I don’t think I’ve mentioned it recently but- I have a deep and emotional bond to music. I don’t just mean listening to it either. I do enjoy the upbeat or sometimes melodramatic songs on the radio; and to be fair, that’s mostly what I have in my itunes catalog. But the music that always moves me, and can change me on such a deep level are naturally the classics. I mean, they wouldn’t have lasted for so long if they weren’t classic, right?
One of my favorite things to do when I’m alone is have classical music playing way too loud while I sit and am washed with the vibrations which ARE music. I haven’t done that recently. I’m not sure why, some combination of living where I don’t have public radio (my main source of classical music), and then just never having the right time while I was in the states, and before that I avoided music. I just couldn’t handle the way it moves my soul while I was putting my life back together. I must be in a really good place if I can withstand it now.
I’m not sure if it’s the same for everyone, but for me, if the music is made on a piano, guitar, violin or any stringed instrument it moves me more. Maybe it’s something about the way the vibrations are made, (and I realize that all sound and thus all music are vibrations, but the way that one note can overlap another while continuing a melody the way a piano can, is different then the one resonance chamber of any brass, or woodwind).
And it’s not just listening to music, it’s making it too. I have tried to learn a wide variety of instruments, none of them really stuck except voice. But that’s probably because you can’t really put that one down. (really, I started with the recorder then tried the viola, flute, saxophone, trumpet, oboe, guitar, piano and dum-beck(it’s a middle eastern drum). Singing is best for me because I’m not so distracted by my lack of skill as when I’m on an instrument.
But I’m shy when singing, the smaller the group the more shy I become. I often make my singing voice a little more plain than it really is when I know people can hear me. I don’t know why, maybe I’ve heard too many people that think they sound good and don’t want to come off that way. I just clam up if I know anyone is listening (even from another room). The shyness exception being singing in church and singing Christmas carols.
Also I have always mourned the lack of volume and umphf my voice has (or doesn’t). I wanted to be one of those big Broadway belters, or a sassy jazz singer with a voice like whiskey on the rocks. Also, not to sound pretentious, but, I miss going to the opera.
I have a fairly pretty voice, it blends very well, it’s mid range for a women. It really isn’t unique in any way, save I can stay on pitch while singing with others, or find a pitch in my head so I get my intervals right. The one thing I HATE hearing from choir directors or voice teachers is ‘you need to breathe more’. Really? You hear my speaking voice? I’m just quiet. And when I Do get some volume it’s not without it’s toll, I’ll lose my voice if I sing like that for too long.
But my voice aside, I have something in me that is happy when I make music, singing or otherwise. And I want to start listing to more classical music too.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunny Monsoon
It’s been sunny for the past two days. That’s impressive considering it’s monsoon season. The sky is a pretty blue and there are fluffy white clouds. Too bad it’s hot. Like oven hot. But when it’s raining it’s super humid, I wonder if summer is nice anywhere. At least there are no mosquitoes in the city. They were the bane of my summer existence in Texas. Well, they weren’t only around in the summer, they could really pop up any time.
We did have a nice long, cool spring though. I’d never had one of those that I remember. It was really nice. I’m used to the 9 months of humid summer weather in south Texas, with a short break of rainy and slightly cold for about three weeks.
I do kind of miss the overpowering smell of sunscreen and chlorine which was the only relief from the heat and humidity. Justin and I get to go to San Antonio for two weeks (for his work) and I’m fully intending to mooch pool time from our friend.
I've been planning our vacation for months now (and it was a little complicated so it needed lots of planning) but it's hard to believe that it's almost here! Justin flies out a week from today, then I leave Korea two days after (I have to stay to pay rent in person, how dumb is that?). Once I get to the states I won't be back to Korea for 2 whole months.
I feel like I haven't done too much since it's gotten hot and humid, I just don't want to be outside. I Have organized a book club, I am kinda proud of that. It's not a local book club, but it's with all the friend-girls I care about. (Is it just me, or is there no good name for a friend who is a girl. I don't like the term 'girl friend', 'Oh i just went shopping with a girl friend', it just sounds funny. anyway.). But it works out that no one in the book club lives in the same city. I think it's more fun to read a book at the same time as someone else, so you have someone to talk to. So I have done that.
Like I said, not much is going on. We're down to our last fridge food, trying to strike the balance of having enough milk for cereal but not having extra food that I'll just have to throw away before we leave.
I still have to pack, but I've been mentally packing my bag for weeks, so I think I'll be okay.
We did have a nice long, cool spring though. I’d never had one of those that I remember. It was really nice. I’m used to the 9 months of humid summer weather in south Texas, with a short break of rainy and slightly cold for about three weeks.
I do kind of miss the overpowering smell of sunscreen and chlorine which was the only relief from the heat and humidity. Justin and I get to go to San Antonio for two weeks (for his work) and I’m fully intending to mooch pool time from our friend.
I've been planning our vacation for months now (and it was a little complicated so it needed lots of planning) but it's hard to believe that it's almost here! Justin flies out a week from today, then I leave Korea two days after (I have to stay to pay rent in person, how dumb is that?). Once I get to the states I won't be back to Korea for 2 whole months.
I feel like I haven't done too much since it's gotten hot and humid, I just don't want to be outside. I Have organized a book club, I am kinda proud of that. It's not a local book club, but it's with all the friend-girls I care about. (Is it just me, or is there no good name for a friend who is a girl. I don't like the term 'girl friend', 'Oh i just went shopping with a girl friend', it just sounds funny. anyway.). But it works out that no one in the book club lives in the same city. I think it's more fun to read a book at the same time as someone else, so you have someone to talk to. So I have done that.
Like I said, not much is going on. We're down to our last fridge food, trying to strike the balance of having enough milk for cereal but not having extra food that I'll just have to throw away before we leave.
