I just posted hundreds of photos from our time in Beijing. Click on the slideshow and it will take you to the website with the whole album!
It includes pictures from the Shanghai World Financial Center, The Forbidden City in Beijing, The Great Wall, the Olympic Village, all kinds of goodness.
I tried my best to capture some of the most amazing sights I have EVER seen. I hope I did them justice!
PS.....don't worry, these are just my pics. Liz took just as many with the monster camera. I'm sure they came out amazing! She has plenty more with me in them too!
Take a look!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thanksgiving in China
It has been a while, hope you didn't miss me too much!!
I have got a lot of questions about Thanksgiving in China. People are wondering what I did for it, if I had turkey, if it was served from a wok, etc.
I am here to give you the scoop!
First, Liz flew in last Saturday AM. I will give you more details about her trip in blogs to come. On Sunday, we actually attended a expat-Thanksgiving celebration thrown by Damien, the director here in China. There were about 35 people there, all expats from the US. They brought in turkeys and all kinds of good stuff. It was also a pot luck situation, everyone brought a dish to share. So, needless to say, we got our fill of all things American. Plenty of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. I was going to bring some of my world famous sour cream mashed potatoes and green bean castle, but unfortunately, we don't have an oven. Apparently most Chinese homes do not have ovens, who would have known? So, instead I took on drink duty. I was responsible for drinks at the party. I went to the local expat grocery and bought a ton of everything liquid. They delivered for free, which made the whole experience MUCH easier! Needless to say, I bought far too much! Better to have too much than too little I guess!! The meal was great! The only things missing were my green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and most importantly, FOOTBALL!!!! All in all, it was a great celebration (with tons of young children!). Liz got to meet my peers here in China all at once; it worked out quite well).
All that being said, that party was on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
What did we do on Thanksgiving eve you ask?
Well, Liz and I were actually visiting Beijing during the holiday....which was AMAZING! We actually climbed the Great Wall of China on Thanksgiving Day! More of that to come....
Then it came to Thanksgiving eve. We were not sure what to do for dinner. It was very cold in Beijing and Liz had a little cold after the day, so we wanted to stay local. We walked downstairs in the hotel and *wallah* there was a Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel restaurant. So, Liz and I took the easy way out and joined the American celebration in the hotel!
There was a good mix of Americans and Chinese there actually. From what I could tell, it looks like local expats living in Beijing all made reservations to dine at the hotel and celebrate. I didn't expect that.
The dinner was actually a buffet. Most of the buffet had nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but the Turkey and potatoes were good! The rest was quite interesting, sushi, random Chinese food, the standards. The desert was good too, quite good indeed. No pie, but fondue and bread pudding worked.
So, the question of the century is answered, that is what we did for Thanksgiving.
Hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving! Look forward to seeing all of you soon!
I have got a lot of questions about Thanksgiving in China. People are wondering what I did for it, if I had turkey, if it was served from a wok, etc.
I am here to give you the scoop!
First, Liz flew in last Saturday AM. I will give you more details about her trip in blogs to come. On Sunday, we actually attended a expat-Thanksgiving celebration thrown by Damien, the director here in China. There were about 35 people there, all expats from the US. They brought in turkeys and all kinds of good stuff. It was also a pot luck situation, everyone brought a dish to share. So, needless to say, we got our fill of all things American. Plenty of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. I was going to bring some of my world famous sour cream mashed potatoes and green bean castle, but unfortunately, we don't have an oven. Apparently most Chinese homes do not have ovens, who would have known? So, instead I took on drink duty. I was responsible for drinks at the party. I went to the local expat grocery and bought a ton of everything liquid. They delivered for free, which made the whole experience MUCH easier! Needless to say, I bought far too much! Better to have too much than too little I guess!! The meal was great! The only things missing were my green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and most importantly, FOOTBALL!!!! All in all, it was a great celebration (with tons of young children!). Liz got to meet my peers here in China all at once; it worked out quite well).
All that being said, that party was on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
What did we do on Thanksgiving eve you ask?
Well, Liz and I were actually visiting Beijing during the holiday....which was AMAZING! We actually climbed the Great Wall of China on Thanksgiving Day! More of that to come....
Then it came to Thanksgiving eve. We were not sure what to do for dinner. It was very cold in Beijing and Liz had a little cold after the day, so we wanted to stay local. We walked downstairs in the hotel and *wallah* there was a Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel restaurant. So, Liz and I took the easy way out and joined the American celebration in the hotel!
