Friday, October 30, 2009
Funny the way it is.
It has become apparent to me that, when choosing the next step in my life, I always seem to choose the thing that I deemed useless in the previous step. In middle school i deemed trumpet a chore, but studied music in high school. In high school I asked "When am I ever going to need geometry and calculus?" and then majored in Economics in college. In college I couldn't see the point of going to school for TMD, now I sell bags for a living and have to add Textiles 101 to the long list of things I need to learn here in China. Funny the way it is.
Socialized Health Care (my visit to the Chinse Hospital)
I can't believe I forgot to write about this!
I think it is probably because my brain was trying to shut it self down for first 10 minutes.
2 days ago I went to the Hospital for a health check. I am sorry in advance for not bringing my camera and having a field day. The amount of entertaining and bewildering pictures I would have been able to take still makes me a little upset.
So, contrary to what fox might tell you, going to the Dr. in China really isn't that bad. It was clean enough, I didn't have to wait in any lines, and one of the Dr's even spoke Chinglish enough that I could understand what he was saying.
It is however different (and still mildly traumatic for me due to my irrational fear of needles)
First off, you don't just go into one little room with one guy who checks you out. I was shuffled in and out of 8 rooms with 8 different people doing 8 different things in every room.
I would like to imagine that each of these people is specialized in each of the things they are doing. This may or may not be true, but it seemed to make sense.
Of course the first room was blood work which as many of you know is probably the thing I hate more than anything in the world. Fight a bear? if I must, jump out of a plane? ok, Get poked in the arm with a painless little piece of metal? I've got a bear to fight. Add to that the general uncertainty of my first encounter with foreign medical facilities and the pressure of 10 people looking at me as always and not being able to verbalize my fear to any of them and you can imagine what kind of state I was in for the next 10 minutes. Fortunately they had a little bed for me to lay down in. My colleague who came with me then proceeded to add another 2 minutes to me laying in the bed when she said " chi more!" trying to explain that there where seven more rooms, I interpreted it as 7 more shots and laid back down.
Thankfully it was not.
From there on out it was more entertaining than traumatic. The next room I laid down on a bed and had some big clips clipped to my hands and feet while the popped some suction cups on my chest.
After that I went into a big room that was empty except for a machine in the middle that had a sign over head. It lit up when on and read "in working". I was then instructed to stand on the machine, turn my head, and touch it with my shoulders (which basically is nice way of saying mush your face against it while standing up straight). I then road the machine in 3 laps around the room. I couldn't even begin to guess what this accomplished.
Next I went into a room with a table in the middle with what looked like a single steal candle snuffer on it. Turns out this is how you take your eye exam. Cover one eye with the "snuffer" and read the numbers on the wall. This part has become moderately depressing in the past 2 years in that I used to be able to read the very last line with both eyes and now can only do it with my right.
The next 3 rooms where pretty standard. One room for weight and height (now I don't have to do a rough conversion when the 290780974899734th person asks me how tall I am and then responds with a blank stare when I tell them in feet and in.) another for poking me in the stomach and the last peeing in a cup. (still done in a bathroom in China)
The last room was the best though. The room was dimly lit, as I walked in and I was greeted by none other than the spitting imagine of Mr. Miyagi. I was invited to take off my shoes, lay down on the table, and relax (all in super calming Mr Miyagi style English). He hooked me up to a funky machine, scanned my chest with a funky plastic thing, and asked if I had any questions. My better judgment kicked in right before I asked which hand the wax went on with.
Bonus material for writing this a few days after: When we went back and picked up the results there was a girl waiting in the room with me. Tt turns out the she was there at the same time as me and goes to school to study English and speaks perfectly. She understood just about everything I was saying while I was getting the blood taken (since talking and looking away is my strategy for coping, but since I didn't think anyone understood I just talked to the wall and swore a bit). Turns out shes super nice and going to study in the US in 2 years. On a related note, if anyone can tell me anything about Benedictine University, Idaho State College, or Rockford College it would be appreciated since I said I'd ask if anyone I know knew anything about them.
So yeah, Socialized health care - not so bad so far. I'll let you know how I feel about it after I inevitably get hit by a car here. To say Chinese rules of the road are not enforced is misleading since it implies that there are actually rules.
Tomorrow we are going car shopping and apparently to some kind of park. It's supposed to be very beautiful. Plenty of pictures will be taken and uploaded if it is.
TTFN.
I think it is probably because my brain was trying to shut it self down for first 10 minutes.
