Seeing as it is now a very long time since I last blogged I will skip over the already covered details, like Beijing goodbye to Yiwu and Hangzhou which were all amazing,
After that we headed to Guilin, where we ended up staying in a ghost hotel for 50 kuai, honestly it was the weirdest experience ever! We were pretty much the only people staying in this hotel, and the people there were really strange, when we woke up the whle hotels electricity had been turned off and apparently that was what happened everyday, including the lifts, and you know how much we HATE climbing stairs, especially with a couple of kilo on our back!
That day was pretty cool went to some caves and stuff and up another chairlift thing maybe even bigger and scarier than the one in Kunming, and when we got to the top we got to Luge down, which was totally awesome although Charl was way too pussy to go down real fast, and I was stuck behind some dude that worked there making sure we didn't rip down to fast. Halfway through Charl was lost behind somewhere so fearing that she had broken a limb he had to hop off from infront of me and wait for her, leaving me to fly down at my leisure.
Another equally weird night in "ghosthotel" before we headed to Yangshuo to meet up with Maddie and Caroline, two of the gappers I spent xmas with. It was great we just bumped into them in Main street, then checked in had some lunch and hired bikes to go to a place we coukld bamboo raft down the river, the bike ride was a good distance, Charl and I were both convinced the girls had got us lost, but eventually we made it and through some heavy negotiation we managed to get a very reasonable price for two hours of lugging us down the river. Charlie and I were not the perfect candidates for a bamboo boat, our tiny dude was having a rough time hauling us heffalumps down the river, our feet were also almost in the water, our feller stopped the boat to get some gumboots.
The boat ride was great a couple of hours in the glorious sunshine (it is so much warmer down south). With a couple of exciting stops on the way, in the form of small waterfalls or more rocky ledges which we had to pass over. each one our punter got out lined us up and shoved us over, we had to lift up our legs and our bags as we entered the water to about half a meter or a meter! A couple of times our butties got a wee bit wet.
On the homeward stretch us hefferlumps got beached, it was quite the drama as our half a stone punter tried to dislodge us from ther rock we were caught on. Finally I decided that we just weren't budging due to the weight of us, so off came my tights and shoes and I jumped to help, but to be honest I didn't really think that through too much because as soon as I was off the boat was free and started moving swiftly away, the punter was nippy enough to jump on, I tend to move in more of a gammy way and managed to get myself undies deep before rolling back onto the boat. To the great amusement of a fair few standers-by!
Left for Guilin the nest morning and spent the day organising our train ticket etc. Train ride to Nanning in the arvo which was about 5 hours long, we made some cool friends that spoke the English very well. We organised a bus trip to vietnam and in the package a guide was to pick us up from the train station in Nanning and take us to a hotel and give us our tickets to cross the border, we thought english speaker with driver who would take us to our hotel. Turned out we were much mistaken, a portly man swaggered up to us, showing my name on a cellphone, then jumped on his motorbike gesturing for us to follow him. We waddled behind with about 50kg worth of stuff each as he cruised along stopping only to light another cig! Then when we got to the hotel he gave us a ticvket, all in chinese and I figured out we were supposed to meet him tomorrow morning, we truly had no idea if he was going to take us to Hanoi or somewhere completely in the wrong direction (Russia was rushing through my m,ind.) But next morning old Smoky-joe was there and again we waddled behind his moto to a place with a couple of other stranded looking chinese travellers. But all of a sudden everything worked out perfectly, we caught a bus all the was to the border without a glitch and now are sitting in the hostel we managed to grab! Its all great! Nam is fabulous so far, Anyway I will update about it the next installment. This was enough to keep me going til my hour was up.