There was a good mix of Americans and Chinese there actually. From what I could tell, it looks like local expats living in Beijing all made reservations to dine at the hotel and celebrate. I didn't expect that.
The dinner was actually a buffet. Most of the buffet had nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but the Turkey and potatoes were good! The rest was quite interesting, sushi, random Chinese food, the standards. The desert was good too, quite good indeed. No pie, but fondue and bread pudding worked.
So, the question of the century is answered, that is what we did for Thanksgiving.
Hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving! Look forward to seeing all of you soon!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Free Time
Well, I have been in China for over three weeks now!
I have been consumed with work since I got here. It is such a beneficial experience and I am SO glad I came. The things that I am learning here will be invaluable to my future international endeavors! I really think that there are few places that I could go to that will have as many cultural differences than here in China. Success in this different of an environment is challenging, yet extremely rewarding. The people here permanently are fantastic. I believe that I have transitioned well over the last few weeks, but these people are at another level. I am not sure at what point during your time here you "get it", but these guys have!
It has been difficult leaving everything that I know. I miss Liz and Nigel! It is tough situation, getting married and having to leave for a while. Liz has been so supportive, which makes it so much easier for me. She understands how beneficial this time will be for our future which is all I can ask for! Her and Nigel just moved out of our apartment in Long Beach and back into her mother's house temporarily. Anne has been a rock in this situation as well! She has graciously taken Nigel in as her own. Without her compassion for our little man, I am not sure that we would be able to go international. All will be better next Saturday, when Liz flies into China. She is at the Chinese Consolate right now....good luck with your Visa!
Though free time has been limited here, I have found some time to experience the finer parts of China.
For example, tonight, on the way home from work, I stopped into the local German bar/restaurant to have dinner. There is nothing like weinerschnitzel, Hoffbrau beer, and a Phillipino cover band singing 80's classics! It was hilarious! I guess this isn't quite one of the finer parts of China, but it is totally worth bringing up!
For real though, the Chinese food is awesome. I am delighted to inform everyone that I am now to a level of 7 or 8 with the chopsticks. I would consider this proficient....at least good enough to not make a fool of myself! As long as you are willing to try things, the food is great. I have had some great sushi here....it seems fresher. I went to a Japanese restaurant last night and had several parts of a cow. They were all very tasty....trust me....they were not normal parts. They often serve things raw here as well. Sometimes you look at things and think to yourself "that might actually taste pretty good". Then you put it in your mouth and realize it is raw. Not that it tastes bad, but you are not planning for the cold, raw food in your mouth. Once you adjust, you can appreciate it. I have also learned that if you don't mind staring the fish you are served in the eyes, the body tastes pretty good! The same applies to the shrimp!
My saving grace have been movies. There is something about buying new movies on the street for close to nothing! "The Office" specifically has been clutch (the American version). Every night, I watch an episode or two before I go to sleep. It keeps me laughing, and that is all that matters (Dwight is the man for all you Office fans out there!).
That is about it for now. Take care....I will see you all soon!
I have been consumed with work since I got here. It is such a beneficial experience and I am SO glad I came. The things that I am learning here will be invaluable to my future international endeavors! I really think that there are few places that I could go to that will have as many cultural differences than here in China. Success in this different of an environment is challenging, yet extremely rewarding. The people here permanently are fantastic. I believe that I have transitioned well over the last few weeks, but these people are at another level. I am not sure at what point during your time here you "get it", but these guys have!
It has been difficult leaving everything that I know. I miss Liz and Nigel! It is tough situation, getting married and having to leave for a while. Liz has been so supportive, which makes it so much easier for me. She understands how beneficial this time will be for our future which is all I can ask for! Her and Nigel just moved out of our apartment in Long Beach and back into her mother's house temporarily. Anne has been a rock in this situation as well! She has graciously taken Nigel in as her own. Without her compassion for our little man, I am not sure that we would be able to go international. All will be better next Saturday, when Liz flies into China. She is at the Chinese Consolate right now....good luck with your Visa!
Though free time has been limited here, I have found some time to experience the finer parts of China.
For example, tonight, on the way home from work, I stopped into the local German bar/restaurant to have dinner. There is nothing like weinerschnitzel, Hoffbrau beer, and a Phillipino cover band singing 80's classics! It was hilarious! I guess this isn't quite one of the finer parts of China, but it is totally worth bringing up!