I still have to pack, but I've been mentally packing my bag for weeks, so I think I'll be okay.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Cat Vacation
So our Gambit is going to have a comparably complicated summer too. The last minute TDY that Justin got which I'm accompanying him on (to San Antonio) made taking Gambit with me not possible. It was too late to schedule him as a carry-on pet OR a checked pet for my flight.
So in August when I follow Justin to San Antonio, Gambit will have to be pet-sat by my life saver, Ceci (and her husband Wayne), but for less time than she was expecting, which is good. Only... it's going to be earlier than they were expecting him too. I'm hoping they don't mind. But it's only for 2 weeks.
Then Justin will be back in Korea for 3 weeks and will take Gambit back to our place for that stretch of time. Then Justin will take Gambit as a carry-on pet in September when he flies to California. (yay!)
Gambit will stay at the Berkeley house with us the rest of the time we're in Cali, but he's going to have to put up with a variety of family taking care of him. Because Mom and I are going to an out-of-town wedding one weekend; and Justin will be out of town the same weekend. But my Dad is the cat whisper so I'm not worried.
The next stretch of time we'll be gone is when we go to visit Nick for about a week. All four of us are going and it's either one of my busy cousins or my grandfather taking care of them (the cats)... Maybe I'll ask Julia to take care of them, she's responsible and doesn't have too much on her plate right now I think.
THEN I have two carry-on cat spaces reserved for when Justin and I leave in October to go back to Korea. Right now my Mom doesn't want me to take Teddy to Korea and she's hinting that I should leave Gambit with them too. We'll see how the cats get along. But it's complicated.
So in August when I follow Justin to San Antonio, Gambit will have to be pet-sat by my life saver, Ceci (and her husband Wayne), but for less time than she was expecting, which is good. Only... it's going to be earlier than they were expecting him too. I'm hoping they don't mind. But it's only for 2 weeks.
Then Justin will be back in Korea for 3 weeks and will take Gambit back to our place for that stretch of time. Then Justin will take Gambit as a carry-on pet in September when he flies to California. (yay!)
Gambit will stay at the Berkeley house with us the rest of the time we're in Cali, but he's going to have to put up with a variety of family taking care of him. Because Mom and I are going to an out-of-town wedding one weekend; and Justin will be out of town the same weekend. But my Dad is the cat whisper so I'm not worried.
The next stretch of time we'll be gone is when we go to visit Nick for about a week. All four of us are going and it's either one of my busy cousins or my grandfather taking care of them (the cats)... Maybe I'll ask Julia to take care of them, she's responsible and doesn't have too much on her plate right now I think.
THEN I have two carry-on cat spaces reserved for when Justin and I leave in October to go back to Korea. Right now my Mom doesn't want me to take Teddy to Korea and she's hinting that I should leave Gambit with them too. We'll see how the cats get along. But it's complicated.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Vacation!
Things are getting complicated. By things, I mean vacation. I guess vacations always will be complicated when overseas travel and pets are involved. Unless you have a dedicated house keeper who can run errands for you while you’re out of town for two months, and take care of your cat. (and I’m Not complaining, I’m so happy we get to travel home and see family and friends, and be in the US, it’s going to be awesome).
So the plan as of right now is this:
August 1-14:
Justin and Lucy fly from Korea to SAN ANTONIO. Justin returns to Korea for work (since this leg is on the government’s dime for him and he’ll be in SA for work). Lucy will fly to California for an extended visit.
September 5:
Justin will fly from Korea to CALIFORNIA
September 8-11:
Lucy and Mom will fly to MARYLAND for a wedding. Justin will fly to SAN ANTONIO to visit friends. Both parties return to California.
September 21-29:
Justin and Lucy fly with Rose Mom and Dad on a family vacation to HAWAII to visit brother Nick. All return to California (except for Nick).
October 4:
Justin and Lucy fly back to KOREA and are very broke.
***
That wouldn’t be so complicated in and of itself, considering we’ve been planning all the various parts of the trip and saving money (since January) to get us across the pond and back. BUT enter two factors:
1: we have to pay our rent and bills in person at the bank. So one of us has to be home at the 1st (rent) and 15th (utilities) of the month. OR figure out how to make arraignments otherwise (I’m working on it).
2: we have a cat in Korea (Gambit) that would need to be cat-sat for two months, or he needs to fly with us and stay mostly in California.
2B: I also want to bring my first cat, Teddy (who has been staying in California with my parents) back to Korea so we’d have BOTH cats with us when we eventually end up back at “home” in Korea.
So it’s a whole lot of complicated and involves a lot of who to what airport with which cat and when. But we're both super excited. I haven't been back in the states since January of this year. Justin has only been there briefly on TDY for a few days and before that he hadn't been back in the states since October of last year. So we're really looking forward to spending a longer amount of time back home.
Also, if you want to see me and will be in any of the places at the same time as me, email me so we can get together!
So the plan as of right now is this:
August 1-14:
Justin and Lucy fly from Korea to SAN ANTONIO. Justin returns to Korea for work (since this leg is on the government’s dime for him and he’ll be in SA for work). Lucy will fly to California for an extended visit.
September 5:
Justin will fly from Korea to CALIFORNIA
September 8-11:
Lucy and Mom will fly to MARYLAND for a wedding. Justin will fly to SAN ANTONIO to visit friends. Both parties return to California.
September 21-29:
Justin and Lucy fly with Rose Mom and Dad on a family vacation to HAWAII to visit brother Nick. All return to California (except for Nick).
October 4:
Justin and Lucy fly back to KOREA and are very broke.
