Each day seems like two

Honestly, we teach in the morning and then we have the afternoon free, and when I think back on my last two days, it feels like four. But ill tell you how the more exciting half of my day went. 

We went on an adventure to Walking Street this afternoon with some of the Chinese teachers. They went with us to explain the buses, where to get on and off, and how to walk there. It was really nice to have them with us, to translate and read everything. I feel bad how loud and helpless we are without them. And seriously trying to keep us in a group is like trying to herd cats. Except even worse. Some girls wanted to shop, some girls just wanted to get to Walking Street, and some girls just wanted to find the most familiar things they could, and experience those-like ice cream cones at McDonalds. We ended up doing all those things in stages. 

Bella and I

Serena and I

Debby and I 

I got my first experience on a really crowded bus today. A few times. We had to shift back and forth as people got on and off. I was embarrassed that I didn't know how to say excuse me and sorry as I bumped into people. I've be wondering too if there are lots of pick-pockets and thieves in China. Well I got my answer today. I was standing there on the bus and suddenly a woman started yelling I had no clue what was going on until a guy lifted up his shirt and took everything out of his pockets, then immediately got off at the next stop. I later heard that Lisa from our group was standing in front of him, and he reached over her shoulder to put his hand in the woman's purse. But she noticed in time, so he didn't get anything. I had been holding my bag and checking my pocket for my phone regularly, but after that happened, I was even more aware of my surroundings and the people around me. 

Our venture into the middle of the city brought us to streets and neighborhoods that were more what I expected: lots of shops, lots of cars, loud music, and people everywhere. 

So with so many shops around, of course some girls wanted to go in every one and look around at prices and whatnot. I wasn't as interested in going in every shop. I know we will be back, multiple times, so why see absolutely everything now? I did however really want some pants like what Debby was wearing today. I'm not sure how to describe them, but they are lightweight material, stretchy, tight at the bottom and loose/almost baggy near the top. I'll take a picture soon. On the way to where Debby bought hers, we saw what looked like converse, so may and I had to stop. They were 35 rbm, which is about $6... We both bought some high top knock off converse. They look very legit from far away, but...

Then we went to dinner. We asked our guides where was good to eat, so they took us to a restaurant on walking street. I haven't tried spicy food yet, but tonight I had fish!

I forgot that they wouldn't take out all the bones, so my first bite was big and careless. Luckily I didn't stick myself, but from then on I took smaller bites and tried to be more careful... It was good though! I love fish. But the...seaweed?...soup wasn't as good as the soup on the airplane. At least I didn't like it as much. While talking with Bella, I learned they had gone to that restaurant the night before, since they now live close, and it was basically the only place they knew of around. I keep forgetting they are almost as new as we are, only starting to work at the school 20 days ago...

The last thing we did was "hike a mountain" as our guides called it. By Utah standards it was not a mountain, but to each their own names. It was quite a few steps up, and with the foliage you could not see the top from the bottom and vice versa. At the top was a tower built 400 years ago. That is twice as old as the United States. It was pretty cool, but we had to take a billion pictures there. In front of it. In groups. Standing on pillars around it. In trees nearby. I took none with my phone, so...hopefully they are making it onto Facebook. Here are the best pictures I took of it:

After the lights turned on. 

Some of the girls were intent on getting the best picture. Obviously I was not. And Serena just didn't know what to think of us. 

We've discovered in the past two days that the city really comes alive after 7pm when the sun goes down. I now understand why in movies they only seem to film night Asian scenes. It's much more interesting with all the neon signs on and people everywhere. I guess, and agree, that they don't want to get too much sun, and while it's out it's too hot to do a lot of moving and sweating. 

It was definitely a successful afternoon, even if I missed my laundry day. I have enough clothes to last for a while. 😊 and we are slowly, slowly becoming mobile in this city so we know what to do with our free time. Hopefully I'll have time and energy tomorrow to write about the first few days of teaching. It's been a different kind of adventure. 

Oh, I almost forgot, but the bank got a package, and was delivered with two men armed with large guns. It was surprising, but I'm glad their money is well protected!