Yeah, so this was quite the adventure. Hua Shan is one of the 4 great mountains in China and boy was it great to us. Either that or the opposite i still can't figure out which. The trip started off as any good trip in China does - with complete confusion and lack of ability to communicate thus leading to many frustrated parties. Alex, Mike, and I were planning to go and then i invited Michael which was a pretty sweet move i guess since he was quite the hiker. Deciding to skip class to make a night hike to the summit of this 2200m monstrosity was really no decision seeing as how it was Bing Wang's class. However, we did have to write a patent claim before hand which really cut into my planning time and what i contribute to leaving my headlamp behind. Cest la vie, or whatever the frogs say.
At the train station there are also buses and we had friends that took a bus for 26 so we thought we should get that price but later in the day apparently costs more, either that or else they hate us. After Michael haggling on our behalf for about 20 minutes we got them to 30 but i was having none of it so when another old man who couldn't walk (could he drive?) told us he would take us for that price and drop us at the entrance it was a no brainer. But, when we got to his mini bus it wasn't his and he was just getting his cut. We ended up sitting in the aisles on folding stools all facing forward. Luckily we weren't last in because 3 people had to stand for the 2 hour ride. Good and loud conversation with Michael on the way there conveying C America stories and listening to his from Utah. Mmm Hmm. Ride wasn't too bad but getting out i found my legs asleep and my back nearly broken. Luckily had the wherewithal to go in search of lights. Well we found some with 12 LEDs for 28 each including battery so we all got them since that is like 3.50 which isn't too bad. Later found out we could rent them for 1 kuai but that is neither here nor there. Wandered into a Hutong (alley) looking for food and found some noodles and dumplings after a short search. We tell Michael we want some fried noodles and after looking around for a minute he asks from which province and we all just stare in amazement seeing as how not only do we know no provinces but if we did would we know the noodle style of each. Crazy man. The people we found were very proud to have us and gave us a "discount" that happened to be more than we had ever paid for such a meal.
Finished up and cruising back up the street toward the park it was about 9 and we ran into some of our Chinese counterparts (Mao, Sang, and Jackson) 1from class. Ended up hiking with them but lost them on the way. Well them as well as the others. Ended up hanging out till nearly midnight in the square listening to kids tell jokes, do cartwheels, and trying to drink enough caffeine to sustain the night. The plan is to hike up the "blossoming mountain" starting at 11-12 and get up in time for sunrise. There are 5 peaks and the east is supposed to be the place to be. With no careful planning i didn't realize it was 100 to get into the park and since i had only brought 200 and already bought bus, light, dinner, and drinks i was already low. Schade. Started out alright with only a slight incline but by the 3d kilometer we were feeling it. Taking breaks every 20 minutes didn't help and seeing as how it was so hot out we all had our shirts off and were looking like good Americans. Come to find out this is quite a popular thing to do and there was really no need for the lights since there were so many other kids on the trail. Good conversation but bad pace so i had to break free. Michael already had so after i had been climbing on my own for about 45 minutes i caught him. You must realize this "trail" is really just thousands of steps chinked out of the side of the mountain. There are chains to help you pull yourself up or a cable car if you come during the day but it was a tough go.
Ran into Chinese Superman when i caught Michael and this guy was super amazing at climbing. Such good shape and i come to find out in the morning he was hiking in dress pants. Ridiculous. We would go fast for awhile then wait for Michael. Not like i could keep up either though. No claim to that. Made it to the top about 330 which is good time apparently since others took about 5 hours. Cold as ice in a snowstorm up there especially being sweaty and in shorts and Nowitzki jersey. Sat around for awhile and then decided it was enough after seeing the other kids in vintage Chinese army parkas. These guys were renting for 10 so we had to take advantage and after trying numerous positions on the cold rock finally found that if you lay on your side, knees in chest, and arm outstretched its an ok position. Got about a 30 minute nap before it started getting light out. Saw the sun come blazing up and again it was hot out. About 30 minutes after seeing the orange orb we were without shirts and sweating. The place is amazing. Lots of exposed limestone worn away by erosion to create sheer curving cliffs with some pine trees on them. Very beautiful.
About 630 we find that Mike, Alex, and Jackson had made it to the other peak and they came down and we had some picture sessions including one with Superman. He looked stoic so i tried but failed miserably. Going down sucked and my knees were dead so i just had to let it flow. Crazy they have porter/sherpa guys to carry up water/noodles/propane and whatever else to the little shops on the way. These guys go so slow and only make 30 per trip. Quite a life. Made it down before the others and fell asleep at the gate while trying to read. Haven't stayed up all night in years i don't think. Quite the experience but tired as shit.
