SHANGHAI TRIP

Early Monday morning, I hastily prepared myself for my Shanghai trip. I took a shower and went to CRH (fast train) station for my friend, LANZ was already waiting there. We bought two tickets and then had our breakfast at McDonald's for our trip was at 8:24 and t’was still 7:15. We had a great meal.

Boarding the train came and we gleefully find our car number and our seats. We were wondering why our ticket was a little expensive than the usual one. Only to find out, we were in a first class coach car. That was fine for it was so comfy there, few people, spacious, big and comfortable seats better than that of an airplane(the economy ones). We were so happy as we were heading to our destination. We make it to Shanghai at exactly three hours from the time we departed Hefei. I was so happy setting my first footsteps in the business capital of China. We then looked for the airport bus going to the international airport. As we found it, we immediately had our early lunch directly across the train station. Then we move our asses around and took pictures especially around the Shanghai expo 2010 logo. As we strolled along the busy street, we found small MISTER DONUT billboard. We headed to the place, got in and ordered donuts and lavishly devoured them for we miss eating these back home. Then time to take the airport bus for it’s like an hour going there from the city center.

When we arrived the Pudong international airport, almost an hour earlier than the expected arrival of our friend, we asked where do Philippines Airlines land. They told us to go to terminal 2 for we were at terminal 1. So we took the airport shuttle bus as what we were told. Looking at the big screen, we disappointedly find vacant seats to relax for the plane is delayed for almost an hour. We were wondering if we could still catch the last CRH going back to Hefei. Tired of sitting, we roamed around the airport and took lots of photos. We went to the maglev station for we planned to take it going back to the train station.

Happily, we went back to the waiting area for t’was almost the arrival time. Jubilantly, I went closer to the passengers exit for the airline was already announced to have landed. It took us like more than an hour to wait for him, only to find out he was questioned by the immigration for bringing lots of personal care stuff, for he only has tourist visa. He just explained they’re his present to his friends here.

We immediately ran out of the airport and took a taxi for we only had 50 minutes left before the last CRH leaves, but we were stuck in an enormous traffic. Well, it’s one of what Shanghai is famous for, dense traffic jam. So we were unable to get the last fast train. One more thing, our taxi fare was 156 RMB (23 USD), unimaginable for we are not used to have it in our city. Well, no choice but we had to take the ordinary train. One more frustrated situation, there’s no sleeper, we had to sit down for 6 hours. Anyway, that was my unforgettable experience in Shanghai. LANZ, thanks a lot for traveling with me there. COMRADE, thanks and congratulations, you made it here and good luck and welcome to China. Enjoy your life here.

You can also visit me in my other sites:
http://eternallyyours-tax.blogspot.com/
http://d-role-model.blogspot.com/

SLEEPLESS NIGHT

Sleepless night once again. I just couldn’t force myself to go back to sleep. I don’t know. Maybe because I am going to meet my all time best friend from the Philippines in Shanghai today, or maybe because it’s my first time to go there, too. I am like a little child so excited about something promised to be brought to somewhere or to be given something for a job well done.

Another thing, we haven’t meet for like 3 years now. So, it’s quite a long time. We’ve got lots of stories to exchange and another sleepless nights pretty sure. Hahahahaha. Looking forward to know all those stories about life back home. Well, I gotta go people, got to prepare myself for the trip. See you and take care. Have a great time...

You can also visit me in my other sites:
http://eternallyyours-tax.blogspot.com
http://d-role-model.blogspot.com

08-08-08

It happens once in a blue moon, twelve times in a century. So we are so lucky when it happens. We should mark our calendar for this. Only few people experience this moment. Well, what makes it special, anyway?

For the world, it is important for there was an international event on this day where majority of the nations participated. And for China, it is even more important for it hosted the said event, the Olympic games, where they got almost all the golds and eventually lead them to get the highest achievement in the event. They were the champions. So, does the date matters? Does it give meaning to them? For them, eight (8) is a lucky number. So does it explain?

Anyway, where were you on this very day? Could you still remember? As for me, it was kinda special and a mix feelings. I was so excited for I was going home for the first time on this day. I was in two countries during this moment. Kinda peculiar, right? But it was. My flight to the Philippines was 9:15 in the evening on this day and we arrived in the Philippine airport at around 12 midnight or more. I am not so sure of the exact time for what I was feeling was excitement and exhilaration. Though we didn’t land yet, but i am sure that we were already in the border of the Philippines before it turns 12 midnight.

So, what is your 08-08-08 story? Is this date significant for you?

