Ni hao everyone
I haven't had internet in awhile and my blog has been blocked by the government lately so I have been MIA basically.
I am currently in Shanghai-by far the most international city I have ever been to and has made my top cities list for sure. New York still and probably always will hold the special place as number one, but Shanghai is high up there-I am still struggling with if it beats Paris. I also clearly have strong loyalty to Philadelphia. I hope I have an easier time picking my favorite child than city.
I got home late last night from the club called Babyface. I-the girl who usually prefers to stay in sweatpants and read instead of going to parties-has found that she actually enjoys going out to clubs at times. This being said, I still like sweatpants and quiet more than loud parties. True to my "let's just stay in" self, I can only stay out for about an hour or two before the loud music and strobe lights get to me. I'm an old woman. The smoke here is killing me-people can smoke anywhere: clubs, restaurants, the train, the bathroom. I am wheezing often. People were exhausted last night so only this guy Joe and I went but made some old man Indian friends. The Chinese are awful dancers and I have tons of rhythm in comparison. Go ahead and laugh, but it's true.
I am also interning at a private Chinese kindergarten run by an awesome ex-pat. It's a whole school of 220 kids from ages 18 months to 7 years. I take 2 subways to work in the morning, teach English for 2 hours and enjoy every moment of it. International school teacher is looking a likely career for me.
Things are still crazily cheap, though MUCH more expensive than the rest of China. Today I am going to go get jeans custom made for me for 18 dollars. SInce I can never find jeans that fit right this seems reasonable. I can also get dresses made for the same price. My guy friends are all getting suits. We should have done a pre-prom trip.
Also they sell full DVD box series here for about 5 dollars and movies for less than 1. I got things that are in theatres and about 3 seasons of different shows. If I get caught I get a 10k fine. WIsh we luck.
Kyle called me and told me about Shawn English. Though I never spoke to him, Eric has been constantly in my thoughts. If anyone is going to the funeral PLEASE send my condolences. I sent an email as it's all I can do at the moment.
Hope all is well with you all!
ENJOY your summer, I will be back in a little over 2 weeks-tenatively.
Hana
Monday, June 8, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Anhui-the Happiest Place on Earth
Someone on our bus just peed in their pants. Someone else peed into a bottle. We finally stopped at a rest stop. The whole back of the bus was chaotic as we all had to urinate and were trying to help the person who peed. I contributed shorts and tried to stifle laughter. I am a bad person.
For clarification this is a new bus ride, 3 days later on the way to Shanghai.
3 days earlier:
We pulled into our last destination after almost crashing into a lake. Our driver almost sent me into cardiac arrest on multiple occasions during our time together especially during our drive up the mountain.
The village we spent our time in was called Huizhou, outside of Anhui. I can say with certainty that is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a small town center with a few old looking buildings surrounded by rice paddys and farms. Chickens, WATER BUFFALO, ducks, and their babies roam free as do dogs whose owners are a mystery. Children also seem to roam free and love to play with Americans much to my delight. I picked my favorirtes and provided piggy back rides, stickers, and Enlgihs songs. Bascially I got to play with small Asian children in a beautiful setting-my dream.
Our ohusing was incredible. We stayed in a Western research center-a beautiful home with a twin in Salem, Mass (hence the sister cities). The biudling is set up in a manner where all rooms lead to the outside with courtyards connecting them. We all had our own room with antique looking beds that are remniscent of forts. My room was large with a desk, armoire, windows, and the bed which I fell in love with and never wanted to leave. The public showers and bathrooms were spa-like. The toilet was heated, something my mother would adore, and another thing I never wanted to leave. After weeks of squat toilets in my past and future, it was a welcome break. The showers were the sort that feel like you are being rained on, and there were heat lamps abve them. It was perfect except for the extreme hot and cold settings. The dining room served us all meals including these fresh cherry tomatoes which I ate like normal people eat grapes. Anyone who has eaten with me at school knows I always have a side of cherry tomatoes and these were the best I’ve ever had. The land around the village was green and lush (it rained every day we were there).
