Qingdao University often does weekend trips for their foreign teachers. This last trip they were kind enough to open it up to anyone interested.

Penlai is on the North side of the Shandong Penisula. It is a city steeped in Chinese lore, this is the spot from which the Eight Immortals departed. As I’ve tried to research the Eight Immortals it has turned out to be your typical Chinese story, many different versions with little cohesiveness. The rough story from Wendy, Eight immortals who exemplified various attirbutes admired by the gods. They were made immortal with the intention they would hlep mankind devlope those attibutes. Antoher version, they were eight famous literary characters combined during the Yuan Dynasty. The few consistancies are their names, symbols and the fact that they lived and departed from Penglai.

The Eight Immortals

http://www.chinapage.com/8-immortal.html

Fishing Boats off the beach

Restored Pavillions

The Chinese equivelent of Alcatraz

This island lays of the north coast of the penisula. It was originally colinized as a prison for the empires worst criminals. The swim back is long and trecherous, it is believed only a few have made it. Durring one dynasty it reached maximum capacity and to clear space for new prisons the worst criminals were executed each month.

Where the North Sea and the Yellow See meet

The Fortress

This is the fortress in which the Eight Immortals lived. It was built as a defense against the invading Japanese and houses the temple of the Eight Immortals, the Sea Goddess and the Dragaon God.

The Bell Tower

Victoria and I

Ancient vessels recovered from the area

The City of Penglai

Our ever growing shoe collection

I decided last year that shoes where no longer welcome in my house. I’m convinced it is not a cultural curtsy but a hygienic necessity here! I would gladly lick the bottom of my shoes in America before I’d wipe the bottom of my shoe here against my jeans. For a country so concerned about health I’m appalled at the lack of hygiene. I started leaving my shoes against the wall for easy access and polite reminder to guests.

During the winter we had all our shoes out. Kelly counted once and there was something like 30 pairs. I never anticipated a downside, well, until this evening that is.

I needed to go to the office on the first floor so I quickly slipped on a pair of slippers. They are fuzzy on the inside so I didn’t think much of the tickle on my toes. I just wiggled them around a bit and finished my copying. When I got back to my apartment I just couldn’t seem to satisfy the tickle so I reached down take off the slipper when a millipede crawled out.

Not exactly the company I like to keep in my shoes!

Kelly you better thank me because it took everything out of me not to scream and wake you up. I don’t consider myself squeamish around bugs per say but when I say the pinchers on that thing and that fact it had been crawling all over my toes for the last 20min, well I thought my reaction showed quite a lot of self control! I did grab the stapler like any sane girl.

The stapler was even PINK!

I can’t find the camera cord so I’ll add pictures in the morning. Now if I could just stop imageing bugs crawling all over my feet I could go to bed. I just might have to start wearing socks 24/7. I hate wearing socks but I think I’ve found something I hate worse!

The funniest part of the whole situation was right before Kelly went to bed I complained that bug season was starting. We’ve had an extremely cool spring, and the bugs have only just begun coming out. So I can officially say bug season is HERE!

I’m slowly visiting the sites in Qingdao and by slowly I mean a napping tortoise has seen more of Qingdao than I. To continue the prolonged tour I scheduled a weekend with Beth. I had it all planned, the spice market, Zhongshan Park, the pagoda, the temple, the beach, Catholic Cathedral and of course Jimo for the newbie Beth.  Of the entire list we hit two. Not exactly my idea of a successful trip. So here is how our misadventure started…

We had gotten tickets for the 4:30pm fast train, and pulled out at 6:30pm. We got to Qingdao and found a cab to the hostel. I had looked up rooms the week before and saw plenty of rooms I was having trouble booking online so I figured I’d take my chances, for future reference BAD idea. I had brought information for back up accommodations and knew if all else failed we could crash at Victoria’s.

We called hostel number two and they had two beds in a mixed dorm available. We told them we were on our way and jumped in a cab. The driver, we learned 20 frustrating mins later, dropped us off on the back side of the hill. We got out of the cab and found ourselves in a deserted back alley at the foot of a dark and uninviting hill. We Called the hostel again for directions and were told to our horror there were no beds! I explained I’d called 5 min ago and was told there were two beds. She checked with the other receptionist and apologized for the mix up.  She gave us directions and then said she would stand outside and wait for us, we finally made it and realized she had walked down the other side of the hill. When she showed us the room available Beth and I both panicked inside. It was an overflow dorm separated from the complex and full of middle aged Chinese men, not exactly the company I felt comfortable sleeping with so far from the hostel.

In the end I couldn't have wished for better lodgings.

