SUN AUG 31 (Day 27)
So Sunday morning came by quickly as my wake-up call was at 430. In and out of the shower and picked up some pre-packaged breakfast and got into the shuttle. Back at Air China's desk around 515am and they got me sorted out. Then I had an escort from Air China who took me to Terminal 2 to meet with Northwest. The two officials discussed/confirmed everything and I got handed my boarding pass. So through security I went and checked-in. I got to the gate around 645am and my flight didn't board till after 8. It took off as scheduled at 855am from Beijing and arrived in Tokyo (which is 1hr ahead) at 130pm local time (1230pm Beijing time). My next flight from Tokyo was at 335pm so I had some time to spare. I went to the McD which took US$ and bought myself some lunch. I walked around trying to get wireless internet access but everything was a charge service. The flight had 3-transfers in 1 so it was absolutely full. It took off a few minutes late from Tokyo enroute to Seattle around 4pm. I ended up sitting beside a guy from Port Moody (about 20min from my home) so we talked for quite a bit. The flight was fast as we had a tailwind and the 8 1/2 hours went by rather quickly; 2 meals, 2 movies, 2 naps and we're there! In Seattle it took a while to get my luggage as there were hundreds of pieces but everything did go smoothly. I finally sat down to relax around 945am (Sun Aug 31) local time in Seattle ( = 1245am Mon Sept 1 in Beijing). The Quick Shuttle picked me up at SeaTac at 1030 and dropped me off in South Surrey at around 135pm. My parents met me at 2 and it was nice to see them again. We went out to a restaurant to eat a light healthy meal and got home around 330. I unpacked a little and talked a lot but I couldn't stay for long. I got a ride to the skytrain and went downtown for the NikePlus HumanRace 10km Run. (25 cities across the world, 1 million runners, 8/31/2008; 10million km run for charity - http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/humanrace/map.jsp) Then afterwards I was a free 15-min massage, got to dip my feet/calves in a hot tub, got some free healthy snacks and drinks. Then there was a concert put on including Theory of a Deadman. And I had met up with some badminton friends from Richmond and talked; finally left there around 1115 and came home. By then it was almost 1230 and I sat down and talk to my parents about my trip and slept at around 2am (which was my first time in a bed in over 36 hours!).
** THE END **
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Days 25/26 - Aug 29 + 30
Special Edition #1 VBlog - Fri Night Aug 29
Special Edition #2 VBlog - Sat Night Aug 30
FRI AUG 29 (Day 25)
So this was scheduled to be my final day in Nanning and by the end of the night I would be safe and sound in Beijing Capital International Airport. I woke up around 830 and had some breaky before I went to my final morning training session. I trained hard and lost a close match to one of my training partners; 18-21, 27-25, 19-21. It was fun and I said my goodbye's to the coach and assistant. From there I went back to my hotel and showered and finished packing all my goods. I was supposed to take a nap but ran out of time and only got a 15min rest before they called at 2pm to kick me out hehe. So I took my luggage and left my room after spending 11 nights there. My friends dad picked me up and we went out for some lunch and to his office for a bit. Then we hauled my luggage onto a transit bus which took us to the airport shuttle bus. We arrived at the Nanning airport around 515 and I got checked in and said my goodbye's. I went through security and got to the gates. There was some announcement over the intercom in chinese saying something about Beijing. As I looked at the "departures" screen, all flights to/from Beijing had been delayed. Not that I had to worry though because I was scheduled to sit in Beijing for 10hours until my morning flight across the Pacific. So I sait for about two hours and they posted "estimated delayed departure times" for all flights except for mine which had "No time." Then they gave us our dinner in the restaurant where I asked a fellow caucasian (who speaks Mandarin!) what exactly was going on - apparently there had been weather issues in Beijing and our plane had not left there yet to come to Nanning (a 3-hour flight). Then a few minutes after dinner we were told by the staff of Air China that the Nanning airport closes at 1am and our plane hadn't yet left Beijing so there wouldn't be enough time for it to fly to Nanning and then have its turn-around time before departing again. So they shuffled all of us onto a bus and a 45-min ride back into the side of the city. My flight was "cancelled" - not delayed - now that's a 10+ hour problem. They assigned us rooms and airline policy is two-to-a-room so I was sharing with a Chinese guy who spoke no english! Communication was fun/interesting but we made it work. We also managed to find out that we are both gemini's from Year of the Rabbit - he was born June 10th/1987 and I was one day later!! Anyway got to sleep around 1230 after the airline kept calling us and giving us updates about the next day...I fell asleep with thoughts in my head of what was going to transpire in the next 24 hours...