Of course getting back was equally interesting and we first went to the train station since we heard from the Chinese students it leaves every 20 minutes for Xian and costs only 16. Come to find out there isn't one for 2 hours from the time we get there and we are ready to leave. Go back to town and find a bus who Superman haggles down to 26 for us and almost gets in a fight doing it. At one point they tell us to get out and walk but Mike and I are there to back him up even thought we aren't what you would call fighters. Made it home and dead tired slept the rest of the day. Told all the others how easy and fun it was the next day and later heard horror stories from them. Hahahaha. Only 4 more peaks in China. I think it has inspired me to do Mt Fuji when in Japan but not sure quite yet. Letcha know later.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Xian
Oh what a night, it was late December back in 69, what a lady, what a night. Don't have any clue as to why that song is in my head but luckily it is. So hanging out at the internet cafe is cool right? The answer is yes and that is why I come. To write to you fine people. All 2 of you. My mom wrote me the other day and said that she was reading this to my grandma so i know that there are 2. Thanks mom.
So what happened in Xian. Hard to say seeing as how it was a few days ago and since i have been back in Beijing stuff has been going down. At any rate Xian is a cool city and we saw some stuff, stayed in a cheap room, and ate some cheap food.
Towers - the drum and bell towers are central city are are really not that cool but we did see a drum show and they played drums as you would imagine Chinese people to do. I did learn that they divide night up into 4 parts and hit the huge drums to signal when the new part starts. I found my Chinese name at the gift shop but it was like 40 kuai and Eve told me she could just write it so I left it and she has yet to fulfill her promise. Saw a sweet show that was promoting the war on drugs. It really sucked actually but there were some cool little kung fu kids doing flips amongst the 50 year old uncoreographed, uncoordinated dancing women. Funniest part other than us being the only white people there was when a gust of wind came and blew the stage backing all the way across and a bunch of police jump out to stop it and get knocked over. Ha. Prior to that we had a great time at the massage parlor getting our feet massaged. First time and an hour goes for 50 (or $6). They only had 2 people to do it so while Gary and Eve got theirs i just soaked and soaked in tea. Feet smelled ok for once. Meat on a stick was to follow on the street in the Muslim quarter which was good stuff. That is all.
Terra Cotta Soldiers et al - Day after we get there Bing Wang and Tsinghua sponsor a trip for us to see not only the 8th wonder of the world but some other crap too. Saw another summer palace where some cool history happened that i have already completely forgotten but i do remember Tom our tour guide who told us the emperor there had thousands of concubines but one favorite one who was rubenesque. She was hot. Later found out that there was one lady emperor, otherwise known as an empress i suppose, that had a mere 5 concubines. Interesting dont you think? Yeah had a good lunch with candied potato for desert and Bing told us to dip it in our beer before eating. When in Rome. Pretty good i guess but i think its just to cool it off. Bing also bought a sweet golden picture of a "old car" or horse drawn carriage for a mere 150. What a steal. Made it to terra cotta and after the circle movie we go into the warehouse. This place is huge and there are a predicted 8000 buried clay life size soldiers and horses and carts. The guy started building his tomb when he was 18 and ironically died while checking on it 30 years later. Hung out with Mary Wong and Alex and i dare say we got some good pics. Well, they did my cam was out of batteries. Quite amazing though just the sheer size of the place. In the next building you could get a bit closer to check out how the excavation works. They still have about 70% covered they think. Funny they build these buildings on top. Oh yeah, it was funny in the movie when some farmers discovered them by pulling up a head of one of them out of a well. How often does that happen. Was cool but hot as hell out there in the middle of the country in the middle of the day. After, everyone thought we were done but then we stopped at the actual tomb (Qin) and walked up to the top to an unimpressive view but plenty of pomegranate.
Night Out 2 - Not quite as wild but equally fun when chillin with Michael and Gary. Walked what seemed like 30-40 miles to find some alley food vendor that they promised they would come back and visit and eat their noodles. Just as predicted they were amazed/happy to see them and we had a killer meal of the bready dumplings and noodle soup for about 3 kuai each but the guy refused to take $. Got some Bai Jiou the local liquor made of sohrgum and it was horrid. Like really strong bad sake is my description. Its like 110 proof so yikes. Funniest part was when the owner guy sent some girls over to sit with us at our down low table. Funny enough to see 3 big Americans at this table that is a foot off the ground but when it is crowded w/ 2 more girls even better. We certainly attracted a lot of attention from the passersby but made it worth it bc i think we got some business for him too. So he was trying to hook us up with these girls but they were just there for a few weeks for fun with friend. Sounded good and i guessed them to be 15 so when they said they were 20 i was amazed. These Asian women, i tell you what. Michael had long conversations about family and girlfriends and America and prices of things and since i don't know Chinese i couldn't really take part or say what transpired. I did buy some cookies though. They were pretty good. The people all want you to have Chinese girlfriend, are amazed by American prices, and want to know what its like to have siblings. The other night i heard this song about "we make ya'll speak Chinese;" some rap song that i had to chuckle at since none of the Chinese people could understand it and i wonder if the DJ even did. Ha.