As much as I love the city I enjoy stepping away into a place that is simple and removed. Unlike Dazhai (or the aforementioned Mao-land) this place was not meant for profit and proved a real glimpse into simple rural life.
If I ever want to
a) write a book
b) enroll in the witness protection program
c) get over a divorce
d) leave my incredibly successful but stressful career
I will be hiding here.
I don’t know how to get here again, but it’s one of those places I feel the need to return. There is nothing to do in the town, so it may not sound tempting, but you have to be there to know.
The first day we were able to sleep in until around 8:30. Joe slept till 10:30 but I dragged him out of bed after calling him a bum. Rain ruined our plans to work in the tea/rice fields, so we had a very loose day. We mostly played with kids, met local officials, and then met with a minister in a nearby village. Apparently Chrisitianity has a home in China. I asked a question about the commercialization of Chrismas in China. We split into groups and had lunch with local families. Ours spoke no Enlgish. Jaye attempted translation. After 2 dogs and chickens wandered into the dining room from the open door, we asked how many pets they had. They said none. They did show us their 3 pigs and I’m fairly certain we ate the 4th for lunch that day. The family’s baby had the fattest cheeks I’ve ever seen and I spent ¾ of the meal swooning over it.
Grace tried to steal a puppy from a little boy and he cried and thereafter hated all females. We called him red pants. His friend was a little girl who had a lot of crazy clothes on and she ran around and laughed hysterically. We called her crazy lady. There was a little tom boy who was awesome and knew the “Obama terrorist fist bump”. I taught her “whats up” “whatever” “playa please” and “yo”. I called her my favorite. Keith and I want to adopt her, but she has parents and I’d probably get stopped at customs. Some of the guys found 12 packs of beer for 20 yuan (about 3 dollars) and we played Kings. I had never played before but it was really fun. I told Joe I didn’t need any help from a guy in a muscle tee. This only makes sense if you were there. The kids of the village wanted to hang out with us and one kept feeding Dave beer.
I went to bed by 10:30 as we had to wake up at 5 to go hiking up “Yellow Mountain”.
Some of us took the cable car up, but my theory is you only deserve the view if you hike. So the rest of us trekked up the most challenging moutain I have ever climbed. I had backsweat like no one’s business and may have used a few choice words on the way up referring to what I thought about the climb. Everytime I struggled a man carrying 50 pounds of food up the mountain would walk past me and make me feel like I had no reason to complain. They were not human.
The views were worth it. Except for Lake Louise and Rangers, it was one of the highest places I’d ever been and incredibly beautiful. My camera nor my words can capture what I saw. We hiked for a few hours once at the top to explore more sights and then a few of us grabbed a table at a reatuarant at the top to relax. Some grabbed beers while I took a cat nap. I was so tired I could barely stand.
The cable car ride dwon as slightly insane-over 40 people in one cable car oer a valley inspires fear into most hearts I believe. The views were again gorgous at a new angle.
The decision between food, shower, and sleep upon returning to the house was a difficult one. I chose food and then went for a walk with Tom, Josh, and Kristen to take pictures.
Showering was heavenly. I love those days when you can actually feel as if you derseve a shower and sleep. I did.
I was going to go to bed around 9 but found out fireworks were going to happen. I forced myself to stay awake. The town put on acual big fireworks and then gave us sparklers to play with. It was like my favorite holids-the 4th of July. I acted like I was 7 and was thrilled with the sparklers.
After that Dave and I layed in bed and talked. We had visitors float in and out and after everyone left I crashed until 6 a.m. We packed, put out stuff on the bus and then had a choice between visitng a tea factory and teaching at the local elementay school. Clearly I picked the school. Some of my favoite kids were in my class. We taught the Hokey Pokey, Old McDonald, and played a lot of games with stickers as rewarsds. I got trampled for stickers and was on the ground. It was scary.
We pulled out of the village and after a quick 40 minute stop in a nearby town where I got CHOCOLATE MILK!!! we were on the way to Shanghai.