Love to all, we are happy safe and fed! Xx
P.s Mama I am a devoted follower of the blog but somehow the computer wont let me comment! Kor sounds great Xx
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Christmas
Christmas eve after one class of teaching we departed on the 2hour drive to Hangzhou, one in which Peter insisted on accompanying us, and then sleeping the whole way and not actually coming into the airport to help... unsure of why he actually decided to come but thats old Unc Pete for you. After about an hour of delays we were on the plane to Qingdao and arrived at about 7pm, greeted by the 4 gappers, Maddie Caro Tom and Jack, we dropped our stuff and went straight out to a little restraunt with an even littler man serving us. The girls were locals there and he was VERY excited that they had brought 4 friends. Then off to a bar Le Bang, the name being the only thing french about it. Where we spent the countdown to christmas, Qingdao seems to have a lot of westerners, and english speakers, the bar even had a western playlist which consisted of a lot of "apple bottom Jeans" and those kind of songs that are just a little bit too old to be cool.
Christmas morning we waited for the boys to arrive and then ripped into the presents. Case and I had done pretty well to bulk up each others piles, including stockings, so and I must say I had a fair few from NZ as well, so I was doing quite well for myself! For lunch we went to a place called the Diner where they well serving a western christmas meal, and I must say their attempt at roast veges wasn't too bad! We had the choice of steak or a rack of lamb, and it must have been good because it was the only meal I had been able to stomach for the past couple of weeks! (I'm pretty sure I've completely recovered by the way!) We managed to stay in the diner chatting until about 4pm, I'm not to sure whether the empty restraunt and it's waiters were to overjoyed at that, and it was only when they started setting up for dinner that we decided a change of location might be necissary.So after a brisk stroll around the freezing beach we took refuge in baar, for a Christmas toast, and then back home for some stella poker playing on my behalf! A game which Casey contracted the unfortunate nickname of Folds, which seems to have stuck with the Qingers crew!
After a well deserved rest we were back to the Diner the next day, to try out the infamous "homer's basket" which aquired its name for having enough grease in it for Homer Simpson. The girls had heard of it but never dared to try it, but with Casey and me there we ordered three of the most amazing basket in the world. Filled with chips,nuggets, onion rings and popcorn chicken, and eaten with a generous helping of mayo and ketchup, I really was suprised that my heart was up for it!
Apart from good places to eat the one thing that the Qingdao crew prided themselves on knowing was good bars, so off we went this time to a bar with a bouncy dance floor, another of China's greatest inventions, we do have one in Yiwu as well, which some of you may be lucky enough to have a jump on. The floors are great because even if you don't feel like dancing you can actually just bop without moving!
Next day the girls had one for class to teach which we sat in on. Then off to what had become our local by then, the DINER! When we got there we had already picked out what we were to have, only to find that they had added things to the menu. Now we were all confused and torn, I personally almost cryed when I had to cut eithter Lasagna or chicken burger. As you can all imagine the Lasagna got cut, I think the tipping point was the chips! Then back home for another evening of poker, where to all of our shock (embarrassment) Fold's cleaned up!
Last day in Qingdao was no warmer than the first, so we met the boys at the "australia hotel" which again besides the name didn't have much else true blue about it! Everyone was hoping for a bit of boxing day test action, (everyone besides me, who didn't actually know who was playing, but I think I had the excuse of if NZ isn't playing why would I care,) but much to some peoples horror and others relief, the Australia Hotel let us down again, so we had to settle for what the best hot chocolate in China. Then we went to a few markets where Caro And Mad were opened to a whole new dimension of China, the junk to buy, all the while that we in Yiwu had been buying up in bulk on little Mao watches and cute keyrings, the girls had been doing serious clothes shopping, so although the shops had nothing on Yiwu, the girls had a ball finally shopping for what china makes best JUNK! The only thing that could stop the girls from their rampage was that snow started to fall. A delicious restraunt for tea, with spicy chicken and garlic veges, and then home for the nightly poker, which this time ended at 3am, and I came out with a towering stack! Then up at 6 to head home!
So ourt Christmas had NOTHING on 44 Union's their was not a pea to pod in sight, but it was definitely an experience, and we had the best chinese christmas we could. I don't know if you can call it a white xmas, I mean there were puddles of muddy slush like snow everywhere... that story might get romanticised when I get home to NZ.
