Good Food and Excellent Company

During the summer, BBQ restaurants pop up all across town. Wendy had told me, Peter and she loved the BBQs along Shui Ke Lu. Kelly and I joined them for dinner and had a wonderful time. The BBQ restaurants are really just huge tiled areas with low tables and folding stools out front. They are a cultural phenomenon. When the evenings cool off people head to the BBQs to socialize and eat, sometimes for hours. Wendy said a single restaurant can clear over ¥50,000 a summer.

The BBQ here is delicious, skewers of thin slices of meat, vegetables and tofu. Most of the BBQ’s come from the north western province of Xinjiang. The spices are an earthy herb mixture with plenty of kick. The meat is typically mutton or goat as Xinjiang has a high Muslim population.

The game in the background.

I was shocked to find the extreme enthusiasm for soccer in China. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a screen playing the games at night. It seems like I’m back in Argentina. The BBQ place had a projector out front and the tables were full with engrossed fans. Peter and I stumbled through a Chinglish conversation about of favorite teams. We both agreed on Argentina!

For Beth’s Birthday we did the traditional dinner although we went upscale this time and went to the Mayflower. Quick story behind that, I was designated as the texter and sent out the invites when I got three different confirmations for various locations. I’d never been to the Mayflower so when I discovered there were four in town I was thrown into a confusing mess trying to arrange the location. But in the end it all work out for a delicious meal.

Weifang and Fangzi teachers

Duck wraps with plum sauce most definitely one of my favorites.

A meat bridge. Yes those are potato chips beneath.

Nothing beats a Chinese Birthday candle.

Sunday we drove to Yentai. The tour guide had scheduled a tour of the Wine Museum. I opted out and went to the Municipal Museum with a few others instead.

The drive from Penglai to Yentai was rather interesting. It is a wine area and as you pass the vineyards every so often you see a French Chateau, no joke. I wish I had gotten a picture to prove it. The Chinese love to imitate that’s for sure. It was so random, rundown cinder block homes, dusty vineyards, yup French Chateau!

Yentai has a very modern feel

The Community Center

The Temple of the Sea Goddess

The oldest Buddha statue I've seen so far

The old Yentai Hutongs

The trip was short and sweet. I would like to return to Yentai as there seems to be much more to see. There is a mountain to the south that is famous for its temples and pagodas. I have a few students from Yentai and hope to return this summer.

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.

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?

Luke and Charlie - the world's best Kids

Skype has revolutionized living abroad. I remember feeling cut off and isolated from my family while in Argentina. We could IM but it just wasn’t the same, video quality was bad and the sound was always distorted, and that was only on a good day.

Skype, don’t get me wrong has it’s quirks but it is light years beyond IM. Or maybe I just feel that way because of the people I am know able to stay in touch with. My family, number one of course but runner up is most definitely these two gorgeous bundles of energy above.

"Can you show my your funny face?"

After spending a spring with these two I was hooked. For those who know me I’m not much of a kid person. Okay I’m not a kid person at all, but these two are my exceptions. They have always brightened my day, and now that I’m in China with Skype they are still able to do that. Here are the pictures that have recently brighten my week.

I can hardly believe how much Charlie has grown. When we were talking she kept asking if she could come over to my house, ahh. Tug at the heart when I had to tell her I was still away, yes Kayte has a heart.

After Nick reminded her I was still in China she changed her tactics, “I want to go to China with you Kayte!” I miss you too Charlie.

Luke then practiced some of his Chinese with me, he’s been watching Ni Hao KaiLan. Charlie tried her hand at a foreign language but ended up with a Vietnamese greeting.

Look at those grins

Charlie is still learning to talk into the camera rather than the screen. When we high five Luke will go for the camera, and Charlie goes for the screen.

Thanks for the pep talk this week! Talk to you soon.

Everyone has a guilty pleasure, that one thing you do that just makes you feel pretty. Mine is getting my nails done. I’ve been itching to get them done since I’ve come to China but have not been able to rationalize the monthly splurge. Also the real fear of poor hygiene here (on the salons part, not mine) that can lead to nail disease. Anyway, I finally pushed through and just decided to go for it.

As my decision to stay in China another year became final I realized the need to make some changes in my life. The most important being I have to stop living for a deadline. I’ve decided to treat my time in China as if I was spending the rest of my life here. How would my daily life change if I knew I was staying in China? If I know I had to find ways to keep happy and entertained so as not to grow resentful, what would I change.

NAILS! Nails always make me feel pretty and happy. Superficial maybe but hey a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

This is easily going to become a monthly ritual.

