Qufu - Birthplace of Confucius

We took the bullet train to Qufu to see the birthplace of Confucius. The train went about 180 mph, and was very quiet and comfortable. The lady who sold us the tickets for the day trip sold us tickets for a return 2 days later. It was the last train home, and no one but the crew was on board. They let us swap the tickets so we could get home the same day.

It ended up being a longer day than was necessary, but it was interesting.

Ten Thousand Buddha Mountain

We had nice weather for our trip to Buddha mountain.  I went with my roommate and a couple of other people from the apartments. We didn't go into the cave with all the Buddhas. It was an additional fee, and no one was interested. We saw a couple of other Buddhas, and of course, the big golden Buddha.

I had my first haircut in China, and while the barber did a good cut on my head, when I thought he was going to trim my beard, he started buzzing it off. Luckily, he started with my side burns. They won't take too long to grow in. Coming to the end of time off. Back to classes next Thursday.

I got a Chinese fan with a painting of a dragon on the back.

First sighting of the golden Buddha as you reach the top of the mountain

Company Outing/Climb a Mounatain

Today we went to a local park to climb a mountain, and have lunch.
There were stairs to help with the climb up, but it was a LOT of stairs. I made it about 3/4s of the way up, and then stopped.

After climbing down, we had lunch at a restaurant in the park. The food was passable, nothing too exciting.

I got some good pictures.

Chinese noodles, dancing ladies, and forced togetherness

Had my first bowl of Chinese noodle soup at a little hole in the wall (literally) near my apartment. Lamb, noodles, something that tasted like, but didn't look like spinach. It was a huge, bowl, and very inexpensive.
Every night there are a group of ladies who gather across from the entrance to the apartments, and play dance music and dance, even though they are mostly in the dark.

We have a group outing planned for Wednesday. I didn't really want to go, because its early in the morning, its in a park, its back to being hot, and its on a day off, but since everyone will be going, I will too. Luckily I have tomorrow (Tuesday) and Thursday off as well.

No time to post

Sorry for the lack of a post, but between teaching all weekend, having to take a medical exam Monday, and doing a few little things around the apartment, I didn't have time to travel. Have another full weekend coming up, but plan to sight-see Tuesday.

I'm interested in going to see the "Thousand Buddha Mountain, and hopefully I can do that Tuesday. I will do a complete post, including pictures when I get back.

Hope everyone is well, and enjoying this little blog.

XO

***Edit*** Trip postponed due to rain.

E-bikes, traffic a sports bar and a night club

The e-bikes( electric)are everywhere, and every size and shape. Millions of them everywhere. No one wears a helmet. You will see babies on the bikes, and they have no helmets either.
No 0ne yields to pedestrians. Cars and e-bikes drive on the sidewalks. Its pretty crazy.

Last night was someone from the complex's birthday. We went to a local sports bar. I couldn't believe I flew half way around the world, they had Corona beer.

Everybody drinks a lot. After the sports bar, we went to a night club, which, on a Sunday night. When we first got there they were showing Britney Spears videos. Not a whole lot in the way of sports, nothing on the TV, one pool table and a foosball table. Yet more drinking. I limited myself to one beer.

I had hoped to be able to upload a couple of pictures I took the other day, but iPhoto is not working, and I couldn't get Photoshop to recognize my camera. Guess I'll have to email them from my phone.

Tomorrow, training starts. This afternoon I get my schedule. I think I start teaching Friday.

I think I got the pictures off my camera.

Boy Girl Mart, Chinese burrito, e-bikes.

Shopping and Eating

Went shopping for the first time yesterday. There is a big store down the block that everyone calls "Boy" "Girl" mart because it has a big cartoon boy and girl there. Bought a loaf of bread, some iced tea, yogurt, spoon, coffee cup, fork, bowl and drinking glass. We have bottled water in our apartment. You just plug it in, and you get hot water. The instant coffee already has sweetener and creamer in it. Very convenient.

After two meals of beef ramen, I asked my roommate if he could recommend someplace. He said I could tag along with him and his friend. He pointed out that there was a restaurant next to the Boy Girl mart that had pictures you could point to. Also, there is a street, not too far from the apartment, that is called Food Street. We went there and had grilled tofu, and bread. It doesn't sound like much, but was fairly decent. There were meats and other things available, but I figured the tofu was a safe bet.

I start my training Monday, and it will last 3 days. I am really sorry I didn't take Chinese before I came here. You are really lost without it. I asked one of the people who worked at the school if there was someone who would be interested in tutoring me for a small fee.

At least I have my translator app if I get really stuck.