You can also visit me in my other sites:
http://eternallyyours-tax.blogspot.com
http://d-role-model.blogspot.com

…I aM aGaInSt RaCiSm

I just want to share this true-to-life story about racism. I hope we all learn something from this. Take your time to read and share the news to all your friends. I just hope this RACISM thing would eventually vanish through this.



The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and London . This is a true story. A White woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a Black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess. "Madam, what is the matter," the Hostess asked. "You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a Black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat." "Be calm please, the Hostess replied. "Almost all the seats on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another seat is available." The Hostess went away and came back a few minutes later. "Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in Economy class. I spoke to the Captain and he informed me that there are also no seats in the Business class. All the same, we still have one seat in First class." Before the woman could reply, the Hostess continued: "It is unusual for our company to permit someone from Economy class to sit in First class. However, given the circumstances, the Captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting." She turned to the Black man and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in First class." At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded. "When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."


You can also visit me here:
http://eternallyyours-tax.blogspot.com
http://d-role-model.blogspot.com

…FuNnY, sTrAnGe AnD eXcItInG mOmEnTs

After around 30 minutes past four in the afternoon, we successfully arrived in Beijing. I was so thankful we had a safe journey. Hurray! I exclaimed in my mind. I ultimately set my footprints in Beijing. We happily got off the train and started moving out.

Next was to search for the bus number we had in mind, through our search through the net, to get to the desired hostel we wanted to stay, during the days we would spend there. There were a lot of people outside the station waiting for the buses to arrive, for just directly outside the station is the bus stop. We peeped around to know whether our bus would pass that way. Too happy to know it’s one of them. We waited ‘till it arrived. People were like wild animals competing to pass through the bus’s door to find a comfortable seat. We didn’t involved ourselves at first, but we would be waiting for a long time if we won’t, so we also did on the fourth bus, at least not that much people as that of the first three.

After that funny moment was that, the problem where to get off, ‘coz we don’t know how to say it in Chinese, the one mentioned in the net. We ask someone, but couldn’t understand English. We just let it go. After a while, we saw subway symbol, so we got off the bus stop after. It was really so funny. No more problem ‘coz the direction in the subway is pretty clear enough to be understood.

We were thinking it's over, yet we were wrong. To look for the place was even harder. It’s mentioned it’s just near exit C, yet we roamed around but still we couldn’t find, we were bringing our luggage then.

I searched the place alone and let my friend stay at one side. I walked here and there, yet I didn’t find the place still. I met a family man calling a taxi as I searched for it, he was speaking Tagalog to his two children, meaning they’re Filipinos. We chatted for a short while ‘coz they were in a hurry. Then, I continued my search. We were almost at the point of discouragement when I came back. It was almost night time. I said, I would go on the other side. I was so exhausted finding the place. As I went forward, I saw a hostel, not the one we were looking for, I went in and asked, good they speak English. So I went back and got my friend who was also tired of waiting. We were done at around 8:00 or so in the evening, more than 4 hours looking for the place. That’s the problem of language barrier.

Have you experienced some? Well, funny, right? But only if you are patience enough, you can succeed this situation. Thanks for the patience of my friend and my unending efforts. So, friends, never give up and keep on striving. Good luck to our daily endeavors.

note: you can also visit me here;

http://eternallyyours-tax.blogspot.com/
http://d-role-model.blogspot.com/

…a JoUrNeY wOrTh ReMeMbErInG

I always kept reminding myself, life is a journey. We are all pilgrims towards our future, and that we often meet some heartaches and problems as we go along. But we should always bear in mind the quotation that goes, “Beyond the hills of difficulties lies the valleys of success.” I always remind myself of that especially when facing hardships along the way.

As I added colorful pages to my life, I always make it a point that they are worth remembering. Just like my travel towards here. I couldn’t imagine how hard it was for us, we were two. I couldn’t even believe we made it.

From Cebu, Philippines, we took a plane directly to Hongkong. I felt perfectly great ‘coz t’was my first international flight, and at the same time, my first board on a plane. I was kinda scared yet excited. It took us almost three hours to reach Hongkong International Airport. I was really astonished for it is very huge. In fact, it’s one of the world’s largest international airport. Additional, it was voted by air travellers and it won the first place in the 2007 world best airport survey. We arrived there 30 minutes after midnight. We just roamed around the airport and stayed in the passenger lounge and waited for the morning. At 5:00 am, we started moving out.

