The ‘Hawaii of China’

One of the best things* about working for an international school is that we celebrate all the holidays. All of them. The first week of October was National Holiday in China. I wikied that jank and found out that the ‘People’s Republic of China was founded on October 1, 1949 in Tiananmen Square.’ (Wikipedia, 2013) Prior to this, I had no idea that the PRC is only 60-something years old – thank you wiki and chrome. The week after October 1 is the one of two Golden Weeks. I’m not sure when the other Golden Week is but I will find out. Hopefully through the experience of being off for it.

Super Typhoon Usagi

For our Golden Week, we went to Hong Kong for a day and then flew to Sanya. Sanya was described as and I quote ‘the Hawaii of China’. As I have never been to Hawaii, I can’t entirely speak to this, but I will definitely agree that it is still China. My expectations and I need to have a serious discussion.

We stayed at a hotel that was 30 seconds away from the public beach access and 30 seconds away from the restaurant we hit up 5 times in the 3 days we were there. If you ever find yourself in Sanya, I would recommend staying somewhere that has a private beach. Consider yourself forewarned. Otherwise you will see more mankinis being ogled by locals in pants and long sleeve shirts than you thought were currently being produced in the world.

I’m just going to come right out and say it. Sanya is overwhelmed with Russians. In other words, the locals see so many Russians that they speak fluent Mandarin, fluent Russian, and 2 words of English – FOOOOOOT MASSSSSSSAGE. Since those were the only 2 words we needed to hear, it worked out well. We met one man who approached us with a flyer and started speaking in Mandarin. We said ‘ting bu dawn’ (I hear you, but I don’t understand what you’re saying) and he immediately switched into Russian. We said ‘American’ and he again, immediately switched into English. So impressive right? The sad thing is, in the States he could get a killer job knowing all those languages – in China, he sells foot massages.

and we also got hand massages…

Foot massages are becoming quite the theme on this here blog. Because I am obsessed. In Sanya, we got foot massages 2? 3? of the 3 days we were there. I can’t remember because it was all bliss and cost $6.56 USD. The last time we were there, they brought out some Russian candy for us and um, it was delicious. No lie. Those people know how to make some chocolate.

Joey went to get milk for his cereal and it was all hot.

 Things we learned about Russians while on vacation in China:

–       they prefer the least amount of clothing on the beach but layer up when walking back to the hotel (I’m talking straight banana hammocks and then putting on board shorts and robes to walk back)

–       they like foot massages too

Leaving Sanya

*You and I both know that when I said ‘one of the best’, I really meant ‘the greatest thing to have ever happened to my professional life’.

What we’re listening to in the classroom.

Bad Boy

 

Ok so while we were in Hong Kong, we stayed in Causeway Bay. The hotel we stayed at was less than a half a mile from the metro and surrounded by cute little French restaurants. As I do not entirely / at all know any of the history of Hong Kong, this slightly confused me but I am sure there’s a reason and I will look it up immediately. Sidenote: we fully enjoyed our hotel and if you’re ever in Hong Kong – its one of those places I would stay at again. Ok. Back. So the Empire Hotel is surrounded by little French restaurants that always seemed to be closed. (Why on earth do you post pictures of beautiful waffles and delicious menus and then are only open between the hours of 2-5pm? The logic astounds me.) 

Right outside of the Tin Hau metro station on Hong Kong Island

Ok. The hotel is also surrounded by foot massage places.  And full circle. Because we were on vacation and because we live in China, we decided to get foot massages after a verrry long day of walking all over HK. I don’t have to justify this to you. A at max $15 foot massage is something I have looked forward to since last November when we were talking about moving here. I don’t have to justify that to you either. I also should not have to explain why we waited so long to try the foot massage thing.

On our post amazing Italian dinner coma quest, we tried to find a spa that would take all 4 of us at the same time. Spa is loosely used in this context. We finally walked into a place that told us to wait a little bit and then we could get the massages. My friend asked to use the bathroom while we were waiting and the lady said “sure no problem you just have to wait, somebody is taking a shower. “ Ok… Friend goes to the bathroom, all is as well as things can be here. On my way to the bathroom, I glanced in a room and witnessed a half naked man putting his clothes on/stretching. Things you never want to witness. Fast forward 5 minutes, the naked man walked out wearing a bedazzled shirt that said in rhinestones ‘Bad Boy’ and carrying a leather man fanny pack.

Not one single line of this is a lie. I tried to take a picture but I think he knew we were enamored/astounded/confused by his shirt because he kept covering it with his hand.

When in Asia…

Strength For Today & Bright Hope For Tomorrow

That time we went on vacation and I took a vacation from blogging and then never quite started up again? Yea. That was 2? 3? weeks ago. I’m not sure. My days feel like weeks and my weeks feel like days and there is all. kinds. of logic in this here post.

So hello, back again for the millionth time. Somehow it is the middle of October. I know this because hello my iphone reminds me with every task alert – GET SOMETHING IMPORTANT DONE RIGHT NOW. I also know it is October because all of the good shows are back on. Except for The Walking Dead but this doesn’t bother me because Season 4 is going to be on the shelf of my local DVD store in approximately 3 weeks and I am going to pay exactly $3.93 for it. One more way I know its October? (This repetition is helping me remember which month I’m talking about)…

My youngest brother is going to turn 16 in 7 Chinese days. I am going to throw a sweet sixteen birthday party in his honor with my 5 year olds in school. Nah b. just kidding. Ok but seriously? 16 years old? Operation Summer 2014 – teach the little cola how to drive a stick shift. And yes on October 22 – I’m going to be bawling my eyes out. Which will make it just like every other day… heyoooo.

I plagiarized this from facebook. Sorry.

Guys. We went to Hong Kong. IT IS AMAZING. I cannot wait to go again.

Hong Kong as seen from Victoria Peek

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I braved my second Thanksgiving dinner and basically did not make anything traditionally thanksgivingy. But hello, I live in China and how am I to know that yams look exactly like sweet potatoes on the outside but not on the inside. My naivety is realized. The day was saved by my one fellow Canadian friend who made me a pumpkin pie. Blessed does not even begin to describe it.

Thank you sweet Jesus. (Pretty sure I put a filter on this – also this sunset happened not yesterday.)

Andddd, out.

Title:  Great is Thy Faithfulness.