Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friendship Adventure
Had to get there at any cost.... missed Stephen by like 10 mins, as i didn't realize the number i was calling, was the number to the cell i had...LOL... No worries, Stephen is sending his driver back to get me, but I am on my own to get back....
The drive takes like forever...and then the driver is starting to fidget, sure signs that he is about to fall asleep... check...seatbelt buckled....
Friendship Mall.... let's get busy.... I walk in to cosmetics and perfume on the first floor....Don't think there is anything here I want, so let me head on upstairs... 1st Floor...Men's....keep going...2nd floor, more men....3rd floor women...but looks like old women stuff...ultra conservative...keep going...4th fl...same thing.... The clientelle is upscale, and snooty, at least i think...and so are the sales people, as not a soul running to say 'Ni how'....5th floor...shoes... i barely recognize any of these names, and the style defintely no ready.... I am surveying the scene and stumble on boots.... let's see if there is a slight chance they might have a 10.... I am a pro now, so i take out my IPhone to use the calculator and show her the size i want.. of course the size on the boots are like 192, 255, so size 10 sure ongle a confuse her..lol.... She uses her hands to depict length and i say bigger..more, more....i think she gets it now...she runs off....this one fits, but it's a close fit....bigger.....this one is too big, but might can work....nothing fancy, just brown flat ankle boots... i am considering getting it but at about $83US, i don't think so....she returns with another salesperson who speaks English and i explain i will go look around and then come back....
I find Guess shoes..or the sign that says Guess, but the label on the shoes are different... all stillettos'...super stilletto's...price double what it cost in the US....so no interest there.....
7th floor...some jeans and mostly sportwear... Nike, Addidas, Columbia, Fila, Timberland...all expensive outa dis world....Now i am back on the 6th floor to Esprit..where about 5 sales girl greet me in unison... 'Ni how'....welcome to Esprit'...of course it was like bout 10 seconds later, for mi understand that it was Esprit dem was saying... Nothing here either.... I look at some more designers, all overly expensive, and nothing that i have to have....
What's on the top fl? housewares...but what's this? SALE...ummmh... i have reached the bargain penthouse..... there are racks of clothes, bins of clothes, and people are rummaging through, trying on, and overly excited.... so i dive in...starting with pantyhouse... why? i have no idea...but i get two... I did notice that girls here wear shorts alot, short shorts and short skirts, but with tights, as it is still very much winter time... Some girl motions to me and hands me a jacket..why is this customer giving me stuff to try on? Does she like me? what is going on? i tell her it's small...mins later she is back with another one... i try it, but don't like it...but i inquire about the price...the more i say i don't like it, the lower the price gets....I told her to keep it and i will look around some more.... I rifle through jackets and slacks, but anything i like is too small...Even saw Anne Klein jackets... i think i have this one in blue, but here it is in black... one size bigger, and it would be mine....
Doesn't look like i am finding anything but the stockings.... skirts? i guess i can take a look.... These are flared skirts and looks like they will fit, so i pick up a few styles, colors...and head to the fitting room... the fitting room checker takes them off the hanger, and for the brown one, she looks at me, shakes her head and puts it down.....why did i think i could get into it?...none of the ones i tried on fits, as getting past the belly was a no no...So now i am looking at sweaters, sweater dresses.... not feeling any..... back to the front bin with the other sweaters... i try one on and ask how much... she say 200RMB...the price on the bin says 100RMB...when i confront her, she says ok...100RMB...what a licckle thief? she nuh realize mi can't read mandarin, but mi nuh have no problems reading numbers, which is universal....the sweater itch, so no need to even bada with it......
i pay for my stockings and head out....
Michael's driver is already in DDA (where i live), so my real adventure is about to start... i need to find my way home..... Walk to a 5 star hotel, and ask them to get u a cab...or catch the train...it is way too cold to be fiddling with the train..and i hear there is no heat on the train.... cab it will be.... The concierge at the ShangriLa takes my hotel card, and goes outside to find me a cab....the driver says it's going to be extra as i am going to a different city.... no problem...i will be reimbursed so i don't care..... The concierge gives me her business card, so if anything is left in the car, i can call her and they can get it to me....got to love the customer service here....and to think mi not even a stay ina dem hotel.......
The driver keeps looking at the hotel card... dear Jesus, please tell me he knows how to get there.... some of the streets look familiar so i think he is on the right track.... he looks like a cha-cha bwoy...definitely into himself is the image i get...so i wonda why im driving taxi?.... 1/2 hour later, i am at the Inn Fine.....He points to the meter and starts explaining that it's more....but we already established that with the concierge, so i type on the calculator what i am giving him....he is happy...transaction complete..... Home sweet home!
The drive takes like forever...and then the driver is starting to fidget, sure signs that he is about to fall asleep... check...seatbelt buckled....
