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The Expo 2010 site is hosting an online photography competition whose theme is "Haibao Tour of the World" and its picked some of its favorites amongst the 1,600 or so photos and images of the Gumby-like mascot.
A little embarrassingly, one of the first entries is this photo of a rock-like Haibao standing alongside "England's Stonehenge," a "mysterious circle of large stones" that is even more mysteriously not really a circle.
Maybe Haibao just isn't great with the whole identifying landmarks thing?
From en.expo2010.cn. Thanks to Access Asia for the tip.
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Dear Shanghaiist,
I do not appreciate this trend of poking fun at our dear friend Haibao. Although Haibao will never compete for cuteness with Vancouver's Sumi, Miga, and Quatchi (http://www.vancouver2010.com/mascot/en/meet.php) or even for sophistication with Fuwa, he has all other mascots in the world beaten for ubiquity. And this ubiquity is what should endear him to us all: whether you're watching Haibao prance up the side of a building in Pudong, admiring his can-do attitude in statue form outside any number of parks, or benefiting from his infectious optimism while you ride the subway home from a tough day at the office, you can count on Haibao to be there. In many ways, we should all wish that our spouses, friends, and family were as ever-present.
So perhaps, like many people worldwide, he hasn't had the chance to travel to Easter Island or Stonehenge. And perhaps he became a bit confused when he Photoshopped himself into a shot of the Moai. But the next time your boyfriend cheats on you, or you get the pink slip at work, or you lose a finger to frostbite, who will be there, ever-smiling, lovingly welcoming you with his unblinking eyes? Haibao.
He loves you, he's everywhere, so you would do well not to disrespect him.
Sincerely,
Haibao4Evar2010
+1 to stucky's spirited defense of Haibao. It's not his fault that his photoshop artists suck.
"In many ways, we should all wish that our spouses, friends, and family were as ever-present."
Hmmm.... Are you married?
LOL. Thanks, Elaine. This is amazing.
Methinks it's Easter Island.
Yes, Easter Island... definitely NOT Stonehenge. Methinks some editors here need remedial "cultural icon classes" ;^)
works done by the amateur, what can you expect? Spending entire day at the internet bar doesn't equal years of schooling. Gumby, I mean Haibao should sue the fool who did this...
I guess the editor miss judged the photo after all
"Haibao becomes a bullfighter at the Colosseum" in Rome??? I think that picture is also wrong...
They can't even properly cut and paste...
Hehe ...
I just noticed the other comments about our friend Haibao, and they're right it's certainly not his (her?) fault. I'm sure that given his global reputation he will be pursuing legal action.
And taihanasie: I am married. Good point.