A Kung Pow Chicken Birthday

There I am, sitting in my room, gazing into the Taiwan strait at the vast mountains, shipping boats and small fishing rafts, when I hear “Firer in the Holre” and a huge explosion. There I am, walking to the CSP office, passing a row of homes, when I hear “Firer in the Holre” and a huge explosion. There I am, concentrating during Taiji, breathing slowly and self reflecting, when I hear “Firer in the Holre,” a huge explosion, and the building shakes. Time after time again we duck for cover and run for the closest hideout in fear that Taiwan has invaded again or that Japanese Pirates have taken over the waterway in front of campus. Unfortunately, it is nothing of the sorts, just the Chinese building a tunnel by using dynamite, straw hats and manual labor. I have a multitude of stories that will just make you shake your head. Here is a quick one. Brad and I went out with some Chinese friends last night and they took us to a fruit smoothie place for desert. While we stood and waited, we heard this harmonious bong of a gong slowly getting closer. As we gazed into the distance there was nothing to see, but we were expecting the Buddhist Monastery to be making a nightly march down the street. Needless to say, as we reached for our smoothies, we were abruptly pushed by a man with a bicycle suited with two back saddles the size of barrels loaded with “something unknown.” As he pushed through the unnavigable sidewalk filled with people, marketers and pillars he played his gong and marched on. As with many things here, I could not resist from laughing, the man caught my eye and began to yell something in Chinese. Terrified I offended him, I asked my Chinese friends what he said, and they translated: “You there, try, good rike popcorn.” Life here is different to say the least.
My time here has been fun filled and adventure packed. Last weekend we took a hike up the beach and ate at a restaurant called the Red Armadillo. Burritos and burgers are glorious after a month of Chinese food. We also were able to take a hike around Xiamen which included the South Putuo Temple which sits next to campus. We are waiting for it to cool down to go hiking and biking around campus….it is still way too hot to do those types of things. Sunday we went to church in Gulang Yu which is a local island. It was great to roam around the island and explore. The island was built up with western houses from overseas Chinese who made profits offshore. It was a pretty cool place. Visitors wanted our pictures because we were white and shop owners wanted us to buy, buy, buy. These stores had secret rooms with secret rooms of pocketbooks, watchy, and wallets. Polos and knockoffs were everywhere!
So far, this week has been extremely busy with class, field trips and quizzes. Learning Chinese is not easy. Wednesday our Chinese Business professor took us to a Chinese company called Silver Data that operates the same technology as Google Image but on a more advanced technological satellite aspect. I am still not quite sure what they did, but it was really cool and we got some great pictures. We are in the process of planning our Coca-Cola tour and our I-Phone touch screen factory. This is the kind of stuff I like.
In reference to the big 21st tomorrow…celebrating birthdays in China is great because it last two days. Tomorrow (Friday) is my birthday in China and Saturday is my birthday in the States….I love it. Word on the street is that tomorrow morning the guys are delivering a gift and breakfast in bed. As long as it is not a “Massagey” or a possible future bride, I will be ok. It happens that Pizza Hut is one of the nicest restaurants in Xiamen. When you want to take a women on a nice date to propose or just something special…Pizza Hut is the white table cloth affair. I am told tomorrow evening we will be dining over Pizza Hut….reservations at 7 pm for the 24th floor downtown “Paradise in the Sky Pizza Hut.” What a memory this will be. Saturday we plan to pack our “backpacks” (Just for you Tedd) and go to an adventure to Chongwu which sits a little bit North on the coast about 2 hours from Xiamen. I never thought I would be spending my 21st at a Chinese beach resort with a walled fortress and fishing village…I guess not many people can say they spent it as we plan to. Only in China….
Though I do miss aspects of home, I am really enjoying my time here. I think I have definitely gotten over the anger of culture shock. Many of us were hit like a brick truck the past week with frustrations on life. Culture is much different here, and the language barrier is a huge factor. For instance, we typically do not get drinks with meals which is different than home. They just don’t drink with meals here besides the small glass of tea to start. Like what the heck??? There are some things I probably shouldn’t blog about, but there sure are some wonders here. No worries mom, I am trying to not come home married. I think we all could probably get married at least once a day here….they seem nice like nice ladies though. As I prepare for my second Chinese exam tomorrow and our business weekend, I hope you all are doing well. I miss having you all in the various aspects of my life, and cannot wait to share my journeys with you all. I hope you are enjoying this fall weather and are preparing for a wonderful October. One thing I can say is that time is flying by here in the People’s Republic of China.
Until we meet again, live well!
Larry