***
That wouldn’t be so complicated in and of itself, considering we’ve been planning all the various parts of the trip and saving money (since January) to get us across the pond and back. BUT enter two factors:
1: we have to pay our rent and bills in person at the bank. So one of us has to be home at the 1st (rent) and 15th (utilities) of the month. OR figure out how to make arraignments otherwise (I’m working on it).
2: we have a cat in Korea (Gambit) that would need to be cat-sat for two months, or he needs to fly with us and stay mostly in California.
2B: I also want to bring my first cat, Teddy (who has been staying in California with my parents) back to Korea so we’d have BOTH cats with us when we eventually end up back at “home” in Korea.
So it’s a whole lot of complicated and involves a lot of who to what airport with which cat and when. But we're both super excited. I haven't been back in the states since January of this year. Justin has only been there briefly on TDY for a few days and before that he hadn't been back in the states since October of last year. So we're really looking forward to spending a longer amount of time back home.
Also, if you want to see me and will be in any of the places at the same time as me, email me so we can get together!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Natural Gas and Park Bunnies
First off, the way our apartment is set up has our kitchen window looking out at our neighbor's driveway and the side of his house. It’s not a very big gap between the houses, and we could probably read his gas meter from our sink if we felt like it. This is just an extension of the lack of personal space people give you here.
I guess our neighbor was having a problem with his gas pipes or something because there was a guy out there in a city workers vest on his cell phone talking loudly. Our window was open because it was a nice day and he was less than two feet from our open kitchen window…talking on his cell phone, way too loud. I closed it while starting straight at the worker and our neighbor. (the only previous interaction we’ve had with this neighbor is him telling Justin to cut our backyard grass shorter as he looks over our waist high fence, while Justin was out mowing the lawn.) The neighbor seemed confused while he stared back at me through out kitchen window until I closed the blinds as well, and I don’t think they even realized it was rude (to me). Who sings that song? Don’t stand so close to me? I realize it’s not the same sentiment, but I’d like to say that to people here constantly.
Then, later, we heard a knock at the door at about nine o’clock at night. Which is weird in its self because it means that the person already was let in through the gate without ringing for us. It’s the city worker who doesn’t speak much English but indicates that he wants to come inside. If Justin hadn’t been home and answered the door I would have never let him in. But he takes off his shoes and goes into the kitchen. He then turns on all our stove burners (they’re gas), testing them I guess, and then he turns off the gas to our stove and leaves! Umm, when can we turn it back on, who are you, what are you doing, what’s the problem? These are questions that are unanswerable, at least for us.
Just to be safe, we decide to leave the gas off until all the activity stops outside. The whole next day they're tearing up the driveway and street working on pipes and stuff. I'm assuming they've turned off the gas at the street, so maybe turning our gas off in the kitchen was just a way of explaining that we'd have no gas? I don't know, but it sure would have been nice to know what was going on.
***
As you know Justin and I take walks, almost every weekend to the park. We have a pair of bunnies that we always see and it makes me happy. I’ll frown at the Koreans who crowd the bunnies and make clapping or clicking noises trying to get the rabbits to look at their cameras, but I won’t do or say anything, because all they’re doing is scaring the bunnies away, but not hurting them. Today we saw a boy, about 8 years old running around off the path chasing the rabbits. His parents watched him calmly from the path and didn’t seem to think he was doing any harm. Maybe he wasn’t, as he would never be able to catch the rabbit, but it still pissed me off. A lot. Justin got a death grip on my arm and pulled me away from my desire to hit the child with my umbrella. I suddenly envied old ladies with umbrellas who could do such things.
On our way back out of the park I saw the boy chasing the rabbits again. But this time, his father was with him and they had one of the rabbits cornered under a tall bush and were on each side shaking the bush. I don’t know if they were just stupid or really trying to catch the rabbit, but it was too much. This wasn’t (idiotic) childish fun, this was cruel.
I could see the poor rabbit shaking from where I stood on the path. I started to walk over to them and using my best angry, authoritative voice shouted a sharp “HEY” at them to get their attention. Since I didn’t know if they spoke any English I just did my deepest scowl and shook my finger at them, arm at full length. The boy went around the bush to his father. I made a ‘shooing’ motion with my hands, telling them to leave. If people think I look mean when I’m zoning out and thinking, you should see it when I try to look menacing.
I walked closer to the bush, and the rabbit seemed fine. He started to munch on some grass as I stood guard over him while the father and son joined the mother on the upper path. I stayed there until they were out of sight. I was so mad I could have spit. I’m sure those rabbits get some unwanted attention, especially since some people bring dogs without leashes to the park. But it was the fact that it was an adult (supposedly) who was not chasing a rabbit, but cornering it. The rabbit didn’t even seem too concerned when just the kid was chasing it (even though I didn’t like it). But couldn’t these people just enjoy the rabbits without terrifying them?
***
These two events aren't related in anyway, just that they both happened this weekend.
I guess our neighbor was having a problem with his gas pipes or something because there was a guy out there in a city workers vest on his cell phone talking loudly. Our window was open because it was a nice day and he was less than two feet from our open kitchen window…talking on his cell phone, way too loud. I closed it while starting straight at the worker and our neighbor. (the only previous interaction we’ve had with this neighbor is him telling Justin to cut our backyard grass shorter as he looks over our waist high fence, while Justin was out mowing the lawn.) The neighbor seemed confused while he stared back at me through out kitchen window until I closed the blinds as well, and I don’t think they even realized it was rude (to me). Who sings that song? Don’t stand so close to me? I realize it’s not the same sentiment, but I’d like to say that to people here constantly.