We apologized for the inconvenience but declined the room. Sophia, the receptionist said she understood and offered to help us find accommodations elsewhere. We figured she’d give us a car and send us on our way. To our surprise she grabbed her sweater, a flashlight and the other receptionist. She even asked if we had eaten yet and grabbed some muffins for the trip. She walked us to a hotel 15min away and arranged our room and everything.

Spacious with a view

The room was spectacular and upon their insistents we got a room with a great view of the courtyard and the city. We settled in and then went out for a quick bite.

The creaky old floors just enhanced the character.

The next morning we were up and about ready to hit Jimo when it opened at 9am. I was hoping for a quick morning be in and out by 12 for lunch and on our way to see the rest of the town. I had a list of sites to hit. That did not happen! But here a few of my purchases that  somehow took 5 hours!

My one purse indulgence - not to be used in China due to color

yes - I agree my pearl obession is on the version of meriting an intervention

Sonny - The best pearls in Jimo!

I have to admit I was thrilled when Beth stumbled across a jean shop that sold my size!! I am saved. I’ve just about warn the seat out of a few of my jeans I no longer have to live in fear of being pantless for the next year. We ended up leaving Jimo at closing time around 5pm! Never again!!

We headed to our hotel for a nap then met Kelly for dinner at the Diner. It was delicious of course but then again western food tastes so so good after not having it for a month. Although the repercussions of stuffing your face with diary heavy western food can at times be uncomfortable late. The Diner was full of westerners as usually and a large group of Europeans were occupying the center tables. Their children were all playing together and we almost forgot we were in China.

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning we got up a little late and headed straight for the Catholic Cathedral. It is only open before 9am on Sundays and I was extremely keen on seeing it. We got to the gates about 8:45 and decided to take a quick look. We soon realized that mass was starting and as they handed us the liturgy in English we decided to stay. It was an amazing experience. The Service was in Korean, so I felt a little at home as half of my church is in Korean due to translation.

Where there's one there is always a dozen others

As on any good clear day were were half a dozen couples taking wedding photos around the city at different scenic locations. Wedding photos in China are taken when convenient not following the ceremony. Some are taken the week in advance or even months late if it is more convenient.

Exploring the area around the Hotel and Jimo…

New York Library anyone?

Now this is what I call a Farmer's Market!

The old Government Building - German Style

During lunch the downpour started. It didn’t let up for about four hours. We hid out for lunch then raced to Book City. At the bus stops I finally gave up trying to stay dry and gave into the fact that I would remain soaked the rest of the day. I was literally pouring water out of my shoes. I should have worn flip-flops!

At Book City I had a rather interesting adventure. I took the ACT test or at least part of it. As I was browsing through the Chinese Textbooks a student approached me asking for some help. Could I please define, scrutinize. Humm, the epitome of teaching English learning to define large words without using large words. I did my best and the conversation proceeded from there. The student had just take the ACT test and would like to review his answers. To my surprise he pulled out the test booklet and started referring to all the questions he had reservations about. He asked my opinion on each and again I did my best but I told him that was no guarantee. There is this belief in China that if you are a native English Speaker all our tests are a walk in the park. What they don’t realize is unlike Chinese education we don’t spend our entire academic career with our nose in test booklet, just the better half of the second semester. Well, after that test boy was I glad I decided on COS and I didn’t have take any college entrance tests, I really don’t know how I would have fared.

We spent the afternoon working on our Chinese and caught the train home around 7pm. Overall, I bearly touched my laundry list of things to see but it was an enjoyable trip none-the-less.

The Chinese LOVE promotionals. They take promotionals to a whole new level here. They have this tape that reads    Promo促销Promo促销 of course it is with their favorite colors too, red lettering on yellow. Throughout the store you will see the most random things taped together. My best find so far was a computer mouse pad taped to an Oreo package, score!

Common sights are cups with soda, Tupperware with cookies, or cloth grocery bags with milk. Promotions are common jokes amongst the foreigners. We often wonder if we could get a hold of the role or tape and have a hay-day with it. We doubt anyone would notice our chosen combinations.

Scratch n' Win - On every receipt

I’m convinced one shopping trip I could successful purchase at least half my list while only selecting promotional items. Mind you I would have to steer clear of my brands at times but I’m determined to do it one trip. I’m convinced the Chinese have the promotional thing figured out. For example, I was not planning on purchasing Oreos that day but I needed a mouse pad so I picked them up.