Friendship Mall.... let's get busy.... I walk in to cosmetics and perfume on the first floor....Don't think there is anything here I want, so let me head on upstairs... 1st Floor...Men's....keep going...2nd floor, more men....3rd floor women...but looks like old women stuff...ultra conservative...keep going...4th fl...same thing.... The clientelle is upscale, and snooty, at least i think...and so are the sales people, as not a soul running to say 'Ni how'....5th floor...shoes... i barely recognize any of these names, and the style defintely no ready.... I am surveying the scene and stumble on boots.... let's see if there is a slight chance they might have a 10.... I am a pro now, so i take out my IPhone to use the calculator and show her the size i want.. of course the size on the boots are like 192, 255, so size 10 sure ongle a confuse her..lol.... She uses her hands to depict length and i say bigger..more, more....i think she gets it now...she runs off....this one fits, but it's a close fit....bigger.....this one is too big, but might can work....nothing fancy, just brown flat ankle boots... i am considering getting it but at about $83US, i don't think so....she returns with another salesperson who speaks English and i explain i will go look around and then come back....
I find Guess shoes..or the sign that says Guess, but the label on the shoes are different... all stillettos'...super stilletto's...price double what it cost in the US....so no interest there.....
7th floor...some jeans and mostly sportwear... Nike, Addidas, Columbia, Fila, Timberland...all expensive outa dis world....Now i am back on the 6th floor to Esprit..where about 5 sales girl greet me in unison... 'Ni how'....welcome to Esprit'...of course it was like bout 10 seconds later, for mi understand that it was Esprit dem was saying... Nothing here either.... I look at some more designers, all overly expensive, and nothing that i have to have....
What's on the top fl? housewares...but what's this? SALE...ummmh... i have reached the bargain penthouse..... there are racks of clothes, bins of clothes, and people are rummaging through, trying on, and overly excited.... so i dive in...starting with pantyhouse... why? i have no idea...but i get two... I did notice that girls here wear shorts alot, short shorts and short skirts, but with tights, as it is still very much winter time... Some girl motions to me and hands me a jacket..why is this customer giving me stuff to try on? Does she like me? what is going on? i tell her it's small...mins later she is back with another one... i try it, but don't like it...but i inquire about the price...the more i say i don't like it, the lower the price gets....I told her to keep it and i will look around some more.... I rifle through jackets and slacks, but anything i like is too small...Even saw Anne Klein jackets... i think i have this one in blue, but here it is in black... one size bigger, and it would be mine....
Doesn't look like i am finding anything but the stockings.... skirts? i guess i can take a look.... These are flared skirts and looks like they will fit, so i pick up a few styles, colors...and head to the fitting room... the fitting room checker takes them off the hanger, and for the brown one, she looks at me, shakes her head and puts it down.....why did i think i could get into it?...none of the ones i tried on fits, as getting past the belly was a no no...So now i am looking at sweaters, sweater dresses.... not feeling any..... back to the front bin with the other sweaters... i try one on and ask how much... she say 200RMB...the price on the bin says 100RMB...when i confront her, she says ok...100RMB...what a licckle thief? she nuh realize mi can't read mandarin, but mi nuh have no problems reading numbers, which is universal....the sweater itch, so no need to even bada with it......
i pay for my stockings and head out....
Michael's driver is already in DDA (where i live), so my real adventure is about to start... i need to find my way home..... Walk to a 5 star hotel, and ask them to get u a cab...or catch the train...it is way too cold to be fiddling with the train..and i hear there is no heat on the train.... cab it will be.... The concierge at the ShangriLa takes my hotel card, and goes outside to find me a cab....the driver says it's going to be extra as i am going to a different city.... no problem...i will be reimbursed so i don't care..... The concierge gives me her business card, so if anything is left in the car, i can call her and they can get it to me....got to love the customer service here....and to think mi not even a stay ina dem hotel.......
The driver keeps looking at the hotel card... dear Jesus, please tell me he knows how to get there.... some of the streets look familiar so i think he is on the right track.... he looks like a cha-cha bwoy...definitely into himself is the image i get...so i wonda why im driving taxi?.... 1/2 hour later, i am at the Inn Fine.....He points to the meter and starts explaining that it's more....but we already established that with the concierge, so i type on the calculator what i am giving him....he is happy...transaction complete..... Home sweet home!
The Wedding
On my way to breakfast, I remembered to get off the elevator at the second floor.....and oh what scenery...looks like there's goign to be another wedding this weekend.... The red carpet is laid off, and the hallway is lined with red roses floral arrangements, on top of pedestals..each pedestal joined by red and orange crepe paper.... As i squeeze by in the tiny space left i guess for people getting of the elevator, i make a mental note to come back and take pictures... The stairway that leads to the restaurant from the 1st floor is also decorated with orange and red tulle...with the orange tulle tied in huge bows, attached to the banister.... Can i stay for the wedding?
I have breakfast, and head back to my room to grab my stuff and then head to the spa.. All of a sudden i hear fire crackers going off... i look out window and see a heart shaped string of firecrackers going off...and the stretch limosine, flanked by all these black cars, waiting to come in... The bride has arrived.... I decided that running downstairs and trying to bumb rush the bride to get a pic, was not appropriate... so I finished up my email, giving them enough time to clear the hallway....
I am off to take pics of the scenery.. .hope noone says i can't..I feel uneasy doing it, so i asked one of the waitresses at the restaurant and she says ok... I snap the banister and brave my way to the hallway. The gentleman there speaks English and says it's fine to take pics... As a matter of fact, he even offers to take my picture as well... I sure wish i could have stayed for the wedding..but somehow i think i uninvited, not appropriately dressed American, would definitely have stood out!
