Advertisement
Published: December 4th 2005
I keep hearing about how it gets cold in Hangzhou and it has finally arrived. It wouldn't be as bad if the apartment heater worked, but this is China. Not that the heater doesn't work, per se, put last night we noticed a foul plastic burning smell. Upon investigation we discovered a very hot electrical cord and a melted outlet. It seems the last people wanted a floor lamp plugged in there too so they used an extension cord, but this heater is pulling all of its 15 amps and that smell was the cord, nice and black now. I'd say we were close to setting the drapes on fire and this couch I'm sitting on no doubt would have added fuel to the fire and that's just no way to spend the first week in the new apartment. So, rather than plug the heater into the loose receptacle in the wall, we're doing without.
It's not the worst thing. Today was a blue sky day, quite rare and the sun warmed the apartment this morning so after the cleaning lady left, Sean and I headed out to visit Wushan pavillion, the one I can see from my bedroom window. It's called "Heavenly Wind over Wu Hill" and stands above the city. On a rare clear day like today from up there we could see our apartment, the lake and about fifty new highrises going up to the east. But clear is a relative thing and really, the viz isn't more than two miles until it fades into the yellow brown haze. Wu hill is a beautiful spot and with the temperature in the 40s, not crowded. After our tour of the pavillion, we found some old people playing harmonicas. Big suckers. One guy, a very enthusiastic albino guy who mouthed his harp like cob of corn welcomed us in, then ran over and pulled up his friend, Mr. He. He speaks impeccable English, something he says he learned on his own. He of course apologized for his supposed lack of fluency, but then told us he knows Hangzhou "like the back of my hand." He didn't even pause when he said it. Not bad usage for a guy who has never been out of the country. At age 80, he was still plenty strong and after a brief chat ("Yoga, that is an Indian art, good for the mind, like Chinese arts, yes?") we let his friends give us the mic. They insisted Sean and I sing for them. But between us we don't know much else besides the Star Spangled Banner and Jingle Bells. The musicians knew the tune of the latter (They hear it daily, blaring from a street watering truck. Honest.) and so away we sang. Sean did a solo of "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." Then they began playing "Ole Susanna." I sang that for a bit, but not knowing the lyrics, I ran out of gas. The accordionist struck up Auld Lang Syne but who knows more than one verse of that? That's when I just decided, hey, they don't know English, I'll just make up shit. It didn't matter. I sang about red accordians, neck ties and my cold fingers. After enough songs to save face, we finished to several thumbs up and smiles. Only Mr. He could tell I was improvising, but he was way to polite to let on.
Aside from a the Hangzhou Harmonica Band, Wu Hill also houses a yoga studio. It's called Yoga Summit and it must be the most beautiful studio in China. Y+ is nice, but this place is crazy. Radiant heated floors, vistas overlooking 1000 year old trees, air as fresh as possible. Jason (Jia Sen) showed us around and introduced us to the two English speaking teachers, a guy from Bali and Arun, from India. The website is just new, but you can get a taste for the place and see the teachers at www.yogasummit.com.cn Jason invited us up to visit a class, we hope to go play once in a while.
Plans are starting for the Christmas party. Our tentative list includes 50 guests. No idea how they will perceive "potluck" dinner, but if all goes well, we'll have Mr. He and his harmonica pals over for live entertainment. Rockin' the house, Chinese-style. We plan to invite the neighbors, just to keep things smooth. Set for the 17th if you can make it.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.101s; Tpl: 0.017s; cc: 5; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0439s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Bill & Laura
non-member comment
We enjoy your journals.
Laura and I have been trying to follow your updates and we really enjoy your commentary on the adventures of Hangzhou Johnny. We are glad to see that you are settling in your new environment and, as always, we are amazed at your resilience and sense of adventure. Keep those "cards and letters" coming. Best wishes from your sister and brother-in-law.