My last blog was Wednesday, so let's go from there. Thursday I was bad and told my trainer I had to work so that I could sleep in and skip working out. But karma has a way of working out, because I did go in later that evening, and when I saw Xiong, he told me he was sick, and because I cancelled, he got to sleep in a few extra hours. So everyone wins! Friday I went to a birthday party for Ivy, the wife of one of my coworkers, Sharriff. Ivy is Chinese, and it's always interesting going to one of their dinner parties, especially the food. I wasn't as daring as I've been before, and while I tried bull frog, I skipped the cold duck tongue. Saturday and Sunday were long days at school as usual, and went pretty well.
I was pleasantly surprised on Sunday when they told me that my classes for Monday and Friday were cancelled. I have no idea why, but I know better than to question. And Monday got even better, because when I woke up, the nasty, cold weather was gone! I hardly even needed a jacket. I spent the morning at the gym, and the afternoon cleaning my apartment.
In the early evening I went to the train station to pick up my friend Alex and his friend Les. Alex and I know each other from freshman year of college when we were in a study group together, but became friends when we studied abroad in London. He just spent the last year teaching English in Thailand, where he met his friend Les, who coincidently, is from Bethesda. He grew up just around the corner from me, and his sister and I were friends when we were younger. Small world! They've finished up in Thailand, and have been touring China the last few weeks before eventually heading back to the US in 2 weeks. I was very excited to see familiar faces!
Tuesday we woke up early and took the bus to Hangzhou, which is a large city about 2 1/2 hours away, in the neighboring province. I was hesitant about taking the bus, but let me tell you, it was almost luxurious. Big comfy seats, a bathroom, and clean. I sat next to a Chinese man who didn't speak a word of English, and we actually were able to chat for a good 15 minutes. I'm 99% sure he just wanted to try to sell me water-purification systems, but it was good practice for my Chinese. The strangest part was that he asked me for my cell phone number- but he doesn't speak English. I don't know why. Probably just to be able to show people he has Western friends.
Once in Hangzhou, we "climbed" up this beautiful pagoda, and took photos. Climbed isn't really true, because unlike the pagoda I went to my first month here, this one had escalators and elevators, so hardly strenuous. We then had some lunch and took a nice long walk around the West Lake, this gorgeous area. Hangzhou is really, truly, beautiful. A Chinese friend told me that there is an expression that roughly translates to "Under Heaven, there is Hangzhou and Suzhou", which I believe to be true. Getting home was a bit of a hassle- first trying to get a taxi, and then making it to the bus station. Our taxi driver actually got pulled over for driving in the bus lane or something, and had to get out to deal with it. I again impressed myself with my Chinese skills when I was able to explain to him that I wouldn't pay the price on his meter because he left it running while he was dealing with the cops. He understood and agreed. Turns out I know more than I thought I did :).
Wednesday we took it easy in the morning, and in the afternoon walked around some of the souvenir markets. The guys toured around some more while I went to work, where I taught 4 year olds the word "beer", and the phrase, "I would like some beer". It was in the lesson plan. In the evening we met some of my friends for dinner at one of my favorite Sichuan restaurants for a great meal.
Thursday, Thanksgiving, we were nice and lazy in the morning. In mid-October I spied pumpkin pie mix at the Western market, and overheard one women telling another that if you don't buy it early, it would be gone by Halloween. So I grabbed a can, and have been holding on to it for about a month. So on Thursday morning, I went out (after dealing with a stupid flat tire- my bike just won't let me be happy) and bought other things to bake my favorite- pumpkin bread. Cooking it was interesting, as I have yet to find a measuring cup in this country. The Chinese don't bake, so there is no need to measure. I had to use my gym water bottle, as it is the only thing with measurements on it. Despite it all, I made some semi-decent bread, and it made my apartment smell like Thanksgiving :)
I had to go to work, where I discovered my favorite class was cancelled again, this time due to H1N1. I sat around until my second class, and when I returned home, Alex and Les had cleaned my apartment, and even made little Thanksgiving decorations, which was very sweet. It was then time for dinner.
We decided to go to the Howard Johnson's near my apartment. I know it sounds gross, but I swear, it was the classiest HoJo I've ever seen- 4 star. The buffett was quite impressive, although the only thing that made it Thanksgiving was a carving station with the turkey. But we feasted on all sorts of things- from meat to pasta to sushi. It was by far the most expensive meal I've had in China, but it was worth it for the holiday. Too stuffed to move, we spent the evening watching TV. If that's not Thanksgiving, I don't know what is.
So all in all, Thanksgiving in China was good. I got many sweet messages from both my expat and Chinese friends wishing me a good holiday, which I enjoyed. One Chinese friend even sent me a text that said "Thank you." I responded, "for what?", to which he replied, "isn't that what you say on Thanksgiving?". Very cute.
This morning I got up early to call family while they were enjoying their dinners, and then promptly fell back asleep. I bid farewell to Alex and Les, and then headed to the gym for my post-Thanksgiving workout with Xiong. He laughed at me when I described an American Thanksgiving, but I'm not sure whether it's because of the amount of food, or that fact that Chinese people seem to eat that much on a daily basis, and he didn't see why it was a special event. He did make me go up those 20 flights of stairs again, but this time we made it to the top without stopping, so either I'm getting healthier, or that last time I was hungover. Both possibilities. I had just come back home and was catching up on the week's American TV when I got a call from Alex, who told me they had nearly 4 hours until their train. So they came back to keep me company. I've bid farewell to them again, and am now cooking more pumpkin bread, as I don't want to waste it the leftover pumpkin mix. Tomorrow is another busy Saturday, and my schedule returns to normal. It's also becoming cold and rainy again, so I guess my friends really lucked out!
And because my father thinks this is the best part of my blogs, here are more random things:
- I accidentally bought scented toilet paper. Surprisingly nice.
- There is a gas ration in SIP right now. My place is so small, I don't think it will be an issue, but I know it's worrying some people. No heat, no hot water. I'm banking on the fact that I can always shower in the gym....
- The movie 2012 is like the biggest thing right now. I've had 3 Chinese friends tell me how amazing it is and how I need to watch it immediately. I've already gotten it on DVD.
- I decided to have a coat made for myself, as it is just so cold. I found a shop, and they only offer cashmere. So I decided to treat myself. She let me pick it out of a magazine, and it will be done in 10 days. The price she offered was, no joke, about 70% less than what I had expected to pay. I was so shocked I didn't even think to negotiate.
- I cleaned my apartment on Monday because my friends were coming. On Tuesday my maid was so shocked that I hadn't let her anything to do that she did my laundry. Despite the fact that it's not freezing cold outside, my clothes are still soaking wet. It's Friday.
- Turns out I had the wrong name for my apartment complex. Having the right on has made my life much simpler. Imagine that.
- My students, being Chinese, love to eat. They come to Sunflower for 2 hours on the weekends. They have 2 5 minute breaks, during which they eat like they haven't had food in 6 weeks. I don't mind, because they share with me. Generally, I get seaweed, chips, candy and cold french fries.
And that's all I've got. Except photos. Those I have!
Wo Ai Ni,
RDG
Happy Thanksgiving! = 感恩节快乐 - gǎn ēn jié kuài lè.
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