I have breakfast, and head back to my room to grab my stuff and then head to the spa.. All of a sudden i hear fire crackers going off... i look out window and see a heart shaped string of firecrackers going off...and the stretch limosine, flanked by all these black cars, waiting to come in... The bride has arrived.... I decided that running downstairs and trying to bumb rush the bride to get a pic, was not appropriate... so I finished up my email, giving them enough time to clear the hallway....
I am off to take pics of the scenery.. .hope noone says i can't..I feel uneasy doing it, so i asked one of the waitresses at the restaurant and she says ok... I snap the banister and brave my way to the hallway. The gentleman there speaks English and says it's fine to take pics... As a matter of fact, he even offers to take my picture as well... I sure wish i could have stayed for the wedding..but somehow i think i uninvited, not appropriately dressed American, would definitely have stood out!
Team Builder
We meet in the lobby at work for 11...now i am realizing we aren't going to lunch... i should have eaten lunch earlier... guess i didn't get that email.... i should be fine though... We pile into cars and head to Cosa del Sol...one of my coworkers live here....We find out what groups we are in...and we need to choose a name... my team is Red Dragon.....My boss forgot his hat, so he makes a head wrap out of a tshirt... soooo hood!...
Event 1
We are doing an egg hunt on the grounds... we must find a minimum of 10 red eggs or for each egg under 10, we get a penalty egg..Clues are endangered species, where plants are cultivated, statue, elephant....I am looking in bushes like crazy...and no eggs...We find something wrapped in foil...maybe a fruit? i find a bubble bath in foil...i guess those will have to do....we have 2 eggs so far...a late comer is assigned to our team...he has no clue... we make our way to get our ribbon and penalty eggs, but lucky for us, the late comer has 6 eggs...don't ask....we get our ribbon and realize we are the last group... we took too long, so everyone is gone on ahead... Now we have a map telling us where to go for the next event....and we have a rope with 5 ends...we all need to be tied together....We set out on the road and up the hill...everyone on the road is looking at us, like what the heck is going on??? At the top of the hill, we see the parking lot where we need to be...
Event 2
We have water and juice.... we form two rows...one row has one of our team mates holding a water bottle. the other row about 3 yrds in front of that teammate, is where the rest of us are... there's a bucket in the middle between the two rows. We have to use bottle caps to dip in the bucket, and then fill our water bottle...the 3 bottles with the highest amount of water, gets rewarded... Ok...so there are 5 teams, one water bucket, and we are all diving in the bucket at the same time? This is going to be crazy...and we are off...mad dash for the bucket..i think most of the water in my cap fell out before i got to our bottle...we take turns and we are runnign like crazy, bumping into people, hysterical laughter.... Finally someone has an idea...drink some water, hold it in your mouth and then empty your mouth into the bottle....our bottle is almost full...We are all cheating, so they are trying to determine who played by most of the rules...lol....Come to find out, the winner gets the easy route up the moutain...and that sure wasn't fi mi team....
Event 3
Off we go, tied up again, up to the top of Tongniuling also known as UFO moutain..
. THis can't be that bad...Wait, you mean it's like a never ending staircase, and it's all uphill? Yes, Lawd...mi heart jumping out mi chest...mi team leader, Mr Fit, decide say we need to pick up the pace, so him pulling us...Urggggh...mi can't breathe....I need to rest....nope...no rest till u get to the top...dear fada..mi knees about to fall off, not to mention mi can't catch mi breath...We find the red ribbon, and mi can't believe instead of reaching for it in the trees, the giant stand up and make the other team just take it, right from under him..Argh#^$&*...so we need to go further to get another one....Got it...so keep going to the top....my team is about 2 staircase length ahead of me, as the leader pulled till the rope burst...the staircase is wider now, and the other team not letting my team pass... The top, sweet Jesus.... All the managers and drivers are there... of course, the managers get taxied from one point to the next... We get to rest...drink juice, eat chips....Please tell me it's over now....
Event4
The next event takes place right here.. Sweet, i can deal... There's hop scotch boxes drawn on the concrete, and each team gets to lay out all the eggs they found in event 1. Team members are blinded folded and directed to find the eggs by their team member (two at most)....Each member gets a minute to find eggs. If after a minute, more eggs are left, the next team member takes over... The team who does it in the shortest time gets a prize... This is hysterical...to your left, your left, the other left..LOL...the Chinese ones gives direction in chinese to their counterpart..no fair....everyone is screaming false directions...they don't stand a chance...Craccckkk! there goes an egg..... Loud mouth me is designated as the direction giver for my team. I pick the ones i am sure will be able to follow directions... 3, 2, 1 and we are off.... to the left, keep coming, straight, bend down, pick up an egg...1 down...7 more to go....4 in the first try...we are on a winning streak now... Team mate # 2...who switched? OMG...he starts off chest on the ground and he is swimming!!! I am fuming, everyone is laughing and i can't get him to get up off the ground...he totally blows it for us...i am horse from screaming... he is sweeping the floor with this hands and body..even going through the broken eggs....what a mess... he finds 1...I am sooo going to kill him.... Our next team mate finds the remaining eggs...
