Since our return to China in September 2011 I have had to visit the Doctor more than I ever have in the past. The good thing is that medical costs are very cheap compared to the US. The downside is...well there are many downsides to the health care in China and that is probably why it is ranked 147th in the world. For one, many things are lost in translation when it comes to medical terms, symptoms and diagnosis. Second, there is no such thing as privacy in a Chinese clinic or hospital. We have found an amazing International Clinic in the East part of Hangzhou at Sir Run Run Shaw, but we live in the West part of this "small Chinese city". When I tell Chinese people this is a big city they disagree, but ... read more

Wednesday, we participated in the International Day sponosored by the local government. There were 7 large tourist buses for Foreign guests to enjoy the sites around Hangzhou. We had an amazing time at the events we attended and even met a few new cool people that live here in Hangzhou. The day started at Qianwang Temple on West Lake with a display of many Chinese traditions and an "Official Opening Ceremony" with speeches from many high leveled government employees. The emcee was an American professor who teaches at Zhejiang University and is fluent in Chinese, he spoke in Chinese while the Chinese man translated it to English. Quite strange but that is very "China". All of the speeches given by the Party Members were in Chinese and translated to English for all 210 foreign guests (that ... read more

This morning, I participated in the Hangzhou Green Drinks Earth Day events starting with a 8am bike ride through the Longjing area of West Lake, 10am bike ride around the Southern area of West Lake, a BBQ lunch at Vineyard Cafe in the garden area along with free giveaways and a moving screening of "Earth" by Disney Nature at 7:30pm. I meet some amazing people today on the bike rides. The 8am ride was Tim, Australian; William, Junior Biomedical Engineering major at Zhejiang University (#3 in China); Vincent, Senior at Best High School in Hangzhou who is attending Tufts in Boston starting Fall 2012; J & K, American's teaching at HDU and myself. I have met Tim before at many Expat events in... read more

Two and a half weeks ago, we picked out our outfits to have our "Chinese Wedding Photos" taken. A couple we knew did this last Fall and I thought it would be fun since we came to China dating, then became engaged in Hong Kong and now are living here married. We had a blast doing it and a BIG THANKS to my former student for negotiating the package price and details along with translating. I pick up our CD on Thursday afternoon and will post the final photos then. These pictures we shot on our little Nikon S3000. Enjoy!!!!... read more

This past weekend, we headed to Shanghai after I was done working my part time job late Friday morning. When we arrived at the Hangzhou train station we quickly realized we weren't the only ones trying to leave for the weekend as the ticket office hall had lines out the door. Usually it is a quick process, show up, buy a ticket and get on the train. This time it was show up and wait in line for over 30 minutes just to buy a ticket. We had about 45 minutes before our train departed (typically only a 20 minute wait) so we grabbed a quick lunch at BK (Burger King). This was when I had my first soda of any kind in 10 weeks and it tasted great(Orange Fanta), but I now know that my ... read more