I have mixed feelings. I am excited to see Shanghai after hearing such great things about it but I am sad to leave here. Also this is our last stop and I’m not ready for this trip to be over though I have to admit hostility between certain people is growing. I am peaceful as usual and have no enemies. I am excited to continue traveling but wish I was going to the Pihllipiens and Vietman with some of my friends.
There are so many places on this side of the glbe that I have a desire to see. I wish I had more time.
Being in the village in Chian helps me see the urban rural divide in China firsthad. In the other village the conditions at the doctor were not so good. Grace, who is going to nursing school, said that the temperatures were taken wrongly and the supples were not up to par. The doctor stuck alhocol up my nose after I told her it was dry and it burned and worsensed the dryness. In the city I ahvent been to a hostpical luckily, but I heard they are moden and efficient. The education is different as well. More focus on Enlgihs is in the city for obious reason and the teching seems to be more enthusuatic and effienced in urban areas. There is a shortage of cerain teachers in the ruual areas.
I haven’t seen any sort of suburbia in China-is there? I’m not sure.
There is a growing middle class though.
I am exhausted though I have many more thougsh so I will hold off until later.
Hana
For clarification this is a new bus ride, 3 days later on the way to Shanghai.
3 days earlier:
We pulled into our last destination after almost crashing into a lake. Our driver almost sent me into cardiac arrest on multiple occasions during our time together especially during our drive up the mountain.
The village we spent our time in was called Huizhou, outside of Anhui. I can say with certainty that is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a small town center with a few old looking buildings surrounded by rice paddys and farms. Chickens, WATER BUFFALO, ducks, and their babies roam free as do dogs whose owners are a mystery. Children also seem to roam free and love to play with Americans much to my delight. I picked my favorirtes and provided piggy back rides, stickers, and Enlgihs songs. Bascially I got to play with small Asian children in a beautiful setting-my dream.
Our ohusing was incredible. We stayed in a Western research center-a beautiful home with a twin in Salem, Mass (hence the sister cities). The biudling is set up in a manner where all rooms lead to the outside with courtyards connecting them. We all had our own room with antique looking beds that are remniscent of forts. My room was large with a desk, armoire, windows, and the bed which I fell in love with and never wanted to leave. The public showers and bathrooms were spa-like. The toilet was heated, something my mother would adore, and another thing I never wanted to leave. After weeks of squat toilets in my past and future, it was a welcome break. The showers were the sort that feel like you are being rained on, and there were heat lamps abve them. It was perfect except for the extreme hot and cold settings. The dining room served us all meals including these fresh cherry tomatoes which I ate like normal people eat grapes. Anyone who has eaten with me at school knows I always have a side of cherry tomatoes and these were the best I’ve ever had. The land around the village was green and lush (it rained every day we were there).
As much as I love the city I enjoy stepping away into a place that is simple and removed. Unlike Dazhai (or the aforementioned Mao-land) this place was not meant for profit and proved a real glimpse into simple rural life.
If I ever want to
a) write a book
b) enroll in the witness protection program
c) get over a divorce
d) leave my incredibly successful but stressful career
I will be hiding here.
I don’t know how to get here again, but it’s one of those places I feel the need to return. There is nothing to do in the town, so it may not sound tempting, but you have to be there to know.
The first day we were able to sleep in until around 8:30. Joe slept till 10:30 but I dragged him out of bed after calling him a bum. Rain ruined our plans to work in the tea/rice fields, so we had a very loose day. We mostly played with kids, met local officials, and then met with a minister in a nearby village. Apparently Chrisitianity has a home in China. I asked a question about the commercialization of Chrismas in China. We split into groups and had lunch with local families. Ours spoke no Enlgish. Jaye attempted translation. After 2 dogs and chickens wandered into the dining room from the open door, we asked how many pets they had. They said none. They did show us their 3 pigs and I’m fairly certain we ate the 4th for lunch that day. The family’s baby had the fattest cheeks I’ve ever seen and I spent ¾ of the meal swooning over it.
