Independence Day

I know that I still owe everyone "Beijing Part 2" and I promise it is on the way. I had saved it on a different computer after the Internet went down on campus, but haven't been able to get to that computer since. It should be coming soon...

In the meantime, I wanted to take the chance to update everyone on our Independence Day festivities in China.

Yesterday for lunch, Janet, her room mate, and I decided to celebrate with a trip to Pizza Hut. Shortly after putting our names on the waiting list, we were led to a table. Our waitress (who spoke a little English) recommended the newest menu special, King Arthur's Feast, to us. I'm not entirely sure how many Chinese are familiar with the legend of King Arthur, but we thought it was amusing. We decided to pass on the escargot appetizer (I think I mentioned before that Pizza Hut here is upscale) and order the "American Special" also known as a large pepperoni pizza. Our pizza was very good, though unfortunately it costs about the same as a Pizza back home. We paid 70 Kuai (slang for Yuan or RMB, the Chinese currency) for our pizza, which is just under $10. While this doesn't seem like much, relative to many Chinese restaurants here it is fairly expensive, which has led to eating at Pizza Hut being somewhat of a status symbol.

Later that afternoon, we had a group Tai Chi lesson, which was surprisingly difficult to learn. Afterwards some of us joined a soccer game against a group of Chinese guys who we see out on the field each day. We didn't stand a chance, but it was fun to play.

Winded and tired from running around on the soccer field, it was time for a July 4th BBQ celebration. The school was nice enough to arrange a big feast for us with grilled kabobs and even a large birthday cake.

That night most of the students on our program were going to an American-style bar called Scooter's that was offering Independence Day specials. We tagged along and enjoyed listening to American music for the first time in about two weeks. Some kids had also managed to find firecrackers to set off in the street to celebrate.

Overall, it was a good 4th, if not quite the same as one in the States.