NUREYA NAMAZ, Film & Video major, writes: Yesterday, we went to the silk factory and the tour was amazing. I felt like I'd entered Bob Barker's "The Price is Right." Within the span of an hour, and believe me time went by very fast, we were shown through four different rooms of this factory. We went from seeing the worms soaking in water baths to easily remove the silk, to pieces of silk being stretched to the size of a full-size comforter. Once we saw and understood the process, our energetic leader showed us their silk-comforter store. A couple of us bought silk-comforter covers and silk comforters, and yes, so did I. I bought my back in the stunning Suzhou Museum's (designed by the famous I.M. Pei) gift shop, though. But anyway, we were whisked away not to the exit after making our luxurious purchases, but to a disco-like fashion runway.
What is going on?!
We laughed--seriously laughed, as we sat in seats in front of the runway. Music by Enigma ("Sadness") pumped loudly through the speakers as we waited. As the music shifted to something more Britney Spears-like, the models came out, varying in age from early twenties to fifties, wearing various silk garments. At first I thought this was just a "see-the-silk-in-action" type of show, but low and behold, there was more.
Yes, here comes the "Price is Right" finale. After the fashion show, two double doors
I never noticed before opened up before our very eyes and revealed a warehouse of silk
garments, scarves, bags, ties, etc. I was practically in silk heaven! And yes, even though
we told ourselves we wouldn't buy much--again, we bought and bought. Hey, we are in China, and that's good enough of an excuse.
