If we were on a racetrack then I guess you could say that we are around the bend when considering our last few months here in Tianjin, China. The year 2020 is behind us and there is minimal talk of Covid 19 in this area however China continues to have pockets of outbreaks so we are warned against travelling out of the city. This is fine with us as we continue to explore Tianjin and it is a big enough centre to keep us busy. Today, for instance, we are going to the Tianjin Museum on a subway ride which usually takes us about 45 minutes to city centre. When we happened down there last time we ended up in the favoured Italian quarter again and it was undergoing a major renovation so we haven’t returned but will during the Spring Festival which is now a month away.
December has been an event filled month with dinners out with John’s staff on a regular basis. We are always welcome at their weekly dinners at the Chinese BBQ however do not always attend as we like to explore new restaurants and also enjoy cooking at home. Although it is officially winter here we have only experienced a couple of really cold days with high winds and so haven’t been forced to stay indoors for any length of time. We are still enjoying our walks in the park and to local restaurants and shopping centres.
For the past couple of weeks I have taken on the responsibility of looking after a kitten, Tino. I answered an ad on Tianjin expats and a couple from Brazil were looking for care for their kitten so I took him in. He has provided me with some companionship for the past two weeks and he leaves tomorrow as they return from their holiday in Sanya, China…known for its beautiful weather and beaches.
The usual Christmas events have now finished. We attended a traditional Christmas dinner at Bouquet with John’s staff and then we also went out for a fancy Peking Duck dinner with the Chinese staff. We have also celebrated our New Years in a quiet fashion like many people this year and enjoyed an evening out with one of John’s Vice Principals and his wife and child, Matt, YouYou and Aliya. We also met another couple when dining with them, Shawn and his girlfriend. Shawn is a Tai Kwon Do instructor from the UK and his girlfriend is from Mongolia where YouYou is from. Both couples have been together for 7 years. It is hard for John and I to remember being together only 7 years…we are now at 32 years married…that is crazy to think about. We met when some of these people were just born…Ha!
We have just been informed that John’s holiday will be extended for one more week during the Spring festival and that will start the fourth week of January and extend to the end of February. With the travel warnings we will only be allowed to venture out in Tianjin so we will have to get into a routine at that time. One outing we have booked is a 3 night stay at the Shangri La Hotel for my birthday. Sounds and looks very nice according to others who have been there.
A couple of things I hope for during this trip to China is to experience another trip to the wall and to visit Tibet or Mongolia. Simple enough I think. Here’s hoping they come to reality in 2021.
Happy New Year all!
