Another week, another entry. Let's hop to it!
The Working Week
Monday workout, Tuesday Chinese lesson. This has become the norm for these two days of the week (although today being Monday, I forgot my gym stuff at home, which allows me to FINALLY go get some groceries). Wednesday, a large group of us enjoyed some Japanese food for dinner before going to watch "The Avengers". I thoroughly enjoyed it, although Team Linky Sense for the most part didn't have the same viewpoint as I. I'm really into these superhero movies, while the others not so much. Thursday we went to indulge in some Indian food. Tang, one of our coworkers at Linky Sense, really did not enjoy it. He's out of his element when there are no noodles. Most amusing moment in a long time: after we ordered some appetizers, Tang decides to order something for himself to enjoy...it turns out it he ordered the exact same dish that we had just ordered. Tang goes for many smoke breaks. I am amused and enjoy the spicy (and yet not overwhelming) food.
Friday was the birthday of Breanna, one of our coworkers. We bought her a simple cake that we spruced up with M&M's, as well as buying her a few presents. She was very happy with our offerings to say the least! We took left work an hour early to catch the train (which was an annoying process to get train tickets...one of the most inefficient systems I have ever encountered) to Qingdao.
On Qingdao:
There is a lot to say about Qingdao, but for a more thorough version, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qingdao. The system, once under German control for some time, was very European influenced. I saw a lot of Italy, Croatia, and San Fransisco in its layout and the climate. South of Tianjin and along the ocean, it is a bit more mild, especially the days that we were there. Very few foreigners there surprisingly, and we were stopped several times for pictures by the locals. I am amused, although some of the stares we get really seem to indicate they don't get many foreigners...strange, since Tsingtao beer is brewed there. Anyways...
Satuday (Day 1 in Qingdao):
We meet up with Charles (from Quebec, who was with us in Beijing last weekend), as he is currently doing an AIESEC internship in Qingdao, along the coast. We walk around for a bit before heading to the Tsingtao brewery for the tour of the facility. Establish in 1903, Tsingtao has a very interesting history that was cool to learn about and we were able to sample some Tsingtao beer during the tour as well. We have drank a lot of it during our time here in China, and it's quite enjoyable. Later, we make our way back to the beaches and enjoy some Tsingtao beer out of a plastic bag. We all get some straws and enjoy. It's quite chilly out today and foggy, reminding me a lot of San Fran. Later, we meet up with Charles for dinner in the district where the sailing races were held during the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics. We enjoy a satisfying meal and then head out to a club. It was a sausage fest (which Oliver has now added to his vocabulary), but some Chinese dude bought us a lot of drinks so it was cool. A few of us go to KFC afterwards (24hours everywhere more or less) for some food. It is not known as the Big Crunch Sandwich like back in Canada, but a Zinger Buger. It's delightful in the early morning and you're intoxicated.
Sunday (Day 2 in Qingdao):
Later start this morning due to the night before. We change our plans...we were initially supposed to head to this mountain to climb east of the city, but you know what? YOU KNOW WHAT? We changed our mind. We went to a park instead...they had an amusement park, boats in the lake, amongst other things. Anne-Marie gets a picture with a person dressed up as Mickey Mouse, who then asks for money right after. We refuse, and Mickey Mouse is not happy. Mickey follows us for a bit, breaks character and takes off his (although it was a girl) mask, and yells at us for money. This shit would never fly in Disneyland.
We walk around for awhile, and find a trail that leads up to an observatory. After a bit of climbing, we reach the top, and get a great view of the city. After some time and a lot of photos, we head back down and walk to the beach for a bit. Afterwards, we return to our hostel (which was called Big Brother...amusing) and catch a van taxi (unmarked white van that says "free candy" on the side...ok just kidding) and head back to the rail station. Instead of taking the 4 hour high speed train, we opt for the 10 hour slower train, in which each seat is a bed. A bit rocky, but I do catch some sleep...although as I write this, I feel the urge for a nap coming on.
What's on tap for this week? More Chinese lessons. Some AIESEC event. Andi has his cousin coming. We go to Beijing again this weekend. Who knows what's in store?
