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Weather of today:
- Day: 33 degrees and sunny.
- Night: 21 degrees.
Sentence of today:
What to you think of it?
你觉得怎么样?
Today's - Good to know:
Meals in Chinese restaurants typically come not in individual serving but in communal plates and diners eat directly from these. This style of eating constributes to the fun, social atmosphere of dining in China. It also contributes to the high rates of hepatitis B infection in China, so make sure you're immunised before you go.
Todays tip:
You'll have to learn to accept that it's quite normal for babies to do their business in public and people will spit on the pavement.
Dish of today:
A cheeseburger from McDonalds.
Today's Historical fact:
In 1912, Yuan Shikai, leader of China's most powerful regional army, goes to the Qing court to announce that the game is up: on 12 February the last emperor, six-year-old Puyi, abdicates.
My day:
Jiaojiao was busy today so I went out myself. I also for the first time made breakfast myself. It was quite easy though, "You Mama" already prepared it, so I just had to warm it up. It was a noodle soup and bread.
Today I went to Panjiayuan Market, which is an antiques market selling everything from calligraphy, Cultural revolution memorabilia and cigarette ad posters to Buddha heads, ceramics, Qing dynasty-style furniture and Tibetan carpets. There are incredible many dealers here and incredible much junk. I didn't buy anything, but maybe when I move to Beijing next year, I will find some nice things to decorate my home/dorm with.
After the Market I went back to the Vantone Mall, I wanted to by the same grocery bag to my grandma as "You Mama" bought yesterday. I got it to a fair price I think. They always start 4-5 times the price you end up giving, you just have to be stubborn, and if they wont give you the price you offer, just start to walk away, they will come after you, as long they have a profit on it. I also bought some more postcards here and went around looking for an hour I think. There are so many things, you never know if you find something you like. On the top floor there is the real brand stores, of course much more expensive, and you cannot bargain with the price there. I also quickly bought a Cheeseburger here. :)
I just arrive home, then "You Mama" called me asking where I was. I said I just arrived home, and then she said, hurry, you have to come to the Military Museum station, we are going to see Beijing Opera. I knew we would go to see Beijing Opera this evening, so I just assumed, when she got home from work, we would go. But no! They have an tendency not to include me in all their plans, also Jiaojiao, which speaks a bit better English, often don't tell me where we are going and when. I often have to ask them myself. So I went to the station, Jiaojiao picked me up at the exit and I followed her to a little restaurant. She again didn't tell me where we were going, I just follow her, and figured out that "You Mama" waited in a restaurant. They already eaten, but "You Mama" ordered a noodle soup I quickly could eat.
The Beijing Opera was actually quite interesting, or maybe more the whole scene around it; it was not a classical one in a theatre, but in the CCTV building (One of the biggest television channels in China) ("You Mama" has good connections) they where broadcasting live, and we were sitting among the audience, mostly relatives to the performers. They show was a competition between different Opera singers; so there were judges sitting in front taking notes and a live band. There were also a lot of cameras and special technical people all around, the place.
But! Maybe the costumes they use are very pretty, but Beijing Opera sounds terrible. The tones of the singers are so high, and one of the music instruments is so annoying. Dong dong dong dong dong dong dong all the time.
But I think you at least have to experience Beijing Opera once. Now I had my one time experience, will defiantly not watch it again. Hehe :)
They whole show lasted for 3 hours, but after 1 hour we left, but the only way to get out, without getting in front of the cameras, was to go back around the scene, pass a lot of the actors/singers and then out. Great experience! "You Mama" also told me afterwards, you are very lucky, not many Chinese people have the opportunity to come into the CCTV building to a live show. Again, awesome family!
At home we sat and ate some delicious fruit 荔枝 lìzhī (Lychee) and mango before going to bed.
Goodnight!
Ps: I miss you Vince!
- comments
Steffen Folkersen Thanks everyone for the comments! And Mom, they send their sincere greetings back with a promise of taking good care of me. Trust me! They do. Couldn't ask for more! To Sveta: Thanks for the gratz, I'll give dinner next time ;)