Anyway hope everyones Christmas was good Xxxx
Christmas morning we waited for the boys to arrive and then ripped into the presents. Case and I had done pretty well to bulk up each others piles, including stockings, so and I must say I had a fair few from NZ as well, so I was doing quite well for myself! For lunch we went to a place called the Diner where they well serving a western christmas meal, and I must say their attempt at roast veges wasn't too bad! We had the choice of steak or a rack of lamb, and it must have been good because it was the only meal I had been able to stomach for the past couple of weeks! (I'm pretty sure I've completely recovered by the way!) We managed to stay in the diner chatting until about 4pm, I'm not to sure whether the empty restraunt and it's waiters were to overjoyed at that, and it was only when they started setting up for dinner that we decided a change of location might be necissary.So after a brisk stroll around the freezing beach we took refuge in baar, for a Christmas toast, and then back home for some stella poker playing on my behalf! A game which Casey contracted the unfortunate nickname of Folds, which seems to have stuck with the Qingers crew!
After a well deserved rest we were back to the Diner the next day, to try out the infamous "homer's basket" which aquired its name for having enough grease in it for Homer Simpson. The girls had heard of it but never dared to try it, but with Casey and me there we ordered three of the most amazing basket in the world. Filled with chips,nuggets, onion rings and popcorn chicken, and eaten with a generous helping of mayo and ketchup, I really was suprised that my heart was up for it!
Apart from good places to eat the one thing that the Qingdao crew prided themselves on knowing was good bars, so off we went this time to a bar with a bouncy dance floor, another of China's greatest inventions, we do have one in Yiwu as well, which some of you may be lucky enough to have a jump on. The floors are great because even if you don't feel like dancing you can actually just bop without moving!
Next day the girls had one for class to teach which we sat in on. Then off to what had become our local by then, the DINER! When we got there we had already picked out what we were to have, only to find that they had added things to the menu. Now we were all confused and torn, I personally almost cryed when I had to cut eithter Lasagna or chicken burger. As you can all imagine the Lasagna got cut, I think the tipping point was the chips! Then back home for another evening of poker, where to all of our shock (embarrassment) Fold's cleaned up!
Last day in Qingdao was no warmer than the first, so we met the boys at the "australia hotel" which again besides the name didn't have much else true blue about it! Everyone was hoping for a bit of boxing day test action, (everyone besides me, who didn't actually know who was playing, but I think I had the excuse of if NZ isn't playing why would I care,) but much to some peoples horror and others relief, the Australia Hotel let us down again, so we had to settle for what the best hot chocolate in China. Then we went to a few markets where Caro And Mad were opened to a whole new dimension of China, the junk to buy, all the while that we in Yiwu had been buying up in bulk on little Mao watches and cute keyrings, the girls had been doing serious clothes shopping, so although the shops had nothing on Yiwu, the girls had a ball finally shopping for what china makes best JUNK! The only thing that could stop the girls from their rampage was that snow started to fall. A delicious restraunt for tea, with spicy chicken and garlic veges, and then home for the nightly poker, which this time ended at 3am, and I came out with a towering stack! Then up at 6 to head home!
So ourt Christmas had NOTHING on 44 Union's their was not a pea to pod in sight, but it was definitely an experience, and we had the best chinese christmas we could. I don't know if you can call it a white xmas, I mean there were puddles of muddy slush like snow everywhere... that story might get romanticised when I get home to NZ.