What we had that time was just a print out instructions from our agent. So we tried asking around. Good that there are a lot that can speak English in Hongkong. We rode tram 13 from airport to the subway station. T’was pretty tough ‘coz we were bringing our luggage in a busy morning and we didn’t know how to purchase a ticket or use the electronic machine. There were a lot of people going to work and to school. We just paused for few minutes and observed as if we were resting. Then, we’ve learned how. Successfully, we did. From subway, we changed another train to Shenzhen.

We were really tired as we arrived in Shenzhen. After around 30 minutes, the agent’s men arrived and picked us up. They showed us to the train station and bought tickets for us to Jinan, where our agent is waiting. Shenzhen is a big and beautiful city. But we didn’t have time to roam around ‘coz of our luggage. We bought a lot of food like instant noodles, bread and cookies for it is close to 24 hours travel by train, as they said. It really is. We did nothing while we were on the train, just peeping through the windows, watching the beauty of nature, remembering our families back home, sleep, for t’was really a very long journey, almost 20 hours. Kinda tiresome and boring. We had no choice.

We arrived in Liaocheng and another guy met us at the train station there and we proceeded to the bus station for it’s still 2 hours away. Really exhausting! Then we arrived and met our agent. At long last, we were able to arrive at our destination and eat rice for we didn't have one for more than two days. We ate lunch together at around 3:00 pm.

We just stayed for around three days in Jinan, Shandong province. Then, we moved to our schools in another province, meaning, we had to travel around 9 hours by bus again. Terrible! I said at that time, we just kept traveling around China. But it’s just somewhat nothing for the entire China. After, we parted ways for we are in different schools. We met our respective bosses. Finally, our work life here started. We are in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, our final stop. Thanks for the safe travel. See you here!

…LiU’aN eMbRaCeD mE tWiCe

Liu’an is one of the most promising cities of Anhui Province, where Jean, my best friend and ultimate partner here, is residing and at the same time teaching as of the moment. Such a gorgeous and benevolent fellow! Thanks for knowing her. I’ve been to this city twice before and I can truly say, it’s also a fantastic and progressive city, one must not forget to visit to.

My first visit was with Mary, another Filipino teacher here. That was National Holiday, after we arrived from our 3-day tour in Huangshan. We roamed around the city, to its resplendent park, highly developed one, surrounded by water, ate in a great restaurant, went shopping and bought some souvenirs. I stayed there overnight. The following day, I went back to my place. T’was indeed a corking experience. I enjoyed a lot with my best friends. We perfectly had a howling time together.

Last Christmas was the second. Their company organized a speech contest and, of course, headed by Jean. They invited me to be one of their foreign judges. Since we were not working that time, I absolutely said yes after confirming everything that I could have a 3-day holiday. There were eight judges during the contest, four of which are Chinese and the others are foreigners. I did enjoy the event. I’ve learned a lot. I was totally amused by the performances of the students. I greatly saluted Jean for such a successful event, for a job well done. The company actually booked a hotel for the foreign judges, but we didn’t stayed there for we also had to celebrate Christmas with some other Filipinos and other foreign friends in Hefei, who were waiting for us. So, we left after a wonderful dinner.

I heartily thanked Jean for such a wondrous experience I’ve had as well as to her supportive boss, Searching, a Singaporean, my earnest thanks to all of you for the trust and for giving me the chance to go through such a great event. I didn’t experience being a judge of a speech contest in the Philippines. So I really felt elated and honored. Once again, thanks for everything.

…wInTeR

Many of my Chinese students kept asking me why is my favorite season winter, where in fact, it’s not experienced in the Philippines. They couldn’t apprehend my thoughts why I do like it ‘coz many of them don’t like it for it’s definitely cold. Not yet satisfied, they asked follow up questions like, “Have you experienced snow before? Have you seen a real snow? And many more.

It is indeed resplendent, I told them. Mountains are capped by snow, the lake’s water is frozen, the trees, flowers and grasses seem dead and everything is white. What a stunning scene!, I added. I only saw all these on movies but lately I personally experienced it, play with it, such a wondrous moment.

Though it’s bloody cold, but it’s my pleasure to first experience it. As long as you completely covered yourself with hat, scarf, tights or thermal wear, around two to three sweaters, a pair of gloves and a coat, you won’t feel such a cold. I could hardly imagine I had such an experience. I thought it’s impossible for me to see a real snow.

Frankly speaking, when I was a kid, I thought snow wasn’t real, that it was just on movies, a mere camera trick, that it’s just a product of imagination. But recently I realized I was wrong. Snow is perfectly real. Sounds funny but true.

