Just when you think you’ve seen it all…

Oh here is the latest experience. I was leaving Qingdao yesterday evening by train and walked into the waiting room when a couple starts shouting “Lao Wai” “Lao Wai” (“foreigner, foreigner”). I mean shouting. Everyone in the room turns to see the commotion and I slink into the back row of chairs with my back to the

The New BYU group!

With a new year comes a new group of teachers. The Qingdao International Branch is composed mainly of Korean members and the BYU English teachers. These English teachers are all retirees  that have volunteered through the David M. Kennedy Center through BYU. The group this year is wonderful. I will miss the old group dearly. Victoria left all the

I think I have a problem…

The following pictures I think pretty much cover it. Um oh yeah I’m missing my latest purchase a five strand multi-size beauty.

Final Day in Qingdao

I woke up to rain and thus decided to spend the morning in. I was tired of fighting the puddles. I finally went out and visited the DvD store one final time and picked up a few new releases. I stopped by Carrefour on the way back to the hostel and practically raided the imports

Not extactly the beach vacation I had in mind…

Today was far less productive. It rained practically all day only letting up for about a half an hour at a time. I spent the morning looking for the Book Nook, a foreign run bookstore downtown. I didn’t manage to find it but came across another small bookstore Sonoplace hidden away in an Alley. I

A full day…

Taking out my list I decided to start this morning with the Bridge Market Victoria told me about. She went with one of her students last year and was impressed with the variety of goods or to be more specific a special ingredient for family soups, opium pods. Her student had informed her it was

Qingdao thus far

Thus far the trip has been wonderful. The train coming was on time, not crowded and clean. The weather was not what I had anticipated but really nothing to complain about. Leaving high humidity at 98*s for high 70*s and an ocean breeze isn’t going to kill me. I was hoping for a little more

I’m off for the week…

Well I’m headed off to Qingdao in the morning. I’ll be there until Thursday so although I will attempt a post or two I’m not going to stress about it. Ahh Vacation! I’ve finished my Summer job and will begin teaching at the University next week. So this week is me, my kindle and the

What ever will I do…

I have a one week vacation coming up between my summer job and starting at the University. Boy do I have plans. Originally I was going to be productive and prepare for classes but with last weeks events I need a vacation and nice long beach vacation at that.  So plans are already forming…leave Tuesday afternoon

A Weekend to Remember…

I’m slowly visiting the sites in Qingdao and by slowly I mean a napping tortoise has seen more of Qingdao than I. To continue the prolonged tour I scheduled a weekend with Beth. I had it all planned, the spice market, Zhongshan Park, the pagoda, the temple, the beach, Catholic Cathedral and of course Jimo for the