Event 5
Now it's time for the final stretch... we head downhill to the the parking lot... This is super easy as it is so step going downhill, that your feet don't even have time to stay grounded...you have to keep moving so you don't roll down the mountain.... Our team is hell bent on winning this event, so we are hustling...we are even taking short cuts through the woods... What a sumting if we get lost?...We don't care, we think we can make out a path, so we forge ahead.... Good...we not lost...and no other team in site.... level ground...finally... parking lot.... ahhhh..sweet victory....not....we are the second group... oh well, we tried.....
Event 6
It's late afternoon now, and the temperature has dropped..it is freezing.... are we going to dinner now? The managers have these Ikea shopping bags... a wonder how they got out of the store with them? aren't they for shopping while you are in the store?.... they are taking out portable stoves out the bags, knives, cutting boards... i see mayonnaise... ...what? is this the lunch they promised us? We have to make our own food? In the parking lot? I can't believe this..... oooohhh...it's a challenge..which team can make the best omelette... So the eggs from even one, are still alive and kicking... We get busy....one person lights the stove...the pan is on the stove with some butter... someone is whipping up the eggs, and i am cutting up the vegetables...we have no onions...but we can trade with antoher group....the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, ham...all cut up... we have to use all the ingredients we found on the hunt.... My one teammate is pretty good at making omelette....he's got skills.... he flips the omelette over.... the sharks are ready to eat, but it can't be eaten until its judged...man, these people are cracking me up...they are ready to chow down..... ah....we have to name the omelette too? Island Omelette sounds good to me.... now for the finishing touches.... TAAAADAAAA.....
The bagettes are here, and we get to eat...this is hysterical...people are making more omelettes....the bread is goign like crazy.... and they think chinese people don't eat..... After all our hard work, our egg didn't even win...the all irish team won, as they served their omelette with beer to the judge.... we will be sure to remember that next time.....
Finally...we are off to dinner at Bashu...Hot Pots....i swear..i can't imagine what is it with these people and boiled meats..... We have like 4 tables upstairs in the restaurant... The chinese manager orders the basics, and the pots are going...i don't see anyting that i want...so i am ordering off the menue... shrimp, pork and fried rice....There's one guy sitting at my table (yeah, my teammate that was fast asleep while we did the blind folded egg hunt...had to be my teammate), who's taken on the role of chef...now i see why...so he can be the first to eat.... my dishes come and his eyes light up...by the time he passes the plate around...i barely get a piece of pork... great... same thing with the next plate... this guy is brutual...has no qualms.... except he don't care for rice, so that i get to eat... He is eating hot, cold, spicy...he is sweating...and he doesn't even take a break..his head doesn't come up from the bowl....Wasn't that the coke i ordered? Would i like some? I am sorry, I thought I ordered it.... ok...i can't watch any more...so i go to another table.... no he didn't just go to the next table and get some of their meat to put in the pot on his table...OMG, now he comes with his bowl and chopsticks to the table where i am sitting, and he is helping himself to the pot... lol..lol.... does he have food at home? i wish i had videoed this, as this is unbelievable....
At the end of the day, it was a great team builder, and i had a blast!
Event 1
We are doing an egg hunt on the grounds... we must find a minimum of 10 red eggs or for each egg under 10, we get a penalty egg..Clues are endangered species, where plants are cultivated, statue, elephant....I am looking in bushes like crazy...and no eggs...We find something wrapped in foil...maybe a fruit? i find a bubble bath in foil...i guess those will have to do....we have 2 eggs so far...a late comer is assigned to our team...he has no clue... we make our way to get our ribbon and penalty eggs, but lucky for us, the late comer has 6 eggs...don't ask....we get our ribbon and realize we are the last group... we took too long, so everyone is gone on ahead... Now we have a map telling us where to go for the next event....and we have a rope with 5 ends...we all need to be tied together....We set out on the road and up the hill...everyone on the road is looking at us, like what the heck is going on??? At the top of the hill, we see the parking lot where we need to be...
Event 2
We have water and juice.... we form two rows...one row has one of our team mates holding a water bottle. the other row about 3 yrds in front of that teammate, is where the rest of us are... there's a bucket in the middle between the two rows. We have to use bottle caps to dip in the bucket, and then fill our water bottle...the 3 bottles with the highest amount of water, gets rewarded... Ok...so there are 5 teams, one water bucket, and we are all diving in the bucket at the same time? This is going to be crazy...and we are off...mad dash for the bucket..i think most of the water in my cap fell out before i got to our bottle...we take turns and we are runnign like crazy, bumping into people, hysterical laughter.... Finally someone has an idea...drink some water, hold it in your mouth and then empty your mouth into the bottle....our bottle is almost full...We are all cheating, so they are trying to determine who played by most of the rules...lol....Come to find out, the winner gets the easy route up the moutain...and that sure wasn't fi mi team....
Event 3
Off we go, tied up again, up to the top of Tongniuling also known as UFO moutain..
