So yesterday we toured Lushun, which is apparently the place we live. Either that, or it's close. Dalian's the major city nearby. I dunno. I'm getting them all confused. All I know is that my Chinese blows and that I have approximately 23 mosquito bites on my arms.
First, we went to this permanent movie set nearby. It was set up to look like old-time-y China. It was really cool and old. There were a bunch of old clothes that I really wanted to try on but couldn't. There were also some mangy cats and what not, but for the most part it was just cool old stuff. This guy was driving an old time-y cart and he let us ride it around the place twice. Then he let us take pictures pretending to drive it. It was funny. We also got to take pictures of us in an old fashioned school house. I don't have any of those unfortunately, but I'll be sure to steal them from someone who does.
Then, we went to this lookout point way up above the city. The view was amazing. You could see the ocean and the city on the other side as it stretched out for miles and miles. We also had amazing ice cream. It was peach yogurt. DELICIOUS. We got nice pictures of us on old battle equipment too. If I remember right, the place was first a Japanese memorial for those who died in the China-Japan war. Then when China took over, they left it as a general thing. It was sweet.
On the way back, we were joking and what not. Dinner was lame for the first time since I've been here. I'm apparently not a big fan of tofu. The boys didn't like it even more than me so they went out. Sarah and I stayed back and Marisa was studying, so Sarah and I decided to go for a walk. That was when we saw the old ladies. It was, like, 8 at night and there were these old ladies outside of a building with fans and scarves and they were doing a dance. It was a lot of fun to watch. They were so into it. I wish I had brought my camera to video tape them. It was delightful! We stayed for three dances before heading back. We also got to watch this funny movie about a guy who wanted the perfect girl but ended up realizing he was the douche and not the ladies he was trying to get with. It was pretty funny.
Other than that, and the effing mosquito bites, I've got not much going on. Teaching doesn't start until next week which is okay. I'm not nervous yet, but I'm sure I'll be freaking out when it comes time. Today we were supposed to go to a farm, but that is happening tomorrow. So I guess today we're going to be chillin out and studying. LAME.
Funny story though. Coby, Marisa, and I went to the store today to buy a few snacky treats and on the way back we were joking about whatever. So Coby says, "I'm surprised I haven't seen any 'Happy Ending' Massage Parlors around here." The two young girls in front of us looked back at us quickly. So we started joking about that. Coby started by pointing it out and making a joke about how he was a little embarrassed. So I said, "Well, maybe they just heard English and decided to look back... or maybe they just think you're a huge dick and don't want to talk to you." So we laugh a bit until one of them turns around and asks, "Are you Tyler's friends?" At this point, we all bust out laughing and I say yes, we are Tyler's friends. I learn that her English name is Vera Wang and her Chinese name is something that I forgot. She said that after we're off quarantine, we're going to hang out.
Yeah, good times.
