One month in China :

Wow, I just realized that it has been more than a month since I last posted something on my BLOG. Well, quite a lot has happened and kept me "busy as a spider spinning day dreams" (the lovely way Astrud Gilberto puts it in one of her songs). Even though times are still a bit hectic, let me at least put some of the highlights down:

• We (my roomie and myself) were happy to welcome and host some more nomads at our apartment. During one blast of a weekend 6 persons (Devrim, Rohit, Kathleen, Greg, Echo and myself) slept in our two bed-room apartment. Am sure we can fit even more :). And yes: Devrim passed out and kissed (etc) Winnie the Pooh.

• Roughly one week later we hosted two Indian nomads: Tulika and Apoorva. They did not only leave greeeeat Indian spices behind but also lots of great memories! And yes: they did try to sneak into the officially closed forbidden city and hook up with one of these decorated police officers at Tian'anmen.

• I've got the feeling to have finally "arrived" in China. And yes: it feels goood!


• Echo continues complaining about my somewhat lacking sense of responsibility when it comes to cleaning the dishes and all other things that tend to become dirty.. :) And no: my room does not stink (well, may be, a bit.. ;).

• We (Habib, Sheila, Troy and me) went kiteflying on Tian'anmen square. I lost 2 kites (out of 2); but hey: I still claim that one of them was not my fault...:) And yes: Habib was very popular and Troy spoilt the picture taking session of some highly decorated guards in front of Chairman Mao. Silly Aussie ;)

• A monster pic nic at the botanical garden with about 12 fellow "lazy and hungry" creatures aka friends. We ate a lot, walked a bit and enjoyed a great spring day. And yes: Sheila did eat looooads of chips (during her Detox!!!)

• St.Patrick day celebrations at "Brown's", THE Irish pub in town. Dancing on the counter, marvelling at 70 year young and dancing partygoers (Irish of course) and culture shock afterwards: wild latino party at Salsa Caribe (even though it is only 50 meters from Brown's PaVel didn't manage to find it.. ;) And yes: Pavel and Eduardo drank a looot of "free" drinks..
  

• I attended my first AIESEC conference (NPS) in China and was deeply impressed: some good sessions, great talks and surprisingly wild parties. The "laowai" team (Mats, Greg, Jenny and Dom) did it all the way to the semi final in the "boatrace" (but then skulled (slightly, yep only a tiny little bit) slower than the blokes from Tianjin.;)) . Memorable: Strip among Chinese, the crowd, the baozi (loads of them, but cold..) and some nocturnal body"painting" (... some anecdotes to be told) And yes: Dom, the AIESEC (G)oldie is back and involved again.. I love it, especially in China where there is still so much potential.
  
  

• Italian food can taste soooooooo good some times. Stefano, I love you (and your Parmesan) :)
• Work at Exoweb is quite challenging and very busy. I'm still loving the fact that this company is incredibly dynamic and accepts only one direction: forward. Working environment: the best I've encountered so far. So: work is as timeconsuming as "remunerating". Like it!
• And so much more (all the things that kept me from writing.. ;)
  

Coming soon:

• My first Chinese wedding. Rumours are that I'll be the only foreigner among 170 guests at Rena's wedding. Uiuiuiui, am seriously updating my Chinese (learning at least all the names of her family by heart, etc.. ;), improoving my Baijiu (hardcore alcohol that Chinese reportedly drink in huge quantities during festivities) drinking skills and am simply very much looking forward to this great day!
• The arrival of my parents and brother in Beijing. Next Thursday will be THE day and the following 10 days are likely to be gorgeous. I'm so much looking forward to hugging them and showing them / discovering with them bits and pieces of China. Destination (after a couple of days in Bj): Yunnan
• Yet another trip in May. Destination: Xinjiang. Meeting up with Volker (my ex-roomie who is currently living in and writing his memorable reports from Kazakhstan), Steppel and Martin (both discovering Pakistan for the moment). Some hikes, "goat milk vodka sessions" and "Uigur moments" lie before us. I risk repeating myself, but hey, how could I possible not be looking forward to catching up with these good friends while discovering yet another part of China?!

Well, so much for now. I hope you are all enjoying yourself and send you a warm hug!

Over and out. :)