KARAOKE!!

Today is my last day in China!

But, I feel obligated to share my fantastic karaoke experience from two nights ago!

My time in China flew by and I was concerned that I may not be able to experience the one thing that I promised Liz I would do.....go to REAL Chinese karaoke.

Fate had it's way. On Monday night the store team that I have been working with took me out to a final dinner. I had one more real Chinese dinner in me. The dinner did not disappoint! Everything from raw meets for appetizers to the standards: pig intestines, fish served with the head and tail in the bowl, chicken elbows, squid, the whole deal! I have never been a picky eater, which has helped me here every day. I am in China, I want to experience China. I am quite certain that in my time here I have eaten things that I don't want to know, and I will probably never eat any of them again. I figured it was the least I could do for my team here!

The meal ended and I was about to go home.

Not so fast!! It's karaoke time! Game on!

I will try to paint this picture as best as words can:

Chinese karaoke and American karaoke are two completely different things. In America, you go to a bar and there is a microphone and one or two people sing to the crowd....usually people that can somewhat hold a tune (at least early in the night). The whole concept is different in China. Karaoke is a lifestyle!

My experience started by getting into an elevator and going to the seventh floor of a big office building. We entered the karaoke "establishment" and it looked like an office. Several halls with what seemed to be offices down the hallways. We were led to one of these offices and it turned out to be a private room for our group. Unlike the US, karaoke is a private thing between you and your group...not in front of an entire bar full of people.

I walk into the room and scope it out. Standard living room size, one corner has a big L-shaped couch with a huge coffee table type table in front of it. Next to the couch in the other corner is a bar table with eight stools next to it. In the front corner of the room is one bar stool type chair with a screen in front of it...incase you want to go solo. In the front of the room is a flat panel tv on the wall where the lyrics come up. Next to the couch is a very modern touch screen computer system where you select the song. The whole scene is completed with multiple hand-held microphones strategically located throughout the room.

Shortly after we arrive, someone has picked a song (in Chinese of course) and several people are singing, with no shame. It was on.

I sat down on the couch to observe this situation. Before I know it, there are several cups full of bar dice on the table. Hmmm. I guess we are going to play some dice. Then come the drinks. I see a waiter walk in with a try full of about 35 cans of Chinese beer. Ohhh, I see where this is going. Mind you, there are max 12 people in this room, half of whom are not touching a drink.

Long story short, some people sing, the rest of the people play drinking games with dice. I was later informed that karaoke was less about singing and more about getting drunk!

Did I mention that almost every male in China smokes cheap cigarettes excessively, everywhere? This small room was not option. Five minutes in, there was a thick, nasty, smokey haze throughout the room. This is China.

Of course I learned the games (I was not given an option). It was a good time.

Before I knew it, someone gave me the microphone and the whole room was staring at me in anticipation. I have to be honest, this was the first time I ever actually sang at karaoke. I come to learn that there are a few English songs on there just for the occasion. Paul McCartney would have been proud of my rendition of "Hey Jude". That I can say for sure!

All in all, it was quite an amazing experience! One I am grateful for, and will remember forever!

If you are ever in China, do not hesitate.

PS....I picked up the bill. 12 people singing for two hours and 35 cans of beer: 345RMB ~$50!