Life in China and Other Expat Tales
From the category archives:
Photo Friday #29
Harbin, China. 14 February 2010 Daytime Temp: -12°C (Warm!)
China’s Dongbei, or northeast, has a long history of Russian “influence.” (Whether the locals wanted it or not.) This influence began with the construction of the China Eastern Railway, an extension of the famed Trans-Siberian Railway and can still be seen today in the city’s [...]
{ 5 comments }
Tucked away up in China’s frigid northeast is a small ski resort area called Yabuli. The name Yabuli comes from the Russian for “apple fields.” The Manchu nobles used the area as a hunting ground during the Qing dynasty. The DH and I spent two days at Yabuli over the Chinese New Year this past February.
The [...]
{ 5 comments }
Photo Friday #28
Not a photo and not taken by me, so technically I guess this is not really Photo Friday material. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but share this vintage advertisement as it does combine two of my passions: travel and Spain.
BTW, I think you’re more likely to encounter a redhead in Galicia or Asturias
And it’s [...]
{ 2 comments }
How to write about a bad trip without sounding like a whiny, nincompoop expat with too-high expectations?
I’ve always tried to present an accurate picture of our travels in China and elsewhere and for the most part our experiences have been positive. I don’t like to complain and denigrate, although I am sure I have been [...]
{ 0 comments }
What a day, what a day.
I don’t even really know where to start. The DH and I woke up at six this morning in order to try to get a train to Yabuli, China’s biggest ski resort, located about two hours southeast of Harbin. We did make the train, but with standing only seats. Luckily, [...]
{ 2 comments }
Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy Chinese New Year!
If only you could see me rolling my eyes… I hate to be a grump, but I’ve had a harrowing evening – way too much cold and dealing with evil taxi drivers. I can put a check mark next to Harbin in my China travel book. I’m done with [...]
{ 0 comments }
It’s seriously cold here in Harbin. Seriously cold!
I think both the DH and I have second guessed our decision to come here over Spring Festival. Since the festival is a family holiday, restaurants and shops have all pretty much been shut. We’re hoping things will be open tomorrow. There are very few people in the [...]
{ 0 comments }
Woken from my slumber entirely too early this morning, (I pretty much slept all weekend and am now accustomed to noon wakeup), the DH and I braved the cool and rainy Linyi morning for a quick flight to Beijing. Now we’re holed up in our hostel room, watching CCTV9 and feeling quite urbane.
Parked airplanes [...]
{ 2 comments }
Photo Friday #27
Open ABOUT 10:30 AM
This photo, taken at Uncle Mutt’s Barbecue in Victoria, Texas, reminds me to always be flexible while traveling and, of course, mindful of local customs. Sometimes in life we have a now! now! now! attitude. Like a lot of places in the world, (Southeast Asia comes to mind,) certain parts [...]
{ 10 comments }
The Town With The Big Family
Confucius Temple Entrance
Our last minute trip to Qufu this past Sunday was a success, if not without its little moments. Overall I would say that the home of Confucius is a worthwhile deviation from the standard tourist trail in China and for those of us in Shandong Province, a must [...]
{ 3 comments }
I'm an American expat living on the fringe of Chinese society. This blog explores life in China, the occasional aviation topic, expat issues, random travel experiences and interesting things I see, read and hear. 
L: Yours is one of my favorite blogs, and I’m glad you’re...
naomi: I have the opposite issue … I was a post writing FOOL over...
Michael P: Glad to see you’re back… I know what it’s... Tyler: Glad your back. I know how temps everyday in the 40s have made...
Crystal: What you wrote is so true! Many girls change their mind after...