Anyway hope everyones Christmas was good Xxxx
Monday, December 15, 2008
Nanjing
Last weekend we went to Nanjing, which is the old Capital of China and still quite razzle dazzle! Although my cold has come back with a vengence and is thriving on the cold weather, so a lot of the time was spent snuggled under a duvet. Luckily because I only had a cold I still had the ability to eat. Oh and eat we did! I don't care what you say about experiencing the good food of China, I now live here, and I figure if Chinese people live in NZ they are allowed Chinese food! So we had indian, mexican German, hotdogs and early morning Maccas. Which I'm sure you'll all be insanely excited about serve McChickens for breakfast.... ok well I was pretty pumped having a McChick with hashy's definitely goes down smooth. Other notes about Nanjing other than food... the hostel we stayed at again lived up to the reputaion of the fun amazingness of hostels and their owners. Although we did get locked out for coming home to late and having to scale the wall in heels, difficult at the best of times! But no, the hostel was kitted out with fussball pingpong, a lassie and a bunny, which is my going to be my newest impulse purchase when I return home, this thing was totally sweet! It would just cause so much havoc! I know you just can't wait Gezza! Although we didn't get to see many of the sights of Nanners (trying it out, don't think its got the same ring) we did get to see a fair few bars, and I can tell you they are pretty rocking, one of the bars was an ex-pat Aussie bar, which was cool, unfortunately the 3am Soccor game we were FORCED to watch before bed was not quite so much fun! So to the train ride home, which we thought would be 6 hours. Oh no no, after booking the only ticket I could with my basic knowledge of train services and chinese, we ended up on a 9 hour train ride, which broke down for 2 hours all up the 11hours was not fun! Plus the only books we had was Emma (Jane Austen) and The three Musketeers, both very intense books which we were thoroughly sick of after 11 hours of sword fights and sordid love affairs, If only Charl was there to lend me her HP. Back to Yiwu which a lot has been going on here as well. The foreign affairs minister for Zhejiang came to inspect us and the flat last week, which was a BIG deal! Trying not to be too rough on ole Uncle Pete we managed to get the money the school was owing us and a new shower within the same day! This guy was obviously a big deal, we went out for dinner with him, the pricipal and vice principal and the Mayor of Yiwu, pretty insane. It was hotpot and unfortunately the fish was added to the pot rather early on and after that I spent an eventul tea trying to look like I was eating without actually taking a bite, oh but don't worry there was things for me to drink, apparently it was our "honour" to ganbei the Mayor, and it had to be done quite regularly. So after a night of a fair few cups of red wine and no dinner, McDonalds was mightily in order! This past week did not really ease up on the business factor, Casey after a night in Yiwu, jetted back to Shangers for a night to catch up with one of her Aussie friends, so for the first time in the history of China I was alone... for a whole two days! But it was fine got a blind massage, lucky they were blind to be honest because I have a bad cold at the moment, and during the massage your head is in the hole, its actually impossible to blow your nose... This weekend heading back to Quzhou for some good old quality time with the Zhejiang crew. Xmas getting extremely close and therefore the Whanau trip is also not far away, cannot wait to see everybody. Keep me updated with the haps at home. Xx
Monday, November 24, 2008
Last couple of weeks of China
I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks lost interest since losing the lappy. Since Halloween we have been pretty busy, living it up in the weekends and been teaching the kids about family for the past two weeks. The kids thought it was fabulous! And I stole Lisa's Luke as my own baby for a couple of weeks.
Shanghai was pretty mad crazy but amazing, and we were fortunate getting home easily and on time! Which I'm pretty sure everybody in the southern hemisphere has already learnt the story.
Been teaching at anther country school as well at the moment which is a pretty cool place and the people are amazingly nice, last weekend we spent our second weekend in Yiwu, we went to a bar with this teacher Tiger and his friend who we never actually learnt the name of but was a lot of fun, on Sunday just had a chilled day biking to the internet bar, unfortunately we passed it and ended up as far out as the trade city, which is only relevent to Gez, but take it from me it was quite a decent bike, my booty was awfully numb by the end of the ride.
This weekend just gone we went back to Hangzhou for the weekend and stayed at an amazing hostel, we had our own room and bathroom, and the coolest couple running it that just really loved helping us! Gave us the greatest advice about buses and bars etc. We went to a bar that had a live band and cheap jugs, the Chinese band played a english sons every couple of songs, even though we were probably the only english speakers there. Hearing a chinese band play coldplay is somehow better than the real ones! We also went to the most amazing book store, finally have got my hands on Harry Potter in chinese, so challange on. Plus they had more books than the pre 19th century classics so have juiced myself back up with books again.
The next couple of weeks are going to be pretty busy Quzhou next weekend and then a big trip to Nanjing the following which will take a good 9 hours each way, lots of people are meeting up there though so very excited!
