Joel's Trip to China

Today we went to a less cool version of Disneyland. For those who have been to Disneyland in California think of combining the river run (where you are in the circular rafts) and splash mountain (where you are in a log). What you get is this ride. You get into a “boat” you start off with everyone in ponchos (they sell them at the start of the ride entrance) Once you are all in the boat you start floating along. Then you come to a “mine” where you start to go up. Once you are at the top you start going along the tracks and it is peaceful. But once you start to relax you see this giant drop. Well once you get down there is this giant wave that is created that covers everyone. The picture of the wave is only about half the size as it gets a second later. Let’s just say that even with ponchos everyone is just wet. Okay so I know that this ride doesn’t look that impressive. But it is actually really high and you are falling fast. I was the only one that went on it in the family becau...

I think this steak restaurant is a little bit behind in the year.  This was a candy Santa that was with one of the appetizers at a steak restaurant.  Yes, it is edible and tasted good! (I ate it, sorry Santa) Hmmm I think they need more rice at the store.  Doesn't look like there will be enough to last. So, let's just look at this sign and think logically real quick.  Here is some background.  This is in a multiple story building for food shopping.  Like all places, there is a parking lot... but I thought that "roof parking " meant on the top of the building, why is the arrow pointing down?  Well, there is no roof parking, this sign is supposed to say basement parking like all the other signs there.

When the weather report says 100% rain for 6 hours. Well it’s hard to know what to expect. As you will see from the following videos and photo Yangzhou had flash floods. Tonight the streets are becoming back to normal but there is a lot of clean up work that is needed. I think the videos can speak for themselves. 

Today between the rain we went to the temple.  this was an area made to increase Buddhism.  There were maybe 10 people including us that were visitors there.  We went up to the top of the pagoda.  There was a lot of areas for prayer to the "gods".  There were also a few "monks" there but they don't really follow the rules for being a monk.  They eat meat, get married, use a cell phone, etc.

Yesterday we went to the zoo.  The animals were all basically the same as the ones in the Portland zoo, except they had a lot bigger area to be in.  There were tons of trees and plants between the animals.  During the Summer, most of the tourist attractions are free for students or half price in general.  This is because it is too hot and not that many people come.  In the Spring, the prices are the most expensive.  Note to anyone who goes to China, if you are a student bring your student ID and your passport.  Usually if you show that to them they will let you in for free if that is an option at that location and that time of the year.  Also, if you are a senior citizen also bring your passport with you because the prices are cheaper to get in. We got to watch a fun seal show. Check out the giant bug on this sign!! Funny signs. Skiing without snow, anyone?

Ever wonder what it is like to be the only white person I have seen for over a week?  Well, even through Yangzhou has a ton of tourists, they are all Chinese.  I have not seen a single white person while I have been here.  We even went to a super big mall, no white people.  So as you can guess, I have become a local treasure.  There are always people asking if they could take a picture of me or with me.  Also, when I took the English exam at school.  Well, they ended up posting the pictures online and it keeps on spreading on social media.  So if you want to become famous to 4 million people easily, go to Yangzhou and start talking Chinese and take an English test at a school.  This is the picture of me that is going all around Chinese social media.  (I have no idea what's up with my hair, probably from the stress of the test and me rubbing my head while taking it!)

Hmmm I wonder what that is hanging off the wall?  Wait, is that a projector?  Wait, is that in an elevator?  To answer all those questions, yes, in this mall there is a projector that turns on and off with the doors.  Usually it plays ads on it.  It is interesting.

Do you ever get stressed when there is a crazy driver or when you are driving in California and cutting across 4 lanes of traffic?  Well, if that stresses you out, then never drive in China.  Some of the intersections like the one in this picture are chaotic with e-bikes and cars changing lanes and going the wrong way in the intersection.  When you think of China, you think of constant honking.  Well, there is actually some reason to their honking.  The most common reason they honk is because people don't look behind them often, so someone hons because you will hit them otherwise.  Even though honking is illegal, it is still super common and the law isn't really enforced. In the United States, when a road is going to be closed for road work, you know plenty in advanced and there are lots of signs before you get to that point.  In China, they just put up barriers when they are ready.  So sometimes there has to be quick lane changes Now to pub...

Yesterday we went to a garden.  There was lots of green vegetation and old people.  The old people think that being out in a garden area will keep them healthy and give them good luck.

Last night we went on a walk to a square area.  They had a water fountain with lights that went to whatever music was playing on the speaker.

This minion is actually made of bread. We went on an old chinese road that had shops on the side.

I just got home from the school. I took the English test.  It was hard, for even me.  I was surprised with some of the content in the test.  Also some of the words they used in the test aren't used anymore in a normal conversation.  I took the test by myself in this classroom.  For the first part there were some photographers taking my picture while I was taking the test, then I was left alone to finish it.  Here is a picture of a typical classroom.  There is normally 40 people in each class.  This high school has about 2,000 people that attend it.  I also met the principal.  The meeting was interesting because it was basically a photo op for a bunch of photographers.  It reminded me of when people meet the president.

We went to the countryside outside of Yangzhou today to visit family.  The drive included an adventure with road construction.  There wasn't a detour, we just had to find our way through.  The family makes and sells these instruments.

Here is to all of you stuffed animal lovers!!!!  Today we went to the wholesale factory.  Yangzhou sells over 30% of the stuffed animals to US.  Let's just say in America we are getting ripped off on the price of them.

We went to a supposed California steak restaurant today.  Let's just say it wasn't the best steak by a long shot.  But it was still better than nothing.  The family thinks that I am way to skinny so they are stuffing me.  I have eaten so much food today it is crazy.  We also went to the supermarket and got some food for me to try.  I got to ride on an E-bike to the mall.  This attached photo is the first sign that I have seen where something went wrong in the translation.

Today we went to the sports center. This was basically a really big park. We walked around for a hour or so. There was a lot of people there. This place was also a lot of fun. I got ice cream for way cheaper than in America.  They have milk all the way from Germany