. THis can't be that bad...Wait, you mean it's like a never ending staircase, and it's all uphill? Yes, Lawd...mi heart jumping out mi chest...mi team leader, Mr Fit, decide say we need to pick up the pace, so him pulling us...Urggggh...mi can't breathe....I need to rest....nope...no rest till u get to the top...dear fada..mi knees about to fall off, not to mention mi can't catch mi breath...We find the red ribbon, and mi can't believe instead of reaching for it in the trees, the giant stand up and make the other team just take it, right from under him..Argh#^$&*...so we need to go further to get another one....Got it...so keep going to the top....my team is about 2 staircase length ahead of me, as the leader pulled till the rope burst...the staircase is wider now, and the other team not letting my team pass... The top, sweet Jesus.... All the managers and drivers are there... of course, the managers get taxied from one point to the next... We get to rest...drink juice, eat chips....Please tell me it's over now....
Event4
The next event takes place right here.. Sweet, i can deal... There's hop scotch boxes drawn on the concrete, and each team gets to lay out all the eggs they found in event 1. Team members are blinded folded and directed to find the eggs by their team member (two at most)....Each member gets a minute to find eggs. If after a minute, more eggs are left, the next team member takes over... The team who does it in the shortest time gets a prize... This is hysterical...to your left, your left, the other left..LOL...the Chinese ones gives direction in chinese to their counterpart..no fair....everyone is screaming false directions...they don't stand a chance...Craccckkk! there goes an egg..... Loud mouth me is designated as the direction giver for my team. I pick the ones i am sure will be able to follow directions... 3, 2, 1 and we are off.... to the left, keep coming, straight, bend down, pick up an egg...1 down...7 more to go....4 in the first try...we are on a winning streak now... Team mate # 2...who switched? OMG...he starts off chest on the ground and he is swimming!!! I am fuming, everyone is laughing and i can't get him to get up off the ground...he totally blows it for us...i am horse from screaming... he is sweeping the floor with this hands and body..even going through the broken eggs....what a mess... he finds 1...I am sooo going to kill him.... Our next team mate finds the remaining eggs...
Event 5
Now it's time for the final stretch... we head downhill to the the parking lot... This is super easy as it is so step going downhill, that your feet don't even have time to stay grounded...you have to keep moving so you don't roll down the mountain.... Our team is hell bent on winning this event, so we are hustling...we are even taking short cuts through the woods... What a sumting if we get lost?...We don't care, we think we can make out a path, so we forge ahead.... Good...we not lost...and no other team in site.... level ground...finally... parking lot.... ahhhh..sweet victory....not....we are the second group... oh well, we tried.....
Event 6
It's late afternoon now, and the temperature has dropped..it is freezing.... are we going to dinner now? The managers have these Ikea shopping bags... a wonder how they got out of the store with them? aren't they for shopping while you are in the store?.... they are taking out portable stoves out the bags, knives, cutting boards... i see mayonnaise... ...what? is this the lunch they promised us? We have to make our own food? In the parking lot? I can't believe this..... oooohhh...it's a challenge..which team can make the best omelette... So the eggs from even one, are still alive and kicking... We get busy....one person lights the stove...the pan is on the stove with some butter... someone is whipping up the eggs, and i am cutting up the vegetables...we have no onions...but we can trade with antoher group....the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, ham...all cut up... we have to use all the ingredients we found on the hunt.... My one teammate is pretty good at making omelette....he's got skills.... he flips the omelette over.... the sharks are ready to eat, but it can't be eaten until its judged...man, these people are cracking me up...they are ready to chow down..... ah....we have to name the omelette too? Island Omelette sounds good to me.... now for the finishing touches.... TAAAADAAAA.....
The bagettes are here, and we get to eat...this is hysterical...people are making more omelettes....the bread is goign like crazy.... and they think chinese people don't eat..... After all our hard work, our egg didn't even win...the all irish team won, as they served their omelette with beer to the judge.... we will be sure to remember that next time.....
Finally...we are off to dinner at Bashu...Hot Pots....i swear..i can't imagine what is it with these people and boiled meats..... We have like 4 tables upstairs in the restaurant... The chinese manager orders the basics, and the pots are going...i don't see anyting that i want...so i am ordering off the menue... shrimp, pork and fried rice....There's one guy sitting at my table (yeah, my teammate that was fast asleep while we did the blind folded egg hunt...had to be my teammate), who's taken on the role of chef...now i see why...so he can be the first to eat.... my dishes come and his eyes light up...by the time he passes the plate around...i barely get a piece of pork... great... same thing with the next plate... this guy is brutual...has no qualms.... except he don't care for rice, so that i get to eat... He is eating hot, cold, spicy...he is sweating...and he doesn't even take a break..his head doesn't come up from the bowl....Wasn't that the coke i ordered? Would i like some? I am sorry, I thought I ordered it.... ok...i can't watch any more...so i go to another table.... no he didn't just go to the next table and get some of their meat to put in the pot on his table...OMG, now he comes with his bowl and chopsticks to the table where i am sitting, and he is helping himself to the pot... lol..lol.... does he have food at home? i wish i had videoed this, as this is unbelievable....
At the end of the day, it was a great team builder, and i had a blast!
