Tianjin, Karaoke, etc...

Sorry it's been a little bit. I apologize to those of you that routinely check this. I've been pretty busy these past few weeks. Well, where shall I begin?

Two weeks ago my friends and I were itching to leave Beijing. Sometimes, the monotony of this program and our intense study schedule just gets us down. So, we thought a change of scenery was in order. We heard about this town that is about 100 miles south of Beijing. It's called Tianjin. We booked train tickets and were off. Traveling by train here in China is incredibly convenient. It's reminiscent of the train system in Europe. We went with the super-bullet trains that topped about 200mph. It was incredibly cool. It was also really nice to see some of the Chinese countryside on the way to Tianjin. We arrived and walked around and saw some interesting things. I didn't realize this but Tianjin is a largely Catholic city. Many Jesuits have settled in Tianjin and have set up parishes. It was interesting to see this juxtaposition of Catholic orthodoxy and Chinese influence. The churches were quite nice.

It was a very nice day excursion and I'm glad that we did it. I'm sad to report that Tianjin wasn't the most interesting of cities, so I hope that our next weekend excursion is a bit more...exciting. However, it was a good foray into the Chinese rail system.

Well, then the time came. Yes, the dreaded Chinese haircut experience. Most of you know how hesitant I was of having my haircut in China. However, it had to happen. It was getting too long and really annoying. So, after reviewing vocabulary and staking out (what I deemed) a suitable locale, I went for it. So, I walk in and the "shampoo girl" took my coat and then proceeded to slam me into her chair and begin to vigorously wash my hair. She then told me to wait and the very hipster-like man would cut my hair. He came over to me and I somehow, rather clumsily, managed to describe to him how my hair should be cut and what it should look like. He nodded and seemed to understand. Then he was off to work. He talked to me in Chinese and I couldn't really understand him all that well. His "Beijing accent" was quite pronounced which made it difficult to have a substantive conversation. Once he was done, the "shampoo girl" washed my hair again and then I paid (20kuai=4 US dollars).

I am pleased to announce that I am happy with the final product. It's quite nice and short enough without being too short. I don't want to post pictures because that would be vain and myspace-esque. Yes, I realize that I dedicated a substantial portion of this blog entry to a haircut and that in-turn makes me vain. However, irony aside, posting pictures would be a little too much.

My next adventure is one that you all should have been there for. So ACC gives us language partners that we can meet once a week and we help each other. They help us with our Chinese and we help them with their English. Unfortunately, I didn't get to sign up for the program because I missed the date. However, my neighbor did get sign up. His language partner insisted that he accompany her and her friends to a Karaoke bar. Now, I don't know if many of you know that (generally speaking) Asians love karaoke. I don't really know why. They're pretty intense about it, but it is incredibly fun. So, my neighbor asked his roommate and me and my roommate to accompany him to help diffuse the awkwardness of this situation. We said we would go with him and we invited a few more people and before we knew it was a party!

So, we met them and then headed to a karaoke bar. It was incredibly modern and well decked out. We ordered snacks and proceeded to begin. After some Chinese songs (which none of us knew) and then a round of "My Humps" by the Black-Eyed Peas we all loosened up and the fun began. It was incredibly...interesting. Ashlee Simpson, Avril Lavigne, Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Kelly Clarkson all made an appearance. Not to mention some Elton John, the Beatles, and the Eagles. I, of course, was lead vocals on a majority of the songs. :)

I believe this was Rihanna's "Take a bow."

I'm not too sure what this was. It might have been "Sweet Home Alabama."

This week is set to be pretty intense. We have a mid-term at the end of this week and an oral exam. Not to mention regular school work. However, on Friday afternoon we are leaving for Sichuan province and the lovely city of Chengdu. I am incredibly excited. However, we're going by train. A 25 hour train ride. Really? Yes, people, China really is THAT big. It takes us 25 hours to get from Beijing to Chengdu. I'm not too sure of the mileage, but I am sure you all can estimate. Good thing I still have my sleeping pills.

Now this trip is incredibly exciting on so many levels. First off, this is where pandas live! Yes, real, live, giant pandas! I can't wait to pet one!! Now, should one somehow make it into my luggage and return to the US with me...do not be alarmed. I will lovingly tend to it.

The other level: I am going mountain climbing. By this, I mean legit mountain climbing with things such as: North Face gear, hiking boots, leggings, and sleeping in a Buddhist Monastary. We have the option to climb and my friends and I have decided to climb to the top. I've never done anything like this before and who knew that while in China I would go mountain climbing. I certainly didn't, but this is an opportunity I can't pass up. However, you all know me so there will be awkward stories full of expletives and my stupidity and clumsiness. Nonetheless, this is something I've always wanted to do. So, next week is going to be an awesome week. No class, pandas, and mountain climbing! Not to mention we get to see a completely different part of China. Words cannot describe my anticipation.

However, I have to get through this week. Somehow, I'll make it. I miss you all dearly right now. Somedays, you just want a feeling of familiarity which is rare to come by here in China.

Off to study! I'll update when I get back from Chengdu!

-Aaron