Grace tried to steal a puppy from a little boy and he cried and thereafter hated all females. We called him red pants. His friend was a little girl who had a lot of crazy clothes on and she ran around and laughed hysterically. We called her crazy lady. There was a little tom boy who was awesome and knew the “Obama terrorist fist bump”. I taught her “whats up” “whatever” “playa please” and “yo”. I called her my favorite. Keith and I want to adopt her, but she has parents and I’d probably get stopped at customs. Some of the guys found 12 packs of beer for 20 yuan (about 3 dollars) and we played Kings. I had never played before but it was really fun. I told Joe I didn’t need any help from a guy in a muscle tee. This only makes sense if you were there. The kids of the village wanted to hang out with us and one kept feeding Dave beer.
I went to bed by 10:30 as we had to wake up at 5 to go hiking up “Yellow Mountain”.
Some of us took the cable car up, but my theory is you only deserve the view if you hike. So the rest of us trekked up the most challenging moutain I have ever climbed. I had backsweat like no one’s business and may have used a few choice words on the way up referring to what I thought about the climb. Everytime I struggled a man carrying 50 pounds of food up the mountain would walk past me and make me feel like I had no reason to complain. They were not human.
The views were worth it. Except for Lake Louise and Rangers, it was one of the highest places I’d ever been and incredibly beautiful. My camera nor my words can capture what I saw. We hiked for a few hours once at the top to explore more sights and then a few of us grabbed a table at a reatuarant at the top to relax. Some grabbed beers while I took a cat nap. I was so tired I could barely stand.
The cable car ride dwon as slightly insane-over 40 people in one cable car oer a valley inspires fear into most hearts I believe. The views were again gorgous at a new angle.
The decision between food, shower, and sleep upon returning to the house was a difficult one. I chose food and then went for a walk with Tom, Josh, and Kristen to take pictures.
Showering was heavenly. I love those days when you can actually feel as if you derseve a shower and sleep. I did.
I was going to go to bed around 9 but found out fireworks were going to happen. I forced myself to stay awake. The town put on acual big fireworks and then gave us sparklers to play with. It was like my favorite holids-the 4th of July. I acted like I was 7 and was thrilled with the sparklers.
After that Dave and I layed in bed and talked. We had visitors float in and out and after everyone left I crashed until 6 a.m. We packed, put out stuff on the bus and then had a choice between visitng a tea factory and teaching at the local elementay school. Clearly I picked the school. Some of my favoite kids were in my class. We taught the Hokey Pokey, Old McDonald, and played a lot of games with stickers as rewarsds. I got trampled for stickers and was on the ground. It was scary.
We pulled out of the village and after a quick 40 minute stop in a nearby town where I got CHOCOLATE MILK!!! we were on the way to Shanghai.
I have mixed feelings. I am excited to see Shanghai after hearing such great things about it but I am sad to leave here. Also this is our last stop and I’m not ready for this trip to be over though I have to admit hostility between certain people is growing. I am peaceful as usual and have no enemies. I am excited to continue traveling but wish I was going to the Pihllipiens and Vietman with some of my friends.
There are so many places on this side of the glbe that I have a desire to see. I wish I had more time.
Being in the village in Chian helps me see the urban rural divide in China firsthad. In the other village the conditions at the doctor were not so good. Grace, who is going to nursing school, said that the temperatures were taken wrongly and the supples were not up to par. The doctor stuck alhocol up my nose after I told her it was dry and it burned and worsensed the dryness. In the city I ahvent been to a hostpical luckily, but I heard they are moden and efficient. The education is different as well. More focus on Enlgihs is in the city for obious reason and the teching seems to be more enthusuatic and effienced in urban areas. There is a shortage of cerain teachers in the ruual areas.
I haven’t seen any sort of suburbia in China-is there? I’m not sure.
There is a growing middle class though.
I am exhausted though I have many more thougsh so I will hold off until later.