Shopping for a sweat suit
Our instructions are to dress warm, dress comfortably, preferably no jeans...and we will be doing outdoor activity... Rumor has it that we will be hiking... I need to get a sweat suit then, as my workout gear isn't warm enough... Stephen has driver drop me to the strip of sporting stores....Nike, Addidas...and some Chinese brands...
I wander into Nike....way too expensive... I don't even buy Nike workout clothes at home, let alone here.... Plan B...check out the sidewalk vendors... This reminds me of 52nd street in Philly..the vendors on the sidewalk are selling most of the same merchandise, as the store in which they are selling in front of... I wander into some more stores...jeans, tops...maybe i can find something to wear somewhere else? no such luck, as nothing but small sizes.... Some vendors are selling sweats, but obviously nothing larger than a size 2... Forget sweat suit...maybe i will get lucky and find something worthwile buying.. watches, fragrances, sneakers, baby clothes, socks, jeans, fabric, pillows, trinkets...u name it...it's there, but all 'made in china'...and wont' even survive past one wear or one washing.....
THis is not working out, and i must find a sweat suit, cause i can't freeze tomorrow.... so i head off to An Sheng...to the 4th floor... I wander around, checking out each room, looking for sweats and anything else i might like... Now would be a good time to focus, Paulette...you came with a purpose in mind....There are pink sweats, purple sweats, all kiddie looking styles...and too bright colors.... Finally, black pants and in a XL...wow...the chinese women must be getting bigger.... The salesperson is jabbering away in Mandarin, and it's my turn to smile, as i have no clue what she is saying... I manage to signal to her that i want to try it on, and she leads me to a 2 by 4 room...I come out to look in the mirror and she hands me a pair of sandals..they have sandals in the fitting room, so when u take ur shoes off, you put those on... The pants is too big, but it will work... I walk back to see if there's any more and this is my lucky day, i find it in a L....cool...
Now to pay...I point to the 30 sign i saw on the rack, and she jabbers on again....she fills out the receipt, and we go off on a journey...We go to the service desk on the second floor, and i see people completing a form... They show me a pink card, and i think oh, credit card... i show her mine and she says No... I show her my license and she says Yes... Now i am confused, as i bought something else here before and didn't have to do all this... I take out cash and she says no...This is great...i can't pay with card or cash, and i am not leaving the pants....We traips off to the 1st floor now....thank de Lord, this one speaks some English... but still can't explain why i need to fill out the form, but offers to help me... I complete my name, phone # and license number...and she gives me a pink card... and says when i pay, i get 40....Ahhhh.... a discount card..I am earnign money while i shop...LOl. I still haven't paid for the pants... The saleslady and i go back up to the 4th floor, where she takes me to a cashier...i pay the full price, she swipes the card... Of course, it should have been 30, but hey....maybe they just like me.....
Darnit...it's been one hour and i only bought 1/2 of the suit.... I am now looking at sneakers... don't know the word for size, and i need a bigger one... the calculator...great invention... i type the size i want and she smiles...now we are communicating... I noticed these sales people don't walk, they run to help you.... too funny.... I feel bad, as she made an effort to find my size, but i sure don't feel like paying $25 for Playgirl...who the heck still wears those?...lol....
I am in the men's department now, as no tops worthwhile or warm enough in girls.... I think i hit the jackpot now...she gives me one fresh out the plastic to try on... now i am set...Wait, i have a discount card to use.... now i am really smiling... The cashier is having problems swiping the card...does that mean i can't use it on the day it was issued? I hope not...her and the salesperson exchange a few words...it works this time...and i am a happy camper.... total spent on the top..$7US...I am so true to my name, Ms. Bargain Shopper!!
I wander into Nike....way too expensive... I don't even buy Nike workout clothes at home, let alone here.... Plan B...check out the sidewalk vendors... This reminds me of 52nd street in Philly..the vendors on the sidewalk are selling most of the same merchandise, as the store in which they are selling in front of... I wander into some more stores...jeans, tops...maybe i can find something to wear somewhere else? no such luck, as nothing but small sizes.... Some vendors are selling sweats, but obviously nothing larger than a size 2... Forget sweat suit...maybe i will get lucky and find something worthwile buying.. watches, fragrances, sneakers, baby clothes, socks, jeans, fabric, pillows, trinkets...u name it...it's there, but all 'made in china'...and wont' even survive past one wear or one washing.....
THis is not working out, and i must find a sweat suit, cause i can't freeze tomorrow.... so i head off to An Sheng...to the 4th floor... I wander around, checking out each room, looking for sweats and anything else i might like... Now would be a good time to focus, Paulette...you came with a purpose in mind....There are pink sweats, purple sweats, all kiddie looking styles...and too bright colors.... Finally, black pants and in a XL...wow...the chinese women must be getting bigger.... The salesperson is jabbering away in Mandarin, and it's my turn to smile, as i have no clue what she is saying... I manage to signal to her that i want to try it on, and she leads me to a 2 by 4 room...I come out to look in the mirror and she hands me a pair of sandals..they have sandals in the fitting room, so when u take ur shoes off, you put those on... The pants is too big, but it will work... I walk back to see if there's any more and this is my lucky day, i find it in a L....cool...
