The only way out!

We set out and sure enough upon exiting the campus we noticed an empty street. (Just to be clear on school faces north two city blocks west of Qingnian Rd) We walked to the end of our road where it meets Qingnian, a blue construction fence had been put up overnight.

A narrow cut out allows pedestrians and cyclist through. 

Upon exiting our street I was astounded at the sight beyond. With the speed of deconstruction I could hardly believe the finish date to be so far off. But I guess here in lies China’s personality, tear it all up, let it sit for a while then get back to it to finish it up.  

 

Finding the gate to my street is a maze of sorts.

When we returned this afternoon the path back to our road had changed. Yes, we are walking through an active construction zone with only party decorations separating  us from the more dangerous areas.

Qingnian Road – When they rip up a rode they rip up a road!

 The outer fence of the blockade was up and plastered with advertisements just as quickly. The closest bus stop is now a brisk 30 min walk.

When I saw the advertisements I knew I was doomed.

  

Only in China does heavy construction take place within a hop and skip of the walking path.

“Many Westerners plan their schedules at the beginning of the day, or perhaps a day of two in advance. If you would like to meet with a Westerner, you should generally call at least a day in advance. If you want to invite a  Westerner to dinner, you should plan it about one week in advance. If you are planning a party, you should give one or two weeks advance notice. If you do not, the person might plan something else during that time slot. Some people may have a flexible schedule and do not follow this pattern. However, in the Western culture, having a schedule is stressed as a form of good planning and organization in one’s life. “  – pg 26 Challenge to Speak Student Edition

Now if I could just pass that passage around to all the Chinese I come in contact with. Just to be clear I’m not asking for the two weeks notice here, I’m just saying TWO days would be nice. I can easily rearrange my schedule with two days notice.

Last week I’d made plans to go out this evening, they’d changed of course over the week but by this morning they were set! At lunch James springs on me that today was the Korean girl’s birthday. Oh by the way, there will be a dinner for her at 5:30. I couldn’t brush off another dinner. As by the end of last semester I’d stopped rearranging my schedule last min. I called around made new plans and headed for the Dining Hall.

Dinner was pleasant, the usual mouth watering meals, octopus, jellyfish, radish soup, etc. I’m still trying to get use to being the one explaining the ropes to the newbie. Banquet etiquette is a big one and I tried my best.

Towards the end of the meal Shiggy asked if we were still going out as we had invited him to join us a few days ago (note the advanced invitation). He asked if we’d left the school yet today. I was a little puzzled by his comment and admitted I hadn’t yet left the school. He then, much to my horror, began to relate the current state of construction at the end of our road.

James soon chimed in to confirm that the buses were no longer running to the front of the school or along the main road due east of the school. Essentially we have been cut off from town. No cabs, cars or buses are allowed along Qingnian Rd until construction is finished. They are currently trying to update and widen the road as it is becoming a main artery into town. James then recounted oh by the way, the projected completion date is June 22. Yes I typed that correctly the MAIN ROAD along the river will be closed for 3 1/2 months! Well that inconvenient truth merited another round of drinks for everyone and left me fuming. The closest place to catch the bus, as James learned by sad experience this morning on his commute to work is 1.5km up the road!

Well so much for going out tonight that’s for sure. I was ranting the entire walk back to the apartment. Katie and Brad both got more than they bargained for when they took my call this evening. If its not one thing it sure seems to be another around here. Just as I was warming up to the idea of sticking around this school for another semester or so I’m reminded why I want to leave so bad. Location, location, location. Really people how do you cut off a main road like this for 3 and 1/2 months!

I guess I have a weekend to assess the damage and find a solution. Hey life’s all about learning to live with the bumps right?!

Kelly and I landed safely in China yesterday. After 36 hours traveling I was relieved to finally get back to my apartment and pile my bags in the entry way, mind you half are still sprawled there as I dug through to get out the few things I needed. 