SAT AUG 30 (Day 26)
The day I was suppose to depart Beijing, the day I was suppose to arrive home, the day that never happened. Woke up to the phone in the hotel at 630. Everybody slowly, sleepily, shuffled into the restaurant for a mini-buffet breakfast. Before I could finish, it was time to get on the bus and go go go. We left the hotel around 730 and was back at Nanning airport by 8ish (12 hours after the turmoil (I should save that word for later) from the night before). It went smoothly and we boarded our plane to Beijing at 9am (the same time that I was suppose to be leaving Beijing for Seattle). I arrived in Beijing around Noon and then it all started. When I left Nanning I was promised by Air China officials "Beijing will help you out/find you a flight etc, no need to worry." But that's easy for them to say because it's 2400km away. Thankfully that nice couple from the night before (that caucasian guy and his chinese wife) had grown attached to me and we ate breakfast/bus'd/flew together and they had helped me communicate with Air China. So they went with me to the "Int'l Duty Manager of Air China" in Beijing to make sure I was sorted out. Beijing said that the reason the flight was cancelled was due to weather and that was beyond their control and therefore not their responsibility. (Note: Airport officials claimed "weather" issues the previous day; all citizens/friends said Beijing weather had been fine all day however there had been security issues in/around the airport). So Air China then offered to put me on Northwest's flight (which is once a day) on Sunday but I would have to pay the $250US surcharge for changing dates! I wanted them to put me on Air China's 3pm Beijing-Vancouver flight but they refused because it was a "free" seat and they couldn't contact Northwest (because one flight/day they close their office at like 10am) to prove my print-out was authentic. Needless to say, 5 hours (yes...5 hours...1pm-6pm) I had managed to talk my way into the NW flight Sunday morning w/o paying the extra surcharge and including a hotel for the night. (Note: I didn't "talk my way" - that nice couple who I had randomly met for the first time the night before, spent the 5 hours with me at the airport arguing in Chinese with the head managers. - And I thought that this world was running out of nice strangers, those 2 changed my perspective on a lot of things today). So finally everything was confirmed and signed and they went on with their life and I had to wait here till 930 when a NW official was coming in so Air China could purchase the ticket for me. Finally got everything cleared and they shipped me off to a hotel just after 11 (so I spend 11+ hours at the airport around Air China's desk and then they send me to a hotel for 5 hours bcuz I need to be back at that desk by 530am!). It was a beautiful 4-star hotel and the desk people all spoke english! I used the internet for about 5min and went to sleep around 1230.
Special Edition #2 VBlog - Sat Night Aug 30
FRI AUG 29 (Day 25)
So this was scheduled to be my final day in Nanning and by the end of the night I would be safe and sound in Beijing Capital International Airport. I woke up around 830 and had some breaky before I went to my final morning training session. I trained hard and lost a close match to one of my training partners; 18-21, 27-25, 19-21. It was fun and I said my goodbye's to the coach and assistant. From there I went back to my hotel and showered and finished packing all my goods. I was supposed to take a nap but ran out of time and only got a 15min rest before they called at 2pm to kick me out hehe. So I took my luggage and left my room after spending 11 nights there. My friends dad picked me up and we went out for some lunch and to his office for a bit. Then we hauled my luggage onto a transit bus which took us to the airport shuttle bus. We arrived at the Nanning airport around 515 and I got checked in and said my goodbye's. I went through security and got to the gates. There was some announcement over the intercom in chinese saying something about Beijing. As I looked at the "departures" screen, all flights to/from Beijing had been delayed. Not that I had to worry though because I was scheduled to sit in Beijing for 10hours until my morning flight across the Pacific. So I sait for about two hours and they posted "estimated delayed departure times" for all flights except for mine which had "No time." Then they gave us our dinner in the restaurant where I asked a fellow caucasian (who speaks Mandarin!) what exactly was going on - apparently there had been weather issues in Beijing and our plane had not left there yet to come to Nanning (a 3-hour flight). Then a few minutes after dinner we were told by the staff of Air China that the Nanning airport closes at 1am and our plane hadn't yet left Beijing so there wouldn't be enough time for it to fly to Nanning and then have its turn-around time before departing again. So they shuffled all of us onto a bus and a 45-min ride back into the side of the city. My flight was "cancelled" - not delayed - now that's a 10+ hour problem. They assigned us rooms and airline policy is two-to-a-room so I was sharing with a Chinese guy who spoke no english! Communication was fun/interesting but we made it work. We also managed to find out that we are both gemini's from Year of the Rabbit - he was born June 10th/1987 and I was one day later!! Anyway got to sleep around 1230 after the airline kept calling us and giving us updates about the next day...I fell asleep with thoughts in my head of what was going to transpire in the next 24 hours...
SAT AUG 30 (Day 26)
The day I was suppose to depart Beijing, the day I was suppose to arrive home, the day that never happened. Woke up to the phone in the hotel at 630. Everybody slowly, sleepily, shuffled into the restaurant for a mini-buffet breakfast. Before I could finish, it was time to get on the bus and go go go. We left the hotel around 730 and was back at Nanning airport by 8ish (12 hours after the turmoil (I should save that word for later) from the night before). It went smoothly and we boarded our plane to Beijing at 9am (the same time that I was suppose to be leaving Beijing for Seattle). I arrived in Beijing around Noon and then it all started. When I left Nanning I was promised by Air China officials "Beijing will help you out/find you a flight etc, no need to worry." But that's easy for them to say because it's 2400km away. Thankfully that nice couple from the night before (that caucasian guy and his chinese wife) had grown attached to me and we ate breakfast/bus'd/flew together and they had helped me communicate with Air China. So they went with me to the "Int'l Duty Manager of Air China" in Beijing to make sure I was sorted out. Beijing said that the reason the flight was cancelled was due to weather and that was beyond their control and therefore not their responsibility. (Note: Airport officials claimed "weather" issues the previous day; all citizens/friends said Beijing weather had been fine all day however there had been security issues in/around the airport). So Air China then offered to put me on Northwest's flight (which is once a day) on Sunday but I would have to pay the $250US surcharge for changing dates! I wanted them to put me on Air China's 3pm Beijing-Vancouver flight but they refused because it was a "free" seat and they couldn't contact Northwest (because one flight/day they close their office at like 10am) to prove my print-out was authentic. Needless to say, 5 hours (yes...5 hours...1pm-6pm) I had managed to talk my way into the NW flight Sunday morning w/o paying the extra surcharge and including a hotel for the night. (Note: I didn't "talk my way" - that nice couple who I had randomly met for the first time the night before, spent the 5 hours with me at the airport arguing in Chinese with the head managers. - And I thought that this world was running out of nice strangers, those 2 changed my perspective on a lot of things today). So finally everything was confirmed and signed and they went on with their life and I had to wait here till 930 when a NW official was coming in so Air China could purchase the ticket for me. Finally got everything cleared and they shipped me off to a hotel just after 11 (so I spend 11+ hours at the airport around Air China's desk and then they send me to a hotel for 5 hours bcuz I need to be back at that desk by 530am!). It was a beautiful 4-star hotel and the desk people all spoke english! I used the internet for about 5min and went to sleep around 1230.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Days 21-24, Aug 25 to 28
China Vblog #9 from Nanning - Last Blog? Click this link!
