Foreign students in China for 60 years!

Yesterday I attended the 60th anniversary of students abroad coming to China. The event was marked with a dozen important people in a giant auditorium giving speeches, and a show that made the 80's jealous. Of course, it didn't start on time. We arrived when we were supposed to, at one o'clock (me, being a typical Norwegian, arrived 20 minutes early), and after some confusing minutes we finally found our teacher and went to get the tickets to get inside. That is, went to another building, were asked to stand in line - and then some guy gave our teacher the tickets and we went back to the first building. No-one really got the whole stand in line-thing, but this is China, after all, and nothing is too bureaucratic. We went into the main building, a quite large one that I've earlier been told is a cinema - but it was enormous inside! It was at least double the size of Norway's largest cinema, and getting packed with people.

Even though our tickets had seat numbers on them, our teacher took us to the best seats and said it would be no problem - but of course it turned out to be. We were chased away by guards to our own seats, which had much worse view. And then we waited. And waited. Not until 2:30 did something start to happen, then drop to a complete stop as the speeches began. In chinese. In a chinese we didn't understand anything off. I woke up as I lost my cell phone on the floor and it made that lovely cell-phone-hits-floor sound, confused and still half-asleep - and looked straight into one of the many cameras filming the crowd. I'll never be invited to Chinese festivities ever again.

After what seemed like a hundred years, but probably was around one hour, the speeches were over and the show started. Never before have I seen so much glam in one place! Like my friend Wang Xiaojie said: It was what it would have looked like if Bobbysocks had all the money and technology to get everything they ever dreamt of in their show in the Eurovision Song Contest.
 (for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, this is Bobbysocks ...). We're talking soap bubble machines, one ton gold confetti, smoke machines (making the glittery dancers float on "clouds" - kinda like Moomin<3), an insane amount of sparkling costumes, and of course - trance music. I have no idea why Chinese always insist on having trance beats to their traditional costume dances, but here it was again.

The show was kind of good, actually! Some of the dancers were really good, and it made up for the total lack of a good start. Next time I'm bringing my iPhone with games on for the speech part ...

Love the way you listen

Yesterday I did something I though I’d never do. The nice bar near our home abroad was having an Open Mic Night, and some friends and I were there. We were just sitting there, minding our own business and listening to the guy with the guitar (who was actually pretty good), when my favorite song started playing. I sang along, as I always do when I hear my favorite songs, but the guitar guy only knew the refrain, and when he saw me singing the verse, he got up, walked across the room, took my hand and asked me to come join him. People were cheering and clapping, and as embarrassing as it might be, this WAS my favorite song ... So I went with him up to the microphone. And sang. Oh, did I mention the verses of my favorite song is a rap? Yes, my Open Mic-premiere was clumsily rapping along to Love the Way You Lie by Eminem and Rihanna. 

At least I didn’t chicken out! And I got a complimentary drink from the bartender afterwards for my fantastic (*coughs*) preformance. Go me!

... I dare you to be brave enough to do the same!

My prize


Pictures taken by the awesome Wang Xiaojie<3

Beijing blows ...

No, seriously, it's really windy right now. Probably not helped by the fact that I live in the 18th floor, but we actually had to close our windows up here because the doors were slamming like crazy. On the other hand, we had blue skies for the first time in a while. <3

Getting ready for national day!

So, the first of October, China's national holiday, is coming up, and everyone is preparing. In our little area of sky scrapers, the employees are busy as bees. When we were walking home from school today, we noticed all the manhole covers have been painted red (traditionally a lucky color, now a communist (whether China is or isn't is another question) color), there are Chinese flags flying high everywhere and the guards changed their uniforms before the Moon festival and look just swell. Pictures coming up!

Ps: I can't wait to go to Tiananmen Square on friday to watch the crowds! It's going to be massive ...

...

One of my friends her in Beijing got involved in a car accident last night. Luckily, none of them were injured badly, but it could have gotten really bad. They were on the highway when the taxi driver miscalculated the speed and distance to the car ahead, and crashed into it. An old taxi, no seat belts ... We really are putting our lives in the hands of the cab drivers, many of whom enjoy talking on their phones, texting, practicing Qi Gong, or entering a half meditative state whilst driving.

I guess I never really realised how dangerous traffic in China is, and I believe the reason for that is India. India is mayhem. Coming to China after India was like coming to europe - the traffic was so regulated and smooth. After a while here, thought, and as the image and memory of India is floating farther and farther away, I understand why many westerners fear taking to the roads here. Although there are no camels or cows on the roads, there are many bicycles, three-wheeled tuk-tuks and cars zig-zagging through the lanes, and speed limits - well, I haven't really seen any signs telling me what they are.

As before mentioned, most of the taxis don't practice the art of using seatbelt, or even making them available, so no-one is able to take the necessary precautions to avoid crisis in case of a crash. My friend was lucky, but others are not. So to all you people in places where seat belts are frequently used: use them! 'Cause we sure wish we could!

