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Stairs for dayssss
Over 700 right up the hill! Today was smooth sailing. Although i didnt wake up until 9 30 and i wanted to wake up at 8, i still had a very successful day 😊 joohee and i found this trail behind the library that was basically 700 steps just straight up the mountain. We trekked up there around 10 30 so it was starting to get hot. My legs were still sore from my run 2 days ago, so it was an intense climb. But the burn felt good and im glad we found it! Afterward we grabbed some fruit from the crazy banana lady and showered back at our dorm. I went over to the school canteen by myself and grabbed some egg fried rice for lunch and caught the end of the denver vs. oakland b-ball game. The chinese boys LOVE american basketball and of coarse they were all crowded around the one tv in the canteen, starring, with their mouths wide open, haha. Made me miss my bro. I was the only girl in the whole place slightly interested in the game, and i got weird stares like "why is she watching the game?" Haha. I must look really intimidating to the chinese because
no one ever approaches me, not the boys or girls. Wuyi was slightly different, the girls in our volunteer group were not very shy and loved talking to and with me. Here it is different, which im ok with, it just gives me more of an opportunity to reflect on my surroundings and take everything in. Sitting alone at the table, i got stares, which is awkward when you are trying to shovel fried rice in your mouth awkwardly with chop sticks. I reversed the situation in mind.. If i was in america at my school cafeteria, and i saw a lonely chinese student (or any foreign) eating by themselves with (possibly) a utensil that wasnt familiar, would i make the effort to approach them and join them for lunch? Probably not, and why would i? It was an unsettling feeling, while i sat there thinking of the simplicity of just being friendly and then i realized the complexity immediately. Its a much different situation when you are in your own comfort zone, but when the tables are turned, the world looks different, and you see the once same situation in a whole new light. Right then and there i
Crazy banana panda lover
I dont mind looking cray, its the only way to be! promised myself that when i got back to the states, if i ever saw a "me" version sitting there alone, no matter what i was up to or had to do, i would reach out and make the effort, to make sure that person knew they arnt alone, and we have all experienced that same feeling of being alone in a strange new place. Its amazing how much you can learn about the world and yourself with the simple act of getting a lunch. All you have to do is open your eyes, and be open to a new story or truth about yourself or your surroundings. Anyways, lunch was interesting non the least, but i wish i could find a way to make the lunch ladies smile, they always look so run down, which i wouldnt doubt that they were. When i got back to the dorm i started some more laundry (i had done all my socks and undies earlier that morning, go me!). I got to chat and laugh with Nicholas on the phone for a little bit, and we talked about plans for Switzerland and all the possible amazing opportunities we could have, 33 days left! I was planning on wringing out my clothes to finish up my laundry and i totally fell asleep! Surprise naps are always the best! I woke up around 530 and before heading to dinner with my roomslice han meimei (aka joohee) i was a good girl and wrung out my clothes.. I almost just left them, but i didnt. I used to think doing laundry back home was a pain in my butt, but i was so spoiled! It seems so simple, washer and dryer, but they are nonexistent in china. We found a place across the street at the hotel but it cost money AND you have to be punctual to pick it up on time AND the laundry lady is crazy.. Soo why not just do it yourself? Im getting used to it now i guess, maybe washer machines are overrated and use up unnecessary amounts of water and electricity.. I can only imagine the amount of natural resources saved by everyone just sink washing their clothes, i havent washed a blanket yet though. That could be difficult to hand wash. So after dinner, me and joohee walked to the west lake, without a map, without getting lost, AND without cheating (aka taking a taxi). I think its safe to say i am getting the lay of the land, im feeling more confident with my shortcut capabilities (joohee still begs to differ!) and walking miles in a day, everyday, is no big deal. The lake was beautiful and all lit up and we looked around at the shops and lit up willow trees. We saw couples everywhere and both missed our boyfriends terribly. Westlake for centuries has been known to be one if the most romantic places in china, and i could agree. I thought about how much i would like to stroll around the park with my man, and just admire the simplicity and beauty of the lake. We headed back shorty after and got our first pineapple on a stick.. It was soooo good. We had always been scared to eat it because its considered "street food" but we said screw it and bought one anyways. If i get sick, which i really think I wont, i would do it all over again because it was that good. Today, the most important lesson i learned was being aware of the small details in your daily routine and looking beyond the surface, you never know what great thing (or lesson) you could be missing. My thumb is falling asleep, so Goodnight!
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