Happy Valley

 

So I'm a little late with the blog posting. Please forgive me! After three weeks working about 73 hours a week, we finally got 2 days off last week.

 

A whole bunch of us went out for KTV (karaoke) in Huairou on Monday night, which was a lot more fun than I expected and then I headed into Beijing with Gina on Tuesday morning. We went to the zoo market (the one locals go to instead the touristy ones I usually do) and I got to meet her sister -- although she didn't speak any English. I didn't buy anything, but we had fun looking around. Later that afternoon, Gina went to get her hair cut and decided she needed a change, so got it curled as well. It looks quite different! We met up with Tana and Ai Ming (who just got off work and headed into Beijing) for hot pot for dinner. I think I will have to get Tana to write down what I like to order in Chinese so I can take my Dad to this great chain!

 

Tana and I left the other 2 and headed to the hostel we had rented (after she beat me at Chinese Checkers (naturally I suppose, since she is Chinese after all)) and went to bed fairly early because we had to get up really REALLY early to go to HAPPY VALLEY! We all met up and headed to the awesome theme park. The rides were fairly typical, but we had a great time -- although Tana discovered that she doesn't do too well on spinning rides 

:( We did most of the major ones including a roller coaster where you lie on your stomach and one that went faster than anything I have ever experienced. I got some great pictures and had a fantastic day!

 

It was a much needed (although not particularly relaxing) break from the crazy work hours. I got 2 days off again this week, but more on that some other day ...