浦东

The plane touched down Pudong at 10 15am and I had some time to wait. I made my way through the confusing procedure and arrived at my boarding gate.

It's a delight to see Jian's text message.

I am still early. I went to the toilet to do a wash up and dress down. I striped down my John bottom and top, and took off the fleece. I am ready for Singapore's weather.

2 Feb 2012, 11 44am

Flying back home

I woke up at 5 52am today. I knew my alarm would go off soon, so I shutted it lest it disturbs them.

At 6, two phone alarm went off. And I officially woke up.

I washed up briefly and set off for Yaoqiang international airport with Jian. I do hope brother will recover the deposit I placed with the inn.

Jian and I walked to the main road to get a 出租车. And one was waiting right there. It costs rmb100, I suspected it probably costs lesser, but take it as my final good deed for the citizen of Shandong in this trip.

I checked in immediately on arrival at the airport so that Jian can make his way home earlier.

He waved me goodbye as I entered the boarding area.

2 Feb 2012, 6 50am

Friend indeed

Jian covered a blanket on me while I was asleep. He probably thinks I am unaware.

2 Feb 2012, 2 50am

Journey to Jinan

Brother drives a rickety truck that passed through the more down-to-earth side of Shandong.
I am enjoying every bit of the slow journey and wished it never will come to a stop.

We checked into a 招待所 which costed only rmb 90 for three of us. Facilities were basic. Three beds, a TV, two thermal flasks, three additional blankets, two chairs, one table, one clothes rack, three pairs of slippers and a heater that stopped on us after 8pm, about sums up all the place has to offer.

I missed out on the public toilets with no doors - male, no door; female, no door.

Brother and Jian bought dinner of 4 dishes and 6 馒头. Hearty. They also bought 4 bottles of spirits which I gave a miss.

We chatted about Jian wedding woes for a bit and I retired for the night.

1 Feb 2012, 9pm plus

Auntie

I can observe that Jian has a better relationship with his mother. 'Better' may not be an apt word, maybe 'closer'.

We return from our hairdo session. Jian had done some form of a perm on his hair to volumise the crown. Looks funny, but not bad.

Uncle went out to send gifts to the prospective wife's family, and Jian's sister and their family had returned to Weifang that morning.

Auntie made us some lunch away from her chores. Today's weather is colder, but sunny, which made a good opportunity for all sorts of laundry.

Auntie and I chatted for the final time before Jian's phone rang. His cousin is arriving to send me to Jinan.

I bid Auntie farewell, and asked that she convey my gratitude to uncle.

1 Feb 2012, 2 45pm

Hair

Today, the custom continue. Jian has to host a breakfast for the aunt who recommended the bride. At least the breakfast is more edible in terms of quantity.

We are now at a salon for some hairdo. Jian is doing something funny to his crown. I shall wait and see.

1 Feb 2011, 11 30am

泰山一家人

Today has to be the ideal type for the typical chinese hospitality, or rather Taian specifically.

Jian is hosting his prospective wife's relative at his house.

It started with '点心', which effectively dumplings that can feed an army for 2 Weeks. I am exaggerating, but I had over 30 units..

Within one hour of the dumpling gorging, guess what? We are having lunch. I am feeling really stressed then.

The lunch was hosted at the aptly named restaurant 泰山一家人.

6 dishes fit for 10 hungry souls. How are we going to eat them up? We end up packing most, for dinner.

I am so glad the foody day ended.

30 Jan 2012, 10 22pm

Walking about

The day started well.

I had a familiar breakfast of youtiao and mutton soup and Jian had beancurd. Our breakfast totals less than sgd3.

I went shopping about. Not much to buy. Plenty to see. Spit, shit, pee, stalls, foodstalls, vegetable and fruit stalls, leftover food - all share the street.

I took the public bus. Rather efficient. Dirt cheap. With heater, they costs rmb 2, without, rmb 1, either, they are cheap.

At night, it's back to old fashioned Chinese hospitality.

Ascending

As if the cold weather is not suffering enough, the arduous climb is making life more miserable by each step of Mt Tai.

We set off at 930am, and reach the peak at 1230pm. I ask myself, did I conquer the mountain? I answered myself, I really conquered myself.

The temperature up at 玉皇峰 is a good ten degree celsius lower.

The reward. A heaven-like surrounding covered in snow. Almost what I would expect in a kungfu film with fairies gliding about.

29 Jan 2012

火龙对决 or 火龙对快？

Baiyun airport felt like cameron highlands. I got helped by a bunch of helpful Chinese staff.

At the China southern transit lounge, I got my dose of internet, minus Facebook minus google USA.

As I was watching a film on what must have been a 42'' at least LCD, a pair of kids held the most interesting conversation I heard since setting foot here.

甲- 这戏是 '火龙。。对。。‘快'。

乙- 是火龙对'决'。

甲- 对快

乙- 对决。。。

and they just went on...

My flight got delayed. And as I waited near a rubbish bin, I felt sorry for it. First, a mother empty her child's pee over and into it. Next a couple others spat into it. Must the bin suffer such humiliation?

Oh heck! How about the janitor?

28 Jan 2012, 4 25pm

Quarreling

A chinese lady is quarreling with her taxi driver boyfriend. Just before boarding. Will they settle it in five minutes? ... ... boarding...

Setting off

I remembered Sauyong mentioned his woes of being alone in a foreign land. He cried when he fell ill and could only pop pills alone.

I could just about feel his plight.

Incurred: Clothing

SGD29.9 - 1 x Fleece
SGD59 - 1 x Down jacket
SGD99 - 1 x Luggage