2 days ago I went to the Hospital for a health check. I am sorry in advance for not bringing my camera and having a field day. The amount of entertaining and bewildering pictures I would have been able to take still makes me a little upset.
So, contrary to what fox might tell you, going to the Dr. in China really isn't that bad. It was clean enough, I didn't have to wait in any lines, and one of the Dr's even spoke Chinglish enough that I could understand what he was saying.
It is however different (and still mildly traumatic for me due to my irrational fear of needles)
First off, you don't just go into one little room with one guy who checks you out. I was shuffled in and out of 8 rooms with 8 different people doing 8 different things in every room.
I would like to imagine that each of these people is specialized in each of the things they are doing. This may or may not be true, but it seemed to make sense.
Of course the first room was blood work which as many of you know is probably the thing I hate more than anything in the world. Fight a bear? if I must, jump out of a plane? ok, Get poked in the arm with a painless little piece of metal? I've got a bear to fight. Add to that the general uncertainty of my first encounter with foreign medical facilities and the pressure of 10 people looking at me as always and not being able to verbalize my fear to any of them and you can imagine what kind of state I was in for the next 10 minutes. Fortunately they had a little bed for me to lay down in. My colleague who came with me then proceeded to add another 2 minutes to me laying in the bed when she said " chi more!" trying to explain that there where seven more rooms, I interpreted it as 7 more shots and laid back down.
Thankfully it was not.
From there on out it was more entertaining than traumatic. The next room I laid down on a bed and had some big clips clipped to my hands and feet while the popped some suction cups on my chest.
After that I went into a big room that was empty except for a machine in the middle that had a sign over head. It lit up when on and read "in working". I was then instructed to stand on the machine, turn my head, and touch it with my shoulders (which basically is nice way of saying mush your face against it while standing up straight). I then road the machine in 3 laps around the room. I couldn't even begin to guess what this accomplished.
Next I went into a room with a table in the middle with what looked like a single steal candle snuffer on it. Turns out this is how you take your eye exam. Cover one eye with the "snuffer" and read the numbers on the wall. This part has become moderately depressing in the past 2 years in that I used to be able to read the very last line with both eyes and now can only do it with my right.
The next 3 rooms where pretty standard. One room for weight and height (now I don't have to do a rough conversion when the 290780974899734th person asks me how tall I am and then responds with a blank stare when I tell them in feet and in.) another for poking me in the stomach and the last peeing in a cup. (still done in a bathroom in China)
The last room was the best though. The room was dimly lit, as I walked in and I was greeted by none other than the spitting imagine of Mr. Miyagi. I was invited to take off my shoes, lay down on the table, and relax (all in super calming Mr Miyagi style English). He hooked me up to a funky machine, scanned my chest with a funky plastic thing, and asked if I had any questions. My better judgment kicked in right before I asked which hand the wax went on with.
Bonus material for writing this a few days after: When we went back and picked up the results there was a girl waiting in the room with me. Tt turns out the she was there at the same time as me and goes to school to study English and speaks perfectly. She understood just about everything I was saying while I was getting the blood taken (since talking and looking away is my strategy for coping, but since I didn't think anyone understood I just talked to the wall and swore a bit). Turns out shes super nice and going to study in the US in 2 years. On a related note, if anyone can tell me anything about Benedictine University, Idaho State College, or Rockford College it would be appreciated since I said I'd ask if anyone I know knew anything about them.
So yeah, Socialized health care - not so bad so far. I'll let you know how I feel about it after I inevitably get hit by a car here. To say Chinese rules of the road are not enforced is misleading since it implies that there are actually rules.
Tomorrow we are going car shopping and apparently to some kind of park. It's supposed to be very beautiful. Plenty of pictures will be taken and uploaded if it is.
TTFN.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
More food related post
Apparently there is some concern around the office that I am not eating enough, am starving my self, and will become too skinny.
I believe it stems from the fact that everyday I bring "bread" to work and have it for lunch. In reality, everyday I make my self a sandwich (bread, lettuce, cheese, peppers, onions, and chicken) and bring a long a piece of fruit and a water bottle.
I have tried to explain that it is not just bread and is in fact a sandwich and even showed them the insides to convince them this is not only healthy and normal but fiscally responsible (everyone else in the office orders a 3 course take out meal. This is apparently much more normal here). This has been a fruitless effort.
They are so unconvinced that I was instructed to buy Chinese food at the supermarket and was sent with a chaperon to make sure I was getting the right things.
