Getting My Bearings

The last few days have been about as busy, but not nearly as overwhelming. I feel oriented throughout the city, and we are starting to know where to go and how to get there. Taxis can take you anywhere for less than $3. We haven't tried the buses quite yet- they are always completely packed and the system seems a little difficult to understand. I plan on taking the guinea pig approach and just hopping on one here soon.

To highlight some of the past days' activities: we spent and afternoon reading outside a coffee shop on the West Lake, found the National Tea Museum, looked for the Old Medicine Museum, watch the Mummy 3, and have made it around to quite a few outstanding restaurants.

A student named Eamonm from Washington State tagged along to see the Tea Museum, which had impressive exhibits and a free Chinglish speaking tour guide. After we went to a restaurant right outside and got soemthing we did not quite expect: whole chicken in a pot.



We are starting to meet quite a few international students too- students from Spain, Britain, Holland, Germany, Costa Rico, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Israel, and Australia just to name what I recall. I was surprised at the fact almost every international student speaks English with better proficiency than Chinese- it is really the international language.

I have also been making native friends. After playing soccer for awhile a group of Chinese students invited me to play video games in their dorm; their dorm room was even better than mine. High ceilings, a patio, kitchen, and bathroom made the double dorm room very attractive. I guess I just expected worse living conditions than WVU, and I was wrong. Although I have not been able to hang out with them for a day or two, I hope to in the future. The native students were extremely friendly and accomadating; they constantly offered me food, drink, and to introduce me to women friends of theirs.

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To update those who are concerned: my American cellphone was recovered, however I am not able to connect to skype in the dorms here. I figured out how to call cheaply through JahJah, and will be calling you all real soon.
I did not take my camera with me on all the excursions. I realize that was a mistake and figure I'll almost always have it with me in the future. Below is a shot while looking for the Medicine Museum, and a bit of humor found in the city.