My trip home was worth all the trouble. It provided a much needed relief and a fresh start to the upcoming semester. With a roommate now and a new found determination to learn Mandarin it is already shaping up to be a great semester.

The trip began with me eating my words I gave the previous day to my friend Maria. When dropping her off at Bakersfield to head home I’d teased her about the Prop-Plane at the Airport. I’d never ridden in one and hoped never to have to. Everything comes back to bite you I’ve learned and sure enough before I knew it i was boarding a Prop-Plane to LAX. It was everything and worse I’d imagined!

Upon exiting the Prop-Plane my purse broke! I’d always made fun of luggage and bag stores in Airports, I mean come-on by the time you are getting onto the plane shouldn’t you already be packed!! But here I was stranded with a broken purse still facing another 24 hours of travel, I was willing to pay anything for relief! I found a tacky Hollywood bag at Hudson News and headed to my next gate to settle in for a long layover. Poor Kelly, we were to meet up at LAX and catch the same flight to Beijing together. She got stopped at every security check and pulled aside for further scrutiny. We tried to change seats to sit together but it was a full flight.

As they began boarding we ran to Starbucks for a last meal. Fiji water, blueberry scones and shrink-wrapped turkey sandwiches. I found my seat and was relived to find yet another window seat. I’m sticking with Expedia, since adding a window seat preference, that’s all I’ve scored on flights through them. I’m finally learning the trick to sleeping on international flights, oh another dozen and I should be a pro! Flights went smooth. In line after costumes I ran into the Sorensons, the BYU teachers from Jinan. I had ran into them going through security at LAX when flying home in January. We all had breakfast then headed to our domestic flights.

The puddle jump from Beijing to Qingdao was quick and James was waiting at the luggage carousel. It was intriguing watching Kelly’s reaction to Mainland China on the two hour drive home. I felt relieved to be done with flights and back into a normal routine. Qingdao to Weifang seems to be practically a Tulare – Visalia run most weeks.

James took us out to lunch before heading to the apartment. Lunch was wonderful. I’m thrilled to no longer be the novice with chopsticks, knock on wood. Kelly is reminding me of all my first experiences that have now become casual everyday events. Lunch was a usual conglomerate of vegetables, meats and tofus, chopped, diced and sauced up! With a hot bowl of noodle soup for the main course.

Once back on campus and in the apartment I finally felt I could relax after 36 hours of travel.

It’s good to be home and settled back in!

Were both up and ready by 7am so we headed out the door, no point in wasting daylight. Traveling with Victoria was a real treat. As soon as we were both ready we hit the road, we were both eager to see all the sites so it was a marathon of sorts.

Hotel Subway stop.

Before we headed up to Purple Mountain we decided to find the metro stop next to the hotel. As not everything was in Pin Yin I found it easier just to take a picture rather than try to memorize the characters. One plus to Chinese subways is that each entrance/exit is numbered which makes getting out on the right street a breeze. Some of the stations will dump you out on to as many as 8 different locations depending on the exit.

Jumped in a cab to head up to Purple Mountain, this time we had an illiterate cab driver. The night before the concierge had written out the instructions for us in Chinese to show the cab driver. He looked at the paper and shook his head, then I showed him a picture from my travel book and he brightened pulling into traffic.

Unfortunately we didn’t understand the mountain and the cab driver didn’t understand what we wanted so he pleasantly dropped us off at the foot of the mountain and took off. We looked around and I panicked for a min. Not a single English sign and no big ticket office. Okay this is a big site with more than one HUGE historical attraction so where are all the people? There was a nice couple by the big wooden sign with the layout of the mountain, thanks to Victoria’s nifty guide book we were able to match up characters and point to where we wanted to get to. The one thing I do have down in Chinese is numbers. So after a lot of gestures and the number 20 二十 repeated a half a dozen time we figured out we could take bus 20 up to Sun Yet-Sen’s Memorial.