Then, later, we heard a knock at the door at about nine o’clock at night. Which is weird in its self because it means that the person already was let in through the gate without ringing for us. It’s the city worker who doesn’t speak much English but indicates that he wants to come inside. If Justin hadn’t been home and answered the door I would have never let him in. But he takes off his shoes and goes into the kitchen. He then turns on all our stove burners (they’re gas), testing them I guess, and then he turns off the gas to our stove and leaves! Umm, when can we turn it back on, who are you, what are you doing, what’s the problem? These are questions that are unanswerable, at least for us.
Just to be safe, we decide to leave the gas off until all the activity stops outside. The whole next day they're tearing up the driveway and street working on pipes and stuff. I'm assuming they've turned off the gas at the street, so maybe turning our gas off in the kitchen was just a way of explaining that we'd have no gas? I don't know, but it sure would have been nice to know what was going on.
***
As you know Justin and I take walks, almost every weekend to the park. We have a pair of bunnies that we always see and it makes me happy. I’ll frown at the Koreans who crowd the bunnies and make clapping or clicking noises trying to get the rabbits to look at their cameras, but I won’t do or say anything, because all they’re doing is scaring the bunnies away, but not hurting them. Today we saw a boy, about 8 years old running around off the path chasing the rabbits. His parents watched him calmly from the path and didn’t seem to think he was doing any harm. Maybe he wasn’t, as he would never be able to catch the rabbit, but it still pissed me off. A lot. Justin got a death grip on my arm and pulled me away from my desire to hit the child with my umbrella. I suddenly envied old ladies with umbrellas who could do such things.
On our way back out of the park I saw the boy chasing the rabbits again. But this time, his father was with him and they had one of the rabbits cornered under a tall bush and were on each side shaking the bush. I don’t know if they were just stupid or really trying to catch the rabbit, but it was too much. This wasn’t (idiotic) childish fun, this was cruel.
I could see the poor rabbit shaking from where I stood on the path. I started to walk over to them and using my best angry, authoritative voice shouted a sharp “HEY” at them to get their attention. Since I didn’t know if they spoke any English I just did my deepest scowl and shook my finger at them, arm at full length. The boy went around the bush to his father. I made a ‘shooing’ motion with my hands, telling them to leave. If people think I look mean when I’m zoning out and thinking, you should see it when I try to look menacing.
I walked closer to the bush, and the rabbit seemed fine. He started to munch on some grass as I stood guard over him while the father and son joined the mother on the upper path. I stayed there until they were out of sight. I was so mad I could have spit. I’m sure those rabbits get some unwanted attention, especially since some people bring dogs without leashes to the park. But it was the fact that it was an adult (supposedly) who was not chasing a rabbit, but cornering it. The rabbit didn’t even seem too concerned when just the kid was chasing it (even though I didn’t like it). But couldn’t these people just enjoy the rabbits without terrifying them?
***
These two events aren't related in anyway, just that they both happened this weekend.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Beijing, China (Sunday)
***
Sunday
I was planning on leaving at 8am, but left more around 9:30am. BUT I finally got down to breakfast. Nothing fancy, just cereal, a croissant and some watermelon (which oddly enough I'd been served every day in China). I said goodbye to Allie, they were leaving around noon, I wasn't leaving until 6pm. I left my bags with the concierge and set out for my first stop...To see some Pandas!
I took a taxi to the closest subway stop, it wasn't impossible to walk there but I probably saved 30 minutes of walking with a 5 minute cab ride. I felt pretty good about knowing where I was going. I got the right train to the zoo and only had a few minutes to worry about finding the zoo once I got off the subway. Turns out the ticket office was directly outside the subway stop.
I got to the zoo, bought my Panda special exhibit ticket, and went straight for the pandas. I know they have lots of other animals and exhibits, but I was trying to be time-wise. The pandas were spread out in several different habitats (because they're solitary) and it was great. Minus the crushing, sweaty throng of Asians. It was really only packed at one of the panda habitats. The panda had fallen asleep pressed right up against the plexi glass and you could see it really close. It was also one of two indoor viewing places, not that it was any cooler inside. But people were pressed up close trying to see the panda like it would save their life.I literally had to shoulder my way to the glass to see the panda, as there wasn't enough room to elbow my way to the front. I'm not sure those people knew there was more than one panda to see. I took lots of pictures, saw all the pandas, bought a few panda things, saw the red pandas too and left the zoo.
The next stop was the Lama Temple. I again had subway success but was a little lost when I got out of the subway. The zoo ticket office had been right there outside it's subway stop. But I had to walk a while to find the temple entrance. The whole street was lined with picturesque shops selling incense sticks wrapped in red paper, mini gold Buddhas, and colorful paper flowers.
I was getting a little worried about finding the front gate or Any gate and had just stopped to ask for directions when I saw the gate. It was impossible to miss, just farther down the block than I thought it would be. The lama temple was set up more like a mini forbidden city than I thought it would be...Meaning lots of gates and courtyards that go on and on, all along one axis. But the carved Buddhas were breath taking. They were in every building and there was thick incense in every courtyard. I sat on the floor of the largest Buddha room and just stared up into his face. The dim light and the statue's gold skin glowed in the diffused light and was mesmerizing. The incense smoke curled up further shrouding the statue in mystery. I walked through all of the lama temple a little like I was trying to keep up with "power walker"even though I was alone. It helped keep me on track. I made it back to the subway station and to Tiananmen square right on schedule.
***still sunday***
The next part of my custom plan required me to walk across the square and end up at a different subway station, which I would then take back to where the taxi dropped me off this morning.
Several Chinese people had been stopping me in the square to take pictures and a few wanted to practice speaking English with me. Some of them wanted me to come to dinner or tea with them so we could talk for more than a few minutes. I didn't mind spending a few minutes standing and talking, but I was on a schedule with a flight leaving at the end of the day so I didn't want to go anywhere with anyone. Also, can we say stranger-danger?