For real though, the Chinese food is awesome. I am delighted to inform everyone that I am now to a level of 7 or 8 with the chopsticks. I would consider this proficient....at least good enough to not make a fool of myself! As long as you are willing to try things, the food is great. I have had some great sushi here....it seems fresher. I went to a Japanese restaurant last night and had several parts of a cow. They were all very tasty....trust me....they were not normal parts. They often serve things raw here as well. Sometimes you look at things and think to yourself "that might actually taste pretty good". Then you put it in your mouth and realize it is raw. Not that it tastes bad, but you are not planning for the cold, raw food in your mouth. Once you adjust, you can appreciate it. I have also learned that if you don't mind staring the fish you are served in the eyes, the body tastes pretty good! The same applies to the shrimp!
My saving grace have been movies. There is something about buying new movies on the street for close to nothing! "The Office" specifically has been clutch (the American version). Every night, I watch an episode or two before I go to sleep. It keeps me laughing, and that is all that matters (Dwight is the man for all you Office fans out there!).
That is about it for now. Take care....I will see you all soon!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
New Developments....
Not much new been going on here. Just spending a lot of time working! Every day I am here is valuable for me to help make these stores into real Best Buy stores!
I have gotten a lot of questions rather or not Liz is going to be able to make a trip to China. Thankfully, my boss offered Liz a trip to China as part of the package to get me out here.....yet another reason why I love my company! We booked her trip earlier this week. She will be flying in next Saturday! I can't wait to see her and experience China with her, it is going to be unbelievable! We are also planning to take a couple days and fly up to Beijing. This is tourist central....we will get to see the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and the Olympic Village. It is going to be a great trip. I just can't wait to see Liz's face when she sees what China is really like!
That is about all for now.
I thought I would share a couple of photos I took today (there have been more added to the slideshow too). Very few people in China have cars. That means that bicycles and mopeds are the preferred method of transportation. What amazes me are the different uses people have for their bikes! In a quick walk today, I saw one guy with a bunch of bundles of boxes on the back and another guy selling flowers from his bike! Check it out......
I have gotten a lot of questions rather or not Liz is going to be able to make a trip to China. Thankfully, my boss offered Liz a trip to China as part of the package to get me out here.....yet another reason why I love my company! We booked her trip earlier this week. She will be flying in next Saturday! I can't wait to see her and experience China with her, it is going to be unbelievable! We are also planning to take a couple days and fly up to Beijing. This is tourist central....we will get to see the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and the Olympic Village. It is going to be a great trip. I just can't wait to see Liz's face when she sees what China is really like!
That is about all for now.
I thought I would share a couple of photos I took today (there have been more added to the slideshow too). Very few people in China have cars. That means that bicycles and mopeds are the preferred method of transportation. What amazes me are the different uses people have for their bikes! In a quick walk today, I saw one guy with a bunch of bundles of boxes on the back and another guy selling flowers from his bike! Check it out......
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Tourist!
I finally took some time for myself to be a tourist!
Not like it was that hard. I took all of the pictures within a mile of my apartment!
Check the pictures out....click the slideshow on the left hand side of the main blog page.
Scott
Not like it was that hard. I took all of the pictures within a mile of my apartment!
Check the pictures out....click the slideshow on the left hand side of the main blog page.
Scott
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Where do I live?
I have received several requests to show where I have been living, so here it is!
It is a high-rise apartment in Pudong, Shanghai....on the 27th floor.
It is a nice place! Beautiful hardwood floors and fully furnished!
I still think that the best part of the apartment is the free laundry and maid service!
Here is a quick pic of my room....nothing special. This is my communication headquarters! I work on my computer and make my calls from here.There is a small TV. There are about forty channels, one in English. China Public TV! It is a good thing that I have no free time! The TV does work great for watching and falling asleep to $1 bootleg DVD's that you buy on the street!
There is a nice kitchen here too! Believe it or not, I have been cooking quite a bit! Mostly breakfast: that is the only meal that I can find normal food for in the grocery store! Eggs and toast have kept me somewhat American!
My bathroom (the apartment has two beds and two baths) is my favorite room in the house! It has about twelve different lighting options including heat lamps. It is nice to wake up to in the morning.
I also really like the bathroom because that is where I put my clothes for the maid to wash.....did I mention I love that part!
That is pretty much it for the apartment.
