Day 9 Nanjing

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TODAY WE RELAX
Jesse has decreed that today we will relax. He’s been working nearly around the clock and wants to lay around. That means I can’t drag him to any sights. I could use the rest, too. In fact, that’s what I was hoping for out of this vacation as I haven’t been able to eek out any relaxation from this summer. It’s been a busy time, and I’m tired.

We watch the Olympics. I try to get caught up on my daily blogs. I start getting ready for the next school year, begin writing quizzes, try to figure out how to run the classroom more effectively, and work to pinpoint what makes a successful instructor. When I check my college email, I discover that my Mass Communications class has been cancelled because there wasn’t sufficient enrollment. I’m disappointed, but it does take a load off my back. I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to balance the STAR, 2 classes at ARCC, the Isanti County Historical Society, the Performing Arts Committee, shopping for a new house, sifting through renters, moving, helping Jesse launch Midwest Winterizing and preparing for the baby’s arrival. There wouldn’t have been much time left as the college work is demanding.

GROCERY SHOPPING
Our kitchen here has disappointed me. It appears to be mostly for show, rather than actual use. For one, there are no plates. How can you eat without plates? I cook Ramen noodles anyway, making a mess. Sorry, housekeepers. We head out mid-day for the first time all day. It’s time to do a little grocery shopping at the adjacent shopping complex. The grocery store is on the 6th level of the GE store, sandwiched by household appliances, shoes and furniture. Such an odd place. It is in the middle of the store, and on the sides are a bakery with coffee, lotion shop, candy shop and Dairy Queen. Most of the aisles are labeled “snacks” and include items from around the world. I see Kraft cheese, Lipton ice tea and Pringles. I also see biscuits from England, and tins of cookies from the Netherlands. We learned the other night when buying a razor that you can’t just take it off the shelves when the item hits a certain price point. Instead one of the many employees standing around writes something on a slip of paper and that’s what you take to the register. Then you bring the slip of paper and the receipt back to pick up your item. Kind of a convoluted system if you ask me.

MORE THAN ARE NEEDED
In China, there are always 2 to 4 people to do one job. It was a small grocery store, but there were people at the end of each aisle. There are so many staff they were running into each other. But that’s how it is in China. It’s the same at restaurants. There are more waitstaff than any one place would ever need; yet it still takes 10 minutes to get a menu or put in your first drink order.

YOU’D THINK IT WAS A WHIRLPOOL, BUT NO
When we return to our hotel room, the maids are here to freshen it up. We decide to finally check out our pool area on floor 9. Jesse brings his picnic lunch of breads from the bakery and a bottle of Lipton Green Tea. We have the pool to ourselves, and I go in for a dip while Jesse eats. I head over to what I think is a whirlpool. It’s round with seats and jets around the edge. Looks like a whirlpool to me. I dip my toe in and discover, no, it’s not. The water is cold, the same temperature as the pool. I’m still scratching my head as to why you’d put in a whirlpool that’s not really a whirlpool.

TOUCH OF GERMANY IN CHINA
We’re in the mood for German food for supper, and head over to Paulaner Bräuhaus Bar and Restaurant. Jesse has been here several times before, once for a beer drinking contest. In fact, he’s got a frequent user card to pick up that gives him the before 9 p.m. prices. (Apparently they hike their prices after 9 p.m.) I’m looking forward to sausages and sauerkraut. Jesse gets goulash with pretzel dumplings. Those dumplings, more like pretzel pancakes, are delicious. I also order cucumbers (surprise, surprise) and a cabbage salad. It comes cold, and tastes like sauerkraut, only not sour. I’ll bring it home, heat it up and eat it later.

CLOSING CEREMONY
At 8 p.m., the singer steps down from the stage, and the TV turns on. It’s time for the closing Olympic ceremony. The entire bar focuses their attention on the big screen. Several begin clapping, and a few stand up for the Chinese anthem. There are fireworks, thousands of dancers and acrobats, and drums like I’ve never heard them. Hundreds of drummers beating together, pouring forth a song that crosses national boundaries and speaks about the humanity of us all.

We walked home from the restaurant, not quite sure we knew where we were going or how long it would take. But if we got lost, we could always hail a cab. Turns out I was finally able to recognize roads and I led us back, with some help from Jesse who recognized the top of the Crowne Plaza at night. (Of course, if you ask him, he alone was responsible for getting us back!) It was a nice walk. The city had finally calmed down for the night, and there were much fewer cars, scooters or bicyclers on the streets. We passed a few beggars that Jesse gave money too; he had dreamt the night before about the beggar he didn’t give money to and felt bad. There are much fewer beggars here in China than in other big cities, such as New York, London or even Minneapolis. Jesse used to encounter quite a few getting to and from work downtown.

After being lazy all day, it felt good to get a little exercise. It was just enough.

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Photos

GE mall bakery
Jesse picked up his lunch here.

Crazy breads
They stuff their breads full of crazy stuff on the inside, like curry and seaweed.

Grocery store shelves
Diary section. See the Kraft cheese? They also had Bree - When I opened the box the cheese was stored inside a tin can!

Grocery store shelves
Baby food and other stuff.

Grocery store inside a larger store
The grocery store in on floor 6 of a large department store. Next to it are household appliances, shoes and lotions.

Groceries line the inside area
On the outside walls are other merchandise, most of which has nothing to do with eating.

Checking out
Note how tiny the checkout lane is. They must grocery shop every day.

Crowne Plaza pool
Like everything else in China, the pool looks rather shabby even in this 5-Star hotel.

Waiting for the elevator
This is the lounge outside our room next to the elevators. We can actually hear the hum of the elevators from our bathroom.

Moon cake
This is the famous moon cake, of which we're in the middle of Moon Cake season. Everyone here in China gives these tiny cakes to everyone else.

The German restaurant
At the Paulaner Bräuhaus Bar & Restaurant they serve sausage and sauerkraut, as well as the German beer they brew on site.

Where to find a Paulaner
There are several in China, others in Germany, and one in South Africa!

Jesse at the restaurant
The decor is elegant and the lights are dim. It's something to see tiny Chinese women in dresses meant for buxumous Germany ladies.

VIP card
This card enables Jesse to the before 9 p.m. prices.

Our German meal
Yum.

Baby's toy
Amy - this is the mobile for the baby that I picked up in Shanghai. Isn't it bright and cute? It has 12 animals on it.

Comments

[jenn :)]

Mobile
i was so hoping you'd take a pic of that so we could see it before you got back. it's so beautiful. glad y'all are still having a good time. *hugs*

[Tesha]

Mobile
And it's so bright - i just love how colorful it is... I'm sure it will catch the eye of the baby.