Along with promotional two for one deals the Chinese LOVE Scratch ’n Wins. At the end of EVERY receipt in China is a Scratch ’n Win section. The prize is redeemable at the front counter. I don’t pay much attention to those as one a few kuai don’t seem worth all the trouble it would be for me a foreigner to figure out how to redeem it and two half the time I can’t figure out if I’m a winner or not.

Y2 winnings!

The other day at the grocery store with Wendy I was slipping the receipt into my wallet when she stopped me and asked  if I was going to check if I won. I playfully scratched and showed her the characters expecting a defeated look. Oh contrair, she was all smiles when she said you won! Really I did a double take. You won Y2. Well hey money is money no matter the amount right. So with Wendy’s help I redeemed the receipt and walked out of the store with winner’s spirits.

Beijing – 北京

I’ve been here half a year and I’ve finally gone to Beijing. Monday was Tomb Sweeping Day which meant a three day weekend. We re-arranged Friday classes and were able to head out Thursday afternoon. We caught the noon fast train to Beijing and the adventure began. Usually I am on the ball and have a complete and printed itinerary for my trips. As time was tight I left planning for the train trip.  

Katie and Thomas are experts on Beijing and knew all the ropes to tourist spots. I made my plans and looked forward to seeing the sites. We arrived Thursday afternoon and after a rather interesting transportation entanglement we made it to our hostel. We headed out to try and find a western restaurant mentioned in my guide book but failed and ended up a fun little sandwich cafe, not a bad replacement.

Friday morning I awoke early to start a full day of site seeing. Adam and Kelly came with and we headed to the Temple of Heaven at the south end of Beijing. We bought our tickets and split up to explore the complex. About 30min into the morning my camera battery failed and my back up battery was dead, great planning Kayte! The Temple of Heaven complex followed the traditional temple layout and design. The signs were well translated and enjoyed the area immensely.

Temple of Heaven

 The complex housed the Music Administration Buildings that provided the emperor with musicians and singers throughout the Ming and Qing Dynasty. They had a wonderful musical museum documenting musical history from the very beginning of Chinese History. There were numerous instruments on display and I was fortunate enough to attend the daily concert performed. I was able to hear examples of many of the traditional Chinese instruments.

Temple of Good Harvest

 After the Temple of Heaven we went to Tienanmen Square. It was huge. You had to pass through security in order to enter of course. Although there must have been hundreds of people on the square it seemed empty by the sheer size of it. Mao’s Mausoleum in the center is the main attraction but I did not feel the need to visit his tomb. After a brief walk about I headed to the Forbidden Palace.

The Forbidden Palace was breathtaking. The restoration was remarkable. I knew there was no way to see it all in one trip but did my best to cover as much ground as possible. With no Camera I have no pictures to post.

Saturday we all awoke early and headed for the bus depot to catch the 936 up to Mutianyu. As Katie and Thomas have been to the great wall a twice before they thought this the best vantage point for first timers. Simatai was the next option but as it is more strenuous and further away we settled on a relaxing trip for us first timers.

The Great Wall amidst the Great Haze

Even with pavement the hike seems wild!

 We took the cable car up to the top of the mountain and began to explore. The wall is completely restored in this section but was none the less breath taking.

Late winter does not provide the most gorgeous backdrop.

Katie and Me, we decided to try and hike to the end of the restored section.

These steep steps are nothing compared to Simatai. Boy was I glad we settled for Mutianyu!

 Aggressive peddlers and sellers are a given where ever a tourist maybe found in China. I’ve become quite good at avoiding them although I can’t say the same for some in our group. I keep telling him just IGNORE them. Any acknowledgment on your part and you’ve got a buddy for the next block or two.

The road up to the Wall was lined with rather aggressive sellers.

 After the wall we headed to the Subway at the foot of the mountain! Nothing satisfies one’s hunger like a good ol’  Club Sandwich.

Ahh nothing completes a good hike like SUBWAY!! Oh the pleasures of Beijing.

 We got back into Beijing in time for a quick run to the Clothing Markets and a delcious trip to the Kiosk the little sandwich shopped we had failed to find Thursday evening.

Sunday morning I set out on my own to tour Beihai Park. The views were spactacular and the sites peacful. It was a wonderful way to spend Easter morning.

Beihai Park - White Dagoba

Exploring the Yongan Si Temple Complex beneath the White Dagoba.

The White Dagoba Complex is a Tibetan-style stupa.

The park was full of torists and Beijing residents enjoying the beautiful morning weather.

 Water Caligraphy is a favorite past time in Chinese Parks. It is always fascinating to watch the old men at work. There is always a crowd that gathers, both locals and travelers. I can’t wait to actully be able to read the characters someday.

The White Dagoba can be seen well outside the park.

