The Oddities of China

So China's a very strange country.

The first thing I noticed was the spitting. Everyone feels free to just hoark a loogie anywhere and spit it everywhere. In the train station. In a restaurant. On the street. It's all the same. Brandi actually saw two guys shoot a snot rocket in one day! Disgusting!

No one follows the traffic rules. If the light says don't walk, more people walk across the road than when it says it's okay to walk. The cars change lanes whenever they feel like it and turn from any lane they want. They honk at each other constantly as though somehow this is going to stop the other person from doing what they're going to do anyways.

The other day Brandi and I were walking down the street in Beijing and they were spraying some kind of chemical on the trees. We were downwind and didn't have time to escape so for days all I could smell was something similar to the smell of varnish! It burned my lungs and eyes, but the guy standing out in the street spraying it had no protection. Crazy people here.

We are now in a smaller city called Luoyang. The babies here have little suits with holes in the bum so that if they poo their pants, they just poo on the street instead.

The toilets on the train were so disgusting I almost barfed. No wonder the people here get sick. They're massively over populated and the sanitation is non existent. No soap in the bathrooms. I mean come on get with the program.

I'm really excited to start training. I'm tired of being around people constantly. The great wall hike was amazing, it's the least amount of people I've been around since we left home. Ahh home.. So much space. I miss the space. I know... we've only been gone just over a week!

Goodbye Shanghai

So Shanghai was interesting to say the least. Thank god we stayed in a really great hostel. The ladies that work at the reception here were incredibly helpful. I don't know if Brandi and I would've gone anywhere without getting lost.
Besides a few dramatic moments, like almost being ripped apart trying to get off the train during busy hours, and trying to get a taxi in the rain, it has been an enjoyable stay. We ate at 2 really great vegetarian restaurants. The faux meat here is so much better than what's available in Edmonton.
Although the traveling is going well, I didn't realize how much me and Brandi would be arguing. It's funny because we haven't lived together in years and I just thought since we get along so well normally that we would be the best of friends. Not that we're not getting along at all. But I remember what it's like to argue with my sister every 10 minutes. Haha. I blame the jet lag.
Today was the highlight of our time in Shanghai. We visited a monastery called Yofu. Just walking along beside it on the street I felt the most calm I've felt in weeks. The smell of incense wafting out was like heaven.
We went to see a Jade Buddha. Which I've seen before in Thailand. But this was different. Sorry. I have no pictures because they were not allowed. It was a spiritual experience. The most beautiful serene looking Buddha I've seen in my travels. I feel much more like myself.
I'm looking forward to Beijing and the great wall. But more than anything I'm looking forward to starting my training. Every day is almost like we're just passing time, seeing sights, before we really begin our journey.
Soon our crazy overnight train ride will begin. Hopefully we make it through in one peace.
Hello Beijing!

Departure from japan

So it is our last day here and I am almost regretful that we're leaving. Good thing that there is a lot to look forward to. Yesterday Brandi and I went to the Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi park and then spent the day walking around Harajuku. I don't think I've ever seen so many clothing stores. It's comparable to West Edmonton mall. But at least it's outside.
We then had an amazing macrobiotic, vegetarian dinner at a famous restaurant that has served people such as Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. It was excellent!
Today we got up early and packed and spent most of our day touring the imperial gardens. Working in a Japanese garden this summer made me appreciate all the time and effort put into sculpting the trees and shrubs. The detail put into the pruning amazes me.
We went for organic tea at a great little cafe and had a wonderful chat with the woman who owns it. Sometimes it's difficult to communicate but she was very patient.
Last but definitely not the least we went and ate soba noodles at a little restaurant without chairs and where slurping and burping are heard so often they go unnoticed. Perfect for me! Hahaha.
Although Tokyo is far too busy for me, it's been a nice little vacation and I got to see some of the culture which I thoroughly enjoyed. Next time I would like to see more of the country. I will return again sometime in the future. Goodbye Japan!