Hana
Last night I packed and played the game “Keep it or Leave it?” where I decided what I needed to keep and what could be thrown away. I left sweatpants and a few other small things. Went on a short walk with Edek and Dave and then came home, showered, and passed out.
5:15 a.m. wake up call. Boo.
We left for the airport around 6:30 a.m. Chaos as we all tried to check it. My bag was .1 kg over, but it was fine. We seemed to JUST make the plane. I sat next to Annie and Josh at the window. The ride was a quick 1.5 hours. I read China Daily with had some interesting op-eds and a hilarious page of weird headlines. I read that there was a synagogue bomb attempt in NY. We landed in Nanjing. There was a false alarm where I thought I saw a couple trying to join the mile high club. No go.
We got right onto a bus at by noon were at lunch. Mediocre as our new tour guide George bought us here. He talks too fast but is funny. I also broke up a verbal fight between Harper and Sepencer at lunch by rasing my voice for the first time and yelling “PEACE” and then singing “If you’re peaceful and you know it clap your hands.” Only Ma and Li Yan clapped with me. I use kindergarten negociation skills.
Sun Yet Zen’s (spelling?) moseluem was up a lot of stairs. Thankfully it was unlike Mao’s and his body wasn’t visible.
The Rape of Nanking memorial/musem really affected me. There was a room with darkness and candles and music that was just like the Holocaust museum in Israel. I was frozen for a few moments and then started crying. I was quiet for the rest of the time. I may be overly sensitive, but stories of hatred and war really affect me.
We are on a 6 hour bus ride to Anhui. It’s just getting dark but I can still make out the mountains around us wheich are beautiful.
Jenna, a beautiful blonde who went on the same dialogue two years ago, is joining us for Anhui and Shanghai. We are basically smuggling her in as she just got here today and China is still freaking out about swine flu. She set us sister cities with her hometown of Salem and is coming to make a presentation. She is very sweet and has spnet 3 summers in a row in China.
Anhui is apparently a small rural village. We get no dinner tonight is the rumor or we get cup of noodle at a rest stop.
It’s the point of the trip where we are all restless. REST STOP!
Hana
Today Annie and I woke up late but still managed to get to McDonald’s for breakfast.
Let me make two things clear:
I DO NOT eat fast food in the states
I DO NOT even like McDonalds
But fast food is the subject of my paper and I REALLY wanted pancakes. My hash brown was good and my pancakes weren’t bad. What was bad was slipping on the wet tile on the way back and getting wet and hurt.
The women’s museum we went to was interesting. The best part was the collection of bridalware. Lunch was “eh”. Noodles that I couldn’t differentite between.
Mosque afterwards. If I wake up at 4 am I can go to services. Probably not since we have a flight tomorrow at 8 ish.
I walked around alone for awhile. Tried avacodo ice cream from McDonalds. It was not good and I like avacado ice cream from Chinatown NYC.
Dinner was pizza after a long long relfelction meeting. Dave and I laughed a lot and as usual I had nothing intelligent to contrriubte. I feel so stupid here especially when Tom speaks.
Haagen Daz was expensive and not worth it.
I don’t want to leave Xi’an.
If I get a dog I want to name it Times New Roman.
Let me make two things clear:
I DO NOT eat fast food in the states
I DO NOT even like McDonalds
But fast food is the subject of my paper and I REALLY wanted pancakes. My hash brown was good and my pancakes weren’t bad. What was bad was slipping on the wet tile on the way back and getting wet and hurt.
The women’s museum we went to was interesting. The best part was the collection of bridalware. Lunch was “eh”. Noodles that I couldn’t differentite between.
Mosque afterwards. If I wake up at 4 am I can go to services. Probably not since we have a flight tomorrow at 8 ish.
I walked around alone for awhile. Tried avacodo ice cream from McDonalds. It was not good and I like avacado ice cream from Chinatown NYC.
Dinner was pizza after a long long relfelction meeting. Dave and I laughed a lot and as usual I had nothing intelligent to contrriubte. I feel so stupid here especially when Tom speaks.
