China Bog 3

So I have an idea about this blog. First off, I’m not sure how much time I have and I don’t think I want to be slaving away for a long time tonight retelling everything that’s happened since my last entry. Secondly, I feel like this thing has already become way too much of a recap of events than a real journal, and that’s making it a little dry and a lot less fun to write. So how about I try to just start writing down what I’m thinking and see what happens.
I’m tired. Not quite sleepy, which is a good thing because it’s still a bit early to sleep if I want to wake up later than six am, but I’m tired. Fortunately my room is an amazing place to lounge. Comfortable bed, nice couches, A/C, whatever you need. Anyways, it’s late and I’ve had a pretty good day so far. Things that were funny about today:
-We went to an arcade and shot around on a basketball game, a group of six of us. After playing one game I turned around and noticed there was a crowd of about twenty Chinese people standing behind us, just watching. Apparently we had drawn a crowd. I was not expecting that, but hey, that is China. Foreigners are still, well, foreign to them. I still find it interesting that they are really that fascinated in what we are doing. I don’t mind it much and just find it amusing. I’m glad that we are able to entertain them that much just by existing. I suppose I would feel the same way in their situation.
-Today we went looking for used bikes at a place that Daniel I. had found on Sunday. The guy had a lot of selection, but he was asking a little too much for me, 250 kuai. While $35 for a used bike ain’t a bad deal, I still feel like we could find something better. So we went next door to what turned out to be a bootleg China Mobile store. Daniel A. still needed to buy a phone, and this was exactly the kind of cheap backdoor place that I had been waiting to find. They had quite a lot of options, from NOKLA to Monterolla. Daniel decided on a Monterolla, only 100 kuai! And it actually worked! We will see how long that lasts. I found it odd, however, that the salesman was unwilling to bargain. He told us 100 kuai and would not change the price. It honestly was a good deal so I didn’t push too much. I found it odd, however, that they asked us how much we made at our job after we bought it. They seemed really interesting in knowing that, but we wouldn’t tell them.
-On the way back we found what we thought to be a gym—a giant building called “Milky Way Spa.” Instead, it was a bathhouse that also offered massage. That explained why the employees wiped the floor and laid out a towel for us as we approached. It really didn’t seem that sketchy, though. It was a huge place that had to make a lot of money to stay in business. Bathhouses are supposed to be a common old Chinese staple. I think it may actually be a legit spa for relaxing and not just getting yourself a happy ending. If that’s the case, then I might be interested. We will be back.
-This morning we went in for our physical exam, which is required to get a professional’s visa. The process was amazingly quick and painless. The international health center we went to was very well done. All the doctors spoke good English and were very good at what they did. I found it strange they gave me an ultrasound, though. It’s a girl!
-On the way there our bus driver knocked into the side mirror of a much larger bus, and boy was the driver not happy. She proceeded to drive next to us and yell at us through her window, then eventually got out and stood in our way until we stopped and fixed what we had done. Funnily enough, the police were right in front of us but never got involved. Apparently if your car is hit in China, you don’t call the police. You just yell at the driver until they come fix what they did by hand. Sounds very Chinese to me.
-Last night we went to a Cultural Revolution themed restaurant. The waitresses were all dressed like soldiers and the walls all had Mao Zedong pictures on them. The waitresses seemed particularly amused by us, though. They burst out laughing over and over while interacting with us. Eventually it started to get a bit annoying. They also lost points for lying to us about which dishes had meat. We had a vegetarian with us who was barely able to eat anything at all. Yet, I feel like she’s fighting a losing battle anyways. If you came to China, you might as well just accept that your life will be loads easier if you eat meat. I’m sorry but it’s true. She said something like “This is the last time I’m going to eat at restaurants, sorry. That’s just ridiculous. The food was really tasty, especially the eggplant! They had the kind I absolutely love, which I found out is called “san wen yu qie zi,” or three fish sauce something or another eggplant. I’m glad to finally know the name.
-School training has started and I’m getting a little nervous. This is going to be a lot of responsibility working at this school. The parents are very demanding about the education their children need. We will have to wear a tie everyday, something I find a bit pointless and irritating. But I feel similar to how I did when I first was training for waiting tables at Carol Woods. It seemed like something ridiculously impossible that I can’t imagine ever doing, but I’m sure I will get used to it soon. It’s only because I’m doing something new. This happens often in life, and it only increases your skills to get through it. It will happen.
I think I like this format, a little more stream of conscious-like. Hopefully it will keep me sane by giving me a vent without feeling like homework. I’m sure I will do some tweaking soon, but that’s it for now. Goodnight!