newlywed with all the Lighters.

Anyway, congratulations, and best wishes for a happy marriage ever after. I bet the newlywed gets along well with the in-laws, and there is no reason for WT Pang to visit massage parlors anymore. Understand Mrs. Pang is ready to teach her son how to cook. Isn’t life beautiful? Everybody is happy. Is this another story of success? Just ask the newlywed, they will tell you, “啊, 上有天堂, 下有香港.”