New Years in China is fun. We pre-game at John’s (which involves me taking two shots of gin straight to start, then Kahlua milk). Next we take off to Gay Heaven (our own translation of the Chinese name, tongzhi tiantang) to see Carl spin. There we encounter useless Chinese crowds that wouldn’t dance if they were forced, a tremendously hot Filipino girl with dyed blond hair and a great ass (who was seriously the most attractive thing I’ve seen in the last four months), and really expensive beer that was supposed to be free but ended up costing Greg a ton of RMB. Carl, however, kicked ass — especially the White Stripes’ song played at the end.
We leave there and search for a working ATM, which we do not find. Apparently the Construction Bank of China is down for the evening, so we cannot get our money out. Bastards. So instead of going out for more partying, we decide to go home, but not before grabbing some wonderful xiao baozi from the guy at the end of the street.
All in all, a pretty good New Year’s Eve… we got to walk around downtown Hangzhou with a bottle of Johnnie Walker and watch Alf piss in a river, so it couldn’t have been all bad. The hangover that I’m going to have tommorow, combined with the flu I’m getting now, should make the beginning of 2004 even more memorable.
Time to pass out now. Happy 2004, folks. Year of the Monkey, oh yeah!
Monkeys are what we are….I mean, I was born in a year of the Monkey.
Left by Evan on December 31st, 2003
Isn’t the Chinese New Year several weeks away?
…meaning that it’s not yet the year of the monkey…
Left by David on January 1st, 2004
You’re right David, though when you’re as drunk as I was when I wrote this little things like ‘facts’ and ‘reality’ don’t hold much sway.
Left by John on January 1st, 2004
Chinese New Year is Jan 22.
Left by lin on January 1st, 2004
go there!
Left by akimaru on January 2nd, 2004
快乐!
Left by akiki on January 2nd, 2004
Unfortunately, due to the crazy time-shifty-ness of the Chinese new year, I am NOT a monkey. I am technically a sheep (Feb 11, 1980). This, however, is blatantly false as can be attested by anyone who has ever met me or seen me randomly climb and jump things. If there is a zodiak for me, it’s surely the monkey.
Left by Jordan on January 2nd, 2004
Maybe you are more of a mountain goat?
Left by Evan on January 2nd, 2004
Huh, sure enough, you were born on the 25th day of the 12th month of the Year of the Goat (according to the Hong Kong Observatory. Tough break… though really you’re a bit too straight arrow to be a monkey, I think. We monkeys are a shifty sort.
And you shouldn’t think of yourself as a sheep… generally they translate it as a ram over here. Way tougher.
Left by John on January 2nd, 2004
And I think the new year
isn’t the craziest thing there
Left by Mira on January 3rd, 2004
According to the Chinese year system, I’m a cock.
Left by scott on January 3rd, 2004
so… wide… open…
must… show…
…restraint.
Left by David on January 3rd, 2004
chinese new year is Jan 21
Left by iaatb on January 6th, 2004
What a revelation, and here I was thinking I was a monkey for the last 10 years. Turns out I’m really a sheep! Should have know better than to trust a paper menu for anything. What a disappointment.
Left by Val on January 7th, 2004
Yeah you monkeys are shifty, as in shape shifty. And why the hell do Alf and carl get blue names and I don’t?! My elder zodiac horse is gonna smite some primates for that. BTW, I can’t wait to see the pictures you took. Thanks for all your help lately, and call if you need anything. You know where to find me.
Hugs,
Greg
Left by Greg on January 7th, 2004
please tell me you people don’t think that you are educating anyone.
Left by mildred on January 16th, 2004
ALO, john. My name’s Melanie, and I’m trying to contact you. But the e-mail address I have for you doesn’t seem to be correct. (amraam@denialofpurpose)
I’d like to find out what you have to say about teaching in China.
Melanie.
Left by Mel on January 17th, 2004
wo xiang
Left by fujixing on December 17th, 2004
Mysteriously found my way here. I had fun reading your posts, it’s like seeing things from a totally different perspective. I AM a Chinese university student anyway.
You had some interesting thoughts and I gotta say I agree with a lot that you said. hehe. Can’t seem to find any of your newly posts…so I guess that’s all…XIN NIAN KUAI LE!
Left by shaelyn on January 5th, 2005