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Hangzhou’s Old Street

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

Last week, during China’s New Year Festival, I headed down to the  Qinghefang Neighbourhood of Hangzhou.  It’s a very touristy place, but still one of my favourite spots in Hangzhou.  As you can see from the pictures (look for the photo link to the right of your screen), everyone else decided it would be a good idea to head down to Hefang Jie for the afternoon as well!

Hefang Jie is lined with small stalls, shops, pharmacies, restaurants and teahouses, and food stalls housed in traditional-style buildings. Walking along this street, you can easily imagine what it was like in centuries past.  You can bargain for good deals on paintings, tea, jade, silk products, animal horn combs and embroideries, etc.

If you want a good meal, there are some fine restaurants and teahouses in this area. There are also many snack food vendors along the street – duck head, anyone? Seriously, the food choices are enormous!  You can have traditionally-prepared tea in a teahouse here and visit old stores, even an herb museum and a traditional Chinese medicine shop.  It all comes at a price though, so bargain hard, and do so with a smile!

Vacation in Vancouver

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008

I have just returned to Hangzhou after spending a couple of weeks in Vancouver.  I had a wonderful time visiting with old friends and gorging on favourite foods but found myself longing to return to China after a week or so.  I miss the cheap lifestyle – It’s awfully expensive living in Vancouver, even if you try to limit your expenses!

Upon my arrival last night, I didn’t see any snow in Shanghai, but here in Hangzhou there is lots!  Many of the highways only have one lane open, and there are huge chunks of black snow everywhere.  Over the past 2 weeks, China has been crippled by snow storms the like of which they haven’t seen for over 60 years!  This comes at a particularly bad time because it’s Chinese New Year here.  For most people in China, this is the only time they can go home to see their families.  it’s common for many people in the countryside to work in the cities throughout the year, returning annually with enough money to tide their families over until they return again (yes, much of China is still cash-based so seeing people with shoeboxes full of cash comes as no surprise.  

My apartment is so cold (no central heating), that I went to bed last night with my room heater on and a space heater, as well as my electric blanket – turned up full!  Thank goodness the electricity didn’t go off!  Looks like it will take me several days to warm up my apartment!  The bad news is that they’re expecting more snow next week!  My apartment is still so cold that I had trouble ‘squeezing the toothpaste out of the tube’ this morning!

Today is New Year’s Day (it sounded like a war zone last night when all the fireworks were going off all over Hangzhou!).  Most stores will be closed today and, with all the students/teachers away for the holiday, this campus feels like a deserted village!

But, no worries – a couple of days from now and things will definitely improve.  In the meantime, provided the electricity stays ON, I will be able to get a headstart on my Lesson Plans for next semester!

If you have a moment, check out the PHOTOS Link on the right side of your screen for lots of pictures of beautiful Vancouver!

2008 – Year of the RAT!!

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2008 is the Year of the Rat (Earth), which begins on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Year-End 2007

Sunday, December 30th, 2007
Yesterday I returned from doing a performance at a Primary School here in Hangzhou, and it got me to thinking about all the things I have accomplished this year.  Last week my university’s Foreign Affairs ... [Continue reading this entry]

Outing to Xinchang

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007
The Foreign Teachers at my university were invited on an outing to Xinchang, located in eastern Zhejiang Province, about 3 hrs. from Hangzhou. Xinchang has beautiful scenery and numerous historical sites, including three provincial scenic areas -- the Dafo Temple, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Chinese Wedding!

Sunday, December 9th, 2007
No.... not MINE!  A former colleague of mine, Kelly, invited me to her wedding last month.  Needless to say, I was thrilled at the opportunity to attend my first Chinese wedding!  I first met Kelly when I moved to Hangzhou in ... [Continue reading this entry]

A Beautiful Autumn Day in Hangzhou

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
It was such a beautiful and sunny day today that I simply HAD to take my camera and head down to West Lake in Hangzhou!  Check out the 'blue sky' in my pictures - hardly any pollution today - yahoo!  I was ... [Continue reading this entry]

A Weekend in Shanghai

Friday, November 16th, 2007
Well, I finally got a chance to spend a couple of days in Shanghai last weekend.  I haven’t visited since the Spring which is surprising.  I mean, it’s only 1.5 hours by train away.  To be ... [Continue reading this entry]

Sports Day 2007!

Friday, November 16th, 2007
It’s Sports Day this week which means no classes on Thursday/Friday!  Most of my students are sneaking off to return home for a 4-day weekend rather than stay and participate in the event.  It’s a shame ... [Continue reading this entry]

Sichuan Holiday – Chengdu!

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007
CHENGDU    (Photos - Look for My Links on the right side of this screen and click on Photos!)  The Chinese refer to Sichuan Province (southwest China) as the 'heavenly ... [Continue reading this entry]