A lot of students told me I am a little lucky because the snow here in our place lasted for more than a month this year. They added, it used to last for only two or three days for many years because we are a little south. According to the news, there was a snow storm around China and it happened half a century ago. I just gladly replied, nature wants me to have a superb experience with it. But I was also kinda worried because the prices of basic commodities dramatically grew up due to the difficulty to transport them. Many of the travelers even were stranded at various bus and trains stations because of the said phenomenon.

I myself had a terrible moment during the snow storm. From my place to the capital of the province, it only takes two and a half hours by bus. But that time, it took us almost twelve (12) hours. We left 9:40 am (the first trip because they said, they are still clearing the road from the snow) and we arrived there at 9:30 pm. I was extremely hungry. I had no lunch and dinner, and I took my breakfast at around 6:20 am, hoping to catch the first bus at 6:40. T’was indeed an awful journey ever in my entire life, sitting down for almost 12 hours on the bus. T’was also a peak season for the travelers because the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year at that time was approaching. On the other hand, we were just lucky to arrive there safely which is the most important, no matter what.

But as for me, winter is still the best season. What about you, what is your favorite season? Why?

…SpRiNg FeStIvAl

What did you do last Spring Festival or Chinese New Year? Did you celebrate? Did you travel? Or just stay at home. Or where did you go? Who do you celebrate with? Was it great? What did you prepare?

Spring Festival is Chinese’s most important festival as Christmas for most of the western countries. On this day, they prepared a great dinner with all members of the family together. They usually eat dumplings. Children receive money from their folks and parents. They prepared for this event for several days. They usually clean their houses and wash all their dirty clothes, that they are clean to meet the new year. It’s one of their practices on this marvelous event.

It was really great for me ‘coz we had more than a month vacation. So I traveled around to meet some of my friends. My first stop was in Hefei, the capital of Anhui province where I stayed for a night. Then I moved to Chuzhou the next day, still a city of Anhui, where my colleague in another branch is residing, a Filipino. I stayed there most of my time. We supposed to go to Guangzhou, but because of the snow storm, we decided to stay. Days after, we went to Nanjing in another province, Jiangsu Province. It used to be the capital of China. We roamed around there by subway for the entire day. Then we went back to Chuzhou in the evening by train. My friend toured me around the city. I also met a lot of friends there. I even plan to go back there soon.

My first Spring Festival in China was really great. We also had a big dinner. Our fellow Filipinos prepared a big banquet. There were 8 Filipinos that time, all teachers and a Chinese, my friend’s colleague. I ate a lot for they served Filipino dishes which I missed for so long. We perfectly had a fantastic dinner together.

Then one day, we went boating in Chuzhou’s South Lake. We had a lot of fun. We preferred to rent a manual one that we could have a race. Everybody enjoyed the activity. Then we went to sauna, massage parlor and shopping. T’was really a perfect moment.

I somehow forgot my problems that time. Completely funny. I stayed there for almost three (3) weeks. Then I went back to Hefei again. We also had different celebration with some Filipino friends there. I could really say, Spring Festival is one of my best memories in China. What about you, do you have one?

…HuAnGsHaN – tHe MoSt BeAuTiFuL mOuNtAiN iN cHiNa

Nature is eversince very beautiful. It existed for thousands of years, but its grandeur is still very eminent that no human creation can surpass. Its beauty is unending and never fading. It was, it is, and it will still be the same in the future. It is worth nurturing and taking care of.

Last year, when China celebrated its National Holiday (on the first week of October), people from different walks of life wandered around and visit some famous sites to celebrate the week of no work, including myself and some other friends. We visited Huangshan – the most beautiful mountain in China. We spent three (3) days there starting from September 29th until October 1st. It’s a four (4) hours away by bus from my place. But before reaching the mountain, our agent toured us to a nearby town which was built during the Qing Dynasty. Then, we continued to our destination. We stayed in a hotel at the foot of the mountain.

I’ve heard so much about this mountain long before from my students. But I just want to experience and witness how splendid the beauty of the mountain. I want to see it through my naked eyes.

Early the next morning, we hurriedly ate our breakfast to catch the sunrise on top. There I saw such a crowd going to the mountain.

Cable cars are also one of the highlights of the mountain. Since it is very steep, we decided to ride the cable car and perfect, because we were six (6) together and a cable car can only accommodate six people. Surprisingly, we saw its fabulous beauty as the cable car went up passing through gorgeous natural landscapes and a little spring approximately 1000 meters right down our cable car. About ten (10) minutes later, we reached the endpoint of the cable car, halfway to the top. We had to climb through slippery stairs because it was so foggy. We saw the sun once in a while and I extremely appreciate the color of the mountain, because it turns yellow once reflected by sunrays. That’s how beautiful the mountain is. They said it has different colors in different seasons. We spent our whole day climbing up and down from them and each has its own beauty to attract people.