MON AUG 25 (Day 21)
So it was hard to get up Monday morning. I probably didn't get out of bed till 915. Crammed down some food/juice and off I walked at a face pace to my morning session. Got there around 940 and played for just over 2 hours. I took a rest and slowly walked back. I stopped for ice cream and freshly baked goods before I came to my room. Then I showered and ate and rested. I got about 1.5hr nap and back up and out for afternoon baddy. Took the bus, played from 415-745ish. Then I went to the department store downstairs from the badminton and bought some deodorant and drinks. I came back around 9 and showered. Then I went to the "expensive" cafe next store. I had to wait about 20-30min but had this delicious portion of cheesy spaghetti (28Y, $5cad). Then I came back and spent my time on the internet. Went to sleep about 1am.
TUES AUG 26 (Day 22)
I slept through my first alarm again and got up around 910. Another morning rush. Walked to my morning baddy. Weather was overcast. Played my two hours and came straight back. Showered, ate and did a video blog. Then I took my afternoon nap. In the meantime, it had been sunny and then there was a heavy rain shower but by the time I woke up and left for afternoon baddy is was overcast again. Took the bus there and arrived on time. Just a routine day, less people turned up so more court time for me. We all left just before 8 and I came back to my hotel. I went straight back out and to order dinner. I ordered this "Beef Pizza" from this place close by because I wanted to see what chinese pizza was like. It was 45Y (VERY expensive!! around $8 cad). I ordered the "big" size because I expected it to last two nights and make it worthwhile. Needless to say, 45min later, I got this 8-small piece pizza which was stapled between two paper plates (aka pizza box). Definitely not what I was expecting. And they offered 3 options: "beef" "fish" and "vegetable" - my pizza came with tomatoes, peppers and onions, and small fatty beef. I think the only difference between the 3 is they put beef and/or fish on top of the vegetarian one. I could have taken the bus to the shopping distract and gone to Pizza Hut in less time at less cost! Oh well it's a learning experience. The guy did give me a free drink because i had to wait so long, but then I accidently ordered the hot one instead of the cold one so that was a waste - I then had to go buy ice cream to cool me down after a hot coffee in 25* weather - so much for a "free drink." Haha. Another good day though, only a couple more to go!
WED AUG 27 (Day 23)
Got up around 9am and ate and packed up my stuff and left at 915. I arrived at morning baddy just after 930, did some stretching and warmed up. Then I practiced hard for 2 hours and it felt really good afterwards. I came back to my hotel and showered and had a bite to eat. Then I went for my nap. I got up around 3ish and left here 315. I walked down the street a little further and went to a couple shops along the road just to look. Finally took the bus just as an afternoon rain shower hit. I got to badminton right on time and went through the same routine. Played on/off for 4 hours; had some good games and felt improved. I came back took a quick shower and went to the closest bigger 'corner store.' My friend wasn't there but I bought 2 drinks and came back. Now I'm blogging, goin do some chores, and go to bed!
THUS AUG 28 (Day 24)
My last full day in Nanning. Got up 10min earlier so I had a little more time. I ate the usual and got to badminton on time around 930. Then did 2 hours of training on backhand drop/clear and smash return. Afterwards I came back to my hotel and relaxed. I showered and had some bakery + instant noodles for lunch. Then I spent time on the computer/msn/emails and started to pack up my stuff. I never actually got my nap in. Then at 330 I took the bus over to badminton. I got there early so I hung out with a buddy at the bubble tea hut. Then went upstairs for training. I played my re-match against their top singles player (I played him on my first day here and lost 21-3, 21-10); after two weeks of training, I lost again today but it was 21-13, 21-11. I felt better during our game too so that's good. I played a few more matches including a good Mixed doubles game that I won 17-21, 23-21, 22-20! Then I was sweaty and sore and said my goodbyes. We all went for bbt at the break which was nice. I got a gift from one of the players too! After badminton I came back to my hotel and didn't know what to do for dinner. I ended up going to the bakery and picking up some fresh goods. I bought some extras for breakfast tmw and a snack when I'm hungry at the airport. I also bought my favorite ice cream bar on the way back! Then back in my room, I did a video blog and sent out an email. Then I finally got to packing and msn'ing. Now it's nearing 1am and I'm goin to sleep!