But, but...I was within sight of my last subway entrance that would take me back towards my hotel and a taxi stand when I got stopped again to talk and practice English. I had about 20 minutes extra so I didn't mind too much, and I stopped to talk to them.
It was a girl and her cousin who were from Shanghi and were visiting Beijing because the girl had just finished university. They asked what I'd seen so far and if I'd seen the old china street just behind the last building in the square. They were walking that way, would I like to walk and talk with them? okay. so we walked around the thousands of people and sure enough there was a huge shopping street that I wouldn't have seen. It's for pedestrians only and looked like it was newly renovated. They wanted my email so they could write to me and practice English. I have no reason not to give it to them. I take out my pen and the cousin ducks into a restaurant/tea shop to get paper…but then he sits at a table just inside the door.
I'm confused and ask him if he thinks the owner will mind us sitting down just to write out emails. He says no, and the girl and I sit down too. It's hot, and I have been looking forward to ice cream and want to get going. But I'm polite and chat while they write out their emails. They start to tell me about how Chinese people always get together with their friends and drink tea. And then tea is brought. Ugh.
Okay, I say, I 'll have some tea but I have to be back at my hotel by 3pm. No problem they say. We're sitting just inside the tea shop in front of a window that looks out on the street, so I feel safe, but I was getting annoyed. It was hot, I wanted to get an ice cream bar, not drink hot tea and I wanted to be alone. Not surrounded by people asking me how old I am and if I'm married. But I didn't want to be rude either, so I sat and drank my small cup of tea (and burned my tongue).
The cousin as telling me some crap about how if you drink hot tea when it's hot you'll feel cooler. Whatever, that's why ice-cream was invented. I finish my little cup of tea… but oh, we have to finish the whole pot they say, it's lucky they say. F%*@. I still have time, it's just that I don't want to be here anymore, where as before I was slightly enjoying talking to the locals.
So we finally, finally finish out hot pot of tea. And the cousin calls for the bill. I, being the polite person I am, reach for my wallet to at least pay for my part of the tea even though I was invited. But oh, the cousin's face lights up. You buy for us? he asks. He seemed thrilled so I was like why not, sure.
The bill was 450y!!! That's like 70 US dollars, for a pot of tea you'd get for free if you went out to lunch at any Chinese restaurant. So I pull out a few yuan and fake that that's all the money I had. I might have felt a little bad, but then the cousin presses, "Why not use your credit card". I say it doesn't work in China. "Why not use US dollars?" (I think he got a glance at my wallet when I took it out), I say I only have a few dollars. So he finally, reluctantly give the owner His credit card. Ha!
I say a quick thanks and book it out of there back to the subway, with the cousins trying to keep up with me, regretting my polite/friendly streak. They finally say they're going to stay and shop (as we reach the end of the shopping street) and tell me I should stay in china longer next time I come. I smile vaguely and speed walk back to the subway ready to speak Spanish to the next person who stops to wanting to practice English.
I'm so annoyed at this point because my tongue is burned and I wanted ice cream (it was Hot outside) and I'm running a little late now. I misread a subway sign and got on a train going the wrong way. I noticed immediately and it's a quick fix at the next stop where I get on the right train. But it's a sign of what the next few hours are going to be like for me.
I make it out of the subway and find a taxi. But I have to talk him into driving me to my hotel. I find it's best to get into the taxi first and then try to tell them where you want to go, then they can't drive away from you. While I'm trying to talk to a man that speaks no English whatsoever, another man is outside my window, talking to me, trying to get me to get out of the taxi I'm already in, and get in his car/unofficial taxi. I'm a female and I'm traveling alone at this point. No. Thank you. Plus I'd already used up all my 'Polite' for the day and I eventually got the real taxi to get moving.
I got to the hotel with no problem. I have no idea why the driver didn't want to take me there if he knew where it was all along. I got my bags from the concierge and change my last US dollars to cover the cost of a taxi to the airport. I got a good taxi from the hotel, he has his AC on (score) and it's 4pm on a Sunday so there's no traffic. I relax in the back of the taxi and unceremoniously repack my bag and change shoes (I would have liked to put on non sweaty/sticky clothes before I left the hotel but I packed so well I didn't have extras). We got to the airport sooner than I was expecting.
I checked in, as was asked if I wanted a window seat (thanks China Air). I got through security and was promptly picked up by one of those airport golf carts that gets old people to their gates on time. There was no one on it and the driver asked me which gate I was going to, E6, 'oh that's the farthest one, get on'. Sweet! But about two seconds into the ride he tells me it's going to be 10 yuan. I'm like, just stop the car, I can walk. He's like but it's only 2 US dollars. I'm like F you (in my head, I never Actually cuss people out), fine. So I ride the giant golf cart.
He takes me to the gate and I pay him. I have to then back track to the bathroom that we drove past and the duty free shops I wanted to look in. So I'm annoyed at him for being so pushy.
I stop on my way back from the bathroom to get a bottle of water from the vending machine. The water is 5y, the smallest I have is a 10y but the machine says there is a place for 1,5,10 and 20. So I put my 10y in and get my water.... and it keeps my change. grr.
Whatever, I finally got on the plane and just arrive at my seat when I look over at my "window seat" to find no window. Yes it's the inside seat and there are windows all up and down the plane and there Should be one according to the intervals, but there's just no window whatsoever. Not like it's half behind me (like southwest flights have sometimes) but there is just a wall. China Air:2. Lucy:0.
And that's how I feel like those Chinese people ruined the last part of my day.