I was totally amazed because there’s a hotel on top of the mountain, but it’s pretty expensive. When we stepped our feet on the highest portion, it felt so great knowing that we were about 2000 meters above sea level. Though very tiresome but it’s worth it. We rode another cable car as we went down at the other side of the mountains. As we reached our hotel, we were like logs lying on our bed after a short dinner because everyone is bloody tired from the whole day adventure.

On the third day, buying of souvenirs and traveling time going back to our respective places. Even if we slept soundly for about ten (10) hours, we still felt the fatigue brought about by the activity the day before. So we were also sleeping on our way.

Huangshan is indeed a great place to be visited. As Chinese people say, you won’t long of going to other famous mountains if you have visited Huangshan. Somewhat all the beauties of other mountains were put together in one place, and it is Huangshan. Waterfalls, springs, lake, natural landscapes, cable cars, restaurants, hotels, trees, all in one place. I absolutely had a well spent National Holiday.

So, everyone out there, if you have enough time, don’t miss to experience the magnificent Huangshan… And once again, thank you for your time and for passing by. Catch me up on my next blog. Have it in mind always, everything happens for a reason. Have a good time and take care always.

…JiUhUaShAn – ThE TeMpLe MoUnTaIn

As we often hear the quotation, “The only constant in this world is change,” we should try not to be stagnant, we should keep on keeping on. Since life is a journey, we should always attempt to keep on moving on. As for me, I don’t want to be stuck in one place. I always want to wander around and see the beauty that the world has to offer because it’s unfolding and welcoming us to reminisce its grandeur.

Eight months ago, I and some friends went to Jiuhuashan – a temple mountain. In fact, there are 99 temples and the montain is very famous especially to the followers and believers of Buddha. It was known since 719 AD during the Tang dynasty in China. We spent two (2) days on the mountain.

I just couldn’t imagine why we were having that experience without a meticlulous plan, no preparations at all. It’s just that a friend of us mentioned when we were eating at McDonalds that she and her student were going to that mountain the day after. We jokingly said we want to go with them. She immediately phoned her student to book for two (2) more people to the agency. We were just lucky that it was not peak season. So we went there early the next morning.

As we approached the mountain, we were shocked seeing the green and picturesque mountain on top. We landed at the middle of the mountain and put our things in the hotel where we stayed in. After lunch, we started climbing and visiting those temples that the mountain is known for. I highly appreciated how splendid the temples are. They are highly preserved and taken cared of by the monks who are living there. We went in and out from one temple to the other, and each has its beauty to present. They were built thousands of years ago. It was really a fascinating experience. We were very exhausted as we went down and proceeded to our hotel and restfully slept that night.

We were awaken by a hard knock at our door saying, “Please prepare because in few minutes, we are going at the back of the mountain.” We were surprised for we didn’t know our schedule. But actually, instructions and activities for the next day were given after our dinner but we were not there because we went out to buy some souvenirs. It was also our fault. We hurriedly prepared ourselves and took a shower hastily. Unfortunately, they had gone as we went out from the hotel. The guard told us that we can wait for the next bus. Anyway, there were many visible buses around.

As we were on the bus to the other side of the mountain, I was enjoying capturing pictures for it’s astonishingly magnificent, and clouds were just directly under the mountain. After reaching the endpoint for buses, we still had to walk for about 20 minutes to get to the cable car station. You could actually climb to the top with 1000 steps if you have that vigor to reach the topmost. We had a very great moment seeing the beauty of nature seen from the top.

There, as we wandered around, we saw the Phoenix tree – the

oldest pine tree in China. It was planted around 1400 years ago. I was overwhelmed with great joy watching and taking pictures with the tree. We didn’t want to leave the place for we are surrounded by nature, clean and green tress, fresh air, water, temples, cable cars, hotels and well-developed road system, such a comfortable life in there. We took another route to go back to our hotel for lunch. Then, we packed our things because we had to leave a short while after.

I can truly say that my two (2) days there were perfectly spent. Experiencing the glorious beauty of nature is such a wonderful page added to my short stay in this passing life. I just wish that all of us, dear friends, treasure every single minute of our lives. Brilliantly spend each day for tomorrow is another day. Once again, thanks a lot for passing by and remember, everything happens for a reason. Have a joyous day to all of us. Have a good time and more powers.