MON AUG 25 (Day 21)
So it was hard to get up Monday morning. I probably didn't get out of bed till 915. Crammed down some food/juice and off I walked at a face pace to my morning session. Got there around 940 and played for just over 2 hours. I took a rest and slowly walked back. I stopped for ice cream and freshly baked goods before I came to my room. Then I showered and ate and rested. I got about 1.5hr nap and back up and out for afternoon baddy. Took the bus, played from 415-745ish. Then I went to the department store downstairs from the badminton and bought some deodorant and drinks. I came back around 9 and showered. Then I went to the "expensive" cafe next store. I had to wait about 20-30min but had this delicious portion of cheesy spaghetti (28Y, $5cad). Then I came back and spent my time on the internet. Went to sleep about 1am.
TUES AUG 26 (Day 22)
I slept through my first alarm again and got up around 910. Another morning rush. Walked to my morning baddy. Weather was overcast. Played my two hours and came straight back. Showered, ate and did a video blog. Then I took my afternoon nap. In the meantime, it had been sunny and then there was a heavy rain shower but by the time I woke up and left for afternoon baddy is was overcast again. Took the bus there and arrived on time. Just a routine day, less people turned up so more court time for me. We all left just before 8 and I came back to my hotel. I went straight back out and to order dinner. I ordered this "Beef Pizza" from this place close by because I wanted to see what chinese pizza was like. It was 45Y (VERY expensive!! around $8 cad). I ordered the "big" size because I expected it to last two nights and make it worthwhile. Needless to say, 45min later, I got this 8-small piece pizza which was stapled between two paper plates (aka pizza box). Definitely not what I was expecting. And they offered 3 options: "beef" "fish" and "vegetable" - my pizza came with tomatoes, peppers and onions, and small fatty beef. I think the only difference between the 3 is they put beef and/or fish on top of the vegetarian one. I could have taken the bus to the shopping distract and gone to Pizza Hut in less time at less cost! Oh well it's a learning experience. The guy did give me a free drink because i had to wait so long, but then I accidently ordered the hot one instead of the cold one so that was a waste - I then had to go buy ice cream to cool me down after a hot coffee in 25* weather - so much for a "free drink." Haha. Another good day though, only a couple more to go!
WED AUG 27 (Day 23)
Got up around 9am and ate and packed up my stuff and left at 915. I arrived at morning baddy just after 930, did some stretching and warmed up. Then I practiced hard for 2 hours and it felt really good afterwards. I came back to my hotel and showered and had a bite to eat. Then I went for my nap. I got up around 3ish and left here 315. I walked down the street a little further and went to a couple shops along the road just to look. Finally took the bus just as an afternoon rain shower hit. I got to badminton right on time and went through the same routine. Played on/off for 4 hours; had some good games and felt improved. I came back took a quick shower and went to the closest bigger 'corner store.' My friend wasn't there but I bought 2 drinks and came back. Now I'm blogging, goin do some chores, and go to bed!
THUS AUG 28 (Day 24)
My last full day in Nanning. Got up 10min earlier so I had a little more time. I ate the usual and got to badminton on time around 930. Then did 2 hours of training on backhand drop/clear and smash return. Afterwards I came back to my hotel and relaxed. I showered and had some bakery + instant noodles for lunch. Then I spent time on the computer/msn/emails and started to pack up my stuff. I never actually got my nap in. Then at 330 I took the bus over to badminton. I got there early so I hung out with a buddy at the bubble tea hut. Then went upstairs for training. I played my re-match against their top singles player (I played him on my first day here and lost 21-3, 21-10); after two weeks of training, I lost again today but it was 21-13, 21-11. I felt better during our game too so that's good. I played a few more matches including a good Mixed doubles game that I won 17-21, 23-21, 22-20! Then I was sweaty and sore and said my goodbyes. We all went for bbt at the break which was nice. I got a gift from one of the players too! After badminton I came back to my hotel and didn't know what to do for dinner. I ended up going to the bakery and picking up some fresh goods. I bought some extras for breakfast tmw and a snack when I'm hungry at the airport. I also bought my favorite ice cream bar on the way back! Then back in my room, I did a video blog and sent out an email. Then I finally got to packing and msn'ing. Now it's nearing 1am and I'm goin to sleep!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Days 19/20 - Aug 23 + 24
Video Blog #8! From Nanning, China~
SAT AUG 23 (Day 19)
I got to sleep in today but only an extra hour. I got up around 920 and had some breakfast and a shower. I met my friends dad in the lobby around 10am and we went out to do some touring. We took two buses to get to this park which I think in english was called "south lake park." Anyway it was so big you couldn't walk it so we took a travel bus around and got off at this tourist area. we then climbed up some stairs and reached a 8-storey tower. Of course we climbed to to the top of the tower (there goes my "day off" from training) and took some pictures of the panoramic view. It was not a hot sunny day today so they view had been deminished by the hazey/damp weather which kinda sucked since it was my day to tour but at least it was cooler. Once we got to the bottom of the tower we stopped for a drink but once we heard thunder nearby, thought it would be best to start walking. We barely made it to the bottom area under cover when the sub-tropical storm hit. 30-min of rain and thunder and lightning you only find near the equator! It was intense! A bus came by to pick all of us "stranded" people up and we got drenched in the 3-seconds it took to get on the bus. But all-in-all it was a good experience. From there we went into the city centre and to McDonald's for lunch. McD's here is like a luxury food - very expensive. A meal is over 2/3 what the price would be in Canada; most other foods/goods and anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3. But nonetheless they had 3 stores within 2 blocks and they were full of people! From there we went to Wal-Mart ... yes, I just said the Wal-Mart Supercentre! It was a shopping experience although "everyday low prices" didn't exactly exist (prices were quite similar to most small department stores), they did definitely have the variety on hand. Took a bus back to the hotel and it had stopped raining but only briefly. My friend said it was going to start raining again so I casually picked up my pace but when he started running I took notice. Needless to say, about 45seconds before I had reached my hotel the skies opened up and by the time I was in the door I was soaked! I got back in my room and relaxed the afternoon away; napping and computer'ing. Finally around 8pm I took another shower and went out to eat. Had a vanilla ice cap and some rice/beef. Back to my room, did my blog, watched some tv and gonna sleep around 1230~
