First of December

Happy first December at plus 20 degrees!

The beach soundtrack seems appropriate as I remember this evening, Moby and all that. After a lovely day at the beach (although it was a bit windy), I had a great evening.
When Chinese people go to the beach, they do so in suits and dresses. The particular beach I was at today, a place I call Sands beach, regularily has photo shoots for newly wed couples. This afternoon I was the mode of interest for beach goers and Married-makers alike, even becoming a part of the photo shoot once for the latter. It's been very smoggy lately, so there isn't much to be seen on the ocean's horizon, but with a UV index of 6, it's still adequate for a suntan. (in december)
This was taken on Saturday, as I left for class at 7 am. It seems I've fallen into a routine lately, waking up earlier than I would have in Canada, around 8 am. I guess I'm getting old.


Tonight I left for Gongbei to meet John, my co-worker, his girlfriend, and Matt and Alyssa, from America, for Go Kart Racing. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera, but let me tell you.
We all sat around drinking a beer, to liven things up, as we watched three Chinese drivers take the curves. This was an underground racing circuit with fast cart cars. The track took about a minute to finish at our fastest, and with curves was approximately 500 m long. I could be very wrong on my estimation.
We put our helmets on, and took off. I was m'f-ing Tokyo drifting, alright. This was such fun, I think it will become a weekly mainstay for us, overtaking each other, screeching around corners, and losing control. In China, there is a saying among us foreigners: There are no rules here. Therefor we can do whatever we want; crash into the tires that surround the track, into each other, go as fast as we want, endless.
40 kwai for ten minutes (which did feel like a while), or about 7.50 CAD.
We took a walk down Walking Street to a place John had dranken snake blood and Baijo (the local hard liquor). The reason for this: live snakes (in cages). Vipers, Kraits, Sea serpents, and other snakes I couldn't recognize lay in cages for the curious to behold. It was a draw in for business, and it worked on me. Although the shop wasn't busy, after we stayed to drink beer and chat, it opened up with customers.
Being white, I can take advantage of some great things here in China. As well, however, I am also taken advantage of. While sitting down in this open restaurant, our group was approached by seven people throughout the night who wanted to polish our shoes for three kwai. In addition, three people who wanted to sell us roses for our 'girlfriends', but one of them came back repeatedly, I think. They were very persistant, and even when we ignored them they still usually did not go away. It's fun in these situations to say things in English, and know they would not realise what was said.
Partially through our stay here, I looked outside to see the owner had lifted out a snake from its cage, cut its head off, and drained its blood into a shot glass. The body still writhing minutes after decapitation, John told me it was an expensive delicacy to order a snake that cost upwards of 400 kwai, drink its blood and eat its flesh. One day I will try this, merely because its available, but that night was not tonight.
I shared a taxi home with the Americans, after getting sugar cane/bamboo (I'm not sure what it was, or if there is a difference) to try. It was fibrous, and filled with sugar water. Again, something in China I'm glad I tried, but not willing to get again.


This week is chock full of fun stuff. Tomorrow I'll finish climbing Phoenix Mountain, this time with Laura, and with more daylight. Hopefully, I'll run into a snake so I can drain its blood! :)

I took a bus this morning from Wan Zi Sha, where I live, around to the Jida and Gongbei side of Jida Mtn. Macao is south of Zhuhai. There is a tunnel linking the two areas. There are some cutback trails leading up to the top of the mountain, where 'microwave emitting towers hold their presence over the city. Finally there was a clear but cold day. Apparently, we even hit a record low of 10 degrees, something that had never happened in Zhuhai in November. Maybe that movie 2012 did have something right in it...





The area here, mostly in these small mountains, contains lots of this quartz looking rock. I had a bag full by the time I went back to my apartment.



Gnarled trees frame a shot of mostly Macao, and a trail that led off somewhere that seemed a lot steeper than in the photo.



This is the panoramic of the Jida-Gongbei districts, and Macao. To the right are the Lisboa Casino, and Macao Tower.



When I arrived at the top, I walked along the crest of the mountain and saw four or five radio towers. It was much more windy and chilly. Men were working on something up there, and had closed off access to the other side of the mountain. I met a man in military uniform, though the Chinese like to dress up like that here, regardless of status. He mentioned something about police as he walked toward me, so I assumed he was escorting me back down. His name was Wong, and through broken english (I'm starting to think there's no other kind here) he told me he wants to learn better English, and that the mountain was closed to visitors.
Halfway down we parted, and I found out he was not police, or any sort of worker. There was another way up the other side of the mountain, and I took it. I came along a local worker, renovating some of the buildings.



Toward the top is an old well. I'm not sure how, or how long it took them, but there were a handful of old ladies filling up 20L jugs with the water. On my way down I helped one lady, but not ten minutes in she demanded I put down what I was carrying so that she could carry it the rest of the way.

I got a nicely posed shot of an eagle flying, but it was really far away.



I walked a few blocks near to the TPR where I sometimes teach in Gongbei. Along the way I encountered a rat that had fallen onto the sidewalk. He was an excitable little fella, and acted like more of a kangaroo. Two girls happening by sounded like they were giving birth at the mere sight of it, but honestly I was more scared of their screams.



I bought two ro sham mos (pork and lettuce in pita) for lunch on walking street and bused home.


A few days ago there was no haze in the crystal clear blue sky, and I found out that Hong Kong is visible from Zhuhai. You can make out a mountain famous there that has an airport and three chemical stacks. Tonight there are too many clouds to view the meteor shower, so I'm doubtful 4am will fly.



Usually these are the only islands that are visible.