Tonight I cooked my first Chinese meal. I am absolutely sure I cooked it wrong or there is supposed to be more added but what I am not sure. I really don't even know what it is. I was just instructed to "cook hot pan with oil". (the hot pan part was with hand motions and not actually vocalized so it was more like "cook{hand waving}hot oil" )
I am trying to be open minded about it, but I really don't understand how this is more healthy than a sandwich.
I looked up the ingredients on the back on my translator and it is essentially sugar, milk, egg, and flour. I just had fried dough for dinner.
How on earth are American's fat and these people stick thin?
Obligatory picture after I had eaten most of them.
I believe it stems from the fact that everyday I bring "bread" to work and have it for lunch. In reality, everyday I make my self a sandwich (bread, lettuce, cheese, peppers, onions, and chicken) and bring a long a piece of fruit and a water bottle.
I have tried to explain that it is not just bread and is in fact a sandwich and even showed them the insides to convince them this is not only healthy and normal but fiscally responsible (everyone else in the office orders a 3 course take out meal. This is apparently much more normal here). This has been a fruitless effort.
They are so unconvinced that I was instructed to buy Chinese food at the supermarket and was sent with a chaperon to make sure I was getting the right things.
Tonight I cooked my first Chinese meal. I am absolutely sure I cooked it wrong or there is supposed to be more added but what I am not sure. I really don't even know what it is. I was just instructed to "cook hot pan with oil". (the hot pan part was with hand motions and not actually vocalized so it was more like "cook{hand waving}hot oil" )
I am trying to be open minded about it, but I really don't understand how this is more healthy than a sandwich.
I looked up the ingredients on the back on my translator and it is essentially sugar, milk, egg, and flour. I just had fried dough for dinner.
How on earth are American's fat and these people stick thin?
Obligatory picture after I had eaten most of them.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Eating In China
I thought I'd start doing some more day to day entry type posts. I was also thinking a good theme might be a section on eating here because it is an adventure partly because the food is crazy, partly because I am limited to when I can go to the store because I don't have a car yet, and partly because I've had bigger closets than my kitchen here.
So to work off that theme. Today we went to the grocery store. By we I mean Lindon's wife, 6 month old son, and Lindon's brother all of whom have about the same English vocabulary.
Doing the shopping is not too bad. I have learned "Do you have..." and then I can usually fill in the last word via translator. But most of the fun comes from all the stuff I see in the stores I shop in and guessing what they will and won't have in the imported food section.
Today I was looking for salsa to no avail. I haven't had Mexican food in about 3 weeks and as some of you know that is kind of a big deal for me. I had a craving that no amount of noodles or rice would satisfy. So I remembered, oh hey I know how to make salsa, I made gallons of it at the Ocean Mist in my time. So I decided I would. I took pictures partly because I was proud of it and partly because some people have been asking me what my apartment is like and I have been slacking on pictures.
Here's what my kitchen and pre salsa making endeavors look like.
As you can see, it's not much. There is about 4 in of counter on the other side of the sink. Cooking for more than one is a little tricky but I have only tried it once so it hasn't been much of a problem.
These little babies made my eyes water a little.
China has a great variety of spicy peppers which is great for me. Half a dozen meals or so far have been me "entertaining" the people at the table with my "ability" to eat hot foods. It goes a little something like Lindon orders me the spiciest peppers on the menu, everyone kind of goes OH! (but not oh obviously they say La! because that means spicy.) Then I proceed to eat it and thoroughly enjoy it. Then everyone who said La! at the table tries one and we have to ask for more water and noodles to calm everyone down. Haha
Here is the viggies chopped up.
At this point I realized that some where a long the the line the lime I thought I bought didn't quite make it into my bag so I took my first venture down the street at night by my self which was fine. I went to a little fruit stand and bought a lime. Except when I got back to my apartment I realized it wasn't a lime it was some kind of little apple like thing the exact same shape, size, and color as a lime. Fortunately it only cost .50 RMB which is less than a dime. Now I have a new fruit to try.
So the salsa is still lacking lime but here it is almost finished.
Final opinion, Acceptable. Next time I will use a different type of pepper, these where a little too bitter and not sweat or spicy enough. By it self its alright, I made a quesadilla though and put it on and you can't tell. (because I found tortillas but not salsa :-/ go figure)
Anyway, I am thinking for my next series of eating related posts I am going to bring my Camera to the super market and show everyone all they funky stuff there. Lindon's wife also coaxed me into trying some little fryable Chinese roll thingys (I don't know what we would call them in English just the Chinese name) If the production is interesting I may include it.
So to work off that theme. Today we went to the grocery store. By we I mean Lindon's wife, 6 month old son, and Lindon's brother all of whom have about the same English vocabulary.