Apart from that not much going on, at the moment I am struggling through making flags of numerous difficult countries ready for tomorrow.
In terms of the flat, the air con is still humming like a bird although we have just realised that the washingmachine and shower are no longer working, god another task for Pete, and no its not that the water is turned off or anything, come on guys give me a little cred! But I have finally got Pete to actually ask the Principal if we can get xmas off, BIG DEAL. And all we had to do was sit through another one of his Taichi perfomances, unfortunately this one involved me as a voulenteer for his strengh using the "gas" in his body, don't even ask???
Got a package from Judith today so thank her for me will you mama! I will send her a letter as soon as possible
Much love to you all, see you relatively soon Xxx Kate
Shanghai was pretty mad crazy but amazing, and we were fortunate getting home easily and on time! Which I'm pretty sure everybody in the southern hemisphere has already learnt the story.
Been teaching at anther country school as well at the moment which is a pretty cool place and the people are amazingly nice, last weekend we spent our second weekend in Yiwu, we went to a bar with this teacher Tiger and his friend who we never actually learnt the name of but was a lot of fun, on Sunday just had a chilled day biking to the internet bar, unfortunately we passed it and ended up as far out as the trade city, which is only relevent to Gez, but take it from me it was quite a decent bike, my booty was awfully numb by the end of the ride.
This weekend just gone we went back to Hangzhou for the weekend and stayed at an amazing hostel, we had our own room and bathroom, and the coolest couple running it that just really loved helping us! Gave us the greatest advice about buses and bars etc. We went to a bar that had a live band and cheap jugs, the Chinese band played a english sons every couple of songs, even though we were probably the only english speakers there. Hearing a chinese band play coldplay is somehow better than the real ones! We also went to the most amazing book store, finally have got my hands on Harry Potter in chinese, so challange on. Plus they had more books than the pre 19th century classics so have juiced myself back up with books again.
The next couple of weeks are going to be pretty busy Quzhou next weekend and then a big trip to Nanjing the following which will take a good 9 hours each way, lots of people are meeting up there though so very excited!
Apart from that not much going on, at the moment I am struggling through making flags of numerous difficult countries ready for tomorrow.
In terms of the flat, the air con is still humming like a bird although we have just realised that the washingmachine and shower are no longer working, god another task for Pete, and no its not that the water is turned off or anything, come on guys give me a little cred! But I have finally got Pete to actually ask the Principal if we can get xmas off, BIG DEAL. And all we had to do was sit through another one of his Taichi perfomances, unfortunately this one involved me as a voulenteer for his strengh using the "gas" in his body, don't even ask???
Got a package from Judith today so thank her for me will you mama! I will send her a letter as soon as possible
Much love to you all, see you relatively soon Xxx Kate
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Halloween
Heavy week of teaching last week! Taught the kids how to talk like a NZer, which is pretty sweet, taught them "sup bro" and "laters", our whole school now officially thinks that New Zealand is more Cracka Lacking than Australia, which pleases me greatly! Also been teaching the kids about Halloween, they do not get the concept of Witch, everytime I draw one they just scream at me "HARRY POTTER" and when I say no they just say, "YES!!!!"
Clinton stayed for the week, so had another trip to the night markets and parks etc. Plus we went to a sweet Turkish joint, suprisingly delish and cheap pizza (Turkish???) We have also found a really amazing burger joint that has combo's for about 2 dollars, very pumped up!
After work on friday Arvo we rushed straight to the bus station and headed straight back to Quzhou for Peters halloween party, which was awesome, we got to meet some more Aussie's that were passing through Quzhou. Our friend Jane woke us up this morning at about 8 with chinese breakfast and toast to try with vegemite, which the Aussies are in love with. Just got home this evening, and can safely say that I am almost as dead as my poor turtles and fish, which by the way are goners. Teaching tomorrow and then a couple of rest days hopefully before Shanghai on thursday evening, well thats the plan so far, but it is Janes Birthday and she has invited us back for her birthday celebrations, plus Jinhua, the city next door to us really is calling our names!