And I still had to time change an hour later, wait for the post bus, get a cab from base to my home and take a shower. It was like midnight, but I was home <3
***
Since I don't want to end my blog post that way (and with people getting the wrong impression about how I feel about my trip), I'll admit that I was probably primed to be put in a bad mood, it was the fourth of a really long string of days, it was hot, I felt gross, I was denied ice cream by the gods and I kept dealing with little annoyances.
But looking back at the rest of my trip, I saw some pretty amazing things. I'm So grateful I was able to have this chance to see a lot of beautiful and historically significant places. I'm amazed that I can now say I've been to the Great Wall of China. I saw Pandas in China!! (I LOVE Pandas). I made a huge leap and traveled pretty much on my own (this from a girl who has never been to the movies alone). I also packed lightly!! (I Always over pack). I feel pretty awesome about myself and very thankful that I got to travel to China.
Sunday
I was planning on leaving at 8am, but left more around 9:30am. BUT I finally got down to breakfast. Nothing fancy, just cereal, a croissant and some watermelon (which oddly enough I'd been served every day in China). I said goodbye to Allie, they were leaving around noon, I wasn't leaving until 6pm. I left my bags with the concierge and set out for my first stop...To see some Pandas!
I took a taxi to the closest subway stop, it wasn't impossible to walk there but I probably saved 30 minutes of walking with a 5 minute cab ride. I felt pretty good about knowing where I was going. I got the right train to the zoo and only had a few minutes to worry about finding the zoo once I got off the subway. Turns out the ticket office was directly outside the subway stop.
I got to the zoo, bought my Panda special exhibit ticket, and went straight for the pandas. I know they have lots of other animals and exhibits, but I was trying to be time-wise. The pandas were spread out in several different habitats (because they're solitary) and it was great. Minus the crushing, sweaty throng of Asians. It was really only packed at one of the panda habitats. The panda had fallen asleep pressed right up against the plexi glass and you could see it really close. It was also one of two indoor viewing places, not that it was any cooler inside. But people were pressed up close trying to see the panda like it would save their life.I literally had to shoulder my way to the glass to see the panda, as there wasn't enough room to elbow my way to the front. I'm not sure those people knew there was more than one panda to see. I took lots of pictures, saw all the pandas, bought a few panda things, saw the red pandas too and left the zoo.
The next stop was the Lama Temple. I again had subway success but was a little lost when I got out of the subway. The zoo ticket office had been right there outside it's subway stop. But I had to walk a while to find the temple entrance. The whole street was lined with picturesque shops selling incense sticks wrapped in red paper, mini gold Buddhas, and colorful paper flowers.
I was getting a little worried about finding the front gate or Any gate and had just stopped to ask for directions when I saw the gate. It was impossible to miss, just farther down the block than I thought it would be. The lama temple was set up more like a mini forbidden city than I thought it would be...Meaning lots of gates and courtyards that go on and on, all along one axis. But the carved Buddhas were breath taking. They were in every building and there was thick incense in every courtyard. I sat on the floor of the largest Buddha room and just stared up into his face. The dim light and the statue's gold skin glowed in the diffused light and was mesmerizing. The incense smoke curled up further shrouding the statue in mystery. I walked through all of the lama temple a little like I was trying to keep up with "power walker"even though I was alone. It helped keep me on track. I made it back to the subway station and to Tiananmen square right on schedule.
***still sunday***
The next part of my custom plan required me to walk across the square and end up at a different subway station, which I would then take back to where the taxi dropped me off this morning.
Several Chinese people had been stopping me in the square to take pictures and a few wanted to practice speaking English with me. Some of them wanted me to come to dinner or tea with them so we could talk for more than a few minutes. I didn't mind spending a few minutes standing and talking, but I was on a schedule with a flight leaving at the end of the day so I didn't want to go anywhere with anyone. Also, can we say stranger-danger?
But, but...I was within sight of my last subway entrance that would take me back towards my hotel and a taxi stand when I got stopped again to talk and practice English. I had about 20 minutes extra so I didn't mind too much, and I stopped to talk to them.
It was a girl and her cousin who were from Shanghi and were visiting Beijing because the girl had just finished university. They asked what I'd seen so far and if I'd seen the old china street just behind the last building in the square. They were walking that way, would I like to walk and talk with them? okay. so we walked around the thousands of people and sure enough there was a huge shopping street that I wouldn't have seen. It's for pedestrians only and looked like it was newly renovated. They wanted my email so they could write to me and practice English. I have no reason not to give it to them. I take out my pen and the cousin ducks into a restaurant/tea shop to get paper…but then he sits at a table just inside the door.
I'm confused and ask him if he thinks the owner will mind us sitting down just to write out emails. He says no, and the girl and I sit down too. It's hot, and I have been looking forward to ice cream and want to get going. But I'm polite and chat while they write out their emails. They start to tell me about how Chinese people always get together with their friends and drink tea. And then tea is brought. Ugh.
Okay, I say, I 'll have some tea but I have to be back at my hotel by 3pm. No problem they say. We're sitting just inside the tea shop in front of a window that looks out on the street, so I feel safe, but I was getting annoyed. It was hot, I wanted to get an ice cream bar, not drink hot tea and I wanted to be alone. Not surrounded by people asking me how old I am and if I'm married. But I didn't want to be rude either, so I sat and drank my small cup of tea (and burned my tongue).
The cousin as telling me some crap about how if you drink hot tea when it's hot you'll feel cooler. Whatever, that's why ice-cream was invented. I finish my little cup of tea… but oh, we have to finish the whole pot they say, it's lucky they say. F%*@. I still have time, it's just that I don't want to be here anymore, where as before I was slightly enjoying talking to the locals.
So we finally, finally finish out hot pot of tea. And the cousin calls for the bill. I, being the polite person I am, reach for my wallet to at least pay for my part of the tea even though I was invited. But oh, the cousin's face lights up. You buy for us? he asks. He seemed thrilled so I was like why not, sure.