Countdown

Only 5 days until the world's best sister is arriving in Beijing! <3


From the circumnavigation. <3

Chinglish

I must definitely remember not to use inconformity angle to exercise due to possibly result is bodily damnify. Aight. (From a warning label in the gym)

And always remember: The wild germ hates soup with crisp skin! (from a restaurant menu)

(Sorry 'bout the crappy quality - this cell phone's camera is crap. But I'll soon post some more, fresh from the iPhone's splendid 5 mpx <3)

Week-end is Homework Time

Chinese grammar. Now where is my coffee ...

Ps: I'm gonna be so much better at updating this blog when my iPhone arrives in one week!

The Unbearable Lightness of being in Wudaokou

Two and a half months have passed since I first set foot in Wudaokou, our little part of Beijing, and I feel I can say I have adapted to life here pretty well. Perhaps too well. Beijing is great, even thought it is a huge city, getting there and back again is not too much 麻烦 (mafan - stress, trouble), much thanks to the great metro system as well as fairly cheap taxis, and there is so much to experience here. But Wudaokou is so convienient. One thing is important to understand of Wudaokou: it's a melting pot for all the foreign students, and therefore offers food for the homesick mind - if it's cheap, strong drinks, hookah-smoking or indeed any international food you could possibly crave. And it's so easy. Everything is within a five-minute walk.

But it tires me. When things require so little effort, one turns effortless and numb, and succumb to that dangerous delivery-trap. Because after a while, a five-minute walk is too far. The only problem is delivery only comes in the shape of pizza and hamburger. I'm not a huge fan of either, unless very homemade or, in the former case, authentic italian. So I try to force myself to go for a walk and find somewhere else to eat, and I'm almost every time rewarded with excellent food in small chinese family-run restaurants, or at least something else than hamburger.

That busy place up the wooden stairs - yum! Much better than the cockroach-ridden floors of La Bamba (but I must say - their fajitas rock!). I love the hotpot-place right next to out apartment, I love the Chilipot place 5 minutes away, I love that little hidden place on campus with the best beef potato dish one could imagine.

When I spoke to last years' students they told me it was so easy to end up eating just junk. I laughed and wondered how one could possibly resort to McDonald's and KFC when China offers (in my opinion) the greatest of all cuisines, but I'm starting to understand now. Alone (almost) in a new country, many of us have never lived away from our parents before, and with all the pressure from our fantastic, but hard program, no wonder some fall under the spell of the unbearable lightness of being in Wudaokou and wake up half a year later and 20 pounds heavier. Lucky me - I don't like fast food ^^

This photo is from last time I was in China. For more photos, go to my Flickr photos.

Winter's coming!

Autumn is coming and it's really getting colder. The days are darker, more grey and duller, and you can feel the CPD (coughs per day) rising exponentially with the level of toxins in the air. There doesn't seem to be any more blue skied-days, just this layer of heavy poison descending upon us.

On the other hand, at least it's not too hot anymore! I actually have to wear a sweater outside, and this is starting to resemble the Norwegian summer temperature - so of course I've gotten a cold. Well, my doctor says it isn't a cold, but more of an allergy, but then again she didn't take any tests, and - let's face it - between the greyness and scyscrapers - where are the trees?

In other news, I'm cold.

Dalian

Vi skulle nemlig til Dalian den kvelden, med tog. Etter å ha tatt t-banen til stasjonen og kommet oss på toget, som var utrolig fint (slår indiske OG norske ned i støvlene!), sovnet vi ganske fort. Vi ankom Dalian stasjon halv 8 morgenen etter og brukte litt tid på å finne en taxi - tommelfingerregelen er vel å ikke ta taxi rett fra flyplass/togstasjon fordi det er der alle lurendreierne står og venter på et lett bytte. Etter endel stress og en tur innom en tvilsom taxi, fant vi endelig en decent en som tok oss til hotellet vårt.

Vi bor på et veldig fint hotell, og fikk i oss litt mat før vi satte oss i en taxi og bad sjåføren ta oss til sjøen. Etter en halvtimes taxitur var vi der - men “badebyen” Dalian var litt skuffende. Kanskje kinesere har litt andre badekrav enn oss (stranden var full av søppel over og under vann), for selv om stranden var fin nok (jeg fant masse fine skjell som jeg skal lage armbånd av!), så var den ikke badbar. Vi fant dette fort ut etter en liten vassetur.

Nå skal det sies at Dalian for noen måneder siden var rammet av et veldig oljeutslipp, og dette er noe som man ikke slipper unna på kun noen måneder. Død fisk lå langs strandkanten, og man kunne se mørke flekker i vannet med konsentrert olje. Etterhvert som vannet steg ble alt dekket av oljet - havet var svart. Det er noe av det merkeligste jeg har sett, og rett og slett helt feil. Hav skal ikke være svart og giftig, det skal være blått og turkist og flytende og gjennomsiktig og vakkert!