The bus ride up the hill was another adventure in itself. One sure trick I’ve learned, chant the name of the place you are trying to get to in the poorest Chinese possible (which is no challenge) and when you get to the right stop half the bus is happy enough to kick you off. We finally made it to the top and found our way to the clearly marked ticket office. We purchased the full park pass but were unable to figure out where to catch the shuttle between sites.

The first stop was the Sun Yet-sen Memorial. It was magnificent. Victoria told me the memorial is almost identical to the Memorial in Taiwan.

Entrance to Sun Yet Sen's Memorial

Brief History: Sun Yet-sen is considered to be the Father of China. He is revered and loved by both China Mainland and Taiwan as he was the first official President of China. He was the leader of the Nationalist party prior to the split of Chiang Kai-Shek and the Communist party. He was a great man who was a true visionary for what China could become.

View from the top.

The memorial and view was breathtaking, both visually and physically after the hike up the stairs. The hike provided plenty of time for a history lesson on the founding of China and the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty. After China I think I’ll just laugh at a StairMaster. As they love to say in China, “It’s good for your health”. They use that line as an excuse for just about everything, especially their lack of elevators and love for long walks UP stairs.

Memorial Room

As we entered the Coffin Chamber there was a guard reminding visitors to be quite. This was the first place I’ve been in China that has requested reverence. It was a beautiful tomb. (I was not able to take a picture at the tomb, this is a postcard) Victoria said it was the complete opposite of Mao Zedong’s tomb in Beijing years ago.

Field Trip!

On our way back down from the Tomb we came across school groups on their way up. Of course I had to take pictures, it is only fair right. I was asked to be in two photos on the way down. Oh the stardom of being a foreigner in China. After a small rant of having your picture taken oh so obviously by Chinese Victoria reminded me that I too take pictures of Chinese to catalogue my trip and they are just doing the same. Okay so then I felt bad and had to agree.

The grounds were just so peacful.

Just didn't really fit the overall mood in my opinion.

We contemplated walking to the next area of the mountain but as we could not accurately judge the distance we finally just decided to find the shuttle. It is horribly convenient speaking English because really there is always a student who can muddle through directions. We found a group of school girls who helped us locate the shuttle, which turned out to be a tram. Victoria and I think someone here visited Disneyland. What do you think?

Bought my Chinese Christmas tree ornaments.

Designed by an American as a memorial.

Climbed to the top of the 8-story Pagoda. I had debated whether to go all the way up and boy am I glad I did, I’d  hate to lose face with the elderly man with a cane coming down the top flight. The view from the top story was well worth the work out. Some of the leaves were beginning to turn purple. I wish the view of Nanjing was clearer but that is too much to ask in any Chinese city it seems.

View from the top of the Pagoda looking down on the entrance.

Temple Courtyard

Visited the Buddhist temple. The temple was moved to the present location to make way for  a tomb. There are three major tombs on Purple mountain dating back to the Ming. Learned more about Buddhism.

Last stop on the Mountain was the Ming Tomb Complex. We took the tram from the Temple. We were not informed that the tram dropped us off at the end of the complex. Half way through the self tour we figured out we were going through the complex backward. We just assumed the DIY tour book was horribly organized, whoops.

We started at the final stage of the tomb. This is the Entrance into the burial section.

Further down the processional. It was one long complex with numberous buildings along the way. Each held significance in the funeral process ensuring a prosperous afterlife for the decesased emperor.

Another stop along the way, China is a very hands on country regardless of what the signs say.

The final Gate House before the Burial Mound. You just got to love the incomplete guide book. If a half constructed picture in the guide book does scream replica I don't know what does.

The book said they don't clean the walls because the grim gives the "ruins" an ancient feeling.

Thr burial mound, There was a path leading up to the top. I couldn't help but think of the burial mounds from the Lord of the Rings, the first book not the movies.

 

Remember this is backwards... This is the end of the Sacared path before you reach the tomb complex.

After touring the complex backwards we stumbled into the back door of the museum and proceed through the exhibits backwards, no joke. So the Ming Tomb was great backwards. Hint for park transportation, drop non Chinese guests off at the front!!  or at least have clearly marked signs reading EXIT at the drop off point.

