Xitang: Sunsets, Rivers, and Mission Impossible 3!?

Vilin and I found a small village close to Shanghai for a quick over-nighter. There are many small river villages that have a similar "feel." Once we arrived, we discovered that Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible 3 had a scene filmed here. It was fun to watch the movie when we got back, to see the small alleys and bridges we had just visited.

We sat right next to the river for a meal, tea, and sunset, as the small boats came out to pick up passengers for the popular evening cruises. It's not the "Little Lovey" but hey, boats, water, a hot drink in a crazy little town... what more does a Pisces want?

We enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our stoop by the river.

Vilin sitting across the river from our room - our steps went right into the water! Beware sleep-walkers - hehe.

More pics to come ...

Happy Chinese New Year Jan 26, 2009

In China, this means light off fireworks for two weeks straight, without end!

I went to Xi'an for my one week of paid holiday... (1st one of those in 6 years!!!) to spend a really nice week with Vilin.

So on Sunday night, 1/25, I was on a 13 hour train ride from Shanghai to Xi'an. Though I missed some major fireworks in Shanghai, I decided the trip and time and easily available train tickets that would have otherwise been impossible to get... would be well worth it.

Most would not associate great food with China, but I have a whole new perspective, and a few extra pounds to boot. hehe
On arrival, we made a "hot pot," very common way to share food and socialize. Ingredient included broccoli, seaweed, other greens, duck eggs, and a vinegar and sesame paste sauce. Delicious.

Visited a local temple and market - very common scene in many cities.

People making food of all sorts right on the streets - this guy is making candy in the shape of an Ox... for the year of the Ox.

Never worked on a roof like this before in America!

We climbed a local mountain, and made it up before sunset. Very nice - Only a couple pics here, though we took a couple million.

Made it up 5 minutes before sunset!

Kids, Classes, Commutes

Some pictures of the my commute, the kids and classes - school in about 6 metro stops away, a 30 minute commute each day from where I live... not too bad.



Alice in purple wins cute award - leaning to get in the picture. She leaned the other way for the other half of the class. lol





How funny is Oliver - snowflake sweater!? Didn't know he was such an actor until I saw these pics! haha





Nice bird move - Pretty hilarious.

This is my Friday class ... my biggest challenge, but recently turned the corner and found just the right formula... had a great class tonight, and have seen good progress. Anyway, they are all pretty cool kids - kitty, Tayna, Selina, Mark, Jacky, etc.

Happy New Year 2008-2009

Played a short set for Orang3 in Shanghai on New Year's Eve. They rented all the equipment for me, so all I had to do was show up... which turned out to be a challenge, as no cabs were free. Normally 6 metro stops and a 7 min cab ride turned into a 1 hour walk! Fortunately, we(Vilin and I) made it 5 min before showtime.

Elsa (to the right) is my friend who lets me borrow her guitar to practice at my place. Thanks Elsa!!

Lynn and Carol ringing in the New Year!

Bluesnow and other things blue...

This guy had a little too much red wine.

Afterwards, heading back to People's Square, we realized that cabs were even tougher to get for those trying to leave People Square. Until 4 or 5 - there were lines of people up an down the street. Clare left at 2am to go somewhere, but came back in after an hour since she couldn't get a cab.

Inside View, Outside View

Our apartment... (my room!) .... Inside view...
















Outside View...

This view is too cool... showing Suzhou Creek,
our apartment, and the Pearl Tower in the background
in between the two buildings.

Xmas and New Year Pics!

Here are a few images from the season in Shanghai!

Xmas in Shanghai

Getting ready for Christmas - we're having a dinner this week for some friends, a couple company parties, and of course, secret santa for the flatmates! Here are a few images.

Next Day to USA

Well, we probably couldn't afford that, so these gifts may arrive a little late. Either way, Vilin came from Xian to help celebrate Xmas in Shanghai, and brought some special gifts for my nieces and nephews. How cool is that!? Wrapped and sent a couple days ago!! Can you tell which ones she wrapped? haha

Party for John @ Logo

Logo seems to be a favorite among the DD crowd. (DD is the school at which most of these guys teach, or were trained) One of the teachers, John, says farewell, but expects to come back in a few months. For many ESL teachers, Sunday like Friday, since most work weekends, and are off on Mondays. So if there's a day of the week to get together, teachers seem to like Sunday nights!

Sunday is also open mic, and I've meet a few musicians that I hope to play with in the coming weeks. I can't decide between the guy with the pink egg, or the guy trying to blow into the tree stump. haha

did⋅ger⋅i⋅doo  [dij-uh-ree-doo, dij-uh-ree-doo] –noun, plural -doos. a musical instrument of Australian Aborigines made from a long wooden tube that is blown into to create a low drone.

Live Music Scene

We all came together to meet some folks out for a show at a place called "Yu Yin Tang," where we saw 2 bands play. More interesting than the music itself is the current state of event management in China... to have successful events, it is best to fly under the radar. This event was packed!

Rich and Clare negotiate escalator puppy love, while Seth and Melida await the photographers looming wipeout at the bottom of the escalator.