Now to pay...I point to the 30 sign i saw on the rack, and she jabbers on again....she fills out the receipt, and we go off on a journey...We go to the service desk on the second floor, and i see people completing a form... They show me a pink card, and i think oh, credit card... i show her mine and she says No... I show her my license and she says Yes... Now i am confused, as i bought something else here before and didn't have to do all this... I take out cash and she says no...This is great...i can't pay with card or cash, and i am not leaving the pants....We traips off to the 1st floor now....thank de Lord, this one speaks some English... but still can't explain why i need to fill out the form, but offers to help me... I complete my name, phone # and license number...and she gives me a pink card... and says when i pay, i get 40....Ahhhh.... a discount card..I am earnign money while i shop...LOl. I still haven't paid for the pants... The saleslady and i go back up to the 4th floor, where she takes me to a cashier...i pay the full price, she swipes the card... Of course, it should have been 30, but hey....maybe they just like me.....
Darnit...it's been one hour and i only bought 1/2 of the suit.... I am now looking at sneakers... don't know the word for size, and i need a bigger one... the calculator...great invention... i type the size i want and she smiles...now we are communicating... I noticed these sales people don't walk, they run to help you.... too funny.... I feel bad, as she made an effort to find my size, but i sure don't feel like paying $25 for Playgirl...who the heck still wears those?...lol....
I am in the men's department now, as no tops worthwhile or warm enough in girls.... I think i hit the jackpot now...she gives me one fresh out the plastic to try on... now i am set...Wait, i have a discount card to use.... now i am really smiling... The cashier is having problems swiping the card...does that mean i can't use it on the day it was issued? I hope not...her and the salesperson exchange a few words...it works this time...and i am a happy camper.... total spent on the top..$7US...I am so true to my name, Ms. Bargain Shopper!!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Dining Japanese Style
I actually have a coworker who is more finicky than me when it comes to food. He absolutely hates Chinese food...He will only eat Japanese and Korean... so today, we were off to Japanese again. The others convinced him to try someplace else, that they swore by. We pulled up into 5 Color City (the alleyway of bars and restaurants, and made our way to the restaurant. The one table downstairs is full, so they ushered us upstairs. Ahhh... looks like we will be dining japanese style today. The tables are low....with bench for the seats...but the bench is within the floor..almost like an attic effect..we take our shoes off, and i put on the sandals provided...evidently i was the only one to put them on.... we climbed on the bench/floor..then walked over to our place in the place, put your foot under the table and then sat down... Picture a coffin being lowered in the ground... the coffin is the table and the top level of the ground is where u sit.....
The waitress brings the menus....much to our surprise, there are no pictures, and the menu is in japanese... ummmmhhh...how the heck are we going to order?....So we hoisted ourselves from the table, and was off again, in search of another restaurant...This one has menus in English, but they are not open the owner says... Off we go again....round the corner...Oh, we have English menues....
We are led upstairs again, but to normal tables this time. The rooms with the lowered tables are visible, but i guess it's not open for dinning. We ordered guided by the pictures, and the few words some of my coworkers knew...
A group of 4 men wearing the same jacket comes and sits across from us.... and the smoking begins... i don't know they smoked that many cigarettes in about an hour....Etiquette is obviously not in chinese vocabulary... Don't talk about slurping as they invented the word.... i think people on the street could hear them slurping the piping hot soup.... when they eat with chopsticks, they bite everything...food hanging out mouth...and they just keep going like the food is running away... like my mom used to say 'like hog a nyam hot food'... just like the cafeteria at work.... no Chinese husband for me...lol
Then the food start coming... It's weird how they serve food here... the portion sizes are really small, but yet they bring it out for the whole table... No wonder they aren't fat... We had 2 fried rice, 2 (yes only 2) prawns on a stick, tempura shrimp and vegetables, beef with vegetables, fried chicken and potatoe/rice balls.. The rice balls were really great, i think even shrimp was in there. My one coworker is fuming, as he is still starving...lol...He vows never to come back....
The restaurant has no forks...and i can't use chopsticks.... so i am figuring out how to use the chopstick as a knife to cut the food, and then as a spear, to pick it up... the rice is a different story... Maybe i should practice on the packs of chopstick i bought for souvernirs....
The waitress brings the menus....much to our surprise, there are no pictures, and the menu is in japanese... ummmmhhh...how the heck are we going to order?....So we hoisted ourselves from the table, and was off again, in search of another restaurant...This one has menus in English, but they are not open the owner says... Off we go again....round the corner...Oh, we have English menues....
We are led upstairs again, but to normal tables this time. The rooms with the lowered tables are visible, but i guess it's not open for dinning. We ordered guided by the pictures, and the few words some of my coworkers knew...
A group of 4 men wearing the same jacket comes and sits across from us.... and the smoking begins... i don't know they smoked that many cigarettes in about an hour....Etiquette is obviously not in chinese vocabulary... Don't talk about slurping as they invented the word.... i think people on the street could hear them slurping the piping hot soup.... when they eat with chopsticks, they bite everything...food hanging out mouth...and they just keep going like the food is running away... like my mom used to say 'like hog a nyam hot food'... just like the cafeteria at work.... no Chinese husband for me...lol
Then the food start coming... It's weird how they serve food here... the portion sizes are really small, but yet they bring it out for the whole table... No wonder they aren't fat... We had 2 fried rice, 2 (yes only 2) prawns on a stick, tempura shrimp and vegetables, beef with vegetables, fried chicken and potatoe/rice balls.. The rice balls were really great, i think even shrimp was in there. My one coworker is fuming, as he is still starving...lol...He vows never to come back....
