The last 2 weeks in Xi'an had been particularly polluted so the intervening weekend was spent watching 24 -fantastic stuff, even if it takes 20 hours to watch! There was also 3 days of presentations about Plan China's 5 year program plans: lots of complicated diagrams and technical words which i did not understand; but i could at least read half of the powerpoints -and if certain presenters spoke slower, maybe i could listen to more too (we had some english translation fortunately).
The excitement came from buying my birthday present; eating a 3 course italian meal; all-you-can-eat sushi and planning for the winter holiday. So I now write from an internet cafe in Anshun. A town that has sprung up in the last 10 years and is Chinese in every way (many small, run down shops, plus some fancy buildings, lakes and pagodas for example) -except for the fact that a lot of the people walking the streets (i.e. those that cannot afford cars) are ethnic minorities with different languages, clothing and customs to the Han Chinese.
The next 2 weeks will allow me and my Dad to see some more of these villages (rather than big towns), get some fresh air, see some nice scenery and backpack (only hard beds and bumpy minibuses from now on) across 2 of China's poorest provinces (though we won't have time to really get off the beaten path). Not sure how much of Christmas or New Year we will encounter -but it's not such a bad thing to escape the tacky music and lights that the big cities in China have thrown up everywhere!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. Here's wishing to a year where more people start to actually do something about climate change, water, energy and related issues (rather than just caring), and one where politicians stop killing their own people in unsuccessful personal vetures and get back to less-selfish free trade, poverty reduction and equality. wishful thinking -but that's what i would have wished had candles and birthday cakes existed in Xi'an :)
Friday, December 22, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
party update
Another beautiful blue sky followed a night where I actually saw stars (though in the middle of the week there were some grey days); and today was somewhat of a party. The best thing was seeing some of my friends who i look forward to seeing more on more frequent trips to Beijing and then a likely relocation back here sometime next year (still with Plan). However a close second was going to my favourite, cheap, chinese restaurant.
Despite the 'girls' struggling to find it (everyone else could!), the food was great: most of my favourites: Jiang Bao Ji Ding (Chicken and nuts in an addictive sauce), La zi Tu Dou Si (Friend strips of potato piled high with some spices), Ze Ran Yang Rou (Lamb fried in a layer of breadcrumbs or something), Jing Jiang Rou Si (Sliced beef served in tofu pancakes with spring onion and saunce), Yu Xiang Qie Zi (Typical Chinese Eggplant/Aubergine dish) and a couple of other dishes that people ordered including Chinese vegetables, Fried Beef and Sweet and Sour Pork. All this (3 servings of each dishes and rice of course) and a few bottles of beer each for about 45 USD in total for 16 people.
Most of the food is typical Beijing, and i definitely miss it. I have ordered it in Xi'an but it is often cooked differently, or does not exist. The only problem with my wonderful restaurant is it does not serve any Broccoli (a good vegetable option in China). If anyone happens to be in Guomao (the central business district) and is looking for a cheap, tasty restaurant, then this is (literally) the only option... plus in the winter its normally empty... however, I advise you not to go to the toilet.... The restaurant is just south of Jian Wai SOHO on the canal, and can be recognised by the red lanterns outside it.
A very pleasant day; although the ice skating was not as good as last year. Climate change has led to a warmer winter than usual, meaning Hou Hai (an ourdoor lake) was not frozen enough to go ice skating/chairing/cycling; which is cheaper, larger and much more fun.. oh well something to look forward to on my return in January! And of course, the fantastic hot chocolate in 'No Name' Bar.
Despite the 'girls' struggling to find it (everyone else could!), the food was great: most of my favourites: Jiang Bao Ji Ding (Chicken and nuts in an addictive sauce), La zi Tu Dou Si (Friend strips of potato piled high with some spices), Ze Ran Yang Rou (Lamb fried in a layer of breadcrumbs or something), Jing Jiang Rou Si (Sliced beef served in tofu pancakes with spring onion and saunce), Yu Xiang Qie Zi (Typical Chinese Eggplant/Aubergine dish) and a couple of other dishes that people ordered including Chinese vegetables, Fried Beef and Sweet and Sour Pork. All this (3 servings of each dishes and rice of course) and a few bottles of beer each for about 45 USD in total for 16 people.