We caught the bus into town and were able to find a metro stop back to the hotel. We crashed for an hour and then headed out to find a restaurant that served the local speciality, Nanjing Duck. Turns out the local speciality is hard to find unless you want the flash freeze foil take home. Our hotel provided the flash freeze take home version but did not provide a meal, go figure. We ended up settling for chicken wings and breaded pork. We were both pleased with our stay in Nanjing. We were able to see everything on our list with time to spare. I was so excited to have extra time in Shanghai!

We made the train in plenty of time this week! Jane was kind enough to make a pack dinner for us to take with us to the train station. Tuna sandwiches and Egg Salad sandwiches. Delicious! Egg Salad is my favorite, unfortunately I’ve never been able to make it. Go ahead, laugh, how hard can egg salad be, obviously beyond Kayte’s abilities!

We all got comfy and slept!

After a late night Saturday and a long Sunday I finally conked out on the train.

I have decided to  reserve the train ride for my Children Class preparation. Coloring pictures takes so long but it seems to make my train trips productive as I usually just zone out to music.

Sunday was so much more relaxing when we spent the night Saturday. I just might start making it a habit sleep an extra three hours! Not to mention avoid the early train hassle and the COLD!

P.S. Nana if you could send a copy of your Egg Salad with detailed instructions I would love it! You always made the best Egg Salad sandwiches.

I got up at my usual time for Sunday morning, 5:45am I was out the door at 6:05 and ready to begin the trek. We caught a ___ trap cab to the station and had 10min to spare before the train. I think that just might be a record for us. Usually the last few mins is a sprint to catch the train on time. So all was well this morning getting to the train and Adam conveniently discovered it is possible to purchase return trip tickets here in Weifang. So upon arrival to Qingdao we had a 30 min head start as we didn’t have to stand in line for tickets.

Chinese ___ Trap or Cheap Taxi if you care to gamble with your life.

And another big bonus we found a bus stop closer to the train station. Before it was a brisk 1/2 a mile jaunt to the bus stop to catch the 304. Now it is but a mere block! So with all our good fortune this morning we caught the bus and gathered other members along the way. Turns out the 304 is the bus most members take to church we just have never gotten on the bus that early. So we were at church 15min early, it was splendid, no jogging through the complex and up the stairs arriving out of breath and trying to sneak in during the opening song.

After the block (3hours of church) there was a baptism for a Korean boy who had turned 8. When I was informed of the baptism on the bus I was curious where it would be preformed as we meet in a home rather than a chapel with a font. Turns out the branch owns a portable font that was set up and filled in the dinning room. It took the entire block to fill and I’m guessing by the time the baptism came around the water must have been chilly. It was a truly amazing baptism to witness as I contemplated the circumstances it was done in.

Of course in true Mormon fashion there were refreshments, I should really say for this case a dinner was provided for the entire branch. Delicious Peking Duck in a crepe wrap of sorts also sweet potatoes and steamed buns with fruit for dessert.

After all was said and done we headed to the bus stop for the return trip. The morning trip had gone so smoothly I guess I should have expected the return trip to set things right. As we were coming straight from Church rather than the University as normal we caught a different bus, the 301! That bus route is now on my never ever again if you paid me a 301 Yuan. We caught the bus at 2:45pm with our train leaving at 4:16 that was plenty of time, or so we thought. Construction, congestion and just plain CHINESE traffic were all conspiring against us. We pulled up to the bus stop across from the train station at 4:05. WE BOOKED IT! Adam was the first one off and the first one gone. By some miracle there was a break in traffic just as we darted across the street and into the station. The line into the station was thinner than normal and we rushed through security, skipped the escalators and took the stairs down two at a time. We cruised into the waiting room across the station at about 4:12 and luckily the guard hurried us through the gate. Then up the escalator one step at a time, they are most definitely not meant to be ran up! Completely out of breath we made it to the platform and could finally slow to a walk as the conductors on the platform where making final preparations to leave. As we found our car I tried to ignore all the stares as I continued to pant and cough heavily.