The restaurant has no forks...and i can't use chopsticks.... so i am figuring out how to use the chopstick as a knife to cut the food, and then as a spear, to pick it up... the rice is a different story... Maybe i should practice on the packs of chopstick i bought for souvernirs....
Designer Paradise
Soo..... finally saw the other side of China....
At the start of the projects, on trips here, my coworkers stayed in the ShangriLa, a 5 star hotel downtown, which is right in the heart of the upscale shopping..Soo... i think it's high time I made my appearance... My coworker (male), is very much into fashion, so I had the perfect escort...
Of course this is the day i decided to wear my sandals, as i am sooo tired of wearing my batta sneakers..not to mention they don't match with all my outfits i want to wear... Just like a spite, the temperature drops in the evening, so i am freezing my butt and toes off... Which might explain why everyone kept staring at me... black girl, white guy, dreadlocks hair, sandals...ummmmmhhhh.... definite freak....LOL....
Our shopping excursion starts with Starbucks... I swear i've got to say no to their invites.... We head off to Zara... A Spanish label in Ireland frequented by Mr. GQ....The clothes are much like in H&M, and way affordable... My arms are full as i still can't believe the prices, and the fact that they might actually fit... My coworker is trying to convince me not to go crazy, as i can always come back to shop some more... We go upstairs to look at the active wear, but it's all teenager stuff...and petite at that... tried on a few sweat pants, but couldn't get them past my calves... An hour later, armed with a full bag.. we were off again....
Louis Vuitton... not finding the bag i was looking for...not that it matters, as i was only price checking...lol.... Fendi, MaxMara, Gucci, Hermes, D&G, Christian Dior...tons of other names that i wasn't too familiar with.... Stores in high rise buildings on either side of the street... ahh.... why couldn't i be staying downtown? Oh, yes....the traffic is a killer, and would turn my 10 min commute into 1+..... But i could always come back on the weekend....
We stopped in the ShangriLa...i guess to use the restrooms... Man i am in heaven....there is a fragrance throughout the hotel that is to die for... this is sweeeetttt!... If for one minute i thought there was no luxury cars in Dalian, that's been dispelled, as they are all right here... Do we have to leave now?
There's more store to peruse... Esprit? People still wear Esprit? It's big here? what? and expensive? definitely behind times on that.....So mi trying on this sneakers as mi tiyad fi mi toes freeze.... great... it nuh go past size 39...please tell me where the big foot chinese people dem get shoes fi buy?
Ah...too bad it's time to go home now....but i will definitely go back this weekend.....
At the start of the projects, on trips here, my coworkers stayed in the ShangriLa, a 5 star hotel downtown, which is right in the heart of the upscale shopping..Soo... i think it's high time I made my appearance... My coworker (male), is very much into fashion, so I had the perfect escort...
Of course this is the day i decided to wear my sandals, as i am sooo tired of wearing my batta sneakers..not to mention they don't match with all my outfits i want to wear... Just like a spite, the temperature drops in the evening, so i am freezing my butt and toes off... Which might explain why everyone kept staring at me... black girl, white guy, dreadlocks hair, sandals...ummmmmhhhh.... definite freak....LOL....
Our shopping excursion starts with Starbucks... I swear i've got to say no to their invites.... We head off to Zara... A Spanish label in Ireland frequented by Mr. GQ....The clothes are much like in H&M, and way affordable... My arms are full as i still can't believe the prices, and the fact that they might actually fit... My coworker is trying to convince me not to go crazy, as i can always come back to shop some more... We go upstairs to look at the active wear, but it's all teenager stuff...and petite at that... tried on a few sweat pants, but couldn't get them past my calves... An hour later, armed with a full bag.. we were off again....
Louis Vuitton... not finding the bag i was looking for...not that it matters, as i was only price checking...lol.... Fendi, MaxMara, Gucci, Hermes, D&G, Christian Dior...tons of other names that i wasn't too familiar with.... Stores in high rise buildings on either side of the street... ahh.... why couldn't i be staying downtown? Oh, yes....the traffic is a killer, and would turn my 10 min commute into 1+..... But i could always come back on the weekend....
We stopped in the ShangriLa...i guess to use the restrooms... Man i am in heaven....there is a fragrance throughout the hotel that is to die for... this is sweeeetttt!... If for one minute i thought there was no luxury cars in Dalian, that's been dispelled, as they are all right here... Do we have to leave now?
There's more store to peruse... Esprit? People still wear Esprit? It's big here? what? and expensive? definitely behind times on that.....So mi trying on this sneakers as mi tiyad fi mi toes freeze.... great... it nuh go past size 39...please tell me where the big foot chinese people dem get shoes fi buy?
Ah...too bad it's time to go home now....but i will definitely go back this weekend.....
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