Doing the shopping is not too bad. I have learned "Do you have..." and then I can usually fill in the last word via translator. But most of the fun comes from all the stuff I see in the stores I shop in and guessing what they will and won't have in the imported food section.
Today I was looking for salsa to no avail. I haven't had Mexican food in about 3 weeks and as some of you know that is kind of a big deal for me. I had a craving that no amount of noodles or rice would satisfy. So I remembered, oh hey I know how to make salsa, I made gallons of it at the Ocean Mist in my time. So I decided I would. I took pictures partly because I was proud of it and partly because some people have been asking me what my apartment is like and I have been slacking on pictures.
Here's what my kitchen and pre salsa making endeavors look like.
As you can see, it's not much. There is about 4 in of counter on the other side of the sink. Cooking for more than one is a little tricky but I have only tried it once so it hasn't been much of a problem.
These little babies made my eyes water a little.
China has a great variety of spicy peppers which is great for me. Half a dozen meals or so far have been me "entertaining" the people at the table with my "ability" to eat hot foods. It goes a little something like Lindon orders me the spiciest peppers on the menu, everyone kind of goes OH! (but not oh obviously they say La! because that means spicy.) Then I proceed to eat it and thoroughly enjoy it. Then everyone who said La! at the table tries one and we have to ask for more water and noodles to calm everyone down. Haha
Here is the viggies chopped up.
At this point I realized that some where a long the the line the lime I thought I bought didn't quite make it into my bag so I took my first venture down the street at night by my self which was fine. I went to a little fruit stand and bought a lime. Except when I got back to my apartment I realized it wasn't a lime it was some kind of little apple like thing the exact same shape, size, and color as a lime. Fortunately it only cost .50 RMB which is less than a dime. Now I have a new fruit to try.
So the salsa is still lacking lime but here it is almost finished.
Final opinion, Acceptable. Next time I will use a different type of pepper, these where a little too bitter and not sweat or spicy enough. By it self its alright, I made a quesadilla though and put it on and you can't tell. (because I found tortillas but not salsa :-/ go figure)
Anyway, I am thinking for my next series of eating related posts I am going to bring my Camera to the super market and show everyone all they funky stuff there. Lindon's wife also coaxed me into trying some little fryable Chinese roll thingys (I don't know what we would call them in English just the Chinese name) If the production is interesting I may include it.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Gu Lang Yo
Ok, more interesting serious post time, and some pictures worth looking at.
For starts. This is the sky line of Xiamen so you can have a reference point to where I am!
Just a little city of 3 million, says Lindon.
Alright on too the weekends happenings. Yesterday 3 of my fellow Enry employees went on a little sight seeing mission too Gu Lang Yo or Piano Island as westerners call it. For you Rhode Islanders its like Block Island meets Newport. BI in that it is a hot spot for beaches, bars, and restaurants, Newport in that it has fantastic old architecture from vacationing rich people of a time passed.
From the main land you jump on a ferry for 5RMB or $0.75.
In about 15 minutes you dock here
On arrival you are greeted by an abundance of shops, tea houses, and snack places like any other tourist place. We chose a place to grab a snack and tried this.
I can only describe it as the texture you would imagine the little jelly fish you find on the beach to have with a noodle inside. In other words the weirdest thing I have tried in China so far. I only had one.
There are beautiful trees and flowers every where heres one for mom
Piano Island has some interesting history to it. It gets its name from a reputation it earned almost 200 years ago. During this time Xiamen was one of the few places Europeans could go and trade. German traders claimed the island as theirs and set up a treaty saying so. They built lots of building here that looked like this.
Only newer.
On any given night you could have strolled down the street and heard the sound of musicians playing piano for wealthy traders floating from just about any window. It is now home to Chinas only piano museum. (pictures not allowed)
Oh, and did I mention its beautiful EVERYWHERE? Asia has all these cool islands that are really mountains that rise out of the water that the east cost just doesn’t get close to. It makes for easy picture taking because you can get impressive mountain range and beach in the same picture. Sort of like this
After the piano museum we had a walk along the coast...
Where there was some pretty impressive things.
This is a big rock
I know because it says “big rock” on it in Chinese.
There was also a super spiffy traditional Chinese garden. I happen to think these take the cake when it comes to gardens.
There was also this elaborate maze of stone and cement with lots of arches and funny little animal sculptures in it.
