Last Night in Zhuhai

Time is coming to pack ship and dredge the last particles into the catch. One full day of Zhuhai left, we'll see what happens, but tonight has been the capper to a mad vacation. As with any celebration, go carts. With some lovely people I might add. This is what I will miss most about China, the (hopefully) endearing friendships I've grown fond of, Gary and George, Iping, Haos, Liza, Laura, Orpheus, Stephanie, Fitz, and all the Chinese girls (and boys) who wanted to get with me just because of my skin color.
A classic start of Dynamics Pizza followed by Gongbei go carting, and then a feast of ebai woo shur kwai (that's expensive) bbq that had some first timers on the menu. These included 'quail fetus' (baby chicken), silk worms, chicken kneecaps, a fish that was both delicious and looked like a piranha, and the regular beans and fried tofu.
I took a dead of night stroll to capture some of the more beautiful depictions of the stark emptiness that befalls anywhere in China after 12am. Once this hour strikes there are only gansters and fisherman walking about, making a living/killing. Only kidding, China is one of the safest places around. For foreigners.
I am starting to get excited to go home. Once I find a job (I've been looking in some interesting places) I'll have the security that is so easily found here. I have a wonderful relationship that I am proud of to return to and another summer of new adventures. My life is beginning to feel like it has meaning and direction, so Bon Voyage everybody.

fog

Finishing up in Zhuhai with a few sparse beach-worthy days, teaching Winter Camp to angels and demons. Most days are a hybrid of polluted air and fog that creeps pervasively into the apartment and makes everything feel wet and cold. Saturday is my last official day teaching, before three days of hopefully hot weather, before a ferry ride and a couple airplane flights home. The weather in Saskatoon should be a balmy -5 degrees.

A fog bank moves over the island. (Aside from warm, windy nights, this is the best time to jog)

Early morning fog confounds the shoreline, and settles among the streets, leaving apartment tops to poke out.

Where's Waldo?

Beside the kid who's pooping.


Back on top of the roof, incredible views and a nice temperature tonight, we three strayed up the stairs, one floor past where the elevator doesn't go, to light a lantern for Heather's birthday. Bats are friendly here, like the squirrels in the West, except you feed them crickets out of your hand instead of salty nuts. If I were to be a Whisperer, it would be to bats. Maybe I'd be called an Echoer...
They seem to respond to a)my presence b)my camera's flash c)me making clicking noises

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Happy Birthday Heather

Kun Ming Dun

Had a great day watching a downloaded copy of Avatar, traipsing over rocks on the jetty with Orpheus, eating Dynamic Pizza (Caribbean), and setting Chinese lanterns (kun ming dun) from the island and my 30th floor roof.

Pearl Land

Off to visit Pearl Land with my TA Stephanie and her little brother Leefengwe. We took the bus half an hour north of the city to the park, which reminded me of Calgary's Calaway Park in size.




We started things off with a bang. This roller coaster spun like a cork screw and was worthy of small town amusement parks.

The next ride took me for quite a spin. I was lucky I had just injested a nausea pill (I don't do well on rides that spin). It was the classical tea cup ride, and Lee wanted to keep spinning faster and faster, and honestly, it got to the point where I didn't think it would stop. Luckily, no retching.


A few 'sausage on a stick's later, we came to attractions more to my liking. A house of mirrors, where I genuinely bumped my head numerous times, a 'House of Experience', where sculptures of ancient cities, mummies, and polar bears could be gazed upon, and finally, 'Thriller house', basically a haunted house. Two things struck me as unfortunate; the first being stuck behind an old, faint of heart couple who moved slowly making all the surprises known. Secondly, half the features weren't even lit up or 'on' to scare us.

We walked past the 'dancing cow' buffet and had a pizza lunch at an empty restaurant.

The park today had some people, but extremely few compared with Western parks of line ups and crowds. It was a cloudy, foggy, and sometimes rainy day, but lately, that's mostly what it's been.

Forefront to the setting was this statue, watching over as we ate.

I think that perhaps there was something lost in the translation of building this statue, but really? Blood coming from a face that resembles the classical Jesus', from the eyes of the horse, and the hunter's kill. The pizza was good though.