The last few pictures are taken from the balcony of the apartment. As you can see, there are several high-rise apartments right around us. We also have a view of the Huangpu River that splits Pudong from Pushi. Also note the park at the bottom of my building....notice the feng shui...
Two Weeka in the Books.....
So I just finished my second week in China. It has been a great ride so far, and I only foresee it getting better!
Some updates on the work front:
We opened our third store today! This is the store that I was brought out here to help. The opening went really well. This store is in a place called Ba Bai Ban. I am not sure if that is the name of the neighborhood.....I think it is just the name of the shopping area. It is in Pudong, Shanghai, China. It is one of the most unique Best Buy's I have ever had the pleasure of stepping foot into!
The area is full of electronics retailers. We actually share a wall with one of our biggest competitors in China. All of our biggest competitors are within one block of the store....literally! We also have what China calls PC Mall's right next door to us. I compare it to a big flea market for computers and computer products. The PC Mall itself is quite interesting. It is about thirty different booths all owned by different people that all sell the same computers. It is also like a flea market in that everyone barters the prices. That is a standard in China....haggle for everything. Best Buy is going in trying to change that culture. Our prices are competitive and as is. We offer a completely different experience.
The store itself is also quite different than any Best Buy any of you have ever seen. It is three levels. The first level is more of a lobby. The second level is HUGE! It is long and narrow, like a bowling alley. I would guess 30 yards wide and two hundred yards long. I think that is accurate, but I give no guarantees....I am tired! The third floor is also quite large, but only half the length of the second floor, all appliances. The store is 100% marble tiled and has a bunch of windows, unlike most Best Buys. The store completed is amazing!
Now, my work really begins. I have five and a half weeks to be the best coach I can be. I am charged with making this Best Buy into a real Best Buy. I love the challenge!
Enough about work!
What have I been doing outside work? Not too much.
I feel that I am about as adjusted to China as I am going to get. I feel comfortable with the area that I live in, but outside of that, I am pretty clueless. It is kind of hard getting around in taxis because I speak no Chinese! At this point, I think I am good for somewhere between five and ten words. I can get around in the taxis only three ways. One, hand the driver a map with the place I need to go in Chinese; two, call a translator and give the phone to the cab driver and let the translator tell him where to go; three, get a cab with someone who knows where they are going. Needless to say, I stick with option three almost always! The problem with the first two options is that you can almost guarantee that in some point in the ride, the taxi driver will ask you a question in Chinese. At that point all you can do is shake your head! At first I was amazed at how little the cab drivers seemed to know about Shanghai. I would give them a map, or have one of the bilingual people at the hotel tell the driver exactly where to go. Then they start driving and end up not knowing where they are going. After a few days, I realized how huge Shanghai is, so I don't blame them so much.
I have worked every day since I have been here, so I have had little time for sight seeing so far. The half day I worked last week was rainy, so the night I wanted to go out did not work. I think I am only working a half day tomorrow and will definitely have a little time off next week. I plan on definitely hitting the town and being a tourist! There is AWESOME architecture here. There are tons of skyscrapers. Unlike the US, almost every skyscraper here looks very unique. I think they pride themselves on being different! I also have to get out shopping. Things like clothing and watches here are dirt cheap. A lot of the stuff is fake, but they are world class fakes! What kind of watch can you expect for $20 US.....a beautiful fake Rolex! The thing I am looking forward to the most is getting dress clothes made for me. I can get a weeks worth of custom made slacks, dress shirts, blazers, and suits for a couple hundred US dollars. To say that I will be heading to London with a new dress wardrobe would be an understatement! I plan to have to buy another suitcase for my new clothes on the way home!
The most of China that I have got to experience is the food. We all work really hard out here, and we all like to go out to dinner together at the end of a long day. Some of the guys out here have been here for a while, so they know where to get the good stuff. On a scale of one to ten, I am probably up to a four with chopsticks. I have found that forcing myself to use them makes me a lot better at it.....shocking! The nice thing about where I live is the food selection. There are tons of restaurants within walking distance of the apartment (I have to get some pics of my apartment.....I have to remember that). I am really trying to eat as much local Chinese food as possible. Not only will I probably not have the chance to eat Chinese food in China ever again, but it also gains respect with the locals....which means the world here!
That is about all for now.
Let me remind everyone, my personal email is stgoeke@hotmail.com. Don't hesitate to write.