The bill was 450y!!! That's like 70 US dollars, for a pot of tea you'd get for free if you went out to lunch at any Chinese restaurant. So I pull out a few yuan and fake that that's all the money I had. I might have felt a little bad, but then the cousin presses, "Why not use your credit card". I say it doesn't work in China. "Why not use US dollars?" (I think he got a glance at my wallet when I took it out), I say I only have a few dollars. So he finally, reluctantly give the owner His credit card. Ha!
I say a quick thanks and book it out of there back to the subway, with the cousins trying to keep up with me, regretting my polite/friendly streak. They finally say they're going to stay and shop (as we reach the end of the shopping street) and tell me I should stay in china longer next time I come. I smile vaguely and speed walk back to the subway ready to speak Spanish to the next person who stops to wanting to practice English.
I'm so annoyed at this point because my tongue is burned and I wanted ice cream (it was Hot outside) and I'm running a little late now. I misread a subway sign and got on a train going the wrong way. I noticed immediately and it's a quick fix at the next stop where I get on the right train. But it's a sign of what the next few hours are going to be like for me.
I make it out of the subway and find a taxi. But I have to talk him into driving me to my hotel. I find it's best to get into the taxi first and then try to tell them where you want to go, then they can't drive away from you. While I'm trying to talk to a man that speaks no English whatsoever, another man is outside my window, talking to me, trying to get me to get out of the taxi I'm already in, and get in his car/unofficial taxi. I'm a female and I'm traveling alone at this point. No. Thank you. Plus I'd already used up all my 'Polite' for the day and I eventually got the real taxi to get moving.
I got to the hotel with no problem. I have no idea why the driver didn't want to take me there if he knew where it was all along. I got my bags from the concierge and change my last US dollars to cover the cost of a taxi to the airport. I got a good taxi from the hotel, he has his AC on (score) and it's 4pm on a Sunday so there's no traffic. I relax in the back of the taxi and unceremoniously repack my bag and change shoes (I would have liked to put on non sweaty/sticky clothes before I left the hotel but I packed so well I didn't have extras). We got to the airport sooner than I was expecting.
I checked in, as was asked if I wanted a window seat (thanks China Air). I got through security and was promptly picked up by one of those airport golf carts that gets old people to their gates on time. There was no one on it and the driver asked me which gate I was going to, E6, 'oh that's the farthest one, get on'. Sweet! But about two seconds into the ride he tells me it's going to be 10 yuan. I'm like, just stop the car, I can walk. He's like but it's only 2 US dollars. I'm like F you (in my head, I never Actually cuss people out), fine. So I ride the giant golf cart.
He takes me to the gate and I pay him. I have to then back track to the bathroom that we drove past and the duty free shops I wanted to look in. So I'm annoyed at him for being so pushy.
I stop on my way back from the bathroom to get a bottle of water from the vending machine. The water is 5y, the smallest I have is a 10y but the machine says there is a place for 1,5,10 and 20. So I put my 10y in and get my water.... and it keeps my change. grr.
Whatever, I finally got on the plane and just arrive at my seat when I look over at my "window seat" to find no window. Yes it's the inside seat and there are windows all up and down the plane and there Should be one according to the intervals, but there's just no window whatsoever. Not like it's half behind me (like southwest flights have sometimes) but there is just a wall. China Air:2. Lucy:0.
And that's how I feel like those Chinese people ruined the last part of my day.
And I still had to time change an hour later, wait for the post bus, get a cab from base to my home and take a shower. It was like midnight, but I was home <3
***
Since I don't want to end my blog post that way (and with people getting the wrong impression about how I feel about my trip), I'll admit that I was probably primed to be put in a bad mood, it was the fourth of a really long string of days, it was hot, I felt gross, I was denied ice cream by the gods and I kept dealing with little annoyances.
But looking back at the rest of my trip, I saw some pretty amazing things. I'm So grateful I was able to have this chance to see a lot of beautiful and historically significant places. I'm amazed that I can now say I've been to the Great Wall of China. I saw Pandas in China!! (I LOVE Pandas). I made a huge leap and traveled pretty much on my own (this from a girl who has never been to the movies alone). I also packed lightly!! (I Always over pack). I feel pretty awesome about myself and very thankful that I got to travel to China.
Beijing, China (Saturday)
***
Saturday
Well almost sleep. Allie's roommate came home and started snoring, maybe 2 hours after I went to bed. A few hours later I woke up because Allie finally came back but only a few hours before I had to wake up. So much for my full night of sleep. I didn't wake up in time for breakfast again and had to settle for more granola bars. I got picked up by a different tour guide but the same driver. We only had seven of us on this tour (we had ten the day before), but I liked small tour groups. We had one mixed Asian couple, one older British gent named Geoff, and three new graduates from UC Berkeley! Those girls were fun but it took us a few hours to warm up to each other. They were traveling together across China as a graduation present.
Our guide's name was "Power" we called him Power-walker. He walked so fast he constantly lost our small group (where HE would be the only one not with the group). We went to our first stop, the Summer Palace, it was crowded and the tour of the Palace felt rushed. But it was still beautiful. We got dragged to a Pearl Factory and had a surprisingly good lunch there. We all ate too much because we didn't know the next time we'd get good food.
Then we went to the Forbidden City (call thus because the only person who could come at go at will was the Emperor, once you went inside you were never allowed out, don't ask me why). Well we tried to go to the Forbidden City, this turned out to be harder than it should have been. The gate we were supposed to enter had a looooong line (which we didn't know about until we got off the bus and had to run to catch as it was idling in traffic). We finally got power-walked to a golf cart thing that took us to a less crowded gate. We then got power-walked through the Forbidden City in about half an hour (this place is huge too). But we didn't get to see Tiananmen square.