SUN AUG 24 (Day 20)
My Sunday I got up and left the hotel around 915am. I met up with one of the players mom's and got in the car. It was the mom, Mr.Lei, two other players and myself in her Jetta. We then drove for just over 2 hours along the Chinese hwy...I'm guessing the distance woulda been like Seattle'ish to get to this city. The highway is pretty open, 4 lanes, no traffic really except for the big slow trucks. I really wasn't told much or knew what was gonna happen for the day. Apparently they were opening up this new club and invited my coach and his players and their families (in China it's always a big group gathering) because my coach is 'famous' in the province. Anyway we arrived just before 12 and had a massive sit down lunch. Afterwards they put us in these dorm-style housing (3 ppl to a room) to take a nap. At about 3pm we went to the badminton club (which is located on hospital property) and played exhibition matches for a couple hours. Out club managed to defeat their players - I won 2 and lost 2. Then they took us back to the same place as earlier to relax/shower and then eat another massive sit down dinner while we all watched the Closing Ceremonies. We didn't leave there until 10ish and got back just after midnight! Just wanted to comment that they treat me too much like a celebrity; I go to this new city and the badminton group there is just as gracious and generous to me as the ones I am with now. And of course they all want pictures and practice their basic english. When I was little I always hung around the adults, but last night I went over to the kids table and played cards and ran around with them because I was getting tired of the adult attention haha. But all-in-all it was another good/busy day; I went to sleep as soon as I got back!
SAT AUG 23 (Day 19)
I got to sleep in today but only an extra hour. I got up around 920 and had some breakfast and a shower. I met my friends dad in the lobby around 10am and we went out to do some touring. We took two buses to get to this park which I think in english was called "south lake park." Anyway it was so big you couldn't walk it so we took a travel bus around and got off at this tourist area. we then climbed up some stairs and reached a 8-storey tower. Of course we climbed to to the top of the tower (there goes my "day off" from training) and took some pictures of the panoramic view. It was not a hot sunny day today so they view had been deminished by the hazey/damp weather which kinda sucked since it was my day to tour but at least it was cooler. Once we got to the bottom of the tower we stopped for a drink but once we heard thunder nearby, thought it would be best to start walking. We barely made it to the bottom area under cover when the sub-tropical storm hit. 30-min of rain and thunder and lightning you only find near the equator! It was intense! A bus came by to pick all of us "stranded" people up and we got drenched in the 3-seconds it took to get on the bus. But all-in-all it was a good experience. From there we went into the city centre and to McDonald's for lunch. McD's here is like a luxury food - very expensive. A meal is over 2/3 what the price would be in Canada; most other foods/goods and anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3. But nonetheless they had 3 stores within 2 blocks and they were full of people! From there we went to Wal-Mart ... yes, I just said the Wal-Mart Supercentre! It was a shopping experience although "everyday low prices" didn't exactly exist (prices were quite similar to most small department stores), they did definitely have the variety on hand. Took a bus back to the hotel and it had stopped raining but only briefly. My friend said it was going to start raining again so I casually picked up my pace but when he started running I took notice. Needless to say, about 45seconds before I had reached my hotel the skies opened up and by the time I was in the door I was soaked! I got back in my room and relaxed the afternoon away; napping and computer'ing. Finally around 8pm I took another shower and went out to eat. Had a vanilla ice cap and some rice/beef. Back to my room, did my blog, watched some tv and gonna sleep around 1230~
SUN AUG 24 (Day 20)
My Sunday I got up and left the hotel around 915am. I met up with one of the players mom's and got in the car. It was the mom, Mr.Lei, two other players and myself in her Jetta. We then drove for just over 2 hours along the Chinese hwy...I'm guessing the distance woulda been like Seattle'ish to get to this city. The highway is pretty open, 4 lanes, no traffic really except for the big slow trucks. I really wasn't told much or knew what was gonna happen for the day. Apparently they were opening up this new club and invited my coach and his players and their families (in China it's always a big group gathering) because my coach is 'famous' in the province. Anyway we arrived just before 12 and had a massive sit down lunch. Afterwards they put us in these dorm-style housing (3 ppl to a room) to take a nap. At about 3pm we went to the badminton club (which is located on hospital property) and played exhibition matches for a couple hours. Out club managed to defeat their players - I won 2 and lost 2. Then they took us back to the same place as earlier to relax/shower and then eat another massive sit down dinner while we all watched the Closing Ceremonies. We didn't leave there until 10ish and got back just after midnight! Just wanted to comment that they treat me too much like a celebrity; I go to this new city and the badminton group there is just as gracious and generous to me as the ones I am with now. And of course they all want pictures and practice their basic english. When I was little I always hung around the adults, but last night I went over to the kids table and played cards and ran around with them because I was getting tired of the adult attention haha. But all-in-all it was another good/busy day; I went to sleep as soon as I got back!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Days 14-18, Aug 18 to 22
VideoBlog #7 - Nanning Week 1 - Click Here!