Haagen Daz was expensive and not worth it.
I don’t want to leave Xi’an.
If I get a dog I want to name it Times New Roman.
Terra Cotta Warrior Day
I am currently sitting outside at a Starbucks using their wireless and relaxing in a comfy chair. It is bustling outside. We just came from the Muslim Bazaar which was filled with street food and hawkers. I had to buy 4 pairs of underwear because I am out. Not a fun purchase.
Today we saw the Terra cotta warriors. I was overwhelmed by the massive amount and I saw less than 1/3 apparently. There are more wating to be unearthed. I highly recommend it. We stopped at a factory where they may models but I found somewhere to get it cheaper. Lunch was mediocre. The downside of having a tourguide for this leg of the trip is that he has deals with restaurants and we eat there even though they suck. I have seen way too many Westerners. I miss being a minority and look forward to going back to less known areas.
We went to a museum with thousands of ancient relics. It was small and I entertained myself by making up a game called “Guess What That Was Used For”. I would look at an artifact and guess what it was for before I looked at the sign.
Example :
Large gold bowl
My guess: Candy dish for rich people
Answer: Well, I don’t remember what it was but it wasn’t what I guessed
After that Annie and I hunted for wine but realized how overpriced everything is around where we are staying-one of the pitfalls of staying in the center of town.
Dinner was the best. It was a dumpling feast with courses and courses of dumplings with a soup at the end. Some dumplings were good, others were not. Example: Walnut dumpling that looked and tasted like walnuts.
We ordered rice wine and had drinks with Chris. An old Chinese man came over and poured us all pijou. (GROSSSSSSS Chinese liquor). We all did shots including Chris. I did a shot with my professor. Highlight. Our table had great conversation and Joe told inapproptiate stories about pooping in his pants to Chris. I haven’t laughed that hard in awhile. Actually, since Joe told me his last story.
Muslim bazaar after diner. I bought much needed underwear.
Now email and relaxing.
Love Asia.
Today we saw the Terra cotta warriors. I was overwhelmed by the massive amount and I saw less than 1/3 apparently. There are more wating to be unearthed. I highly recommend it. We stopped at a factory where they may models but I found somewhere to get it cheaper. Lunch was mediocre. The downside of having a tourguide for this leg of the trip is that he has deals with restaurants and we eat there even though they suck. I have seen way too many Westerners. I miss being a minority and look forward to going back to less known areas.
We went to a museum with thousands of ancient relics. It was small and I entertained myself by making up a game called “Guess What That Was Used For”. I would look at an artifact and guess what it was for before I looked at the sign.
Example :
Large gold bowl
My guess: Candy dish for rich people
Answer: Well, I don’t remember what it was but it wasn’t what I guessed
After that Annie and I hunted for wine but realized how overpriced everything is around where we are staying-one of the pitfalls of staying in the center of town.
Dinner was the best. It was a dumpling feast with courses and courses of dumplings with a soup at the end. Some dumplings were good, others were not. Example: Walnut dumpling that looked and tasted like walnuts.
We ordered rice wine and had drinks with Chris. An old Chinese man came over and poured us all pijou. (GROSSSSSSS Chinese liquor). We all did shots including Chris. I did a shot with my professor. Highlight. Our table had great conversation and Joe told inapproptiate stories about pooping in his pants to Chris. I haven’t laughed that hard in awhile. Actually, since Joe told me his last story.
Muslim bazaar after diner. I bought much needed underwear.
Now email and relaxing.
Love Asia.
Long Bus Rides=Grumpy Group
The rest of the bus ride was a shit show. People got hungry and tired and grumpy. Dujan called me a cunt out of nowhere and thankfully people jumped to my defense but it was awkward.
Hours of driving through nature was repetitive and driving through the small poor looking towns was depressing. Out of nowhere a city, Shan Xi (?) appreared. Again I am going to make the comparison to what I imagine Las Vegas is like. A city of lights appearing out of nowehere. The back of the bus was loudly voicing their craving for McDonalds and KFC. I tried to ignore them for my sanity.