The hunt for a salon began. Katie and Kelly came along to help asses and decide. We went to a few looking at the way they kept their tools. We were having a difficult time deciding if some of the places even did acrylics as they didn’t smell like your typical nail salon.

We finally found one that smelt right, (never thought I’d pick a salon based on smell) and went in to try it out.

After a rather intense game of charades I decided just to go for it. We still weren’t convinced they did acrylics but I figured I was up for a try. Rather than bore the boys with the details. It ended up NOT being acrylics but tips. Disappointed I was but hey, I’ve got french tip again and I’m loving that fact.

Beth knows where an acrylic place is, where was she during the hunt? As Kelly is always up for a manicure, we’ve decided were just going to make it a bi-monthly date.

This evening Peter and Wendy came over and cooked a delicious meal! I’d been telling Kelly about Peter’s amazing cooking when we went out to dinner last week and Wendy volunteer for an encore!

My two favorite Chefs!

They came around 6 and insisted we just sit back a relaxed, Wendy would come ask for help if they needed anything. Kelly and I waited in the offices as tantalizing smells drifted in from the kitchen.  My mouth was watering by the time Wendy announced dinner!

The dishes included (clockwise) top, 100 year eggs, potato slices (my fav), tomatoes and eggs (another fav), yam slices and the final dish a sliced onion dish.

100 Year Eggs - about as delicious as they sound.

Peter knew my two favorite dishes, Tomatoes and Eggs and Sliced Potatoes! I must admit I did miss good Chinese while I was back in the States, not so much the above dish.

Dinner was most enjoyable as usual. Peter and Wendy are always a pleasure to spend time with. Peter’s English pronunciation is getting really good. I can finally compliment his cooking in complete sentences! After some rather comical stumbles we agreed that our language skills are about even. Although I still think his English is a little better.

I don’t know what I would do without those two!

A turn of luck delayed Bonnie’s departure from Weifang just long enough for  me to say goodbye. We all met up Wednesday night for dinner. Bonnie decided on our usual, Weifang Family Restaurant. Wendy and Peter joined us along with Tina, Steven, Anna, and Kelly. We had a delightful evening and great food.

Even though the semester is shaping up to be fun filled, Bonnie will be missed greatly. I’ve come to rely on her excellent Chinese food vocabulary heavily. Needless to say I had her help Wendy write down all my favorite dishes so I won’t starve once she leaves.

Bonnie and I had many great afternoons in Weifang even if they were not always productive. To be honest it was just a relief to have someone to go into town to see during the week. Bonnie I think you should stay, really why go back to England to your family, friends and comfortable life?

Have a safe flight to New Zealand and Enjoy a good curry for me when you finally make it home to England.

Wendy and Me!

Wendy and Peter took me out to dinner tonight to say goodbye, or rather see you later. Wendy knows how much I love trying to new food and promised to take me to a restaurant that specialized in Northern Cuisine. It was amazing! A back alley hole in the wall.

Bei Da Wang is down the same alley as our favorite soup place. I’ve always been too scared to go into an unrecommended restaurant as my ordering abilities are, well, non existent still. But this place has a picture menu!

Throughout the dinner I practiced Chinese with Wendy and Peter. I think I will have to make this a more regular occurrence as Peter is so encouraging!

Wendy suggested three traditional dishes that were phenomenal! The first a typical stir-fry with sugar peas, chicken, peppers and mushrooms.

Okay, I lucked out with location! I love northern food!

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The main dish didn’t have a specific name rather a list of ingredients. It was a soup of sorts served in a large wok that was kept heated during the dinner. Those are not marshmallows along the sides, but steamed rolls of sorts. The soup contained, spinach, peppers, peas, chicken, and potatoes. I really am falling in love with Chinese food. I just have to learn what to order.

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Chinese Mash Potatoes!

Last but not least on the menu for the evening was Chinese Mash Potatoes! Yes, y0u read that right, Chinese Mash Potatoes. They were delicious. I still can’t figure out what made them yellow rather than white but I’ve been told it was the potatoes used. It is chunky rather than smooth and the gravy is more of a caramel but it was delicious!

I’ve already decided this is where I want to go for my first dinner back. That is if it is still there. As we’ve sadly learned from our favorite wing place, what’s there one week can easily be gone the next.

A little history behind the name of the restaurant. The direct translation is  North Big Desolate , I think, Wendy was trying to describe the word ‘Desolate’. Anyway, it is the name of a location up north that was colonized by people from Shandong province that had been sent as part of a military campaign. The cuisine is a combination of North eastern traditions and Shandong dishes that evolved in this region.