MON AUG 18 (Day 14)
So my first full day in Nanning. I woke up, showered (because you're sweating when you wake up) and left the hotel with luggage around 9am. I was picked up by my friend and her dad and we took a taxi to my current hotel (Home Inn - western style hotel chain in China with free internet!). They allowed me to check-in at like 930am for the day which was nice. The place is also convenient because it's about 2min walk from my friends place and 10min from the badminton centre. I dropped off my bags and went straight to the first badminton place. I got 1 on 1 coaching for about 1.5 hours but the sweat is just insane. Without even trying, I sweat more than I do after running 5km or doing drills back in Canada; it's unbelievable. From there I came back to my hotel around 12 and showered again and went back out for some lunch. Back to the hotel, 1 hour nap and then back out to more badminton. 4 Hours later and a bathtub full of sweat and 4 bottles of water and it was over at around 8pm. Then I managed to bus it back to the hotel and shower (again!). Then I went out to find myself some dinner. I found a supermarket (not really "super") about 10min walk down the road. I met this really nice girl who spoke a little english and got some shopping done. Lots of drinks and some food and I was set to go. Bakc home around 1030 and cooked myself some instant noodles and had some drinks. Then spent time on the internet and made a blog and gonna sleep now...1am~
TUES AUG 19 (Day 15)
Same type of day today - just getting into the routine. I woke up around 830 and had some breakfast and washed up. I went out just after 9 and walked to the morning badminton centre. Did my two hours of training from 930 till 1130 and then came back to the hotel. Had a shower, hung up my clothes and had a bite to eat. Then I lied down and took a nap for nearly 2 hours. At 3pm, I met up with my friends dad and we went to get our hair cut. It was really cheap ($1.75 CAD) and included head massage so I feel much lighter now! Then we took the bus to the afternoon badminton facility. Did group training from 4pm till 8ish. I went for some bbt during the 15min break we get!! Yummy and cheap =P Oh I had really bad luck for the bus today. I took 3 buses and each time had to wait around 10min .. every other bus came by except for the one I needed! Oh well it's no problem. After I got back, I showered again and then got on the computer. Handled some business, made myself dinner and a big drink and now it's almost midnight. That's all for today...
WED AUG 20 (Day 16)
Didn't manage to get out of bed till almost 9am. Then I had to be down at the lobby by 910. Went to morning badminton session with my friends dad. Had my two hours of sweaty/tough training and didn't leave till around 12. Then I slowly made my way back to my hotel by myself and arrived around 20min later. I took my shower and went for my nap. That lasted till 3pm when I got up again and back down to the lobby. Took the bus around 345 and got to badminton just in time around 4pm. Spent the evening there until 8pm and bus'd it back to my hotel. I was exhausted and went for my shower. Then I did some stretches on my bed and fell asleep around 915! I woke up briefly around 3am and did some stuff and went back to bed~
THURS AUG 21 (Day 17)
My day was pretty routine again. Got up around 9, had training 930 to 1145ish. Came back to my room, showered, ate, and did a vblog and phoned home. Then took a quickie nap and got back up around 3pm. Bus'd it to afternoon baddy from 4 till 8ish. Then went out for dinner with an assistant coach and another fellow to a restaurant right nearby. That took a good hour or so and then came home. Spent some time on the internet, took a shower, unpacked some more clothes and now its almost 1130pm.