Despite not understanding a single word except Nihao/Hello between Lee and I, we were still able to laugh together and gesture aimlessly as we rode numerous rides that allowed people under 1.4 m tall, like the log ride, space shuttle, and bumper cars, which was my favourite. The snacks were delicious as well, and cheap, perhaps why I chose to eat so much. Sweet popcorn, ice cream, and as I mentioned those ridiculous weiners on a stick made any pang of hunger quelled.
Although we didn't opt for this, it seemed cool that you could order what I imagine any kid in America would want, heaping bowls of sugar.


Colby: this is my kind of ride :) One that is reasonable and predictable, and doesn't spin too much. Although those nausea pills did help.


Throughout the park were miniature versions of kangaroos that would amble about, sometimes eating popcorn out of your hand. They're imported from the more southern locales, but have really turned into a pest for farmers, as they stamp out new sprouts.


This enormous ferris wheel dominated the skyline when the fog cleared somewhat.

It moved slowly, and was slightly disorienting, but only if one stood up in the carriage.

This was the other roller coaster. It never inverted, but at times felt like you'd fly out of the seats as it crested each hill. Very fun.


We headed off for a boat ride, starting to feel tuckered out. Running around a park all day, I've forgotten what it's like to have the energy of a kid.


A roasted (sweet) potato-like snack and a nap on the bus ride later, we headed back into town to behold additional Chinese sights, including a man wearing an orange suit jacket.

And another Park-goer, finding it too hard not to nap in her popcorn, while her young brother watches greedily at the prospect of a snack.


Oh and I went on this ride, too. Do you believe me?


I was invited to have dinner with Stephanie and her family at a fancy seafood restaurant. As usual, her family paid generously, and I was able to bond with her older brother through respectable English. Start-offs included pigeon, a first for myself, especially since I also ate its brain (in lieu of the older brother doing so). There was sweet bun dipped in custard, 1000 year egg on broccolli, crab (which I got a good lesson in how to eat), and salmon dippd in soya sauce and wusabi. This wusabi is like nothing I've ever tasted in Canada; it is potent. A tiny bit envelopes the mouth, throat, and nose for a brief explosion of spicy, bizarre taste, so I liked it.


On a side note, the somewhat vagrant dog that guards the entrance to my compound is racist. Every time I pass her she barks at me, but never to Chinese people. What a bitch.

New Year's Eve

Today began with a bus ride down to Gongbei's Walking Street, meeting John and Matt for a few beers, and then Orpheus. After what seemed like could be considered driving impairment, we stumbled over to the race track to see the effects of drinking and driving. Mine, surprisingly, were increases in stamina and focus.

This was perhaps the coolest thing I could've done this New Year's Eve; these little cars get up to 50km/h, Tokyo Drift around corners, and are the cause of some jarring collisions. In fact, this was Orpheus' first time driving. Ever. So, since he was driving like a Chinese person/grandma, I decided to give him a little tap from behind. I had never made contact with another vehicle, so coming up behind Orpheus I miscalculated my actual speed and rammed into him much more than I supposed I would.
They say in an accident your life flashes before your eyes. In this case, the whole situation just seemed to slow down. I realised I had been jolted in my seat; Orpheus' helmet went flying, and his car careened straight into the tires; the tires jumped four feet up and away. We were both alright, Orpheus being a little shaken up, and later we found he had sustained two little cuts on his nose that he first thanked me as souveneirs, and then milked for what his girlfriend would think.

We took a taxi afterward a few minutes away to the "Beijing Restaurant". It offered different styles of duck, among other types of northern 'Dongbei' food. The fried duck reminded me of KFC, but good. There was the finest dessert I've ever tasted: deep fried apples in a hot sugary sauce that must be dippd in cold water to solidify. The taste: heavenly. Creamy appleish sweet, and the texture wasn't half bad either.
Now, when I say the Chinese culture is different in some ways, maybe there are differing aspects to our culture, nowhere has this been more emphasized by what happened next.

