A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

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I've had a couple questions about my living conditions. Am I sleeping on the floor? Am I alone? Do I have a western toilet? Is the apartment small? Does it smell?
Saturday we walked up the Red Dragon, which is a staircase up a mountain that has about 200 steps. We (the foreigners) were asked to just show our faces around the dormitories so the parents can confirm it is an international campus. Oh, I talked about this in the last blog. But anyways, we got to see the students' dormitories. Four students share one dormitory and there are at least 100 dormitories in one apartment building. They each recieve a flat, raised bunkbed with a metal desk and a metal closet underneath. The four also share one bathroom; a dark, cornered bathroom with a ground toilet and a sink. I suppose they have communal showers? I didn't see them. But they also share a balcony, which is always used in China to dry clothes. Many had mosquito nets too. I heard they get pretty bad.

Now coming back to my apartment, I feel guilty. I really am living luxurious. Like right now, I am watching on my television for the second time this disney-channel-like music video. They are tearing up dance moves in 3-inch deep water shouting "mang de-mang de-mang". (Busy busy busy). This is the only English channel but it repeats about every hour I think.
Hilarious! Not only do the Chinese rip off dvd's and name-brands but they just played another music video and it definitely isn't original! I love it though. I was walking through the booths above New Mart and stopped at a dvd-cd-vcd shop and looked through their dvds. This elder Chinese man came over and started speaking to me very enthusiastically and motioning with his hands. I always try to pretend I know what they are talking about so I don't appear stupid. So I just smiled, nodded, and said "Hao, hao." Like "okay, okay." I probably look even more stupid that way. But he gave up after a while and this lady came over to me and starting speaking Chinese with much expression also. It was about 7:30-8 ish so I figured maybe they were closing and trying to get me to leave. I said "are you closing?" and they acted like I had finally understood them. So I left but this lady grabbed my arm and started dragging me through the crowded aisles. I shook her hand off but I had to follow her anyways. Where was she going? I was curious. She kept looking behind her and motioning for me to follow her. So I followed her to the back, up this deserted staircase. Up on the second floor, I look around and all the shops had their shudders down and were closed. She walks up to this curtain, pulls it back, and DVD HEAVEN! Curiosity rewarded the cat.


Well, that is all the pictures for now. I do have pictures of the beach, but it is a little off-topic and I am exhausted. I got back at about 4 in the morning. Where? Not any of your business. You know what they say about the cat and its curiosity. Okay, we went to DG's, a dance club. It was the first good time I've had there though. I met a Russian who was very smart (knew 3 languages), very funny, and very very good-looking. He was fun to talk to and I found it very ironic that he and I were at the same place 4 weeks earlier. Lollapalooza! Anyways, I got to sleep around 5 am, woke up about 9:30 am and have been busy all day. I have an hour now to get ready and go out again. We're going to a new place with Jack and Kay Garrett. I'm pretty excited about it. Zai Jian! Love you all!

P.S- It literally makes my day when I get a new message or comment. Don't be afraid...

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Photos

Apartment
I even have roses that someone leaves on my door! Do I not have it made?

Liaoning Normal University
If this was a walk from the College of International Business to my apartment, this would be the start.

Liaoning Normal University
And across the stone lake.
*Jack and Kay Garrett's apartment building is shown.

Liaoning Normal University
Through the gardens of feng-shui. (Watch out for cats. They hide in the bushes.)

Liaoning Normal University
Take a right, through the gate at Jun Bar.

Apartment
And there's my apartment. All ground floors have bars on the windows. I think it's to prevent rob-ber-ees or something like that.

Neighborhood
The Korean restaurant next to Po Po (with the submarine doors) is one of our favorites. It has the best coffee! I'm going to work on bringing an endless supply home.

Neighborhood
I wish I had a better picture but all the women sit around in circles in the afternoons and gossip. All throughout the day and late into the night, most of the men sit around in large circles around a small table, playing various board games.

Neighborhood
My beloved fruitstand. We understand each other. Apples for quai - easy transaction. A ni-hao, a peoliang, and pingguas.

Neighborhood
No matter how much the Chinese enjoy games, there is one that will always be popular: Frogger! It is played by EvErYoNe, young and old.

Neighborhood
This is the main Huang He street. Across it is where our local grocery store is located: New Mart. I'm walking on the other side of the street this time because there are more people going about on their daily routine.

Comments

[Chuck]

4 o'clock in the Morning? You're grounded. Pa

[tmp545]

Ha ha ha. There's nothing you can do. Besides my 4 o'clock in the morning is your 3 o'clock in the afternoon. A perfectly normal time to arrive home.

[Casey]

I guess this needs a Title...
Do you know how far I have to travel every single day to leave those roses at your door? A long way... But don't thank me, it's my pleasure. Later -Casey

[Janet aka /Mom]

Please be careful
Loved the blog!! Loved the pictures...don't stop. They are all wonderful. I sure hope you are careful, I don't think you've had alot of experience with those smoothtalkers. mister 4 language russian may be a little "dangerous"... use good judgement!!

[Kristi]

Jeez Tracey, Am I gonna have to fly all the way to China just to teach them how to massage properly? Bruises?... Ouch!! p.s. Don't believe Casey, I just talked to him in town the other day; he was nowhere near China! (LOL) Kris

[Emily J]

beautiful
The rose picture is gorgeous!

[Norma]

Good shopping
I'm getting excited about starting the trip to China. Looking forward to seeing you. I want to find the places that sell the good shoes! Love your pictures.

[Ashley Soucy]

your so lucky!! :)
hey those pics are so cool! ne ways.. how'd u end up goin to college in China?! u've yet to completely fill me in! hope your doing wonderful!...and the Russian. u gotta get a pic next time! lol missin ya!