Most of the food is typical Beijing, and i definitely miss it. I have ordered it in Xi'an but it is often cooked differently, or does not exist. The only problem with my wonderful restaurant is it does not serve any Broccoli (a good vegetable option in China). If anyone happens to be in Guomao (the central business district) and is looking for a cheap, tasty restaurant, then this is (literally) the only option... plus in the winter its normally empty... however, I advise you not to go to the toilet.... The restaurant is just south of Jian Wai SOHO on the canal, and can be recognised by the red lanterns outside it.
A very pleasant day; although the ice skating was not as good as last year. Climate change has led to a warmer winter than usual, meaning Hou Hai (an ourdoor lake) was not frozen enough to go ice skating/chairing/cycling; which is cheaper, larger and much more fun.. oh well something to look forward to on my return in January! And of course, the fantastic hot chocolate in 'No Name' Bar.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
3 years in china?
Another trip to Beijing, and another Birthday coming up. Having a third birthday in China feels like I have been here 3 years, though it is only a few months more than 2. None-the-less it is a nice feeling to have friends in Beijing.. who are not leaving every few months (most people in China seem to, either foreigners or local chinese!). It is also exciting that in a few days Ian's wedding invite will arrive -already looking forward to a trip home for it in May!
The last few couple of weeks in Xi'an were not too exciting -the highlight was buying wardrobes and moving my clothes out of my suitcases (3 months after moving in and 1 month after getting a bed!); finding a new type of yummy dish (shao guo -noodles and stuff boiled in a clay pot); ongoing chinese lessons and then putting all my winter clothes at the very top of my new wardrobe! Beijing has been most exciting since I did Chinese Kung fu for the first time (at 7am at minus something degrees) and played football (in the same day) for 2 hours for the first time in more than a year (at 8pm at minus something degrees) -and 2 days later my muscles are still aching!
Beijing is changing. Buildings are supposed to be finished by next summer, to allow a year to settle before the olympics (apparently), meaning that all the buildings that were started a year ago are now rising up. Glassmakers must be making a fortune! Truly the number of skyscrapers (30 storeys or so) in Beijing by 2008 will be ridiculous.. more than New York? Who knows, but much more spectacular and exciting. Everyone will have lots of time to admire them whilst stuck in traffic along any parts of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th ring roads which are now surrounded by apartment towers or office towers. How long till the 6th Ring road (which is fully 30 miles from the centre of Beijing) will be the same? But, damn it, the progress on all 8 or so new subway lines is still so depressingly slow -with almost all of them expected to open in the last 6 months before the olympics starts. Londoners -despite the Tube's problems it exists and it works and it covers most places you ever need to go -stop complaining!!
For those with time on their hands, you can check out my other weblog that I have been posting more to recently: http://responsibleleadership.myaiesec.net. Any comments left on the site are welcomed.
p.s. did anyone realise how much I like using () and -?
The last few couple of weeks in Xi'an were not too exciting -the highlight was buying wardrobes and moving my clothes out of my suitcases (3 months after moving in and 1 month after getting a bed!); finding a new type of yummy dish (shao guo -noodles and stuff boiled in a clay pot); ongoing chinese lessons and then putting all my winter clothes at the very top of my new wardrobe! Beijing has been most exciting since I did Chinese Kung fu for the first time (at 7am at minus something degrees) and played football (in the same day) for 2 hours for the first time in more than a year (at 8pm at minus something degrees) -and 2 days later my muscles are still aching!
Beijing is changing. Buildings are supposed to be finished by next summer, to allow a year to settle before the olympics (apparently), meaning that all the buildings that were started a year ago are now rising up. Glassmakers must be making a fortune! Truly the number of skyscrapers (30 storeys or so) in Beijing by 2008 will be ridiculous.. more than New York? Who knows, but much more spectacular and exciting. Everyone will have lots of time to admire them whilst stuck in traffic along any parts of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th ring roads which are now surrounded by apartment towers or office towers. How long till the 6th Ring road (which is fully 30 miles from the centre of Beijing) will be the same? But, damn it, the progress on all 8 or so new subway lines is still so depressingly slow -with almost all of them expected to open in the last 6 months before the olympics starts. Londoners -despite the Tube's problems it exists and it works and it covers most places you ever need to go -stop complaining!!
For those with time on their hands, you can check out my other weblog that I have been posting more to recently: http://responsibleleadership.myaiesec.net. Any comments left on the site are welcomed.
p.s. did anyone realise how much I like using () and -?
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