One of the many private gardens within the Park.

Prince Gong's Resident

 After the park we all met up and toured Prince Gong’s Resident. This was the setting of one of China’s most famous literary works, Dream of the Red Chamber.  Katie and I wondered the grounds together and commented on how the Great Restoration of China’s sites were all done by a single team with the same colors and designs for everything.

Yandai Xiejie - A busy market street within the famous Hutongs

 The group headed back to the hostel and I went to explore the Hutongs (old courtyard style neighborhoods) and see the ancient Drum and Bell Towers. Along the way I stumbled across this wonderful market street that was packed with tourists.

The Bell Tower

The Steps up the Bell and Drum Towers were Deathly!

I was scared and just plum tired from the previous hike along the Great Wall I wanted to turn around and head home. The only thing that prevented me from chickening out was the Y30 ticket I’d already purchased.

The bell

 The Bell has a long history but the tragic part is all that I will recount. Legend has it that when the bell was being made, casting after casting failed. On threat of death if the deadline was not met the foreman’s daughter threw herself into the molten metal before the final casting. The final casting held and the project was finished on time.

The Drum Tower

 It was pure luck that enabled me to see the daily drum show. I’d debated going to the bell tower last and am glad I didn’t.

The Drum Show

 As I waited for a bus back to the hostel I saw this store and just had to take a picture.

Christmas Year 'Round

 The bus ride back to the hostel was an experience of a life time. I had waited what seemed like ages for my bus, 45min, when one finally came I was disheartened by the crowd on the bus. I wasn’t about to wait around for another bus so pushed my way on. I soon realized there truly was no space for the people to move but I was not getting off. The beauty of not speaking a lick of Chinese is you truly can ignore when people scream at you. There is not a hint of recognition when directions are made and eventually they stop trying. So I held on for dear life and got my back smacked with the door ever time we came to a stop. The driver soon realized no one from the front was getting off and stopped opening the door until someone said they had to disembark. But hey all in all I made it back to the hostel relatively unscathed just a few minor bruises on my back.

St Joseph's Cathedral

 Monday morning I was up and out by 7am I wanted a full day before our return train at 4pm. I started with a stroll to St. Joseph’s Cathedral which was only a few blocks from our hostel. I was able to catch the end of a morning mass.

At 7:30 I headed to the Summer Palace to spend a morning Exploring. Like the Forbidden City there is no humanly way possible to see the entire Summer Palace in a single trip so I noted the highlights and plotted my course. Victoria truly is right, “If you’ve seen one temple in China, you’ve just about seen them all.” There really is very little difference between them, especially after the wave of restores used all the same designs.

Empress Cixi's Opera House

 The stairs were a killer but the view was spectacular.

The Tower of Fragrance of the Buddha

The Temple at the top of Longevity Hill

The Bronze Pavilion

Empress Cixi's Marble Boat

 Empress Cixi ruled during the final years of the Qing Dynasty. She was not remembered as making the best decisions for the empire, this project is an example of just that. She used funds allocated for the modernization of the Chinese Navy to build a marble boat for her personal use. The boat does not work but is rather a gazebo of sorts.

Suzhou Street - Traditional Market

 Katie and Thomas had booked our hostel and we were thrilled with the accomodation. As there were 5 of us we booked a 6 bed dorm and got the room all to ourselves. It was clean and comfortable. The location was excellent as well. It was on the street just east of the Forbidden City and a few blocks from a subway.

Our hostel - one of the best I've stayed in.

 We caught the 4pm train home and I settled in for a quiet relaxing 4 hours. Soon enough I was surrounded by two Chinese children intent on helping me with my Mandarin studies. So not the most relaxing train trip I’ve had in China but by no means the worst.

My Chinese Tutor's

The end of the trip! I was thrilled to finally get off the train.

Beijing was wonderful. I am thrilled to go back and continue to explore all the wonderful sites!

The list of favorite quotes just keeps growing but this last one just sums up China too perfectly.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 
           – Albert Einstein

A perfect example of this, I was lounging on my couch observing the neighbors across the way. It was warm and breezy and many people had hung out their bedding to air and dry. One such neighbor threw a sheet over the railing and then returned to her dorm. Within a min or two the breeze caught the sheet and deposited it on the ground, the positive side was it landed in the hallway and not over the railing three floors down. She returned to the sheet, threw it over the railing once more and returned to her dorm. Within mins once again the sheet fell. No joke this dance repeated itself thrice more. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, if you do the SAME thing the SAME result will take place. The funniest part was the sheet next to this one was having NO problems as the owner had ingeniously used the rail to his advantage by looping the sheet around it not just over it.