Halfway through our meal, we hear a loud BANG, look up, and realise a car has just hit the front of the building. (The driver was parking, but rather speedily). Now, the difference in culture is becoming apparent. Our group had the only faces that so much as turned to see what was going on. Nobody else in the restaurant even batted an eyelash to see the cause of the commotion.
Busing home, John and Orpheus parted ways, while the rest of us headed to Laura's for the pre-drink party. Mingling, beer pong, and even a possible offer of a threesome were all part of the evening's fun here, before 11:00 rolled around and everyone made their way to the bar to celebrate the countdown.

I made my way to the island for a quick walk; I was hoping to catch some fireworks. There were none unfortunately, however, the brightly lit apartments served as an immense backdrop of color and spectacle amid slight light pollution.

This archway guards the entrance of the pathway to the island. It's noble, and long.

After a winding path through mysterium and intrigue...

one finds themself in a magical, Chinese New year-themed garden, on the center of the island.

Making my way back just prior to 12:00, I passed the fruit stands that enhance the alleys of China. I say enhance, because it's very lucky if you do not smell sh*t, human or otherwise, as you walk anywhere. Fruit stands are always filled with fresh and sparkling fruit that permeates the surrounding air to create a safe haven of smell good breaths.

I also caught someone in the middle of something. What was he doing? You must ask him, but again, this is not out of the ordinary.

I made it back to my apartment with enough time to have gotten my favourite chow me-in from the Chow Me-in guy down the road.

Made it back in time for a date, and then was called back out for a bit of BBQ. (approx. time: 1:00)

This is BBQ street. Really, they are sporadically placed everywhere you look, but there are a great majority of BBQ joints here, as well as the one I frequent, owned by a man named Samuel.

I met up with Gary and I-ping for some Jesus chicken (chicken breast on a cross), and we by this time we had all grown fairly tired. This is not the usual spot I eat BBQ, in fact the lady owner seemed difficult to deal with for some reason, and for that, she sucks.


I have some time off starting now, and already I've begun to learn some Donnie Darko piano songs, and study math for later this year when I plan to go back to school for Environmental Engineering. Maybe one last trip before I go home?

Well, this has been a fun New Year's. From the future, I bid you a good night, and happy new year!

End of the Year

Christmas rolled along nicely. Woke up to a breakfast of eggs, french toast, and bacon, before opening presents from the girls. Gifts included a Dizi (chinese flute), crystal, fossil, and a magical bean seed that has a cool design imprinted into it as it grows. Off to work for an hour, before coming home to relax. Today was the foggiest day since I arrived, making this indeed a white Christmas. I couldn't see the water, and only barely could I make out the life as it passed by below on the street. In the evening, we took a taxi to the Holiday Inn to feast on numerous delicious dishes, including turkey and stuffing. Didn't win in the raffle, though.

It's been sporadically rainy and cold, and sunny and warm. Christmas Eve I spent at the beach getting a little bit darker (although I still haven't made it into the ocean. I keep hearing bad things about it) My hair is growing quite long, and I refuse to cut it until I get back to Canada. Weekend Class exams begin the weekend after next (upcoming weekend we have off) and then a final class, before the real vacation begins.

Really hope to make it out to Jilin next weekend. Cheap, and beautiful, I'm told.
Looking forward to my Canadian arrival.

Waking up to an eerie Christmas morning...

Mayon Volcano, Phillipines

Being approximately 1432 km away from the most (almost) currently erupting volcano, I hope to get some photos.



This was shot in 1987, and I am not nearly as close now as the view is when this photo was taken. Some of the more extreme volcanic explosions have been able to carry ash thousands of kilometres away, and almost 80 kilometers up into the sky, creating notiluscent clouds, depending on the wind. As mentioned earlier, I'm about 1432 km from the detonation site, which may or may not even be powerful, as volcanoes go.



Here's hoping

A Drier Macao

What's better than waiting in line to go through customs in an airport?

Waiting in line to go through customs in a LANDport.



After class in Gongbei I walked the few blocks to the Zhuhai-Macao border crossing, waiting in line for an average time, and met my friend John, who had already crossed over. This was my second time visiting, and the first with clear weather. I cringed from the sunlight, it was so bright and warm this December day.