Weather is very wet and snuggle sack suitable, which is making Casey immensely jealous! Wouyld love a call from ya'll this week, best time to catch me is at about 5pm your time, I know that is really awkward for you, or at about 10pm also rather awkward
Love you all, missing you Xx
Photos of kids coming soon x
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The last douple of weeks
Last weekend has been pretty fun, Dyl came to stay for 3 nights, so did the touristy thing in Yiwu, trade centre and a couple of other markets, was just as good as last time, and Casey spent just as much on toys as last time! We went shirt shopping for Dyl, it was like shopping for a rock, so I dawdled and watched a fantastic poker game that had about 2000 kuai at stake!
Case and I got some pretty amazing haircuts from this really posh joint, they give you an hour hairwash and massage which includes a face cleaning and ear cleaning. Casey and I wanted radical stripes through our hair, casey got pink which looks super cool, but when I said I wanted blue I was completely denied because they told me I would not look so beautiful. I came out with a helmet haircut which looked so asian, not to much of a fan but it had to be done at least once!
The Americans have moved in next door, after one conversation we already know that Jacob has voted for McCain, and before we met them we got a call from Peter apologetically telling us that we were apparently being too loud for Americano next door. So hmmm not sure how swell thats going to be, but we are good at buttering people up!
Our apartment has turned into a boys club, we have transformed our dining table into a pingpong table, and situated next to it is our dartboards plus numerous amounts of balls skates and bikes! Which means that even with just the two of us we have filled our weekly life with games and fun!
30 Germans have been staying with kids from the School this last week and on Thursday night we went ouy with some of the german teachers and one of our link teachers to a bar, we were picked up by a chinese doctor who spoke zero english and entered a room of about 10 people all of whom spoke zero english, as we waited for the link teachers and the Germans for about an hour they just constantly challenged us to more and more skulling contests. The boss of the bar came in shirtless and dancing and there were a couple of VERY partied out policemen.
The Americans have moved in next door, after one conversation we already know that Jacob has voted for McCain, and before we met them we got a call from Peter apologetically telling us that we were apparently being too loud for Americano next door. So hmmm not sure how swell thats going to be, but we are good at buttering people up!
Our apartment has turned into a boys club, we have transformed our dining table into a pingpong table, and situated next to it is our dartboards plus numerous amounts of balls skates and bikes! Which means that even with just the two of us we have filled our weekly life with games and fun!
30 Germans have been staying with kids from the School this last week and on Thursday night we went ouy with some of the german teachers and one of our link teachers to a bar, we were picked up by a chinese doctor who spoke zero english and entered a room of about 10 people all of whom spoke zero english, as we waited for the link teachers and the Germans for about an hour they just constantly challenged us to more and more skulling contests. The boss of the bar came in shirtless and dancing and there were a couple of VERY partied out policemen.
Then off to the boys for the weekend on Friday morning firstly we had to wait for Clinton to arrive from Hangzhou, had a night of pool with the Germans and some more chinese policemen, who turn out to be really really cool. They all play Perudo at the bars, and are shocked that a) I understand the rules, b) understand the numbers in chinese and c) dominate them all at the game!
Next day we had to edit some textbooks for one of the english teachers. Which meant that he took us to an amazing coffee joint for coffee and fruit to mark, then off to Fay's house to make some dumplings, which weren't half bad, also got to make sushi and then had a complete BANQUET followed by a bit of Mah Jong with the parents!
Sorry about the complete lack of bloggage, more coming shortly about last week! Xx Kate
Oh and by the way, presents got returned to me on Friday, claiming that the present I sent for Bill was too big, PERFECT. So I have sent the rest apart from poor wee Billy, But I will try go to the post office by myself and sort iut out, leaving it up to Peter never works out amazingly well! Love you allX
Monday, October 13, 2008
QUZHOU
Just got home from Quzhou which was heaps of fun! Friday we arrived early afternoon, and pretty much headed straight out to collect food for the dinner us girls were going to cook the boys. Their supermarket was amazing, we were able to buy undies that fit us and even SHORTS. We sat in on one of Johnnys lessons, which was pretty cool actually. They are really lucky their kids are between 15 and 18 so actually understand a lot and are able to talk intellectually with you! Johnny was teaching then to "hail" a taxi, and "scan read" a book! Pretty different to our school who struggle with the concept of "this is a circle!"
