A weekend outside of town in a village

We went outside of the city for a weekend to get a little time away in a village. We stayed in a 'nong jia le' 农家乐 -a farmer's house. These are the pictures I took while walking around and exploring and talking to people I met along the way.

Me -showing off some of my layers! Wearing three layers on top, my leg warmers and wool socks! Layers are important! Used to not having heat out in the villages, so we packed lots of layers to stay warm.

Reparing the roads

An afternoon downtown

While walking around downtown I started taking pictures!

Probably one of the most common things I see here. Especially during the winter. Standing outside, with a hot bowl of noddles or soup eating and trying to stay warm

Also, something I see on almost every street corner! Grandpas hurdled around in a small group playing poker or majiang

Great food!!

Cooking noodles!

Muslim caps

Street seller selling his art

Lamb hooves

A really good treat!

Temperature and Security Checks

In the last month or so with the swine flu spreading the universities here started taking extra precautions. Students living on campus are not aloud to leave unless they have permission.

Every morning I go to class I get my temperature checked!! So far haven't been sick.

They put this little thermometer gun to my forehead and check. They check every student that goes through the gate.... anyone with a temperature higher than 36.4 C is not allowed on campus.

Security checks! No one allowed on or off campus with a permission slip

方便面 Convenient Noodles

方便面 (fang1 bian4 mian4) -otherwise translates as 'convenient noodles!' -This pic was taken in my local Vanguard grocery store! You can pretty much get any flavor here.

Its really convenient and easy to eat while traveling, so while on long train rides we usually stock up on it- just add some hot water and its a great quick meal.

I posted this just for Rach, Sean, and Joe (...and you know why)! :) While I was in the states finishing my senior year of college and missed being back in China I would get this stuff at the local Chinese store that was imported. While I would study in the library I would eat this stuff- not the most nutritious... but filled my need for MSG and Chinese. Of course nothing compares t the real local noodles here!