After a mediocre dinner we ran through the train station to catch the overnight train to Xi’an. The train had bunks 3 rows high. Each little compartment had six bunks. I got the middle which ended up being perfect as the fan hit me and I didn’t have to climb as high. I slept better than I did for most of the trip and had a blast hanging out. It was like a slumber party. Dave slept under me, Connie above me, and Wensess across from me. We got in trouble for watching a movie and were told to go to bed by the guards on the train. I called them the fun/safety/curfew police.
I awoke at 5:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise over the Yellow River but I missed it. Back to bed after some loud conversation that pissed off the car next to us (our friends).
I had a nightmare about none of us being friends after China. I woke up to see Edek and Wensness and was relieved I was still here.
Joe and Erlinda were up all night. Apparently doctors in the dining cars bought them drinks. Of course Joe gets free drinks.
I tried to get cold nio ni (milk) this mornig but it ended up being hot yougurt. Ugh. All beverafges are hot here including organge juice.
At 8 a.m. we arrived in Xi’an. A Chinese man, Richard, greeted us waving an American flag. He is our tour guide and it very funny. We got to the hotel WHICH IS SO NICE! and had another mediocre breakfast. Anne and I are sharing a room. We got to shower which was thrilling. I washed my feet and realized that I lost my socks somewhere along my travels. We saw a Walmart down the street so I can get more. After showering we went for a bike ride on the city wall.
I thought it would be a short ride. It was 7.8 miles or about 13.2 km. I went through 3 bikes-the first one had a broken kickstand, the second one had first a chain that fell off and then a broken chain, and the third one also had a broken kickstand. I still had fun, though I think I am out of shape. THe wall had a lot of ruts and I am amazed I didn’t fall. I ekpt thinking how awful it would be to break a leg in China. I would have to go home-almost nothing is wheelchair accessible here.
Lunch sucked, so Annie and I left early and went to Carrefour. She was in search of American beer and I was in search for cheese.
I feel like the people here think I am always on the seach for cheese.
I ended up just getting Cheetos (which were awful) Oreos, Herhsey Kisses, and gum due to time constrants.
Afterward was a lecture by a woman who ran an NGO for women. It was fairly interesting but Diana asked so many questions that it wnet on for too long.
I tried to get internet and paid for it, but the connection was awful for me. I had 5 different people come, but it dindt work. Also, blogspot can’t be reached by any of us in Xi’an, so no updates for awhile. You’ll all get these at once.
Dinner and the night was on our own. Joe, Tom, Kristin, Diana, Anne, Grace, Keith and I went to a restaurant promising “steak beer pizza” as they were all sick of Chiense food. I’ll never get sick of it, but I just went along. I had okay pizza and a long island ice tea. We sat there for hours and talked about all sorts of things. Tom amazes me with his knowledge about politics-boht American and internatonal. They disucssesd China vs. US and the rest of the world and I just sat in awe with nothing intelligent to contribute.
It made me question a lot of thoughts I had/have about Chinese govt and the people and I realized I need to take a lot of classes so I can have a bigger understanding of what is happening. We discussed swine flu and how we are being banned from another school tomorrow. Lighter topics included surrogate mothers, adoption, tv shows, and random topics.
Afterward on the walk home we wlked into a club for about 10 minutes. It felt like the future. LOUD crazy music, flashing lights, waiters in weird uniforms. I felt like I was on Mars. We left.
I walked into McDonalds to take pictures for my paper. I also got another hot fudge sundae. Tomorrow are the terracotta warriors! So famous. Google them if you don’t know.
Xi’an is interesting. It’s crowded and crazy where we are staying which apprears to be the center of town. I’m not sure if its touristy yet but there are a lot of Westernsers here. I need to explore more, but it made a good first impression. Good enough for a second date.