That’s really the best description I can give b/c I have NO idea what it is. Maybe some pictures will help
Then we stopped and turned on the time to get a group shot
From left too right (and as it happens, ability to communicate in English from Native speaker to not a word) Me, Shita, Jolin, “Louis” Lindons brother
Picture of me required because it is “typical Chinese place” according to Shita
Piano Island also has some military history. I climbed a few of the old concrete gun structures and walls much to the enjoyment of whatever 20 or 30 Chinese people where around. Apparently this is not typical but I they seemed to be built to climb pictures of this will come when I get them off Jolin’s camera.
This one was made to be tricky.
This is the “flower of Xiamen” it is their cities flower.
This is a giant peapod.
And this is the point where my camera ran out of batteries :-/ Jolin let me use hers for the ret of the day but I haven’t gotten the pictures off yet. I’ll finish up this post when I get them.
Thanks for looking. Its so nice to hear from you all! Miss every one.
More later.
For starts. This is the sky line of Xiamen so you can have a reference point to where I am!
Just a little city of 3 million, says Lindon.
Alright on too the weekends happenings. Yesterday 3 of my fellow Enry employees went on a little sight seeing mission too Gu Lang Yo or Piano Island as westerners call it. For you Rhode Islanders its like Block Island meets Newport. BI in that it is a hot spot for beaches, bars, and restaurants, Newport in that it has fantastic old architecture from vacationing rich people of a time passed.
From the main land you jump on a ferry for 5RMB or $0.75.
In about 15 minutes you dock here
On arrival you are greeted by an abundance of shops, tea houses, and snack places like any other tourist place. We chose a place to grab a snack and tried this.
I can only describe it as the texture you would imagine the little jelly fish you find on the beach to have with a noodle inside. In other words the weirdest thing I have tried in China so far. I only had one.
There are beautiful trees and flowers every where heres one for mom
Piano Island has some interesting history to it. It gets its name from a reputation it earned almost 200 years ago. During this time Xiamen was one of the few places Europeans could go and trade. German traders claimed the island as theirs and set up a treaty saying so. They built lots of building here that looked like this.
Only newer.
On any given night you could have strolled down the street and heard the sound of musicians playing piano for wealthy traders floating from just about any window. It is now home to Chinas only piano museum. (pictures not allowed)
Oh, and did I mention its beautiful EVERYWHERE? Asia has all these cool islands that are really mountains that rise out of the water that the east cost just doesn’t get close to. It makes for easy picture taking because you can get impressive mountain range and beach in the same picture. Sort of like this
After the piano museum we had a walk along the coast...
Where there was some pretty impressive things.
This is a big rock
I know because it says “big rock” on it in Chinese.
There was also a super spiffy traditional Chinese garden. I happen to think these take the cake when it comes to gardens.
There was also this elaborate maze of stone and cement with lots of arches and funny little animal sculptures in it.
That’s really the best description I can give b/c I have NO idea what it is. Maybe some pictures will help
Then we stopped and turned on the time to get a group shot
From left too right (and as it happens, ability to communicate in English from Native speaker to not a word) Me, Shita, Jolin, “Louis” Lindons brother
Picture of me required because it is “typical Chinese place” according to Shita
Piano Island also has some military history. I climbed a few of the old concrete gun structures and walls much to the enjoyment of whatever 20 or 30 Chinese people where around. Apparently this is not typical but I they seemed to be built to climb pictures of this will come when I get them off Jolin’s camera.
This one was made to be tricky.
This is the “flower of Xiamen” it is their cities flower.
This is a giant peapod.
And this is the point where my camera ran out of batteries :-/ Jolin let me use hers for the ret of the day but I haven’t gotten the pictures off yet. I’ll finish up this post when I get them.
Thanks for looking. Its so nice to hear from you all! Miss every one.
More later.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
First solo shopping excursion
While I am waiting for my more fun photos from my weekend to finish uploading, I thought I’d write up a quick post on cost of living hear in Xiamen.
Today I went on my first solo-shopping excursion to buy some stuff I need around the apartment (I have been doing dishes with hand soap for about 3 days. Google said it was safe enough, I have too much faith in the Internet.)
The trip was largely successful. I got all the essential things I needed plus even a little bit of Chinese honey. To top it off I learned how to say sugar as well. But the most interesting part is the translation of price. Below is a picture of every thing I bought.
Not a whole lot, but plenty of useful things windex, dish soap, sponges, sugar, Tupperware, honey and broom . My guess in the US it would have run me anywhere from 25-35 dollars depending on how much a broom like that costs and the quality of the honey. Either way, it all ran me exactly 50 RMB. For those of you with out a calculator handy or that don’t know the exchange rate, that’s a whopping $7.35.
Not a bad.
