For Hot Pot

In the Muslim District of Jinan.

Taken June 26th since I'm traveling for two weeks.

The Chinese are Poetic

 

In the US we'd just call it a car wash.

At the Women's Mosque

Taken June 27th and posted automatically while I'm traveling.

Traveling

I'll be on the road till next weekend. I've asked a friend to post photos, but haven't heard if he's able. So I've schedule some posts in my absence.

They asked

This man wanted his photo taken so I obliged.

Nande Mosque

This is the most prominent mosque in Jinan. It was built in 1295. A student took me to the Muslim district and we saw three mosques and met some lovely people. Two of the mosques are for men and the third is for women.

My New Tailor

My tailor outside campus has disappeared, but I found this wonderful man near the good bakery. He's always been chatty and happy as has his partner.

One great thing about China: I got pants hemmed, two shirts and a favorite skirt mended for --are you ready -- 30 yuan. That's less than $5 US. He did it all while I waited. Such service.

Fresh Air and Exercise

Many men collect birds here and they take them out during the day. I loved seeing this man on his bike with his beloved bird riding to meet up with their friends no doubt.

A Little Store

I hope the Walmarts and RT Marts don't obliterate stores like this. In many ways they're more convenient and here the price is on par with the big stores.

China Unicom

Lining Up

Yesterday there was a lot of commotion after my final class. I looked out and saw a crowd below. As usual, it took a while to find out what was going on. Seems these students were lining up for a graduation picture.

Girl's Dorm

Today a student took me around campus showing me the dorms. She and her roommates (inc China between 6 and 8 people share a room that two people in the US would consider cramped) were reluctant about having their room photographed. So the corridor will have to suffice to give you a view of residential life in China.

In Our Hutong

I love the character and the scale of these buildings. More and more are getting destroyed to build more and bigger buildings. I hope they save a few in Jinan.

Transportation

I'm not sure these bikes have a special name. A lot of workers use them to transport goods.

Our Neighborhood Dumpling Restaurant

Ingredients

See down the street this afternoon.

At the Library

It may seem too pedestrian, but today I took my classes to the library to read the English readers Ian succeeded in getting the school to purchase. Now they can't check the books out, which I don't like, but they did get to read them during our class. With luck some will go back.

The library is a rather empty place at our school. They don't have comfy chairs or great lighting, but it's something.

A Cloudy Day in Downtown Jinan

For Lunch Today

We ordered this corn dish. It's got corn, some kind of starch like stuff, and sugar. A guilty pleasure. I mainly ordered it for the blog. I doubted people had seen this even though all over the world people know Chinese food.

Noodle Shop

At a Favorite Restaurant

The waitress at Yang Family Restaurant in my neighborhood.

Entry Prohibited

The big event this weekend is a two exam for my students. Two years ago they didn't do well enough on the national entrance exam to get into a bachelor's program. Now those who rank in the top 40% can get into a four year program, which will give them more career opportunities and costs a third of the tuition for the international program.

So no one can enter the academic building. It's very quiet all around campus.

Poster

Chinese writing and other Asian writing systems fascinate me. I have no idea what this sign says. It could be the most banal message, but I can gaze at it and gaze at it.

I can read a few of the characters, but not enough to derive the full message.

Badminton

Badminton is quite popular here. I like that people play it anywhere they can.

Rusty Kettle

There are a lot of goods here that are just not well made. Take this tea kettle. All a tea kettle must do is hold water. So you'd expect it wouldn't rust. That's the one thing you need it not to do. It's such a simple product. Yet not just my kettle, but all my colleague's tea kettles have rusted in about a year's time. I just haven't seen that happen elsewhere.

Also the top has come apart.

Taking Forever

It seems this road has been under-construction since I've been here. As a result, we've had multiple water stoppages and it's been a test of nerve and sure footing to get to the main road - especially lately.

Yet it seems the project's almost finished.

Theme Day - Funny Sign

I already posted today before seeing that it's a theme day. What a newcomer error! Any way this isn't a sign and it may not be hilarious, but it is odd English, so it's my offering. I'm hoping we get some latitude with this.

The N.Y. Times had some really Strange English signs not too long ago.

Click here for thumbnails of all City Daily Photo Theme Day participants

Tea for Sale

You'd think I'd see this all the time, but they usually don't sell tea in our street market. The more expensive kinds are pressed into shapes. Some people save them and let them age like wine.