Good evening (assuming you are in North America) everyone! It is now Tuesday morning here for me. A bit overcast today, but things are going quite swell this week. Let's get started...
The last week has had me experience new experiences in China, some of them not all that pleasant. At some point during the week, I ate something that clearly didn't agree with my stomach. A couple days later of constant stomach pain (amongst other things), I decided it was best to go to the hospital. In China, you simply cannot just go to a pharmacy or store to pick up medication; there is a good chance that it is Guangzhou-quality (fake). In order to obtain legit medication, you must get it from the hospital. On Thursday, with the assistance of a coworker, we went to the hospital. I had gotten Enteritis, or an inflamed intestine, and received a pile of medication and required diet changes for the next few days. While the others indulged in some duck at dinner afterwards, I munched down on a lot of vegetables. I am now happy to say that I have returned to enjoying meat products.On Thursday, Raghda, Kerim, Anne-Marie, and Oliver went to a Shaolin temple for a couple of days. Check out Anne-Marie's blog to read about their time at the retreat (her blog link is on the right side).
Friday morning saw the leaving of Nghia to Thailand. We wished him all the best. I will be going to Thailand just under a month from now, and the plan is to meet up with him sometime along the way. We will miss him dearly and we wish you all the best Nghia! With the three amigos (Colin, Andi, and myself) who did not go to the temple, we enjoyed a day in Tianjin by heading into the city center, where we took in the nice atmosphere along the river before heading to the Italian district for dinner.
On Saturday, we spent an afternoon at the "Florentia Village", which was a 15 minute train ride away in Wuqing. It is an outlet mall with lots of major brands. The shopping village is built in the style of an Italian town. They nailed the feel of it; they had a small water show that was surrounded by Colosseum-like pillars while playing Spanish music. That was sarcastic btw.
We arose early on Sunday morning to make our way to Taoyuan Immortals' Valley. To get there, we took the train to Beijing and then a bus to head north of the city. Unfortunately, we fell victim to the taxi vultures...jumping on the bus and told us we had to get off. Sadly, this was not the first time that we have fallen for it. George W. said it best...
Friday morning saw the leaving of Nghia to Thailand. We wished him all the best. I will be going to Thailand just under a month from now, and the plan is to meet up with him sometime along the way. We will miss him dearly and we wish you all the best Nghia! With the three amigos (Colin, Andi, and myself) who did not go to the temple, we enjoyed a day in Tianjin by heading into the city center, where we took in the nice atmosphere along the river before heading to the Italian district for dinner.
On Saturday, we spent an afternoon at the "Florentia Village", which was a 15 minute train ride away in Wuqing. It is an outlet mall with lots of major brands. The shopping village is built in the style of an Italian town. They nailed the feel of it; they had a small water show that was surrounded by Colosseum-like pillars while playing Spanish music. That was sarcastic btw.
We arose early on Sunday morning to make our way to Taoyuan Immortals' Valley. To get there, we took the train to Beijing and then a bus to head north of the city. Unfortunately, we fell victim to the taxi vultures...jumping on the bus and told us we had to get off. Sadly, this was not the first time that we have fallen for it. George W. said it best...
Anyways...once we did get to the area, it was very secluded and there was a lot of atmosphere in the air that day with the rainy conditions. The smell of the air reminded me a lot of nature treks around BC and Alberta, albeit with more smog. We trekked through the area for a few hours, with very few people around. It was a very nice and peaceful way to spend the day, and it was interesting to go to such a place that hasn't been written up in Lonely Planet.
So what's next? We will be spending another weekend in Beijing to do various things. Andi leaves in just under two weeks, Raghda in three, and myself the week after that. I am looking through my options I have available in Thailand and (afterwards) South Korea. Very interesting to say the least!
Ok byebye.
So what's next? We will be spending another weekend in Beijing to do various things. Andi leaves in just under two weeks, Raghda in three, and myself the week after that. I am looking through my options I have available in Thailand and (afterwards) South Korea. Very interesting to say the least!
Ok byebye.
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