Just some more favorites:

I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them. 

           – Jane Austen

Traditions are group efforts to keep the unexpected from happening.          

           – Barbara Tober

When I was born I was so surprised I didn’t talk for a year and a half.
           – Gracie Allen

He informed his school of his intention and got permission to use the school’s kitchen provided he bought all the food. He teaches at a non boarding elementary school which is deserted on the weekends. His original guest list included 30 odd people, why else would he need a cafeteria sized kitchen for preparation.

Come Party day, or rather the hour before the party was to start, his school was shocked to discover the number expected and refused to let him have that many people on the school grounds. Mind you this was after all the food was bought and prepared. After a rather heated discussion, the school agreed to pay for a restaurant close by. We got permission to bring the American food and set up the BBQ on the restaurant’s roof to grill the hamburgers.

After a million texts and rearrangments the group who had already arrived at the school headed to the restaurant sending instructions to the rest of the group. We were a lively bunch and trucking all the food up three flights of stairs was no small feat.

Real American BBQ food..delicious! The Birthday Boy! Hamburgers anyone?

Plenty of pasta salad

 The Chinese guests who came were not fond of the American food. Luckily for them the school purchased a round of Chinese dishes that they feasted on.

'all the fixin's

The ultimate Chinglish shirt

Firecrackers inside...where were the waiters to stop this?

Katie's student is on the far right. She was wonderful.

The Play as translated was “Mouse Falls in Love with Cat”. The synopsis, a famous writer gets caught up in a fraud investigation headed by the local police. He is a well known figure being biographed by a leading journalist, who finds his escapades unworthy of print. The whole while a confusing love triangle takes place between the journalist’s girlfriend who is a police woman, the writer and the writer’s sister. The theme is about following one’s ambitions to the end and not giving up on one’s dream.  (Or at least that is what I got of the play.)

Katie, Thomas and I sat in the front row. Two of Katie’s students sat in the row behind and quietly translated the play. Leaning forward all evening couldn’t have been comfortable. I was very impressed with their translation skills and am greatly looking forward to working with students of their caliber next year.

No imagination necessary, if the script says smoke, he will smoke.

The play was scheduled to start at 6:30pm but as the Officials were running late due to a meeting the play was postponed until their arrival. So the play got underway about 7pm. As we were unsure the total length of the play I decided I’d sneak out at intermission to make another appointment. By the time 9pm rolled around I gave up on an intermission and sneaked out during a scene change. Katie and Thomas stuck it out to the bitter end which ended up being after 10pm, and that was with no intermission.

The entire production from start to finish was produced by students which I found to be quite impressive. The simple sets were quite effective and truly Chinese. The students were cast in roles that resembled their personalities according to Katie. At the end of the play each and every participate was allowed to make a Thank you Speech.

I had a very enjoyable evening. I forget how much I enjoy live theater even if it is not in English. It is amazing how much body language can convey.

I realized I’ve forgotten to post my Chinese name. Wendy came by today and I had her write it down for me again. I’m still having a hard time with my family name but I can write the other two characters decently.

Here is the breakdown-

赵 – Zhào – Family Name

心 – Xïn – Heartfelt

仪 – Yí – Person from a dream

I took Wendy’s family name, so she is officially my 姐姐 (big sister). I know the name is on the sweet side not exactly revealing my true nature. I asked for something along the lines of ornery or obstinate but Wendy refused.

DDR - A universal hit.

Kelly, Katie & Me!

We stood in line and watched in amazement as the Chinese completely missed the point of Bumper Cars. Yes bumper – as into bump the other cars, we knew it wasn’t a miss translation as we had looked up the word to get tickets. Why then were they avoiding the other cars with strained deliberation? Katie burst out laughing when she heard some one apologize for BUMPING another car. Sure enough, we all strained to listen over the music, when someone actually did bump someone there was an audible apology and a greater attempt at avoidance.  

I don’t know what shocked us more the fact that they were being so curteous or their display of ligitamite driving skills. It was as if their daily driving was a giant game of bumper cars and this was their chance to unleash their mad driving skills.   

Oh just wait for the Americans to get in, there were going to be no apologies and excessive force resulting in whiplash. That is the whole point of bumper cars right!   

Nothing like neon strobe lights and blaring techno music to put you in the mood for reckless driving.

I've found my stress release!

Bumper Cars in China are only fun with other foreigners!

To be fair we all did try our best to ensure the safety of the cautious Chinese drivers. A few got into the true spirit of bumper cars once they saw the havoc the five of us were raining on each other. Needless to say Bumper Cars has now become a common time killer!