Ok byebye.
Monday workout, Tuesday Chinese lesson. This has become the norm for these two days of the week (although today being Monday, I forgot my gym stuff at home, which allows me to FINALLY go get some groceries). Wednesday, a large group of us enjoyed some Japanese food for dinner before going to watch "The Avengers". I thoroughly enjoyed it, although Team Linky Sense for the most part didn't have the same viewpoint as I. I'm really into these superhero movies, while the others not so much. Thursday we went to indulge in some Indian food. Tang, one of our coworkers at Linky Sense, really did not enjoy it. He's out of his element when there are no noodles. Most amusing moment in a long time: after we ordered some appetizers, Tang decides to order something for himself to enjoy...it turns out it he ordered the exact same dish that we had just ordered. Tang goes for many smoke breaks. I am amused and enjoy the spicy (and yet not overwhelming) food.
Friday was the birthday of Breanna, one of our coworkers. We bought her a simple cake that we spruced up with M&M's, as well as buying her a few presents. She was very happy with our offerings to say the least! We took left work an hour early to catch the train (which was an annoying process to get train tickets...one of the most inefficient systems I have ever encountered) to Qingdao.
On Qingdao:
There is a lot to say about Qingdao, but for a more thorough version, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qingdao. The system, once under German control for some time, was very European influenced. I saw a lot of Italy, Croatia, and San Fransisco in its layout and the climate. South of Tianjin and along the ocean, it is a bit more mild, especially the days that we were there. Very few foreigners there surprisingly, and we were stopped several times for pictures by the locals. I am amused, although some of the stares we get really seem to indicate they don't get many foreigners...strange, since Tsingtao beer is brewed there. Anyways...
Satuday (Day 1 in Qingdao):
We meet up with Charles (from Quebec, who was with us in Beijing last weekend), as he is currently doing an AIESEC internship in Qingdao, along the coast. We walk around for a bit before heading to the Tsingtao brewery for the tour of the facility. Establish in 1903, Tsingtao has a very interesting history that was cool to learn about and we were able to sample some Tsingtao beer during the tour as well. We have drank a lot of it during our time here in China, and it's quite enjoyable. Later, we make our way back to the beaches and enjoy some Tsingtao beer out of a plastic bag. We all get some straws and enjoy. It's quite chilly out today and foggy, reminding me a lot of San Fran. Later, we meet up with Charles for dinner in the district where the sailing races were held during the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics. We enjoy a satisfying meal and then head out to a club. It was a sausage fest (which Oliver has now added to his vocabulary), but some Chinese dude bought us a lot of drinks so it was cool. A few of us go to KFC afterwards (24hours everywhere more or less) for some food. It is not known as the Big Crunch Sandwich like back in Canada, but a Zinger Buger. It's delightful in the early morning and you're intoxicated.
Sunday (Day 2 in Qingdao):
Later start this morning due to the night before. We change our plans...we were initially supposed to head to this mountain to climb east of the city, but you know what? YOU KNOW WHAT? We changed our mind. We went to a park instead...they had an amusement park, boats in the lake, amongst other things. Anne-Marie gets a picture with a person dressed up as Mickey Mouse, who then asks for money right after. We refuse, and Mickey Mouse is not happy. Mickey follows us for a bit, breaks character and takes off his (although it was a girl) mask, and yells at us for money. This shit would never fly in Disneyland.
We walk around for awhile, and find a trail that leads up to an observatory. After a bit of climbing, we reach the top, and get a great view of the city. After some time and a lot of photos, we head back down and walk to the beach for a bit. Afterwards, we return to our hostel (which was called Big Brother...amusing) and catch a van taxi (unmarked white van that says "free candy" on the side...ok just kidding) and head back to the rail station. Instead of taking the 4 hour high speed train, we opt for the 10 hour slower train, in which each seat is a bed. A bit rocky, but I do catch some sleep...although as I write this, I feel the urge for a nap coming on.
What's on tap for this week? More Chinese lessons. Some AIESEC event. Andi has his cousin coming. We go to Beijing again this weekend. Who knows what's in store?
Ok byebye.
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