Spring Festival in Beijing

So it was finally winter holidays one of the most deserved holidays since it was peak season at work. For those out there that don't know what peak season is it is when students go on vacation from Public school and attend private learning institutions such as the one I work for. So with talk about not sticking around Jilin in for the 2 week holiday we were off to Beijing.

We set off to eat foreign food and dick around Beijing for a week.

I love Engrish

The Village the foreign/western district.

My first bath in a year! Man do I miss bath tubs.

Beijing's famous street market specializing in food.

The best tandoori chicken I have ever eaten.

Best Indian food in Beijing....ever time I go to Beijing I have to eat there.

Kamats Indian Restaurant:205 Bldg. 28 Dongzhimen Waidajie, Second floor of Paddy O'Shea's //北京东直门外大街28号Beijing

 This Indian food place will cost about 100元 per person but it is best Indian food I have found in Beijing, let alone China.

Chinese New Year's fire worked hitting our 19th floor hotel window.

Happy Valley roller coaster. Also the more insane roller coaster I have ever been on. We had to wait over and hour to get on this ride but it was worth it.

Oh nachos how have I missed you. Sour cream you are my side love affair. (this is when I learned that I really really love sour cream)

The boat that is now closed down. Some how it was timed out so on the weekend that we were in Beijing there was this dub step show on a boat. It wasn't bad the drinks were sure cheap and they cold Jagermister.

Whopper Jr!

Arrival in Jilin, China

This picture is taken from the top floor of the high school I teach art at.

My apartment in Jilin.

View of the seasons from my window.

Winter

September 2009- Onwards
Round 2: The culture shock I faced was no less than before. My life style was being re-established again. When I arrived I got an extra 2 weeks off due to the H1N1 scare. This time was spent learning about my new neighbourhood, later on way in the future I will realize how much I will miss this era of my life and all that was associated with it.

Culture shock after lasted about 3-4 months. Life was becoming ummm...simpler. I was making new friends finding out what there was to do in this foreign city. Learning to take the bus, the language and where to eat. You might think that these things were easy to incorporate into daily life but it takes time to become adjusted.

I have now I have a soft spot in my heart for Jilin.

Last of Vancouver

On our way to Wreck Beach during the treasure hunt.

Kits beach.

Oh more sunsets.

One month after Shambhala things were in order. I treasure hunted with some strangers to meet some new faces, explored the beaches and just caught up on some rest and relaxation. Work visa....check. Bags packed....check. Money....check.
There was no looking back now.

ROUND 2 FIGHT!

Shambhala, Salmo Canada

Beach stage.

Break dancing competition.

The Village.

This was my way to say good-bye to my life back home. I embraced the mountain air on my face, cold glacier water rushing through my toes and the deep music hugging my soul one last time. I soaked in every last moment of it before returning to Vancouver.

Oh my 3rd and probably last Shambhala for awhile, one of the things I know I will miss the most about Canada is the music scene.

http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/

Edmonton Again

Returning to Edmonton was somewhat a realization that I hadn't made it all that far. When I finally sat down with my beloved friends I noticed that I had more than one story to tell and even they thought they were quite riveting. Living in Vancouver had taught me that my love for the beach isn't something I can ever ignore, the beaches in Vancouver are beautiful.

Downtown Edmonton

Good ol' pink sunsets.

I did however learned that if I ever was to return home for a long time that my beautiful friends will still reside here waiting to make more memories with. There is always going to be a place in my heart for my home town no matter how much I say that I dispize it. (mostly when it is winter here) I had a great time making my full circle to China and back, luckily I was only going to be here for a week before taking off to Shambhala. From there I will be returning to the lovely Vancouver to get my working visa for China for ROUND 2.