More interesting post coming of sight seeing as soon as all the pictures are done!
Today I went on my first solo-shopping excursion to buy some stuff I need around the apartment (I have been doing dishes with hand soap for about 3 days. Google said it was safe enough, I have too much faith in the Internet.)
The trip was largely successful. I got all the essential things I needed plus even a little bit of Chinese honey. To top it off I learned how to say sugar as well. But the most interesting part is the translation of price. Below is a picture of every thing I bought.
Not a whole lot, but plenty of useful things windex, dish soap, sponges, sugar, Tupperware, honey and broom . My guess in the US it would have run me anywhere from 25-35 dollars depending on how much a broom like that costs and the quality of the honey. Either way, it all ran me exactly 50 RMB. For those of you with out a calculator handy or that don’t know the exchange rate, that’s a whopping $7.35.
Not a bad.
More interesting post coming of sight seeing as soon as all the pictures are done!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Your Kung Fu is Not Strong!
Mr. Wu, Tear down this fire wall!
Its annoying.
But nothing that can't be dealt with obviously (since I am posting)!
Anyway. I'm here!! Having not posted in 2 days while so much has been going on feels a little overwhelming. So much to talk about, but I have to keep it short because I have lots to do.
So on Monday I arrived in Xiamen. Lindon met me at the airport and I have been busy ever since. He has really taken care of me! We went out to dinner at a Western style place and talked about my role at the company and this and that. The apartment is fantastic. Much nicer and larger than I was expecting. I am on the 8th floor with plenty of big windows and have a pretty decent view of a school park and a small mountain. Pictures will come soon once I have tackled that.
Yesterday started by going to the office and meeting most of the people on the team. There are 4 girls, Lindon, and Lindon's younger brother who are all part of Enry. (the company I am working for) There are also 2 other people in the office that work for Lindon's other start up business.
One of the girls speaks English pretty well. With careful listening and a little coaxing it is easy to have a conversation with her. It was/is really comforting to have her around. 2 of the others speak enough that as long as I speak slowly, throw in what ever Chinese I know, and use a few hand gestures there isn't much trouble.
Lindon sent me his Brother and 2 of the girls out on a mission to get things for my apartment around lunch time. We went to a Chinese equivalent of wal mart and picked up so basics. After that we went out to lunch. It was my first true Chinese food tasting experience. It is worth saying at this point as I am sure quite a few of the readers here are concerned, I am not going to starve to death and did actually quite enjoy a few things and can easily tolerate some others. :)
Lunch was followed by a return to the apartment to drop everything off. I gave the grad tour and we where off again, this time to one of the factories where the bags are made. I learned a bit about quality control, what to look for, and how this process works. I will post some pictures of this here soon as well. I got a really nice backpack made specifically carrying laptops and work related things out of this! Pretty neat!
Then it was back to the office for a bit where we met up with everyone again and headed out to dinner. Lindon also picked up a few friends from college along the way and we had a HUGE dinner at another Chinese place. I tried LOADS of stuff and greatly amused everyone while I struggled with chop sticks, reacted to different foods, and pronounced tofu wrong (it is the right word but we say it wrong.)
Finally we headed to a shopping mall not too far from my apartment and picked up a phone. In China, you can't buy an iPhone. But you can take the one you have to a kiosk in the mall to have it jail broken no problem. Silly me installed the latest software the day I left so now I have to wait a month before they can crack it. Until then I have a beautifully little modern rendition of the big blue nokia brick from High School. It may even have snake!
Well, that wasn't really condensed, but nor was it with great detail. More time will be spent at the office today I think so I will see if I can post more once there. (I say I am going to the office, but work for me to do is still non existent. Still need a work visa.) Or at least get some pictures up.
I miss everyone lots!
Its annoying.
But nothing that can't be dealt with obviously (since I am posting)!
Anyway. I'm here!! Having not posted in 2 days while so much has been going on feels a little overwhelming. So much to talk about, but I have to keep it short because I have lots to do.
So on Monday I arrived in Xiamen. Lindon met me at the airport and I have been busy ever since. He has really taken care of me! We went out to dinner at a Western style place and talked about my role at the company and this and that. The apartment is fantastic. Much nicer and larger than I was expecting. I am on the 8th floor with plenty of big windows and have a pretty decent view of a school park and a small mountain. Pictures will come soon once I have tackled that.
Yesterday started by going to the office and meeting most of the people on the team. There are 4 girls, Lindon, and Lindon's younger brother who are all part of Enry. (the company I am working for) There are also 2 other people in the office that work for Lindon's other start up business.
