August 10th
Today was the first day of my normal shift – approx 1-9pm
Today was the first day of my normal shift – approx 1-9pm
Since breakfast seems to be the only meal that is edible (and free) – I have to make sure I get up in time for it (only served until 10a)
I went to the gym and got a jog in on the treadmill. I was pretty confused as the speed and distance just didn’t seem accurate… oh yah… they are in KPH and KM. Duh!
After my work out, I took a taxi (to save time) to a mall called Justco. It is relatively close to the hotel, I just didn’t have a lot of time. Well – the traffic was a nightmare, so I could have walked faster after all. Oh well.
The malls are strange as they seem to be all one big mall. There are no actual stores – just areas for the different brands. And when you want to buy something, you show a salesperson, who then rights up a ticket. You then walk (sometimes far) to a cashier, where you pay and she stamps the ticket. Then you go back to the area where you found your item and wait for them to give it to you. Oh my!
The other thing is that you don’t get bags. So you have to remember to bring your own. It is actually a good idea because they force you into recycling. (They will sell you a bag of course)
I decided to walk back to the hotel since the taxi line was forever long.
I happened upon another mall that is right next to my hotel - Sunshine World. I didn’t know it was there because it is a mall inside of another building. Lots of malls - just hard to figure out they are actually there.
Anyway – this mall was much nicer and had higher end merchandise.
I went to the gym and got a jog in on the treadmill. I was pretty confused as the speed and distance just didn’t seem accurate… oh yah… they are in KPH and KM. Duh!
After my work out, I took a taxi (to save time) to a mall called Justco. It is relatively close to the hotel, I just didn’t have a lot of time. Well – the traffic was a nightmare, so I could have walked faster after all. Oh well.
The malls are strange as they seem to be all one big mall. There are no actual stores – just areas for the different brands. And when you want to buy something, you show a salesperson, who then rights up a ticket. You then walk (sometimes far) to a cashier, where you pay and she stamps the ticket. Then you go back to the area where you found your item and wait for them to give it to you. Oh my!
The other thing is that you don’t get bags. So you have to remember to bring your own. It is actually a good idea because they force you into recycling. (They will sell you a bag of course)
I decided to walk back to the hotel since the taxi line was forever long.
I happened upon another mall that is right next to my hotel - Sunshine World. I didn’t know it was there because it is a mall inside of another building. Lots of malls - just hard to figure out they are actually there.
Anyway – this mall was much nicer and had higher end merchandise.
There was a Coach store, so of course, I checked out the prices on the purses and wallets I already have .... and.... more expensive here! (damn!)
I did find a grocery store in the basement which was very nice. Kind of like a high end Whole Foods. I walked around and they have a lot of imported items, so I have a feeling that I will be back!
While there, nature called. I found a bathroom. I went straight for the disabled stall as those are typically Western toilets. However, when there is TP available – it is out in the hallway. So you have to really plan ahead for how much TP you are going to require. This can be a challenge.
Thank God it was a Western toilet – cuz if I would have had to squat, it would of not ended in a good way.
Thankfully, I had the proper amount of TP and again, I was so thankful for the Western toilet!
I shopped a little more and then headed back to the hotel.
Got ready for work and headed off on my bike.
Here are some of the sites as I enter the compound (it’s kind of hard to ride and take photos at same time- plus - they don't want us to take photos - but adds to the challenge!)
While there, nature called. I found a bathroom. I went straight for the disabled stall as those are typically Western toilets. However, when there is TP available – it is out in the hallway. So you have to really plan ahead for how much TP you are going to require. This can be a challenge.
Thank God it was a Western toilet – cuz if I would have had to squat, it would of not ended in a good way.
Thankfully, I had the proper amount of TP and again, I was so thankful for the Western toilet!
I shopped a little more and then headed back to the hotel.
Got ready for work and headed off on my bike.
Here are some of the sites as I enter the compound (it’s kind of hard to ride and take photos at same time- plus - they don't want us to take photos - but adds to the challenge!)
It doesnt really show in this photo - but cars & bikes have to zig zag thru this maze so you can't bust thru the checkpoint.
This is the point where you get out of your car (or off your bike) and hand it over to the military dude. It is inspected and photos are taken of it. The people go thru a line where our credentials are scanned and then we go thru metal detectors.
This is right after you get your "vehicle" back. Immediately to the right is the tank and the guys with the guns. I shared a photo of that back on August 6th. That is a photo you have to definitely sneak. If you look closely, you can see a guy in the distance in the middle of the street. They are every few hundred feet. They just stand there with a little suitcase. They are motionless and won't look at you. I am curious about what is in that suitcase - but I don't think I will stop to ask.
I worked for about 4 hours and then headed back.
I met up with Christina for dinner. We went to a place she picked at another hotel. It of course had a buffet – but neither of us had it. We both ordered steaks. Mine was ok – but was fattier than I like and super rare.
Later in the evening, almost the entire crew met in the hotel lobby bar to watch USA vs China basketball game. We kinda took over the bar – the servers were freaking out.
They don’t let you start a tab here. Actually, no bar in the past 3 weeks have allowed a tab. They want the money right away. Can be a pain when you a planning to stay for a while. And it literally takes like 4 servers and 10 minutes to get even a draft beer. But I guess that is why everyone in the country has a job. It can be mind boggling at times.
I met up with Christina for dinner. We went to a place she picked at another hotel. It of course had a buffet – but neither of us had it. We both ordered steaks. Mine was ok – but was fattier than I like and super rare.
Later in the evening, almost the entire crew met in the hotel lobby bar to watch USA vs China basketball game. We kinda took over the bar – the servers were freaking out.
They don’t let you start a tab here. Actually, no bar in the past 3 weeks have allowed a tab. They want the money right away. Can be a pain when you a planning to stay for a while. And it literally takes like 4 servers and 10 minutes to get even a draft beer. But I guess that is why everyone in the country has a job. It can be mind boggling at times.
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