We crossed the bridge to Taipa and made our way to the Venetian, where John wanted to buy a new Ipod. Although out, we
a) saw a decadent Christmas display

b) saw a funny store window sign

and c) got hit on by a prostitute. She was pretty, but seemed taken aback when I told her my boyfriend would mind.


We passed a hillside graveyard, which we didn't get to see, but I'd still like to. It looked different, first of all because it was on a hillside, but also because the tombs jutted out and almost resembled sarcophagi lying above the coffin. We had a nice view, similar to the ferry ride a few days ago, but much less obscured by fog and nighttime. Casino shuttles are a great free way to get around.


In fact, here's a good time to show just how sm/foggy it can get. This is looking out from my apartment toward the ocean. You can normally see mountains in the distance, along with the road stretching a few dozen miles.


We walked around Macao. Many people ride scooters, because this is one of the most densely populated places in the world; as well the streets are narrow.


We came across an art gallery. The artist inside let us sign our names on some red velvet (mine was the only English name) and in addition let me take photos of his paintings. These were done on some type of cloth; the tigers were painted in such detail. Every hair was accounted for.




This is a new science museum opening up later this year. Unfortunately I won't be able to see it. Included is a giant telescope (although I wonder how they'll be able to see through all the light and air pollution... Rarely do I see more than one star in the sky).


The roads are very narrow, due to Portugian influence. I think I made that word up. I felt like I was walking in Spain, or in a maze, as I walked through Macao. Old buildings are either renovated or adapted to fit with a fresh theme; history isn't repaved as is the case with mainland China.

Of course there were many people, tourists and locals. Hundreds of shops containing anywhere from a plethora of desserts to baked potatoes, dinner, and shoppes. Everything seemed happy here, like everyone was on vacation.



We stopped in an Italian restaurant owned by some Fillipinos called Cafe Toscana. I splurged.
A grand serving of the cheesiest lasagna I'd tasted in a year. $90.00
A glass of red House Wine. $28.00
Two chocolate brownies. $20.00
Grand total of $138.00 Patacas on an excellent meal, and some fine company. The Fillipino owner had a hint of "Louigi" in him, and we met two Belgians who spoke Flemmish rather comically. (and an overspoken well-speaking English Chinese man who was trying to spread the spirit of Christmas by bringing up jovial accounts of his knowledge of Canada and Belgium)
To be fair, translated, I spent only $21.29 CAD, but it's been one of my top three most expensive meals here. Western food preparators seem to be rare and thus the food is marked up, though ingredients (excluding cheese) are mostly easy to come by.


There were three churches we visited, all in varying degrees of operation. Large, stuffy, and Catholic, they were still interesting remnants from a historical perspective. You can see the famous Lisboa Casino in the background here, as well as a large part of the central district.

We approached the ruinous facquade of St. Paul's College. A lady was having her wedding photos taken, in the mileu of the crowd, snapping photos and eating BBQ. There were bones of martyrs inside, but upon arriving we realised we'd only have enough time to see the front. It was an amazing archaeological feat for a church that had burned down nearly 200 years ago was still standing in midst of a bustling city.

John was approached for a survey. Ferry ports, hotels, tourist spots, so many surveys!


At a foreign food store I finally found sweet and sour sauce. You'd think, China? of Sweet and Sour Chinese Chicken Balls? No, that is western Chinese food, and cannot even be found in the foreign food stores of Zhuhai.
I also found this mystery cloven foot, which I'm guessing is a pig's, wrapped in tin foil and fastened in.

Good place to put, I had a pig brain for lunch today at a Korean BBQ. Texture and taste, similar to an egg. Nearly puked, but three bites later, had it all down.

Made our way over to the dog races at the "Canindrome". (play on canines, and thunderdome) lol...
Only to find that it was closed. On a Friday night! I must see this before I leave. Disappointed, we walked back to the border and called it a night.


Had a really enjoyable time today teaching. Classes are nearing completion for the first semester. For my last class of 12 year olds I stayed playing soccer with them after I'd finished teaching. I've got a sweet deal here because I can teach the things that I enjoyed so much as a kid in highschool, and hopefully influence their learning so that it's also enjoyable.

Tomorrow I'm going to teach the younger ones to sing John Jacob Jingle-Heimer Smith.