Etter litt vassing dro vi tilbake til hotellet, sov litt og gikk litt gatelangs, der vi fant masse små “restauranter”, griller med grillspyd og krakker og kasser rundt der folk satt og koste seg. Vi kjøpte blekksprut og kylling og tok en tidlig kveld. Neste dag ble Jonas syk. Igjen. Forkjølelsen slo til for fullt (sikkert fra tog-airconditionen, den evige fiende), og han ble liggende i senga hele dagen. På kvelden klarte han å karre seg opp så vi kunne dra og spise middag, og vi fant et sted der man hadde sin egen lille grill på sitt eget bord - faktisk en svær jerngryte som ble fylt med kull og fikk en rist oppå seg - og vi spiste kjøtt og reker og andre herligheter, dyppet i den lokale okseblod-sausen. Namnam!

De neste dagene gjorde vi ikke egentlig så mye. Det var deilig å komme seg litt bort fra Beijing og slappe helt av, og vi spiste masse god mat. Den ene dagen dro vi på en litt dyrere restaurant og spiste det beste måltidet jeg noensinne har smakt, forskjellige skjell i en chilisaus som smakte helt vidunderlig. Turen hadde vært verdt det om det var det eneste vi hadde gjort mens vi var der! Helt utsøkt, selv om det kanskje ble en smule for mye chili for stakkars Jonas, som brukte papirlommetørklene flittig. Men som han selv sier, øvelse gjør mester, også i chilispising! (Noe jeg også ble fortalt da vi senere spiste sjøkreps og han skulle lære meg hvordan man spiste de på slotts-måten - jeg har lært å line de spiste hodene perfekt opp ved siden av hverandre og skjule gørret i midten!)

Den siste dagen regnet det, og vi ble lurt mer enn en gang av sure innbyggere, så det var egentlig greit å komme oss av gårde. Tog skulle vi ta tilbake også, denne gangen ikke like luksuriøst som til, der vi hadde delt en lukket kupé med to andre, men veldig fint for det, selv om jeg må innrømme at jeg savner de indiske chai-geitene som kom med sukkermelk med en teskje te oppi. Men her var da i hvert fall vinduene klare, og om man ikke fikk sove kunne man i hvert fall se på alle lysene utenfor fra byene vi passerte.

Vel hjemme i Beijing i dag morges ble vi møtt av regn, men det var egentlig litt deilig å ikke komme rett tilbake til hetebølgen. I kveld blir det karaoke, en del av den kinesiske kultur som absolutt må oppleves og som nok sent vil glemmes!

For flere bilder fra Dalian, se: http://www.flickr.com/photos/silvenna/sets/72157624867427258/

Etter å ha forsøkt flere ganger å ta en tur til sommerpalasset, men ha blitt stoppet av diverse årsaker, kom vi oss endelig dit på søndag. Etter å ha valset rundt uten mål og mening kom vi etterhvert inn i et område med flotte, vakre ruiner fra en tempel som en gang stod der, i marmor (?), som nå var en haug vakkert uthugget stein. Etter å ha sett oss mette på disse og fantasert om hvordan det må ha vært å bo i nærheten av noe så vakkert (dette var jo tross alt på keiserens hytte-tomt), fant vi plutselig en svær steinlabyrint, like finurlig uthoggede mønstre, og i midten en nydelig steinpaviljong. Til vår store glede var ikke veien inn skiltet, så vi rotet oss bort i labyrinten til vi til slutt kom oss inn til hjertet av den (litt for fort, egentlig, det var i det øyeblikket vi ønsket oss litt lavere slik at labyrinten skulle være litt mer spennende - men den var sikkert mer enn spennende nok for kinamennene ^^).

Vi gikk videre til den store innsjøen der vi leide en pedalbåt og satte ut på tur. Det viste seg at pedalbåter er svært tunge å pedalere, jeg var i hvert fall ganske sliten etterhvert. Men det var en fin tur, vi hentet blader fra et svært piletre og lagde kranser, og Jonas plukket en stor, vakker, rosa vannlilje til meg (senere fant vi ut at det kunne man få opp til 3000 kroner i bot for, så jeg smuglet den ut i vesken min). Vi padlet under en koselig bro, og rakk akkurat tilbake før tiden var omme.

Vi skulle jo egentlig finne palasset, men kartene var håpløse, og vi gikk oss bort igjen. Det slo meg at grunnen til at folk har guide med seg ikke nødvendigvis er fordi de synes det er kult, men slik at de ikke går seg bort. For et svært sted! Vi bestemte oss for å komme tilbake en annen gang og se resten, for varmen var uoverkommelig og vi var slitne og hadde mye å gjøre før dagen var omme. Men først kjøpte vi en kokosnøtt (med husk) som vi drakk (nam!), og etterpå viste Jonas seg klar for jordomseiling da han klarte å fjerne husken og åpne nøtten klar for spising, uten hjelpemidler, og imponerende raskt i tillegg. Jøss!

For flere bilder, gå til: http://www.flickr.com/photos/silvenna/sets/72157624742918811/