Yesterday we went to Gulangyu Island. (Incidentally, by using my deductive skills in word formation, I have figured out that when a location name ends in “yu” it means island; when it ends with “du” it means street; when it ends with “hu” it means lake—not bad, eh? Just a few more weeks and I’ll be fluent). But I digress.
We had a 15 minute walk to the bus stop; a 45 minute bus ride; a 15 minute walk to the ferry and then a 10 minute ferry ride to the island—nothing seems easy to get to, that`s for sure. The island is only 2 square kilometres and there are still 20,000 inhabitants on the island, which I`m sure that number swells as tourists plan their day trips to the island.
The locals are prepared for the tourists as they set up their tables of wares to sell. Between the tables, tourists and umbrellas, there was not a whole lot of room to manoeuvre. There was one restaurant that had about 12 large pails, almost like the kiddie pools that you have for your children on a hot day. In each pool there was some type of marine life—sting rays, eels, crabs, fish and other identifiable species. People would get a net and pick their creature. The net with the unsuspecting being was then weighed and whisked away to the kitchen. The customer was given a piece of paper, presumably with the weight and type of creature, and let inside the restaurant while waiting for their dinner to be cooked.
I was also the subject of many photo-ops yesterday. I was sitting on the curb, merrily eating my Popsicle when I noticed a group of guys talking to each other and looking at me. Then the two brave ones came and sat down beside me while the third friend took their picture with me. They were excited to put their arm around me and have their picture taken with this blonde bombshell...I mean...Canadian. A little later I was taking some pictures and two girls stopped me and had their photo taken with me as well; each taking turns to have their picture taken with the Canadian. So, I flashed them my pearly whites and waved with each person who wanted their moment with the Canadian. I never knew that I could one day be so famous...I should have had paper with me so they could have my autograph...maybe next time.
As I write this, another Sunday has passed. I am so used to spending time with my friends in the fellowship of like-minded people. I miss that terribly. I know that some people have liked the blog and have been keeping up with my adventures. However, I am not privy to some of the everyday happenings of your life, so please, drop me an email just to give me some news about you. I can’t receive any social networking websites, but my email still works. An email with a little bit of news does wonders to help make the distance seem much shorter. I am half way through my time away—only 20 more days and I will be home!
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