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camelburger · 2 years
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Winter Break
Winter break started and we have three weeks off. Temperatures have been cold. The high one day was -6 F, thought it fluctuates between 0 and 18 F throughout the week. Traveled to the Changchun Ice and Snow World which is just on the outskirts of the city. The pictures below are from that day. The buildings are all made constructed from ice blocks and have LED lighting inside. Pictures are below. It is a pretty place when the sun goes down and the lights are on. 
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camelburger · 2 years
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camelburger · 2 years
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camelburger · 2 years
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camelburger · 2 years
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camelburger · 2 years
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Did you celebrate Thanksgiving?
I did not. Though there was a restaurant offering a Thanksgiving meal, but I ultimately decide to sleep and enjoy some down time.
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camelburger · 2 years
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Winter break
Winter break started for us on Friday and we have 3 weeks off! Unfortunately, we cannot travel that much as depending on the return destination, one must quarantine from 2 to 4 weeks upon arrival in China. 
I was invited to a work colleague’s wedding on Friday. It was a fun and enjoyable experience. One thing is the attendees give the bride and groom a gift called Hong Bao. This is the red envelop below and it has money in it. (reminded me of a Mafia tradition) It was a great time with food and drinks.     
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camelburger · 2 years
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camelburger · 2 years
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Mall life
There a quite a number of malls located here and each has there own niche attraction. Pictured below is one with a Ferris wheel on top, one that is built on the hill (the 4 pics after the DQ cup), and the mall that has “race track” for kids to drive around (the video) Each mall has western type stores along with local/China businesses and companies. 
Located a DQ here, its menu is limited to Blizzards, cones, sundaes, hot dogs, and bubble teas. Through an inaccurate finger pointing I tried a green tea Oreo blizzard. It was different.  
I try to walk around a much as possible to figure out and find interesting places. In some areas, the streets give off a quaint European vibe, with tree lined streets, small shops below apartments, and people walking and biking. 
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camelburger · 2 years
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camelburger · 2 years
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camelburger · 3 years
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Last week I was asked to attend a government cultural exchange, where they asked “experts” expats to take part and learn about the Chinese culture. (I say “experts” as 4 of the attendees were house husbands.) We learned and experienced the art of paper making, using a small manual print press, and made Moon Cakes. The event coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival that happens every year. At school, we were given the Monday and Tuesday off for the festival, which was nice to have a long weekend. Not much to place for the Festival in town that I know of, but I was told here in Changchun it is really about just getting together with family and enjoying time with one another. 
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camelburger · 3 years
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The last week of quarantine was spent in my apartment. (pics above) Hard to believe I have been here a month already. Working on getting settled in at work and the apartment. Luckily, most larger stores (groceries, clothes, household items) are 5km or less away, with smaller stores just a walk away. The primary payment at the stores is through your phone, similar to the apple/google pay in the US. This has been adventure. There is a Wal-Mart here, kinda the same but different as it’s obviously geared to more Chinese items, though they still only have two cashiers with 8 lanes available. The larger grocery stores have a large area with fresh and live seafood, too. 
China is different than what you see and probably expect from the US news. I live in an apartment complex in a middle class area. I have seen people driving around in Porsche SUV’s, Audi’s, Lexus’s, Mercedes-Benz, a Cadillac, couple of jeeps, BMW’s and other brands and the cars are at most no more than 6 years old. There is a social class here. 
Additionally, food is plentiful and easy to get. There is an app called Taobao which is like Amazon that is very popular and has everything on it. Online ordering is very convenient and efficient here. I see countless motorized scooters and trucks whizzing about the streets delivering packages. 
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camelburger · 3 years
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On Sunday, Aug. 9 I departed for Seattle, WA to catch my flight to Shanghai on Wednesday, Aug. 11. I had to get two COVID tests 48 hours before the flight which were sent to the Chinese Embassy in SF, in order to get a green code from them to board the flight.
The 12 hour flight was smooth as I slept 10 hours of it as it departed Wednesday morning at 4:30 am. That is after a four hour delay. Getting through the Shanghai airport was relatively easy, just getting another COVID test and green QR codes. I had to stay in Shanghai for a two week quarantine. The people that I have interacted with have been very helpful, even with the language barrier. The choice of quarantine hotel is luck of the draw. The first three pictures are my view and of the hotel. Nice, roomy, and modern.
Unfortunately, I was not lucky in Changchun. The last pic is of that room. I am standing at entrance. Not much to work with. Though I am only here a week and then off to my apartment for the final week of quarantine.
School has already started, but Wi-Fi in the hotels is unstable which makes communications with the school staff difficult but they understand. I have been fortunate that the HR department and supporting staff, regularly checks on me and ask if I need anything. I will say one thing I am tired of rice already, it is served with every lunch and dinner.
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camelburger · 3 years
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Part Deux
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ―  Bilbo Baggins
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Once again I accepted another job in a city, country that I know nothing about. It will be an experience to say the least. I will be working at CAIS, Changchun American International School (https://www.caischina.org/) in Changchun, China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changchun . I will do my best to post as often as I can. Stay in touch as often as we can!
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camelburger · 8 years
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The next to last destination was Pisa. The panoramic view is from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The climb up and down was intriguing, as you get closer to the top your body/feet move to counteract the angle. Thus, on one side you were closer to the middle of the building and as you rounded 180 degrees you were now closer to the towers outer walls. Eventually repairs will be needed for the steps as they have been worn away by countless visitors. Alas, the last two pictures are from the top showing the Cathedral that is next door and view to the outlaying city.
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camelburger · 8 years
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My next destination was Corica, a French island a short 3 1/2 hour ferry ride west of Pisa. The first picture is the port town of Bastia. It was then a 2+ hour drive to Ajaccio. I passed through the Parc Naturel Regional de Corse. The drive is one of the most stunning drives to date. Check out the Facebook page for the park or google image search the park. Truly amazing. Ajaccio is merely a port town and touristic, as the street markets are open through the day to accommodate the cruise ships that stop for the day. Outside the city, I visitied the Tour de la Parata. 
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