Nanjing Hash March 24

Hello all,

This past Sunday I participated in my second HASH here in Nanjing.  I'm finding that I enjoy it very much and I look forward to the next one in April. 
This month we had almost 30 people walking around one of the largest parks in Nanjing - known to the locals as Zhongshan Mountain (or Purple Mountain).  This time we went off the trail quite a bit more and got thoroughly lost a few times.  But we eventually made it to the restaurant which is located on a part of the Nanjing City Wall and serves German/Western food.  We had a delicious buffet where I had my first sausages since arriving in China (the ones the Chinese eat look like toy hot dogs and not like real food at all). 
I took a few pictures, not as many as I probably normally would just because I was enjoying myself too much with the conversations and watching to make sure I didn't trip on the trail that I rarely thought to pull out my camera. 

Right after we got started, we had to cross a river

It wasn't too hard just surprising as we only started five minutes before this.

Let's go fly a kite!

Kite flying on a grey afternoon

A tree that from a distance looked real until you noticed mixed in with the branches were satellites.

Sycamore trees lining the road.

The Giant Lion of Nanjing

Nanjing's City Wall

Up on the wall making our way towards the restaurant.

When we reached the restaurant before we could eat we had to do something called "The Circle."  This is where we all stand in a semi-circle and listen as one of the Hashers makes people do "down-downs" (drinking a full glass of beer).  The reasons for these "down-downs" vary, there is always a Virgin Down-Down (anyone new to Hashing - me in February).  Mostly its punishments for ridiculous things.  Some of the punishments were that the runners of our group had not marked the trail properly, um men that stood in the circle with their hands in their pants pocket (pocket-billiards), people that "wet the trail" or go to the washroom (i did that this time so I had to do a down-down with about 8 other people so it wasn't bad).  Its really just an excuse to drink after walking for three hours so I didn't mind having to drink the beer for going to the washroom. 
Then we all settled in for a delicious dinner after a toast to the woman who was supposed to host next month's Hash but recently passed away. 

Next one is in a few short weeks on April 14 and I hope the weather will be warmer and the sky will be bluer. 

A Beautiful Friday in Nanjing

Today was an absolutely beautiful day, we reached a high of 29 degrees Celsius.  In celebration of this I took all of my classes outside to enjoy the "fresh" air.  The Chinese confuse us, here it is nearly 30, our students are wearing heavy knit sweaters under their jackets and people on the street are still wearing winter coats, while I'm wearing a skirt and t-shirt.  I know that it's only going to get hotter here but 30 is pretty hot.
Anyways took some pictures of the kids as they worked on their completely inconsequential Egyptian artwork. 

One student opted to stay inside...to each their own.

After school today Maggie wanted to see the plum blossoms before they all disappear and turn into fruit.  I went along with her, since I didn't really have much to do after school back at the apartment.  The park we went to was a 40 minute bus ride from the school, called GuLin Park.  The place was huge and had a lot of beautiful plum blossoms spread throughout.  Here are the pics, I think these could be pictures I put on a wall in some future. 

The older generation playing Chinese Chess in the park on a Friday afternoon.

Plum Blossoms on Purple Mountain

Hello all,

Sorry it has been a while on updates, my life has been pretty boring after I returned from Beijing.  I've gotten into the swing of teaching again and the temperatures are starting to rise and be quite comfortable. 

Today I went out with the international kids (Marta, Adriano, Leon, Torge - Shanghai group) to see the plum blossoms around the mountain here in Nanjing.  Its a big deal to see this trees blooming and they were quite beautiful with a fragrant aroma.  Here are the pictures, I had some fun playing with my camera to get the shots I wanted of the flowers.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.  I don't know if I've mentioned this but especially with these if anyone would like copies of these pics just send me an email or facebook me and I will send you copies. 

Sitting down for a picnic of German bread made in China and Nutella from Italy.

Blowing through your thumbs with grass in between them.

Chinese can nap anywhere.