A Fun Game for a Staycation

So I’ve been KILLING it on my staycation writers retreat, (I’m averaging 6,000 written words a day!) but I wanted to talk about something else I’ve been doing that you can try in your own city.

See, I figured out that actually a big Starbucks is the best place for me to do my writing. It’s noisy, loud and I can focus like craaazy. (Quiet cafes on the other hand are terrible. If there is a couple talking, or a waiter watching a video on his phone it drives me CRAZY. I can’t block out just one noise, but I can block out a caucophany of noises. I think this is a trick I learned living in China.)

So just like any American City, there is a Starbucks on every corner. So, to make a game out of my writing I decided to get on a bus and just go. Since the weather isn’t horrifically hot, I want to go to parts of the city I have never explored before.

So, I get on the bus headed in some direction and get off when I want. Either because I’ve seen something interesting out the window, or because an unusual amount of people get off at a certain stop. (So there must be something good there, right?!)

In my wanderings I came across “cat street” a place totally kitted out with kitty cats. They have some cute cafes and shops too, but even just the key maker and the noodle shop are painted festively with cats.
On one walk I found my favorite snack food of Taiwan! (Two scoops or ice cream, crushed peanuts wrapped in a thin burrito). Sooooo goooood!
On one walk I found my favorite snack food of Taiwan! (Two scoops or ice cream, crushed peanuts wrapped in a thin burrito). Sooooo goooood!

It’s a crazy fun game. Once I decided to go all the way to the end of a bus line, over an hour away, and I ended up at the ocean! Another time I wandered around a park before sitting down to write. Once I found a weird side street with golden cows at the entrance.
Cow street
I’ve even found a 6kuai (about $1) for 2 pieces of sushi place. I’ve been back there several times (an no I haven’t gotten sick!)

My friends are on high alert that I won't see or hang out with them during the week. But once I went to a cafe and ran into one of my closest friends who was also there! We sat across from each other and didn't talk, haha.
My friends are on high alert that I won’t see or hang out with them during the week. But once I went to a cafe and ran into one of my closest friends. We sat across from each other and didn’t talk. She took this picture to prove to our other friends that I was still alive.

No matter where I end up I can find a Starbucks, or Pacific Coffee (or a small cafe) within 20 minutes of wanderings. And of course since I took the bus there, I can take the bus back. (I am now a bus master. Buses are kinda scary. Even in English the names of the stops are kinda incomprehensible, much less in Chinese. But now I’ve figured out a few hub stations that will always get me a bus back home.)

All Work and No Play
And of course I haven’t squirreled myself away totally. While I am avoiding friends (and missing out on a lot of dinners and activities) I decided that on weekends I can take a break from writing. I’ve done archery, eaten some new food and even got to hang out with an old friend!

Look at these girls, don’t they look sweet and cute? Don’t be fooled. They are stone cold killers and could shoot any of you with their lethal archery skills.
We explored the Xiamen seaside and beaches.
I used his visit as an excuse to go to places I had never been before.

So while you know I LOVE to travel, I’m having a good time exploring the new city I call home. Even if you’ve lived in your own city for years, there must be places you’ve never explored. So get on a bus and just ride until you see something that catches your eye. It’s a unique way to find some fun places in the place you call home!

Since I've been spending so much time on buses, I have a whole strategy for getting a seat. One way is to start your trip at the terminal station. Your choice of seats!
Since I’ve been spending so much time on buses, I have a whole strategy for getting a seat. One way is to start your trip at the terminal station. Your choice of seats!
Buses in Xiamen are rarely empty though. This is the same bus, the same day, only 2 stops later…
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3 Comments

  1. Rebecca HAN

    You’ve been very close to where I live!
    Keep enjoying your life in China, dear!

    Reply
  2. Kimberly

    I totally agree! Now that we are in a new place (between Suzhou and Shanghai) We are starting to do that very thing. I love riding the bus and exploring new places. Glad you are having a good time! Sorry we haven’t communicated in a while.
    By the way, that ice cream thing looks amazing!!! What’s it called so I can find it in Shanghai

    Reply
  3. Becky

    Hey Kim, I’ve been reading your posts about your latest move too! i think now, when the weather isn’t miserable, is the perfect time to explore. But all of it will come to a screeching halt in a few days when Spring Fest arrives, haha.
    The ice cream thing is SO amazing. It’s a Taiwan snack and this is the first time I’ve seen it in China (Since we are so close to Taiwan, Xiamen has a lot of Taiwanese stuff.) It’s just called a 花生冰淇淋饼 as far as I know. I’ve never seen it in Shanghai but it doesn’t mean it’s not there. I wrote a post a few years ago when I went to Taiwan (and ate it for the first time). https://beckyances.net/2013/03/top-five-taiwan-street-foods/
    This would be a huge hit in America. Don’t know why we haven’t stolen it yet. 😉

    Reply

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