Once seated on the train my body just wanted to collapse. I am not in shape at all and yesterday’s little excursion did a number on my knee which did not make today’s sprint any easier. I had to ration my water to keep from vomiting. I finally settled into the seat and pulled out my Kindle.

I still can’t seem to shake the cough, oh how I hate physical exercise. Really, how anyone finds running pleasurable beats me.

I know I’ve been remiss in writing, I just haven’t felt like it. I know I know, that’s no excuse but I gave it just the same.

After the afternoon out I went to the bus stop with Bonnie, I must admit a little apprehensive as I was cutting it close to 6pm. The buses out to my school stop at 6pm and the price to get home jumps from ¥1 to  ¥8 for a cab. Yes, I’m a cheap skate, I want to travel at the end of the semester and I sure as heck am going to penny pinch to get there.

Well standing at the bus stop praying I hadn’t missed the last bus I was much relieved to see a #28 up the street. I stepped off the curb and into the mass of bodies clamouring to get to the bus. Then out of no where I seemed to hit a brick wall, the normal elbow jabbing body pushing stopped and no one is moving, then the yelling started. Now I’m not saying raised voices someone has been a little ruffled here, I mean full out ‘You killed the family pet’ scenario! I still don’t understand a lick of Chinese and was just concerned about getting on the bus, so I did what any confused Western would do, I took advantage of the confusion and just pushed through the crowd squeezed around the yelling gentlemen and swiped my bus card.

How long can a yelling match last before the guy gets kicked off the bus? Well obviously it is a lot longer in China. I’m not exaggerating I timed it! 7min. Now let me explain just some of the insanity that took  place. The customer was a middle age middle class man standing at the front shaking his fist at the driver. It was getting heated and a woman at the front obviously took the side of the driver but still couldn’t get anywhere with the disgruntled customer.  Soon the whole bus was in an up roar, shouts from the back, groans and angry sighs from everyone. Some people didn’t feel like this bus was worth the trouble or wait and disembarked for another.

I finally broke down and asked the girl next to me if she spoke English. With a sheepish grin she tried her best to explain the feud. From what I gathered, the man was demanding his fare back from the driver for some reason. I about went through the roof!  Let me at him I’ll give him the whole ¥1. Holy Smokes! Seriously the customer just wants his ¥1 back. I understand the drivers position no refunds but really couldn’t the rest of us who would like to get home today pool together a ¥uan.

Oh the argument peaked when the driver just decided to go and turned the bus back on, oh as a way of persevering gas the bus drivers here turn off the bus at stop lights and during heated arguments apparently. So the bus driver turned the bus back on and begins to pull back into to traffic with the disgruntle customer yelling away and he (disgruntle customer) reaches over and turns off the ignition! Okay, that has got to be the straw that broke the camel’sback, right?  Nope the argument just goes on. If I thought there was another bus coming I would have got off then!  I finally just stick in ear phones and settle in for what seemed like the evening.

Eventually we are on our way. I still don’t know how it ended with the customer but the bus started and the occupants erupted in signs of clear relief and joy.

After a restless evening of nightmares of not catching my trains I finally gave up and got up. I started out extra early only to discover the buses don’t run before 6:30am so there is no point in rushing out to meet the bus at 5:45. You can leave at 6:10 and still get a taxi to the train station in plenty of time.

The nice thing about sticking out like a sore thumb is anyone who wants to practice their English is more than willing to befriend you and make sure you get from point A to point B. A rather talkative gentleman insisted I sit with him for the train ride over to Qingdao. I have to admit I’m one of those travelers that as soon as my bum hits the seat my ear phones go in and my Kindle gets switched on. I have been blessed not to get motion sickness and have always found trips the perfect reading time. So obviously a chatty neighbor was not my idea of a pleasant ride. I was never rude but did manage to convey my desire to read.