Other day trip - the Saturday that we left we had another sweet tour of the big wild goose pagoda (already seen it), a history museum (unimpressive replicated pots and the like, might have been better had i known any Chinese history or could read it), and a western food buffet. Buffet made some people sick and by western they meant one pot of crappy spaghetti and some cold french fries. Met some international ambassadors from GA and AL though so that was cool even though they were only like 14.
Train ride home was long and sleepy. Ate noodles, basked in the air conditioned goodness and had deep conversation.
So what happened in Xian. Hard to say seeing as how it was a few days ago and since i have been back in Beijing stuff has been going down. At any rate Xian is a cool city and we saw some stuff, stayed in a cheap room, and ate some cheap food.
Towers - the drum and bell towers are central city are are really not that cool but we did see a drum show and they played drums as you would imagine Chinese people to do. I did learn that they divide night up into 4 parts and hit the huge drums to signal when the new part starts. I found my Chinese name at the gift shop but it was like 40 kuai and Eve told me she could just write it so I left it and she has yet to fulfill her promise. Saw a sweet show that was promoting the war on drugs. It really sucked actually but there were some cool little kung fu kids doing flips amongst the 50 year old uncoreographed, uncoordinated dancing women. Funniest part other than us being the only white people there was when a gust of wind came and blew the stage backing all the way across and a bunch of police jump out to stop it and get knocked over. Ha. Prior to that we had a great time at the massage parlor getting our feet massaged. First time and an hour goes for 50 (or $6). They only had 2 people to do it so while Gary and Eve got theirs i just soaked and soaked in tea. Feet smelled ok for once. Meat on a stick was to follow on the street in the Muslim quarter which was good stuff. That is all.
Terra Cotta Soldiers et al - Day after we get there Bing Wang and Tsinghua sponsor a trip for us to see not only the 8th wonder of the world but some other crap too. Saw another summer palace where some cool history happened that i have already completely forgotten but i do remember Tom our tour guide who told us the emperor there had thousands of concubines but one favorite one who was rubenesque. She was hot. Later found out that there was one lady emperor, otherwise known as an empress i suppose, that had a mere 5 concubines. Interesting dont you think? Yeah had a good lunch with candied potato for desert and Bing told us to dip it in our beer before eating. When in Rome. Pretty good i guess but i think its just to cool it off. Bing also bought a sweet golden picture of a "old car" or horse drawn carriage for a mere 150. What a steal. Made it to terra cotta and after the circle movie we go into the warehouse. This place is huge and there are a predicted 8000 buried clay life size soldiers and horses and carts. The guy started building his tomb when he was 18 and ironically died while checking on it 30 years later. Hung out with Mary Wong and Alex and i dare say we got some good pics. Well, they did my cam was out of batteries. Quite amazing though just the sheer size of the place. In the next building you could get a bit closer to check out how the excavation works. They still have about 70% covered they think. Funny they build these buildings on top. Oh yeah, it was funny in the movie when some farmers discovered them by pulling up a head of one of them out of a well. How often does that happen. Was cool but hot as hell out there in the middle of the country in the middle of the day. After, everyone thought we were done but then we stopped at the actual tomb (Qin) and walked up to the top to an unimpressive view but plenty of pomegranate.
Night Out 2 - Not quite as wild but equally fun when chillin with Michael and Gary. Walked what seemed like 30-40 miles to find some alley food vendor that they promised they would come back and visit and eat their noodles. Just as predicted they were amazed/happy to see them and we had a killer meal of the bready dumplings and noodle soup for about 3 kuai each but the guy refused to take $. Got some Bai Jiou the local liquor made of sohrgum and it was horrid. Like really strong bad sake is my description. Its like 110 proof so yikes. Funniest part was when the owner guy sent some girls over to sit with us at our down low table. Funny enough to see 3 big Americans at this table that is a foot off the ground but when it is crowded w/ 2 more girls even better. We certainly attracted a lot of attention from the passersby but made it worth it bc i think we got some business for him too. So he was trying to hook us up with these girls but they were just there for a few weeks for fun with friend. Sounded good and i guessed them to be 15 so when they said they were 20 i was amazed. These Asian women, i tell you what. Michael had long conversations about family and girlfriends and America and prices of things and since i don't know Chinese i couldn't really take part or say what transpired. I did buy some cookies though. They were pretty good. The people all want you to have Chinese girlfriend, are amazed by American prices, and want to know what its like to have siblings. The other night i heard this song about "we make ya'll speak Chinese;" some rap song that i had to chuckle at since none of the Chinese people could understand it and i wonder if the DJ even did. Ha.