Write again soon!
Some updates on the work front:
We opened our third store today! This is the store that I was brought out here to help. The opening went really well. This store is in a place called Ba Bai Ban. I am not sure if that is the name of the neighborhood.....I think it is just the name of the shopping area. It is in Pudong, Shanghai, China. It is one of the most unique Best Buy's I have ever had the pleasure of stepping foot into!
The area is full of electronics retailers. We actually share a wall with one of our biggest competitors in China. All of our biggest competitors are within one block of the store....literally! We also have what China calls PC Mall's right next door to us. I compare it to a big flea market for computers and computer products. The PC Mall itself is quite interesting. It is about thirty different booths all owned by different people that all sell the same computers. It is also like a flea market in that everyone barters the prices. That is a standard in China....haggle for everything. Best Buy is going in trying to change that culture. Our prices are competitive and as is. We offer a completely different experience.
The store itself is also quite different than any Best Buy any of you have ever seen. It is three levels. The first level is more of a lobby. The second level is HUGE! It is long and narrow, like a bowling alley. I would guess 30 yards wide and two hundred yards long. I think that is accurate, but I give no guarantees....I am tired! The third floor is also quite large, but only half the length of the second floor, all appliances. The store is 100% marble tiled and has a bunch of windows, unlike most Best Buys. The store completed is amazing!
Now, my work really begins. I have five and a half weeks to be the best coach I can be. I am charged with making this Best Buy into a real Best Buy. I love the challenge!
Enough about work!
What have I been doing outside work? Not too much.
I feel that I am about as adjusted to China as I am going to get. I feel comfortable with the area that I live in, but outside of that, I am pretty clueless. It is kind of hard getting around in taxis because I speak no Chinese! At this point, I think I am good for somewhere between five and ten words. I can get around in the taxis only three ways. One, hand the driver a map with the place I need to go in Chinese; two, call a translator and give the phone to the cab driver and let the translator tell him where to go; three, get a cab with someone who knows where they are going. Needless to say, I stick with option three almost always! The problem with the first two options is that you can almost guarantee that in some point in the ride, the taxi driver will ask you a question in Chinese. At that point all you can do is shake your head! At first I was amazed at how little the cab drivers seemed to know about Shanghai. I would give them a map, or have one of the bilingual people at the hotel tell the driver exactly where to go. Then they start driving and end up not knowing where they are going. After a few days, I realized how huge Shanghai is, so I don't blame them so much.
I have worked every day since I have been here, so I have had little time for sight seeing so far. The half day I worked last week was rainy, so the night I wanted to go out did not work. I think I am only working a half day tomorrow and will definitely have a little time off next week. I plan on definitely hitting the town and being a tourist! There is AWESOME architecture here. There are tons of skyscrapers. Unlike the US, almost every skyscraper here looks very unique. I think they pride themselves on being different! I also have to get out shopping. Things like clothing and watches here are dirt cheap. A lot of the stuff is fake, but they are world class fakes! What kind of watch can you expect for $20 US.....a beautiful fake Rolex! The thing I am looking forward to the most is getting dress clothes made for me. I can get a weeks worth of custom made slacks, dress shirts, blazers, and suits for a couple hundred US dollars. To say that I will be heading to London with a new dress wardrobe would be an understatement! I plan to have to buy another suitcase for my new clothes on the way home!
The most of China that I have got to experience is the food. We all work really hard out here, and we all like to go out to dinner together at the end of a long day. Some of the guys out here have been here for a while, so they know where to get the good stuff. On a scale of one to ten, I am probably up to a four with chopsticks. I have found that forcing myself to use them makes me a lot better at it.....shocking! The nice thing about where I live is the food selection. There are tons of restaurants within walking distance of the apartment (I have to get some pics of my apartment.....I have to remember that). I am really trying to eat as much local Chinese food as possible. Not only will I probably not have the chance to eat Chinese food in China ever again, but it also gains respect with the locals....which means the world here!
That is about all for now.
Let me remind everyone, my personal email is stgoeke@hotmail.com. Don't hesitate to write.
Write again soon!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Street Vendors Galore!
One of the coolest parts about China is the street vendors!
I really think that in one place or another, one can buy everything they would ever need.
What kind of random things have I seen?