One of the girls speaks English pretty well. With careful listening and a little coaxing it is easy to have a conversation with her. It was/is really comforting to have her around. 2 of the others speak enough that as long as I speak slowly, throw in what ever Chinese I know, and use a few hand gestures there isn't much trouble.
Lindon sent me his Brother and 2 of the girls out on a mission to get things for my apartment around lunch time. We went to a Chinese equivalent of wal mart and picked up so basics. After that we went out to lunch. It was my first true Chinese food tasting experience. It is worth saying at this point as I am sure quite a few of the readers here are concerned, I am not going to starve to death and did actually quite enjoy a few things and can easily tolerate some others. :)
Lunch was followed by a return to the apartment to drop everything off. I gave the grad tour and we where off again, this time to one of the factories where the bags are made. I learned a bit about quality control, what to look for, and how this process works. I will post some pictures of this here soon as well. I got a really nice backpack made specifically carrying laptops and work related things out of this! Pretty neat!
Then it was back to the office for a bit where we met up with everyone again and headed out to dinner. Lindon also picked up a few friends from college along the way and we had a HUGE dinner at another Chinese place. I tried LOADS of stuff and greatly amused everyone while I struggled with chop sticks, reacted to different foods, and pronounced tofu wrong (it is the right word but we say it wrong.)
Finally we headed to a shopping mall not too far from my apartment and picked up a phone. In China, you can't buy an iPhone. But you can take the one you have to a kiosk in the mall to have it jail broken no problem. Silly me installed the latest software the day I left so now I have to wait a month before they can crack it. Until then I have a beautifully little modern rendition of the big blue nokia brick from High School. It may even have snake!
Well, that wasn't really condensed, but nor was it with great detail. More time will be spent at the office today I think so I will see if I can post more once there. (I say I am going to the office, but work for me to do is still non existent. Still need a work visa.) Or at least get some pictures up.
I miss everyone lots!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Big Buddha!
Very eventful day today! It doesn't even feel like the same day as when it started. It's so much easier to get up earlier when you know the day is going to be exciting and different!
It's a bit out of order but exciting so I'll start with it.
Got photos of my new apartment from Lindon this evening! It would appear nicer than I ever imagined! The only down side is there is no gas for a stove, so creative cooking will have to be implemented. I think a hot plate, microwave, maybe a toaster oven? will be in order.
Here are the pictures he sent me...
Sweet!
Now for the days events.
I met up with Tom for coffee before he left for Australia. Great conversation ensued as usual. I was sad to see him go but hopefully we will met up again. I have a strong feeling I'll be back in HK again.
After Tom left a headed for the Mui Wo ferry.
It was the clearest day yet so I took the same picture of Star city I have taken 20 time but it was finally pretty clear this time
The ferry took me past a MASSIVE bridge. This is only about 1/3 of the total bridge. I'll have to look it up.
For scale this is another 1/3 of the bridge
and the boats in front of it are actually this big
After a long bus ride up some pretty impressive Mts we arrived at...
Big Buddha!
He certainly is big!
and so are the mountains around him!
There are 6 of these, a little bigger than life size statues, offering the big guy gifts all around him
Here is a picture of one I thought came out particularly well
Side view with person for scale
Another for scale
Picture of cool flowers that grew near him for mom
Than I took a gondola like thing up and over the Mts. Pictures of the big guy from the ride
The view from the gondola
Waterfall far below
More view
You cant really tell from the pictures but we actually crossed 3 separate mts. This picture is coming down the last one. And I thought I'd just hike it. HA! Those little white dots in the water are people.
Fisherman actually
View of the city that the gondola arrived at
Funky little fishing boat
On the way back a met a very nice women from Holland who was here on business. We talked travel and things for a bit. She only had a few days and asked me what to do. I felt like such a local spouting off things and directions! haha
After the train ride it was off to Stanly Market. I wasn't really sure what to expect since it was recommended as good shopping. Turns out its actually a great bus ride to the other side of the island with great views along the way. It also had a cool little temple that I went in...
The best way to describe it was the "Little America" Newport style to you Rhode Islanders reading. Lots of shops and restaurants along the water.
Some pictures
The difference was that the food was moderately price and the shops are notoriously cheap. It is where all the "rejects" from major brands go. Of course you couldn't tell what was wrong if you wanted, it makes for great buys. I picked up a nice Polo brand dress shirt for about $17 American for work. (bargained down from $25) Just about any brand name you can think up, weather it be cloths, shoes, bags, sun glasses, or snow jackets all for give or take 75% off. Good incentive for any of you shoppers that want to come visit
After half an hour I was sick of shopping and had some dinner. All the restaurants are geared towards different types of foreigners. All lined up where "Main Street" an American restaurant, "Queens pub" that offered fish and chips and things for brits, and something in Italian and another in French that I cant remember how to spell. There was also this
Which was super fancy. I did not go there.