Other day trip - the Saturday that we left we had another sweet tour of the big wild goose pagoda (already seen it), a history museum (unimpressive replicated pots and the like, might have been better had i known any Chinese history or could read it), and a western food buffet. Buffet made some people sick and by western they meant one pot of crappy spaghetti and some cold french fries. Met some international ambassadors from GA and AL though so that was cool even though they were only like 14.
Train ride home was long and sleepy. Ate noodles, basked in the air conditioned goodness and had deep conversation.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
First night in Xian
Seems to be the way of this trip is to go hard the first night and sit back and wince and try to recover the rest of the time. Headed out with Mike and Eve on an adventure after Eve asked where we could go. She also goes to GSU and is from Shanghai so her Mandarin is quite good, obviously, and its very nice when she's around. Unfortunately up until now she has been taking off straight after class for her "job" and we could never hang out. At any rate we made it over to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and heard there is a nice water show there. Ate a hella good meal at a veg restaurant where they are willing to shape tofu into anything. Lucky for us we got some pork like tofu, with the layers of fat and everything, some duck tofu, some lotus flower, and soup. Killer meal for quite cheap i think. The park was cool around the pagoda and filled up before the 830 start to the show. Was a mini Bellagio with the dancing waters to traditional music. They say it's the biggest fountain in Asia... More pictures with Chinese dudes followed the show. Always love that when people make you feel like a star.
After the big show headed out with the drinkin crew to 1+1 the only proper club in Xian. Was nice, had 5 floors all with different vibes and plenty of Chivas. We rolled in hard and set up shop in the number one VIP room and bought the bar. Actually just some vodka and Chivas and some food and mixers. Came out to less than $10 each. Total deal. They mix the whiskey with green tea. Must remember this for it is quite tasty. Drank up walked around checking out the scene which consisted of all Chinese people, us, and about 3 other white guys with Chinese girlfriends. True China and all the while a decent House DJ with crappy lady MC. Hot gogo dancers and all that. Chill on the top floor which was open to the sky but the real action was later on after some really wasted Chinese dude started buying shots for Mike and I. Well sharing his bottle anyway. Invaded some other VIP rooms with Anni dancing his arse off and being a bit sloppy. Headed out and ran into some tall "girls" who were staring me down. Went over to the room and the security guy was pointing them out to me and telling me to head over but i had a bit of a funny feeling. Brad, our team leader, sauntered over and asked if i wanted to talk to them and went to bring them over. They came over and we found out through our context clues - big hands and feet, low voice, cheekbones, and being from Thailand that they were ladyboys. What a surprise. Through sign language we figured out one was pre-op and the other post-op. Had a good laugh with them and they went back to their dancing. Now, Anni comes along and i tell Mike to tell him the girls want to dance with him. He's all for it and after about 10 minutes of grinding it's just too much. Have to tell him and he tries to play it off and hugs them and kisses them even more. In the cab on the way home he makes fun of us southern boys but the easy response is that we weren't dancing with dudes. Next day we all have a good laugh and it's over. Guess it doesn't matter where you are or what the culture.
After the big show headed out with the drinkin crew to 1+1 the only proper club in Xian. Was nice, had 5 floors all with different vibes and plenty of Chivas. We rolled in hard and set up shop in the number one VIP room and bought the bar. Actually just some vodka and Chivas and some food and mixers. Came out to less than $10 each. Total deal. They mix the whiskey with green tea. Must remember this for it is quite tasty. Drank up walked around checking out the scene which consisted of all Chinese people, us, and about 3 other white guys with Chinese girlfriends. True China and all the while a decent House DJ with crappy lady MC. Hot gogo dancers and all that. Chill on the top floor which was open to the sky but the real action was later on after some really wasted Chinese dude started buying shots for Mike and I. Well sharing his bottle anyway. Invaded some other VIP rooms with Anni dancing his arse off and being a bit sloppy. Headed out and ran into some tall "girls" who were staring me down. Went over to the room and the security guy was pointing them out to me and telling me to head over but i had a bit of a funny feeling. Brad, our team leader, sauntered over and asked if i wanted to talk to them and went to bring them over. They came over and we found out through our context clues - big hands and feet, low voice, cheekbones, and being from Thailand that they were ladyboys. What a surprise. Through sign language we figured out one was pre-op and the other post-op. Had a good laugh with them and they went back to their dancing. Now, Anni comes along and i tell Mike to tell him the girls want to dance with him. He's all for it and after about 10 minutes of grinding it's just too much. Have to tell him and he tries to play it off and hugs them and kisses them even more. In the cab on the way home he makes fun of us southern boys but the easy response is that we weren't dancing with dudes. Next day we all have a good laugh and it's over. Guess it doesn't matter where you are or what the culture.
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