Once off the train I came to a T, East Exit/West Exit after a moment of panic I decided to go for the East and back track if I had to. To my relief that was the correct choice. On to the ticket window. Things went even smoother than yesterday much to my relief and the ticket back was only ¥14 or $2. but to be fair this train was three hours long rather than the ¥29 which only takes 2 hours.

The 304 bus to church was going to be the hardest part as it was a 45min ride and I had no landmarks to signal the stop was coming up. Just as everything else worked out before the kind ticket attendant asked where I was headed, I showed her the card with the stop and in English she told me she would tell me when to get off. She was even nice enough to count down the stops for me 22 from the start!

The members were a little surprised to see me as they knew the rest of the crew was sick. I got the usual ‘you’re so brave’ line although I really don’t get it. I’m gonna have to get use to doing things on my own eventually so why not start now?

Victoria invited back to her apartment for dinner and gave me tons of great ideas for my classes this week. I also got a whole slew of medicine to take back which I desperately needed. It wasn’t until I had a splitting headache this morning did I realize I hadn’t brought anything with me to China, big mistake. So outfitted to open my own pharmacy I went to the bus stop to start the journey home.  

I jumped on the 202 and headed back. Time always seems to drag when you are by yourself and weary of missing your stop. Finally I leaned over to a young man next to me and pointed to the stop I was looking for on my trusty 3×5 card. He shook his head, which I hoped he was referring to the current stop. I kept and eye out for possible landmarks and finally caught sight of the ocean and the lighthouse that I had passed walking to catch the 304. So now I know when to look up! So next time will not be as troublesome.

Getting to the right  platform turned out to be a piece of cake as all the waiting rooms are labeled in both Characters and English. Lucky for me the train was boarding when I reached the waiting room so I was able to find my seat 15min before the train was scheduled to leave. The ride back was long but at least the train wasn’t that full. I wondered how an hour trip could be dragged out to three hours but soon realized. This train stops at every station between Qingdao and Weifang, and waits at each station for about 10min. So 3hours later I got back to Weifang and headed to the bus stop. I then discovered that the buses I could take back to campus all stop by 6:00pm. So Taxi again!

So finally home and happy to be so. My Monday schedule is absolutely wonderful! I only have one class and it doesn’t begin until 2:30! I fully intend to sleep in.

May I just begin by saying how grateful I am that by the time my mother reads  this post I’ll be tucked into bed sound a sleep, or at least the eye shade will be on the the ear plugs in. And just to be fair I apologize but I will be up and gone in the morning before you get a chance to skype me to remind me I promised not to do anything stupid!

Weifang Train Station

That said let me brag! I bought my first train ticket today all by myself. Okay to be fair Adam bought the ticket, I just went to the Train Station alone and gave the lady a 3×5 card with all the necessary information which Adam had kindly written out for me. But hey if I stood in line gave my ever so popular deer in the headlights look, paid for and received the ticket with no one else present I think it counts!

Adam's Note & MY Ticket

Qingdao 青岛 to Weifang 维坊

My first trip to Church. We picked up tickets for the first train to Qingdao Sunday morning the afternoon before. Sunday morning we got started a little late and had to book it to the front gate. A true blessing from the Lord was that a Taxi had just dropped off someone and we were able to take it to the train station, mind you this is six in the morning.

We met Katie and Thomas and had about 10min to spare before the train rolled into the station. When I first saw the train it looked like it had just rolled out of the 50’s and by the condition of it I don’t doubt it did. We had to take the slow train into Qingdao as the fast train does not run earlier enough. The 2½ hour ride was just another great experience for the journal. At times I really felt we were about to derail. Adam assured us that was a nothing to be afraid of, that was just the way the trains ran.

Weifang to Qingdao - Slow Train

Qingdao to Weifang - Fast Train

The Return trip was shorter! We were able to get tickets on the fast train home which only took 1hour and 15min.  Again all the pertinent is in Numbers or English!  

Fast Train to Weifang

Katie and Thomas Harper - Fast Train Home

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