Saturday, April 11, 2015

Pictures from Last Week

One thing I love about living in a place that is so drastically different than America is the strange and unusual things that I observe or see on a daily basis. It keeps my daily life interesting...that's for sure.

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks:


This is a "whole chicken dinner" at a place we call "the Homey place"--the whole chicken is cut into pieces and stir fried in a really good sauce and served with biscuits. The head and feet are considered delicacies...eat with caution!



The beer makes the pointless meeting a little more worthwhile... ;) 


We have to be in the office all day (8-5:30 with a 2 hour lunch break) even though we only teach 2-4 classes a day. Naps in the office are pretty common. 


"The Popcorn Place" free watermelon & popcorn. Chinese people regard their hands as dirty so they never really touch food with their hands




Guys here are extremely "chivalrous"--carrying purses, sitting while their women shop, pushing their women around in carts...


In America we might call them "whipped" although I think the sense of ownership is pretty important in a relationship.


The recycling guy. People drive around in these carts and collect recycling--it doesn't appear to be systematic and organized as it is in America. 


Offensive bumper stickers that aren't offensive when in a different language.

A violin show at the mall. In typical Chinese fashion, it isn't about talent but about the flashy dancing and outfits that the girls are wearing. 



Many people get around by motorbike, so now that it's warmer there are motorbikes everywhere. This is why walking on the street/sidewalk can be dangerous. When the bikes honk at you from behind you don't know which side of the road to move to since there is no order in walking/riding on the sidewalk

(in the US if we are moving one way we walk on the right--just like the cars on the road). 



Seasonal ice cream at McD's--Black Sesame (tastes nutty--a little like peanut butter ice cream)



Yellow Watermelon


I had the students fill out March Madness brackets for fun--since college bball doesn't show on TV here the kids did not have much interest (even though they will be attending American universities in the future!) Some of them did it but had no idea what it was for. 


The tallest building in Jinan--still under construction--lights up every night with flashy displays. 
(not a waste of energy at all...)


The other day I was walking around a crowded street during lunch break. This man was trying to sell this turtle (tortoise)? 


No one was interested...on to the next location. 


More animals for sale on the side of the road--hermit crabs, snakes and lizards. 


hampsters and rabbits


Poor things :( 


Casual Thursday afternoon dress. 

Prostitute? Store clerk? Teacher? Trophy Wife? 





Strange, unusual toys at the supermarket


An alternative to a motorbike--the three wheel mini car



At night restaurants will put out chairs and tables on the sidewalk/street for people to enjoy dinner. Clearly comfort is not a priority. 


The matching outfit--Chinese people love to match with their significant other/family



The Air Quality in Beijing is MUCH better--but who knows if it is actually accurate! 



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