Blogs from Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, Asia - page 57

True story: As I was sitting in the Shenzhen Airport last week waiting for my plane to Beijing, Sen sent me a text message with a picture. No, it wasn't some kind of sweet "goodbye and have a safe trip" message. It was a picture of the entry to the staff bathroom in the lobby of our building, the bathroom that the guards and janitorial staff use. In front of the bathroom door was a new addition to the lobby decor: a blue and white fluffy rug. "Wait a minute," I thought to myself. "That looks an awfully lot like the blue and white fluffy rug that I bought 2-and-a-half years ago and have been using in front of the bathroom door, the rug Sen made me throw away last week because it's old and ... read more

Life in between the trips and parties and parades is what my time in china is all about. The inbetween is my frustration, satisfaction, education and what consumes me. Frustration The staring....we all know I'm not Angelina Jolie....I mean I'm close in looks, but not in achievements. I have no adopted children, no People's sexiest man 2004 boyfriend, and after June 2007 no future prospect for a job. But regardless, I am stared at too no end. I have taken to wearing sunglasses in buildings! Which has led to a few almost falls. How do the stars see those sneaky little one or two steps that position themselves inconspicuously in front of you. There was almost a nasty incident today at the train station when I missed a step....but luckily, I have grace to catch myself. ... read more

Wednesday - Was a travel day we used to cross the border into mainland China. Did not have enough time to see more of the senic spots of Hong Kong, maybe next time. This day would turn out ot be very interesting and a nightmare of sorts. Too much luggage!!!!!!!!! Our trip would only be a few hours but would require several bus changes. Some of the senic views along the way would be amazing! You will have to ask me about the battling bus driver stories I have..... First, we would be stopped at a check point to check to see if we were ill or sick the we get back on our original bus. Next, we would be required to stop at the Mainland China border and cart our luggage across the border but, ... read more

Rachel's here! Rachel's here! I've spent a total of three years in China now, and this is the first time anyone has ever come visit me. I've been dancing around in anticipation for weeks! And now she's here! Rachel arrived in Hong Kong on the 15th and after a wonderful trip on various forms of public transportation (take the bus from the airport to the train stations, take the train to the border, walk across the border, and finally take a taxi from the border to home), she arrived in my wonderfully quaint little apartment and said, "This is cute. I love the way the shower is in the middle of the bathroom and you have to squeegy the floor after each shower." Actually, she didn't say that, but I could see it in her ... read more

I'm so sad that I didn't have my camera when the following occurred. The whole scene was so China! Sometimes even those of us who LOVE Chinese food give in to momentary desires for french fries and the following unfolded as Sen and I were sitting in the window seats at McDonald's, eating lunch and people-watching... On the rode, lying on its side, was a bike. Just a normal bike, nothing fancy, definitely well-used. On the back of the bike was a 3-foot high, skinny, dark blue barrel. Standing next to the bike, looking down at the ground in stunned disbelief, was a man, approximately 30 years old. Lying on the road, surrounding the bike and man, were about 20 great big fish, each at least a foot long, flopping around and bouncing inch-by-inch across the ... read more