Sunday, November 29, 2015

Nothing says Thanksgiving like Korean chicken...

So that's what we had! Very tasty for what it was. As Thanksgiving is on Thursday and we still had to teach all week, no one really felt like making the trek downtown on a weekday to find some real turkey. And even then (as last year attests), you're not guaranteed of getting the real thing!
Still haven't made it to the hot springs yet. Was going to go this weekend and it was all booked up. Popular spot, I guess. Instead, I went in for a foot massage. I swear they poke sharp needles in your arch to see if you can tolerate it. If you can't handle it, then they say there's something wrong with your liver and/or kidney (I can't remember which one). Whichever one it is, mine must be terribly messed up. However, I was able to walk out of there without limping and it did feel good at the end. They also like to beat on your legs and back, sometimes making it sound like there's a drum rehearsal going on. They didn't comment on my toe nail fungus or bunions, but instead preferred to wonder why Westerners have so much hair on their bodies...
The weather has been cool at night lately, maybe in the low 30's or 20's, warming up to the 40's or low 50's in the day. There's not been much wind, though, and with Xi'an located in a valley between mountains the air can get stagnant. Hence the severe pollution warning today. Wearing a mask is recommended.  When you look outside, it just looks like a very foggy day and you never see the sun...
The new mall that opened up near us is a short 15 minute walk away. The crowds have been crazy, which I hope dies down after a while. We tried to go down to the lower level where they have a supermarket and it was so crowded you couldn't move. I became claustrophobic and had to get out of there. They also have some cinemas which haven't opened up yet. Supposed to be very nice (and expensive). There is a Starbucks with Western style prices and up. They're supposed to speak some English in there, but I went in and ordered a vanilla latte and the girl had no idea what I said. A manager came over and handled it...
I ate in a new restaurant there that serves Shanghai-style fried baozi. I love baozi, but had never had it fried (it is usually steamed). I bit in and had a big surprise - I got covered in hot soup all over my shirt and pants. Little did I know there is hot soup inside those dumplings! They are very tasty, however, so I shook it off. Found out you're supposed to bite off a small piece, suck out the soup, and then eat it...
My colleague from Denver got his new bike stolen at the new mall a couple days ago. The thieves here are fast and efficient. He had a cheap lock on it. Bad mistake. He lives a little further away then most of us and needs the bike. I offered up my electric scooter that I almost never ride and he was happy to take it. I can always rent one of the public bikes if I really need to go somewhere further. It's kind of crazy on the roads here and it's probably in my best interest to nix the electric scooter anyways.
The third member of the math department finally arrived last week. His name is George and he's from Kenya. Very nice man, a little hard to understand sometimes. He's  catholic and has 3 or 4 kids I think (back in Kenya). I don't end up with any relief on the teaching schedule, however, as a bunch of changes were made and I actually teach 2 more a week now than I did before (I now teach 24 classes a week). It is rather hectic and I often feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water. The next break isn't until January 31 when the Spring festival starts (Lunar New Year)... Ugh!!
So I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and ate some real turkey. What I wouldn't give for some turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy right now!
Wan an,
Gregg

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