-Street meat (raw meat that they will cook right in front of you)
-Stuffed Animals
-Sweet Corn and Sweet Potatoes
-Frogs
-Turtles
-Kittens
-Birds
-Umbrellas (it is amazing that whenever it rains, the umbrella people magically appear)
These are just a few things.....I will have to get some pictures for everyone to see what it is like.
Getting the right price is the art. I was told day one that if you don't get at least 60% off the price, you are bad at haggling!
I really think that in one place or another, one can buy everything they would ever need.
What kind of random things have I seen?
-Street meat (raw meat that they will cook right in front of you)
-Stuffed Animals
-Sweet Corn and Sweet Potatoes
-Frogs
-Turtles
-Kittens
-Birds
-Umbrellas (it is amazing that whenever it rains, the umbrella people magically appear)
These are just a few things.....I will have to get some pictures for everyone to see what it is like.
Getting the right price is the art. I was told day one that if you don't get at least 60% off the price, you are bad at haggling!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sad Day for DQ
I have been very good this week at forcing myself to eat traditional Chinese food. It has been great! I might not know what I am eating sometimes, but it is still an experience (and the Chinese appreciate it).
I have been avoiding Western food.
Until today.
For those of you who do not know, I am a bit of a Dairy Queen junky. Well, not really a junky, but I thoroughly enjoy a Butterfinger Blizzard every now and then. I do not get them often (especially since there are no DQ's in New York). But, if I am in a pro-DQ zone, I try to get myself a sweet snack. So, when I saw DQ's all over the place in China, I thought, it is my lucky day!
So, I went to Dairy Queen today.
I was excited for the party that was going to happen in my mouth.
Then I looked at the menu.
They had the crappiest selection of Blizzard flavors imaginable! Green tea? black tea? Raspberry?
I had to leave.
It was a sad day for DQ.
Blog Note - Pictures
Do you want to see the pictures I have taken in China?
If so, click on the picture on the left hand side of the page (where it says slideshow). That will open a site called Flickr. When the site opens, just click on "stgoekes photostream" on the right side of the page. This will open a photo album of all my China photos.
Scott
Saturday, November 1, 2008
It Has Been a Couple of Days!
Hello all!
Sorry I have not been able to update the blog for the last few days, it has been very busy at work! Friday was the grand opening of our second store in Shanghai. We had a blast with all of the customers for the last few days! I have spent the week preparing the original store and the new store for the promotions for this weekend. It has been a lot of work, but the work here just seems more meaningful! You are dealing with people who have no idea and they really want to learn. I have worked a lot, but all with reward. Starting Monday I start my new task at the next store we have opening. This is where the real work begins! A lot to do and not much time to do it!
I have had some interesting China experiences since the last post; here is a sample:
-I took my first taxi ride in which my driver told me he knew where he was going and actually had no idea.....thank god for translators and cell phones!
-I ate my first Chinese tofu. It tastes like nothing, just like in the US.
-I have taken the subway a few times. So far, this is the nicest subway system I have found. The lines are easy to understand and go straight. Everything is in Chinese and English. The cars are new and nicely air conditioned. The funniest part of the experience is watching people get on and off. In NYC, people get off the train and as soon as they are off, people get on. NOT HERE! The door opens and it is a struggle to get on and off....everyone goes at the same time!
-I visited my first small Chinese grocery. A nice selection of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as a good assortment of recently killed fish and other random animal parts. There are chicken feet everywhere....it is apparently the best cuisine in China! I had to pick up cereal....great selection of Cherios, Frosted Flakes, and Trix!
-I had my first home cooked Chinese meal (no, not cooked by me....let's not get crazy here). My roommates girlfriend came over last night and cooked us some serious Chinese food! She made tomato, egg, and spinach soup as well as noodles and greens with fresh fish. The fish was great....but boney. Then she finished it up with a Chinese desert! The desert was a Chinese fruit (translated to English it is called a paw paw) on a bed of white rice covered with Chinese flower wine. The whole meal was AWESOME!
-I watched my first Chinese bootleg DVD. I have yet to see a place in China that sells real DVD's. I get bootleg DVD's are real DVD's here.....a movie for $1 is a good deal anywhere!
So, that is what has been going on.
I posted some new pictures today, so go check them out.
If all goes well, I want to try to get out and be a tourist tonight. If I do, I can guarantee some nice pics. Unfortunately it is raining (like it has almost the entire time I have been here....we will get into that another time), and I do not want to go out in the rain to take pictures.
We shall see.
Bye for now.
Scott
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