So last weekend I participated in my first “Hash” run. That is, the Hash House Harriers, an international group that organizes runs all over the world. The origins of the group is as British as the name. It started in 1938 when a bunch of British expats in Malaysia decided
Maybe Sometimes I make Living in China Sound too Easy
This summer, when I was in America, a lot of people said a lot of nice things about me. They said they admired me for living in China, or they thought I was so brave or cool, for making this strange country my new home. And that’s nice to hear
High Speed Trains in China
4 years ago (has it been that long?!) I wrote two very long, detailed posts about train travel in China. It explained what a train station was like, how to get a ticket, the different classes of seats etc, etc. And at the time it was quite useful. Now? It’s
A Dream Weekend in Shanghai
Even though I’m a small blog, various companies contact me from time to time, to sell services, or offer deals. I usually ignore them, but the other day I got a very intriguing e-mail about a blogging contest. Sponsored by Club Carlson, a travel and hospitality company. All I need
Sorry for the Radio Silence. I’m Still Here
How times flies. Has it really been almost three weeks since my last entry? Whoopsie. I’d like to blame my friends and my social life. They’ve been keeping me plenty busy. I’d also like to blame classes, and random stuff I need to do. I’d also like to blame a
National Day Holiday
I haven’t written much about my social life here. Of course, coming to a new place with no friends did put a damper on things for a few weeks. I was busy meeting people, and getting to know them, and finding people I really clicked with. (Actually, I did have
Xiamen, China — An Intro to my New Hometown
I thought I’d give you a small tour of my new hometown, so you can understand the place that I’m now living. I’ve been here before, way back in 2012, but I had no inkling at that time I’d be moving here, and seeing things as a traveler is very
Trying Not to Be THAT Person
I think we’ve all had a friend who went to England for the summer, and came back with a terrible fake accent. Or the totally white friend (who can’t speak another language and has never been out of the country) who says Puerto Rico with deep rolling R’s and a strong
Summer Plans: American Visa Edition
So there was one other important reason for going to Shanghai this past week, and that was so Jason could apply for an American visa. He is going to school in Canada in the fall so August in America seems logical. But getting a visa for America seems tough. According to
The Shanghai 1933 Slaughterhouse & Puzzle House
On Saturday we went to two different “houses.” One was a 1933 art deco slaughterhouse (no, not just a catchy name. A literal former slaughterhouse) and the other was a room where you pay someone to lock you in and figure out puzzles until you free yourself. We first went