FRI AUG 22 (Day 18)
Woke up at 9ish, left the hotel at 915. Walked to baddy by myself this morning, it took around 15min. Trained for 2 hours and then walked back home. It was a really hot day again, prob around 36! I stopped by the bakery on my way home and picked up some freshly baked goods! Once I got back, I spent some time on the internet + eating and then went for my nap. Got back up around 315, changed and headed out to catch my bus. Got to the baddy place early so I went and walked through a department store nearby - more drinks, more food, more goods, lower prices *makes note to stop by later* The afternoon baddy was a little different because we had less courts. It was also very hot in there and I felt more tired. I left around 8 and came back to the hotel to shower and relax. Then I booked myself for another 6 nights here as this seems to be a really good place for me. Then I went out for dinner; surprisingly it was difficult to find a place to eat on a Friday night after 9pm. I went to the place attatched to the hotel which was kinda pricey compared to most eateries. However I have to admit the food quality was very good - I had pasta with steak strips. Then I walked to the "big" corner store and bought some drinks/snacks. I got back around 11 and watched some Olympic highlights on tv and am gonna go to bed soon~
MON AUG 18 (Day 14)
So my first full day in Nanning. I woke up, showered (because you're sweating when you wake up) and left the hotel with luggage around 9am. I was picked up by my friend and her dad and we took a taxi to my current hotel (Home Inn - western style hotel chain in China with free internet!). They allowed me to check-in at like 930am for the day which was nice. The place is also convenient because it's about 2min walk from my friends place and 10min from the badminton centre. I dropped off my bags and went straight to the first badminton place. I got 1 on 1 coaching for about 1.5 hours but the sweat is just insane. Without even trying, I sweat more than I do after running 5km or doing drills back in Canada; it's unbelievable. From there I came back to my hotel around 12 and showered again and went back out for some lunch. Back to the hotel, 1 hour nap and then back out to more badminton. 4 Hours later and a bathtub full of sweat and 4 bottles of water and it was over at around 8pm. Then I managed to bus it back to the hotel and shower (again!). Then I went out to find myself some dinner. I found a supermarket (not really "super") about 10min walk down the road. I met this really nice girl who spoke a little english and got some shopping done. Lots of drinks and some food and I was set to go. Bakc home around 1030 and cooked myself some instant noodles and had some drinks. Then spent time on the internet and made a blog and gonna sleep now...1am~
TUES AUG 19 (Day 15)
Same type of day today - just getting into the routine. I woke up around 830 and had some breakfast and washed up. I went out just after 9 and walked to the morning badminton centre. Did my two hours of training from 930 till 1130 and then came back to the hotel. Had a shower, hung up my clothes and had a bite to eat. Then I lied down and took a nap for nearly 2 hours. At 3pm, I met up with my friends dad and we went to get our hair cut. It was really cheap ($1.75 CAD) and included head massage so I feel much lighter now! Then we took the bus to the afternoon badminton facility. Did group training from 4pm till 8ish. I went for some bbt during the 15min break we get!! Yummy and cheap =P Oh I had really bad luck for the bus today. I took 3 buses and each time had to wait around 10min .. every other bus came by except for the one I needed! Oh well it's no problem. After I got back, I showered again and then got on the computer. Handled some business, made myself dinner and a big drink and now it's almost midnight. That's all for today...
WED AUG 20 (Day 16)
Didn't manage to get out of bed till almost 9am. Then I had to be down at the lobby by 910. Went to morning badminton session with my friends dad. Had my two hours of sweaty/tough training and didn't leave till around 12. Then I slowly made my way back to my hotel by myself and arrived around 20min later. I took my shower and went for my nap. That lasted till 3pm when I got up again and back down to the lobby. Took the bus around 345 and got to badminton just in time around 4pm. Spent the evening there until 8pm and bus'd it back to my hotel. I was exhausted and went for my shower. Then I did some stretches on my bed and fell asleep around 915! I woke up briefly around 3am and did some stuff and went back to bed~
THURS AUG 21 (Day 17)
My day was pretty routine again. Got up around 9, had training 930 to 1145ish. Came back to my room, showered, ate, and did a vblog and phoned home. Then took a quickie nap and got back up around 3pm. Bus'd it to afternoon baddy from 4 till 8ish. Then went out for dinner with an assistant coach and another fellow to a restaurant right nearby. That took a good hour or so and then came home. Spent some time on the internet, took a shower, unpacked some more clothes and now its almost 1130pm.
FRI AUG 22 (Day 18)
Woke up at 9ish, left the hotel at 915. Walked to baddy by myself this morning, it took around 15min. Trained for 2 hours and then walked back home. It was a really hot day again, prob around 36! I stopped by the bakery on my way home and picked up some freshly baked goods! Once I got back, I spent some time on the internet + eating and then went for my nap. Got back up around 315, changed and headed out to catch my bus. Got to the baddy place early so I went and walked through a department store nearby - more drinks, more food, more goods, lower prices *makes note to stop by later* The afternoon baddy was a little different because we had less courts. It was also very hot in there and I felt more tired. I left around 8 and came back to the hotel to shower and relax. Then I booked myself for another 6 nights here as this seems to be a really good place for me. Then I went out for dinner; surprisingly it was difficult to find a place to eat on a Friday night after 9pm. I went to the place attatched to the hotel which was kinda pricey compared to most eateries. However I have to admit the food quality was very good - I had pasta with steak strips. Then I walked to the "big" corner store and bought some drinks/snacks. I got back around 11 and watched some Olympic highlights on tv and am gonna go to bed soon~
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Day 13 - Sun Aug 17
CHINA VIDEO BLOG #5 - The "Move" - Click here!!!
SUN AUG 17 (Day 13)
An hour and a half later, my alarm went off at 445am. And I was out the door with my suitcases (now 2 because of all my stuff) in tow. I took a taxi to the airport because the special "airport express" subway doesn't begin till 6am =S I arrived there around 530am and the place was insanely busy. It felt like 5pm with the amount of people in that place! But I got through smoothly (although security was very very strict and thorough) and got to my gate at 630. My flight left at around 730am and I arrived in Nanning city, Guanxi province at around 11am after catching some Zzzz and breakfast on the plane. From there I had to test myself bcuz there were no volunteers around and no one who spoke english (Nanning is in South China, about 2500km from Beijing!). I found a shuttle bus which took me to downtown Nanning and then managed to find a taxi driver who knew the hotel I was talking about. I arrived there just after 1230 and checked-in after 45min due to language issue and a quick run to the bank. I got in my room and took a nice long 3-hour nap. At around 630pm I met with my friend here and her dad as well as a few other people and we all went out to a nice dinner. All of us are huge badminton fanatics and the Olympic Mixed Doubles + Men's Singles final was on tv that night. So we actually left the first restaurent because they didn't have the tv channel we all needed! Finally found a good place and enjoyed an awesome meal with some great badminton on tv! I got back to my hotel around 1130 and went straight to sleep.
