A day out

So today was my day off from teaching. Last week I had no day off so this week I had to take advantage of my free time and I spent the day out and about in the city. I started the day with Chinese class and then went out with two of my co-workers and we went bowling.

Bowling here in China is apparently a big thing. It's also very much the same as it is at home. I had to rent a pair of the same red white and blue bowling shoes that live in every bowling alley everywhere, it seems. There were the same kitschy animations on the electronic score machine. You know, the silly strike, spare, split and miss animations that we so cool when we were little? Another thing that is the same as in the good ol' USA...I still suck. I'll admit it, I'm no good at bowling. I only play because I think it's fun, not because I have any future in the sport.

The bowling alley at Swan Hotel in Harbin

 After we left the bowling alley, we hit up a Chinese barbeque restaurant. It was pretty good but all the food was so spicy. I wasn't able to eat much. Our server kept staring at me too. It was like seeing a Foreigner was rare or something (which it is in Harbin) and it was a little creepy. His staring also caused him to mess up our order. He brought us lamb instead of beef. The problem was easily fixed however, so I'll let it pass.

After our meal, we did a little shopping. We went to a little place called Wal*Mart. Maybe some of you have heard of it? It was pretty much like any Wal*Mart in America except things were labeled in Chinese instead of English. There was even Great Value and Mainstays products (which was nice for me. It made me feel a little at home). I managed to buy a jar of crunchy peanut butter and some cheese. It made my day.

And finally, we walked through the central district of Harbin. There were many lighted decorations out for Chinese New Year, which is in a week. As I write this, I can hear fireworks going off somewhere near by. A little while ago I could even see them from my apartment window.

A lighted New Year display in Harbin.

 Well, until next time! Live well.

This is a bus stop. On the left the green lights are encased in ice sculptures.

It's a New Year

I'm sorry it's been a while since my last update. The week of New Year was a little crazy. There was a really long night out with some of the Chinese teachers and some really cold temperatures and some pretty awesome ice sculptures.

On the 29th of December, I was fortunate enough to be given a ticket to the Harbin Ice and Snow world festival. If you know me, you know that I do not like the cold at all. But I went to the festival anyway. It was pretty amazing.

This is the view from the top of the ice castle.

On New Year's eve, some of the Chinese staff took me out for dinner and we had hot pot, which is really fun and I wish we had something like it back home.

This is a hot pot meal. The dish in the center boils and you add meat and veggies and all kinds of other stuff to cook. 

After We finished our meal, we went to KTV, (that's a karaoke place where you have a private room) and it was a total blast. We were there for about 6 hours or so. It was a very long night but so much fun. And not a single drop of alcohol was to be had.

And finally, the newest thing to add to my experience here in China is the fact that I am now taking Chinese language speaking classes. It's very exciting to be learning a new language in a way where I will actually be able to use it and practice in my everyday life. Right now I only have 5 classes under my belt, so I'm still not very good, but I will get better as time goes on. I'm taking the class with two of the Foreign teachers here. It's a great opportunity, not that I think I'll become fluent any time soon, but just knowing enough to make my life easier will be realy helpful.

Well, that's just about all the news I have for now. See you next time!