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Published: July 27th 2016
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In Hangzhou at the YMCA, believe it or not. Here to relax near West Lake, a well-known tourist center not far from Shanghai. Stopped here last year on my way to Huangshan. Decided a stop at a place I know would give me time to relax before heading off on another 2 weeks of travels.
Relaxing is about all I want to do. It’s about 100
0 and very humid. Really not sightseeing weather. Which is OK, since I’ve seen the sights. Good opportunity for a catch up.
And an expensive meal..probably the most expensive I’ve had anytime in China. Just across from the YMCA. A new, comfortable place. Fresh water lobster the primary menu item. Hard to order for one, but I was tired, didn’t want to go far, and liked the look of the place. About $37 later, I’m stuffed. Great meal, but more than I intended to pay. A celebratory farewell to China.
Was a good cap to a full day in a nearby water town, Xitan, one of many in this area. As others I’ve visited, this one has become little more than a tourist attraction of souvenir and silk shops, plus snacks and restaurants.
Unlike other similar historic towns, this one has a few big bars lining one walkway, with DJs, lightshows, masters of ceremonies who entertain with group dances, games, etc. This mid-week night the places were packed.
All this after finishing a repeat English teaching gig in the Honors Program at Jiangnan University in Wuxi. I signed up with some ambivalence. As the program progressed, it felt as if I’d overstayed by a year.
The group of us arrived in Wuxi to pouring rain and a promised typhoon that never materialized. The classes were smaller at just 12 students, I was relegated to a tiny classroom with old sofas piled up along the wall, and we were moved from large one bedroom apartments to the on-campus hotel. That supposedly 5-star hotel wasn’t, but was adequate. Just gave us less eating flexibility, since we didn’t have kitchens or a refrigerator. I really didn’t like most of the returning teachers. The students seemed less engaged, or maybe it was just me.
Whatever, I seemed to have to drag myself through the 4 weeks, with occasional bits of fun along the way:
--- A return visit to a massage parlor where,
for about $20 (less than a good meal in Hangzhou, as it happens) you get a 90 minute massage and a meal.
--- The old town area of Nanjang Temple where the canal is lined with bars and restaurants.
--- Discovery of Huishan Old Town, another “ancient town” adjacent to a former emperor’s summer home and gardens.
--- A great meal with a student who wanted to tell me about the CPC (Communist Party of China) after hearing me talk with other students. He’s a new CPC member and wanted me to know that the students were too negative. He believes there are problems, but thinks being a member is a way to solve them. Nothing really new in what he said, except for the new tougher requirements to join…at least as college students. Teacher recommendations, 2 tests and an “internship” with the university CPC. The primary benefit being preferential job opportunities with the government and some companies.
At the end of the program, the University gave us a 2 night trip to Yangzhou and surroundings. Unfortunately, it was really too hot to enjoy the experience much. There were stops at a Buddhist temple, a famous
garden created for a wealthy salt merchant 300 years ago, and a few shopping streets in districts that were once housing, but now preserved, refurbished and repurposed as tourist attractions. These shopping districts now seem to be a must for every city and town throughout China.
The highlight of the trip had little to do with history and a lot to do with beer. I’m not much of a beer drinker, but it’s literally cheaper than water in China and low in alcohol. So, while here, I drink enough to last me a year. Walking a few blocks from our hotel in Yangzhou, a few of us came on a Tsingtao beer festival which just seemed too good to pass up.
For the price of 3 cans of beer, at a premium total cost of $3, we received a 2 liter pitcher of draft for free.
There was entertainment, but it soon became clear that us foreigners were a prime attraction. We were treated to more beer, plenty of toasts and countless photos with the locals. It was one of those fun things that you fall into that make trips more memorable than all the sights seen.
I’m ready to leave China after 7 visits over 12 years. Off to Java in a few days and looking forward to new discoveries.
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