Electioneering

Early December, we had elections over here. For what exactly, we are not quite sure but it seemed everywhere you went you couldn't escape the sound of a blue truck blaring out some dodgy Chinese tune while a voiceover extolled the qualities of some extremely worthy candidate at an extremely unpleasent volume. The Chinese even have a word for these 'vote for me' trucks for the hard of hearing. In English we'd just say it's bloody annoying!

It seemed like everyman and his dog was trying to get your attention, and not just with the trucks: billboards, press and TV ads, calendars, tissue packs with the candidates cheery mug on the wrapping, scooters practically covered in the flags of a candidate; it was inescapable.

My favourite were the parades of blue trucks with the candidate and his or her posse on top of the vehicle grimly hanging on as they sped along the city streets waving and smiling at anyone who would give them a seconds notice. Musical accompliment included.

I would always make their day and give 'em a big hearty wave from the back of my scooter. They would always glow and would reply with an equally cheery one grateful that someone, anyone, even a weird looking white fella was listening.

Even if noone else was!