I did how ever find a place that served Quesadillas and Gigantic glasses of Hoegarden. Needless to say I was pleased.
At night there are tons of lamps and you can't go wrong photographing them
At around 9:00 I caught the bus back to central. Apparently the 6x is the less scenic much faster rt. I discovered on the way back.
Over all it was a great experience! Two staple HK destination in one day. Tomorrow I leave for Xiamen which is super exciting! I am sad to be leaving HK, it has been great to me in just a short time. I will try and get in one more thing in the morning before I head out. But at 5pm tomorrow it's on to the next!! Assuming all goes according to plan I will be meeting Lindon in Xiamen Airport tomorrow at 6:55!
Too the main land!
It's a bit out of order but exciting so I'll start with it.
Got photos of my new apartment from Lindon this evening! It would appear nicer than I ever imagined! The only down side is there is no gas for a stove, so creative cooking will have to be implemented. I think a hot plate, microwave, maybe a toaster oven? will be in order.
Here are the pictures he sent me...
Sweet!
Now for the days events.
I met up with Tom for coffee before he left for Australia. Great conversation ensued as usual. I was sad to see him go but hopefully we will met up again. I have a strong feeling I'll be back in HK again.
After Tom left a headed for the Mui Wo ferry.
It was the clearest day yet so I took the same picture of Star city I have taken 20 time but it was finally pretty clear this time
The ferry took me past a MASSIVE bridge. This is only about 1/3 of the total bridge. I'll have to look it up.
For scale this is another 1/3 of the bridge
and the boats in front of it are actually this big
After a long bus ride up some pretty impressive Mts we arrived at...
Big Buddha!
He certainly is big!
and so are the mountains around him!
There are 6 of these, a little bigger than life size statues, offering the big guy gifts all around him
Here is a picture of one I thought came out particularly well
Side view with person for scale
Another for scale
Picture of cool flowers that grew near him for mom
Than I took a gondola like thing up and over the Mts. Pictures of the big guy from the ride
The view from the gondola
Waterfall far below
More view
You cant really tell from the pictures but we actually crossed 3 separate mts. This picture is coming down the last one. And I thought I'd just hike it. HA! Those little white dots in the water are people.
Fisherman actually
View of the city that the gondola arrived at
Funky little fishing boat
On the way back a met a very nice women from Holland who was here on business. We talked travel and things for a bit. She only had a few days and asked me what to do. I felt like such a local spouting off things and directions! haha
After the train ride it was off to Stanly Market. I wasn't really sure what to expect since it was recommended as good shopping. Turns out its actually a great bus ride to the other side of the island with great views along the way. It also had a cool little temple that I went in...
The best way to describe it was the "Little America" Newport style to you Rhode Islanders reading. Lots of shops and restaurants along the water.
Some pictures
The difference was that the food was moderately price and the shops are notoriously cheap. It is where all the "rejects" from major brands go. Of course you couldn't tell what was wrong if you wanted, it makes for great buys. I picked up a nice Polo brand dress shirt for about $17 American for work. (bargained down from $25) Just about any brand name you can think up, weather it be cloths, shoes, bags, sun glasses, or snow jackets all for give or take 75% off. Good incentive for any of you shoppers that want to come visit
After half an hour I was sick of shopping and had some dinner. All the restaurants are geared towards different types of foreigners. All lined up where "Main Street" an American restaurant, "Queens pub" that offered fish and chips and things for brits, and something in Italian and another in French that I cant remember how to spell. There was also this
Which was super fancy. I did not go there.
I did how ever find a place that served Quesadillas and Gigantic glasses of Hoegarden. Needless to say I was pleased.
At night there are tons of lamps and you can't go wrong photographing them
At around 9:00 I caught the bus back to central. Apparently the 6x is the less scenic much faster rt. I discovered on the way back.
Over all it was a great experience! Two staple HK destination in one day. Tomorrow I leave for Xiamen which is super exciting! I am sad to be leaving HK, it has been great to me in just a short time. I will try and get in one more thing in the morning before I head out. But at 5pm tomorrow it's on to the next!! Assuming all goes according to plan I will be meeting Lindon in Xiamen Airport tomorrow at 6:55!
Too the main land!
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