We then got hauled to a silk factory, which was actually slightly educational, but I was getting annoyed with all the factory stops tours seemed required to make. We finally got taken to the Temple of Heaven. It truly was a paradise of the day. The sunlight was just lowering to the golden hour and the overcast day cleared up. An evening breeze cooled everything off and the colors and shape of the Temple appealed to me on every level, the colors (blues and gold) the shape (round), both my favorites. We even got to skip the power-walking and got set free for half an hour. It was probably my favorite monument after the Great Wall. It even felt alive in a different way than the other over crowded palaces. There were dozens and dozens of retired people sitting around playing card games, or dancing, or singing, some were selling little things they made, but not in an obnoxious way. It felt real and alive and like I was actually seeing part of the city and not just a rush of tourists.
We were all tired and looking forward to going back to our hotels, but no, we got taken to a tea tasting instead. "Power" walked us right past our bus in the parking lot to this tea house (also in the parking lot). *Groans of tiredness* We at least got to sit while they showed us the different teas and had us try them. In truth it was the best factory tour we'd had. I enjoyed tasting the different teas and even bought a few tins of tea (maybe because they looked pretty too). And I got a free cup.
We finally, finally we got taken back to our hotels. There was another note on the bed when I got to the room saying Allie had gone to dinner. I'd missed them by half an hour. Again. I took a shower (happily, you get so grimy on all day tours) and went to dinner alone again in the hotel. I was too tired to explore for food.
I also talked to the concierge to plan my Sunday and met the famous "Storm Li" that all the hotel review sights rave about how good he is. And he was. He saved my Sunday. He found out the remaining things I wanted to see and showed me on two different maps (marking and letting me keep them) how I could take myself on the subway. He then wrote out step by step directions of which stop was which and where to change trains etc, and every detail I needed to know to rule the subway.
I talked to Allie for a short time when she got back from dinner. She has badly hurt her foot on Friday night and had stayed in the room Saturday. I packed and planned my Sunday more than I normally would because I had a plane to catch that Sunday night and didn't want to miss it. Blissful sleep.
(see next post)
Saturday
Well almost sleep. Allie's roommate came home and started snoring, maybe 2 hours after I went to bed. A few hours later I woke up because Allie finally came back but only a few hours before I had to wake up. So much for my full night of sleep. I didn't wake up in time for breakfast again and had to settle for more granola bars. I got picked up by a different tour guide but the same driver. We only had seven of us on this tour (we had ten the day before), but I liked small tour groups. We had one mixed Asian couple, one older British gent named Geoff, and three new graduates from UC Berkeley! Those girls were fun but it took us a few hours to warm up to each other. They were traveling together across China as a graduation present.
Our guide's name was "Power" we called him Power-walker. He walked so fast he constantly lost our small group (where HE would be the only one not with the group). We went to our first stop, the Summer Palace, it was crowded and the tour of the Palace felt rushed. But it was still beautiful. We got dragged to a Pearl Factory and had a surprisingly good lunch there. We all ate too much because we didn't know the next time we'd get good food.
Then we went to the Forbidden City (call thus because the only person who could come at go at will was the Emperor, once you went inside you were never allowed out, don't ask me why). Well we tried to go to the Forbidden City, this turned out to be harder than it should have been. The gate we were supposed to enter had a looooong line (which we didn't know about until we got off the bus and had to run to catch as it was idling in traffic). We finally got power-walked to a golf cart thing that took us to a less crowded gate. We then got power-walked through the Forbidden City in about half an hour (this place is huge too). But we didn't get to see Tiananmen square.
We then got hauled to a silk factory, which was actually slightly educational, but I was getting annoyed with all the factory stops tours seemed required to make. We finally got taken to the Temple of Heaven. It truly was a paradise of the day. The sunlight was just lowering to the golden hour and the overcast day cleared up. An evening breeze cooled everything off and the colors and shape of the Temple appealed to me on every level, the colors (blues and gold) the shape (round), both my favorites. We even got to skip the power-walking and got set free for half an hour. It was probably my favorite monument after the Great Wall. It even felt alive in a different way than the other over crowded palaces. There were dozens and dozens of retired people sitting around playing card games, or dancing, or singing, some were selling little things they made, but not in an obnoxious way. It felt real and alive and like I was actually seeing part of the city and not just a rush of tourists.
We were all tired and looking forward to going back to our hotels, but no, we got taken to a tea tasting instead. "Power" walked us right past our bus in the parking lot to this tea house (also in the parking lot). *Groans of tiredness* We at least got to sit while they showed us the different teas and had us try them. In truth it was the best factory tour we'd had. I enjoyed tasting the different teas and even bought a few tins of tea (maybe because they looked pretty too). And I got a free cup.
We finally, finally we got taken back to our hotels. There was another note on the bed when I got to the room saying Allie had gone to dinner. I'd missed them by half an hour. Again. I took a shower (happily, you get so grimy on all day tours) and went to dinner alone again in the hotel. I was too tired to explore for food.
I also talked to the concierge to plan my Sunday and met the famous "Storm Li" that all the hotel review sights rave about how good he is. And he was. He saved my Sunday. He found out the remaining things I wanted to see and showed me on two different maps (marking and letting me keep them) how I could take myself on the subway. He then wrote out step by step directions of which stop was which and where to change trains etc, and every detail I needed to know to rule the subway.
I talked to Allie for a short time when she got back from dinner. She has badly hurt her foot on Friday night and had stayed in the room Saturday. I packed and planned my Sunday more than I normally would because I had a plane to catch that Sunday night and didn't want to miss it. Blissful sleep.
(see next post)
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