Hana
Hours of driving through nature was repetitive and driving through the small poor looking towns was depressing. Out of nowhere a city, Shan Xi (?) appreared. Again I am going to make the comparison to what I imagine Las Vegas is like. A city of lights appearing out of nowehere. The back of the bus was loudly voicing their craving for McDonalds and KFC. I tried to ignore them for my sanity.
After a mediocre dinner we ran through the train station to catch the overnight train to Xi’an. The train had bunks 3 rows high. Each little compartment had six bunks. I got the middle which ended up being perfect as the fan hit me and I didn’t have to climb as high. I slept better than I did for most of the trip and had a blast hanging out. It was like a slumber party. Dave slept under me, Connie above me, and Wensess across from me. We got in trouble for watching a movie and were told to go to bed by the guards on the train. I called them the fun/safety/curfew police.
I awoke at 5:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise over the Yellow River but I missed it. Back to bed after some loud conversation that pissed off the car next to us (our friends).
I had a nightmare about none of us being friends after China. I woke up to see Edek and Wensness and was relieved I was still here.
Joe and Erlinda were up all night. Apparently doctors in the dining cars bought them drinks. Of course Joe gets free drinks.
I tried to get cold nio ni (milk) this mornig but it ended up being hot yougurt. Ugh. All beverafges are hot here including organge juice.
At 8 a.m. we arrived in Xi’an. A Chinese man, Richard, greeted us waving an American flag. He is our tour guide and it very funny. We got to the hotel WHICH IS SO NICE! and had another mediocre breakfast. Anne and I are sharing a room. We got to shower which was thrilling. I washed my feet and realized that I lost my socks somewhere along my travels. We saw a Walmart down the street so I can get more. After showering we went for a bike ride on the city wall.
I thought it would be a short ride. It was 7.8 miles or about 13.2 km. I went through 3 bikes-the first one had a broken kickstand, the second one had first a chain that fell off and then a broken chain, and the third one also had a broken kickstand. I still had fun, though I think I am out of shape. THe wall had a lot of ruts and I am amazed I didn’t fall. I ekpt thinking how awful it would be to break a leg in China. I would have to go home-almost nothing is wheelchair accessible here.
Lunch sucked, so Annie and I left early and went to Carrefour. She was in search of American beer and I was in search for cheese.
I feel like the people here think I am always on the seach for cheese.
I ended up just getting Cheetos (which were awful) Oreos, Herhsey Kisses, and gum due to time constrants.
Afterward was a lecture by a woman who ran an NGO for women. It was fairly interesting but Diana asked so many questions that it wnet on for too long.
I tried to get internet and paid for it, but the connection was awful for me. I had 5 different people come, but it dindt work. Also, blogspot can’t be reached by any of us in Xi’an, so no updates for awhile. You’ll all get these at once.
Dinner and the night was on our own. Joe, Tom, Kristin, Diana, Anne, Grace, Keith and I went to a restaurant promising “steak beer pizza” as they were all sick of Chiense food. I’ll never get sick of it, but I just went along. I had okay pizza and a long island ice tea. We sat there for hours and talked about all sorts of things. Tom amazes me with his knowledge about politics-boht American and internatonal. They disucssesd China vs. US and the rest of the world and I just sat in awe with nothing intelligent to contribute.
It made me question a lot of thoughts I had/have about Chinese govt and the people and I realized I need to take a lot of classes so I can have a bigger understanding of what is happening. We discussed swine flu and how we are being banned from another school tomorrow. Lighter topics included surrogate mothers, adoption, tv shows, and random topics.
Afterward on the walk home we wlked into a club for about 10 minutes. It felt like the future. LOUD crazy music, flashing lights, waiters in weird uniforms. I felt like I was on Mars. We left.
I walked into McDonalds to take pictures for my paper. I also got another hot fudge sundae. Tomorrow are the terracotta warriors! So famous. Google them if you don’t know.
Xi’an is interesting. It’s crowded and crazy where we are staying which apprears to be the center of town. I’m not sure if its touristy yet but there are a lot of Westernsers here. I need to explore more, but it made a good first impression. Good enough for a second date.
Hana
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