Case cooked a pretty delicious stirfry with mashed potato. We had Fay and Jane over for dinner, they are both chinese girls teaching english at their school and are totally amazing, Fay is 30 but looks and act s like a 17 year old! They are both really really cool! Then we went to one of the only bars in Quzhou, and met a couple of the other english teachers, Michael, a chinese guy and Peter a 30 year old American Guy. Plus a german couple. They are all really fun and CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK ENGLISH!!! Such a change from Yiwu. Saturday we played cricket with some of the kids, then went to get Dylans haircut. This time when they asked if I wanted my hairwashed I most certainly said yes! Which turned out to be a golden idea, I got a half hour massage and my hair and face cleaned, then unfortunately they styled my hair, which made me look about 56 and from a cheesy american sitcom, but meh it was sooo worth it just for free massage!
We went to an even more superior supermarket than the day before, to find things to cook chicken Parmesan. Which is apparently a staple food in australia, and they were horrified when I suggested we serve it with rice, according to them it is served in Bars with Chips or mash! In the supermarket we found mainland tasty cheese all the way from little New Zealand, you can only imagine how excited we were, seeing as we forgot to bring our quickly diminishing block from Yiwu! Jane and Fay thought that cheese was one of the weirdest tasting things ever. The chicken Parm was DELICIOUS, I am proud to call Casey my gap partner, she did our province proud! A fun night of Bai Jiu and card games, then a late night trip to the city wall, all good fun!
Last night just the four of us went to a bar and played some pool, pretty low key. This morning we headed home at about 10, it was a v. succesful trip. This weekend I think that either the boys are coming here for a bit of shopping and movies, or we might go to Hangzhou with the chinese guy, who is going there for business. The boys have a 6 day holiday this week so may be able to do both!
My laptops internet is not working which is scaring me a wee bit! Hoping that it will work again soon, will attach the photos that go with the stories soon,
Talk soon hopefully, Xx Kate
Case cooked a pretty delicious stirfry with mashed potato. We had Fay and Jane over for dinner, they are both chinese girls teaching english at their school and are totally amazing, Fay is 30 but looks and act s like a 17 year old! They are both really really cool! Then we went to one of the only bars in Quzhou, and met a couple of the other english teachers, Michael, a chinese guy and Peter a 30 year old American Guy. Plus a german couple. They are all really fun and CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK ENGLISH!!! Such a change from Yiwu. Saturday we played cricket with some of the kids, then went to get Dylans haircut. This time when they asked if I wanted my hairwashed I most certainly said yes! Which turned out to be a golden idea, I got a half hour massage and my hair and face cleaned, then unfortunately they styled my hair, which made me look about 56 and from a cheesy american sitcom, but meh it was sooo worth it just for free massage!
We went to an even more superior supermarket than the day before, to find things to cook chicken Parmesan. Which is apparently a staple food in australia, and they were horrified when I suggested we serve it with rice, according to them it is served in Bars with Chips or mash! In the supermarket we found mainland tasty cheese all the way from little New Zealand, you can only imagine how excited we were, seeing as we forgot to bring our quickly diminishing block from Yiwu! Jane and Fay thought that cheese was one of the weirdest tasting things ever. The chicken Parm was DELICIOUS, I am proud to call Casey my gap partner, she did our province proud! A fun night of Bai Jiu and card games, then a late night trip to the city wall, all good fun!
Last night just the four of us went to a bar and played some pool, pretty low key. This morning we headed home at about 10, it was a v. succesful trip. This weekend I think that either the boys are coming here for a bit of shopping and movies, or we might go to Hangzhou with the chinese guy, who is going there for business. The boys have a 6 day holiday this week so may be able to do both!
My laptops internet is not working which is scaring me a wee bit! Hoping that it will work again soon, will attach the photos that go with the stories soon,
Talk soon hopefully, Xx Kate
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