After the great wall we went back to that place that we ate yesterday night. Then it was off to the Jade factory and that was really cool. I learned that the 2008 Olympic medals actually had jade on the back of them Gold medals had White Jade the Silver had green jade and the Bronze had Black jade! Cool huh? I also learned that depending on the hardness of the jade it is a Gemstone because they measure stone on a hardness scale like the PH scale. Diamonds are 10 and jade is anywhere from 5.5- 8 and if it is at a 7 on the hardness scale or higher, then it is considered a gem stone! I’m pretty much turning into a geologist/genus. Just saying.
HOLY COW! How can I forget?! I got my Chinese name today! Carl gave everyone theor name yesterday but he couldn’t decide one for me so he gave it to me today... drum roll please... Mei Lan pronounced (Mee Lawn) it means “Beautiful Orchard” also, a very popular Chinese pop star has the same name! :)
Anyways, after the jade factory….. it was OFF TO THE MARKET!!! WAHOOO! Sam and I are BOMB.COM at bartering! At ne point I had two different ladies tugging on each arm of mine begging me to get Nikes from them but I refused to pay 120 (20$) so yeah I got them for 10$ :) don’t mess with the best cuz the best don’t mess! I got some pretty sweet things. ie. Dre Beats for 9$ dont fret im whats up. Haha I had so many say “oh you so clever you killing me!” (imagine in an Asian accent) I hope we have more markets in weihai because I was so good at bartering and we only had about an hour in there. But then dinner was at the one and only golden arches!!! I got myself a delicious Oreo McFlurry and fries and I haven't ever been happier to have American food. Or food I can pronounce or recognize in that matter.
Now i told you today was great, but it was really great because... I SHOWERED!!! (round of applause) I was a big girl and decided I needed to get it over with so tonight for the first time this trip have taken a shower and not only took a shower but a successful shower! I am clean from head to toe!!! WAHOOO! i am so proud of myself! the first time is the hardest I think... hope.
Things have definitely started looking up for me as far at the culture shock etc. And I think my sanitary expectations are now next to nothing!
Carl was able to get ahold of some discount tickets to an acrobatics show for whoever wanted to go. I am not going to pass anything up so I went and holy crap I felt like I was in Vegas watching cirque de sole. It was so amazing I was in awe! 20 girls were on a bike at once, 5 motorcycle dudes were riding round and round in a cage waaay to small for 5 motorcycles! But we had to say bye to Carl. After that. And that sucked but o well. Such is life! After the show we came back to the hotel and got all packed up and boy was I feeling the great wall in my butt in legs. I am going to get so buff! Tomorrow we head back home 12 hour bus ride here we come! Haha I really hope that I remembered everything. This trip has been great I am very glad that I was able to come on this trip. I am very excited to start teaching these kids. I am so happy to be here and feel so blessed with all the support i have been given.
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