SUN AUG 17 (Day 13)
An hour and a half later, my alarm went off at 445am. And I was out the door with my suitcases (now 2 because of all my stuff) in tow. I took a taxi to the airport because the special "airport express" subway doesn't begin till 6am =S I arrived there around 530am and the place was insanely busy. It felt like 5pm with the amount of people in that place! But I got through smoothly (although security was very very strict and thorough) and got to my gate at 630. My flight left at around 730am and I arrived in Nanning city, Guanxi province at around 11am after catching some Zzzz and breakfast on the plane. From there I had to test myself bcuz there were no volunteers around and no one who spoke english (Nanning is in South China, about 2500km from Beijing!). I found a shuttle bus which took me to downtown Nanning and then managed to find a taxi driver who knew the hotel I was talking about. I arrived there just after 1230 and checked-in after 45min due to language issue and a quick run to the bank. I got in my room and took a nice long 3-hour nap. At around 630pm I met with my friend here and her dad as well as a few other people and we all went out to a nice dinner. All of us are huge badminton fanatics and the Olympic Mixed Doubles + Men's Singles final was on tv that night. So we actually left the first restaurent because they didn't have the tv channel we all needed! Finally found a good place and enjoyed an awesome meal with some great badminton on tv! I got back to my hotel around 1130 and went straight to sleep.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Day 12 - Sat Aug 16
* Vblog #4 w/Pics + Vid! Click here! *
SAT AUG 16 (Day 12)
So after going to sleep around 230...I was woken up at 6 by my alarm. With the urge to go back to sleep, I gave in for 10min before my sleep-timer went off and I was out to bed. Shower, change and out the door at 645. We took the subway, including 2 transfers, and arrived at our destination just past the meeting time of 730. However, the bus did not leave until it had filled up with more people; so our tour didn't even begin till after 830. We took the bus for over an hour when we reached our first stopping point. It was a large temple/park along the way. Since I was travelling with a group (my friend, her Dad, Alex, Dianna, Me) it was a little different. Alex decided that he was gonna climb up the mountain (via steps) to get to the "top" of the temple. Since I had been so out of shape, I decided to join him. We scaled a good 1000 steps (large stone steps...not apartment stairs) and were exhausted. Full of sweat and pain but the view was gorgeous from up there. Then we took this thing called the "Alpine Coaster" - I wasn't expecting much but it was actually a roller coaster that went down the mountain we just climbed! It was a thrilling/fun experience. From there it was back on the bus (made an ice cream stop) and to the Great Wall of China. Full of buses and tourist targeters (souvenir salespeople). We had a quick "apple pancake" for lunch and started climbing another mountain. We made it to the Great Wall at around 1230pm. We spent 1.5 up there walking a pretty good distance (2-3km) on the Wall. It was quite the experience, once in a lifetime. And when you're standing up there and thinking about the history of it, you understand why it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was spectacular; afterwards we took the ski ride thingy to the bottom. Back on the bus on which I slept until we got back to Beijing around 5pm. We then went to pick up my plane ticket for the next morning. Afterwards we went out for a big family dinner. I went out again after by myself to Wangfujing looking for any last minute Olympic stuff before I left Beijing. I got a couple small things and got back to the apartment just before 12. I then proceeded to begin packing and sorting all my stuff out. I finally finished around 315am and lied down.
SAT AUG 16 (Day 12)
So after going to sleep around 230...I was woken up at 6 by my alarm. With the urge to go back to sleep, I gave in for 10min before my sleep-timer went off and I was out to bed. Shower, change and out the door at 645. We took the subway, including 2 transfers, and arrived at our destination just past the meeting time of 730. However, the bus did not leave until it had filled up with more people; so our tour didn't even begin till after 830. We took the bus for over an hour when we reached our first stopping point. It was a large temple/park along the way. Since I was travelling with a group (my friend, her Dad, Alex, Dianna, Me) it was a little different. Alex decided that he was gonna climb up the mountain (via steps) to get to the "top" of the temple. Since I had been so out of shape, I decided to join him. We scaled a good 1000 steps (large stone steps...not apartment stairs) and were exhausted. Full of sweat and pain but the view was gorgeous from up there. Then we took this thing called the "Alpine Coaster" - I wasn't expecting much but it was actually a roller coaster that went down the mountain we just climbed! It was a thrilling/fun experience. From there it was back on the bus (made an ice cream stop) and to the Great Wall of China. Full of buses and tourist targeters (souvenir salespeople). We had a quick "apple pancake" for lunch and started climbing another mountain. We made it to the Great Wall at around 1230pm. We spent 1.5 up there walking a pretty good distance (2-3km) on the Wall. It was quite the experience, once in a lifetime. And when you're standing up there and thinking about the history of it, you understand why it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was spectacular; afterwards we took the ski ride thingy to the bottom. Back on the bus on which I slept until we got back to Beijing around 5pm. We then went to pick up my plane ticket for the next morning. Afterwards we went out for a big family dinner. I went out again after by myself to Wangfujing looking for any last minute Olympic stuff before I left Beijing. I got a couple small things and got back to the apartment just before 12. I then proceeded to begin packing and sorting all my stuff out. I finally finished around 315am and lied down.
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