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Published: April 20th 2009
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One of my favorite parts of living in the hutongs, is that there is an endless supply of excellent local food. Yes, if a health inspector ever attempted to even glance their direction, they would instantly be shut down, but luckily, this is China. One favorite in particular is this streetside hotpot, where there are a variety of meats and vegetables laid out kabob style, and you take a little basket and just throw whatever you wish inside. I have discovered that lotus is quite tasty. Tell the girl at the pot, "lada" (for spicy) and then wait the two - three minutes it takes to cook. After it is finished, they pour your mixture into two plastic bags and send you on your way. It looks like slop in a bag, but so delicious and CHEAP! 7 RMB will get you a huge portion. Strangely enough, this streetside option, is a lot less greasy tasting than most restaurants. If you wish to truly take this meal to the next level, you can wander a little further down the street (remember that this is a difficult feat) and find the Muslim restaurant with the lamb kabobs and naan bread sizzling outside.
Spicy bread is 3 RMB and is so perfectly done, that you tend to overeat. Plus, the man that cooks everything up is an artist in his own right, and it's a great experience just to stand and watch. He makes everything look delicious.
I had my first homecooked meal the other night. Some friends from another hostel invited us over for a dinner party. Phil (the Australian) cooked, Tina (the Swede) washed veggies, the others were cheerful observers, and I poured the wine! The wine here is awful stuff. Tastes like watery vinegar or something similar. The meal however, was delightful. It is so cheap to cook here!!! 20 RMB created a feast of meat and vegetables that easily fed eight people. I long for a kitchen. As cheap as it is to eat out constantly, I do really miss cooking.
Many of my friends have left. Saturday night a huge group of us decided to go to Sanlitun (which is a huge Bar Street) and find a place to dance the night away. We all got the address written in characters by the staff here, and then split up into cabs with plans to meet again
soon. Our cab arrived and we handed the directions to the driver after confirming (as much as sign language allows you to) that he knew where we were headed. About a half hour later he pulls up to this dark alley and motions that we have arrived. We tried to communicate that this wasn't the right place, and then noticed that another of our friend's cabs had pulled up behind us. Our taxi drivers were hopelessly lost. They continued to drive, and pull over to ask people, phone dispatchers, and fail utterly to get us to our destination. After about an hour of this madness we called the hostel and got them to speak with the cab driver to direct him. (We were on the opposite side of town) with a meter run up to 73 RMB (for a fare that should have been 26 RMB). When we finally arrived we despaired of ever meeting up with our other friends, but vowed to continue on. Amazingly enough, after we had turned off the main road and found some bars a little off the beaten path (less expensive), the first club we came upon house our other companions!!! WHAT ARE THE CHANCES? So we were in exceptional spirits and celebrated the night away. Another thing, was it rained that night. Actually poured down... and soaked us all in the street. Everyone was hiding under the street umbrellas, but I stayed out to experience that little taste of home.
Today my goal absolutely must be to do my laundry, as my pile is discouraging and clean clothes - nonexistent!
Much love to all!!!
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