Finally, the Qingdao Beer Festival

My Summer of 2008

It is now Autumn. Yet, Summer is still so HOT!!

I met Summer at the English Corner of the SPR Coffee Shop in Wusi (May 5) Square. I, the English professor, approached her and asked, "Do you speak English?" The rest is history.

Now all my seasons are sunny, cheerful, refreshing as she always is. She wears a smile that disarms any man who appreciates beauty and charm.

Our friendship, like the rest of my girl friends, is something to behold, love and cherish. She is so eager to learn English, as I am of Chinese, so maybe there is a match here. A match of learning, I mean.

At Bei Jiu Shui, Mt. Laoshan (Sept 20, 2008)

All work, then some fun at Mt. Laoshan
On Saturday, 20 Sept 2008, the sales and operations staff of CIF-TAO (China Intl Freight / Qingdao Branch) trekked to the Bei Jui Shui Resort area in the Mt. Laoshan for its annual company outing. About 20 CIF/TAO beautiful girls and 4 guys enjoyed a day of fun and frolics. Click here for photos.

Relax guys, this photo was lifted from the Internet. Although my 'girls' at the office are as lovely, these are not them.......-ben

Oompah Band at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

A Jump on Oktoberfest (Sept 11, 2008)
America commemorates the 9/11 terrorist attack. Some twelve thousand miles away, the Qingdao-rens started celebrating their version of Oktoberfest. One of the first to host was the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Hongkong Middle Road, where a huge, white tent was setup for the occasion. I estimated as many as 500 Tsingtao beer drinking fanatics were in the tent that night.

The Qingdao Business Leaders (QBL) had a planning meeting earlier in the evening. I was impressed on how smooth and quick the meeting went. Then I figured out the meeting was just an excuse to party. Everyone just wanted to get out early and be at the big 'Beerfest' tent.

An oompah band imported directly from Bavaria (at least that's what I was told) belted out both traditional German folk songs, as well as American country music. They even played 'boogie' and foxtrot to the delight of the 'older' crowd. I couldn't resist showing off my boogie moves with my new friend's (Chris Wachendorfer) mother. Chris, as he introduced himself, is the chief 'Grease Monkey' in Qingdao. They are building a dozen or so of these automotive service centers here in Qingdao alone. I wonder if they have monkeys doing the car washing and cleaning? Incidentally, they call BMW's here - Bu Moi Wo, meaning 'don't touch me'.

Kathy, my dear Chinese lady friend, thought she was German and kept offering 'prost" to everyone. (Kathy Z. W. - she is the lovely girl caught eating too much bratwurst in the slide show below). It was a great night. I know, because I do not know how I got home.


....More to come on the Qingdao Beerfest on Sept 19th to Oct 5th.... In the meantime here are some photos taken at the Crowne Plaza festival.

Moon Cakes & Beerfest (Sept - Oct 2008)

The Mid Autumn (Moon Cakes) Festival (Sept 15)
This festival dates back to some 3,000 years and has many origins. Folklore attributes this festival to the worshiping of the moon (xi yue) during the ancient Xia and Shang dynasties (2000 B.C.-1066 B.C.). There are many beautiful legends about the moon in China. The most popular one tells how a goddess named Chang'e ascended to the moon. If you want to know more about this festival, click here.

One would know that this festival is fast approaching when moon cakes start appearing in stores. At Carrefour (pronounced: sha-lah-fooh), right across my office, a whole section is devoted to the cakes. Yes, they have many, many different moon cakes - from small ones to large pizza-sized ones. It is difficult to figure out which ones to buy, as the labels are all in Chinese. Anyway, it does not matter, as I have yet to meet a moon cake I did not like.

Alysia Zhang (The Master Spy) & the Missing Moon Cakes

Zhang Ting aka Alysia, my lovely friend thinks I eat too much of the moon cakes (she actually said, "You eat too much". Period.). I asked her how she knew this. She said she scavenged the trash can and counted the number of wrappers in it. Well, she is from Dalian, a former Russian seaport in the northeastern part of China. So, they know how to spy. But, I have wised up. Now, after eating moon cakes (which is quite frequent), I shred the wrappers, then scatter them into the wind through my 8th floor window. No evidence. No crime. Here she is in her military outfit:

Alysia Zhang, aka Jane Bond
Another Ting 'smartness' story: A few weeks ago she went home to Dalian for a week. As she is concerned about my being over weight (at least she did not use the "f" word), she told me not to spend too much time at the bars. I, of course, promised as told. For some strange reason, she did not believe me. So she ordered me to call her every night and on real-time send her photos of the show on Channel 44 (a Dalian station). This way she can check if I indeed was at home. And to make sure that I do not cheat (where is the trust here?), she said to have the camera on timer and take the photo of the TV with me in the background. She should have been named Jane Bond.


The Tsingtao Beer Festival (Sept 19 - Oct 5)
Now, here is a real festival. Although not a national holiday, it is quite famous in this part of China. It is similar to Germany's Oktoberfest and is mainly held at a park called, guess what? - "Beer City'. The park is deserted (fenced in) the whole year except for this 16 day holiday. I will tell you more and post some pictures as soon as I emerge from the big tents next week.

For this festival, I have appointed myself the 'lagermeister' and as such I am organizing a group of expats to go on one (or more) evenings together. This way we can protect ourselves from the rowdy Germans. Oh, I wonder if they sell the beer in plastic bags over there?


Hocks and Feet
In Bavaria, a traditional dish during the Oktobefest is Schweinsaxe - roast pig hock glazed in beer. I heard the Qingdao-rens have their own version but made of chicken feet instead of pork feet. Clever, these Chinese. Hock. Feet. What's the difference?

hock (dictionary meaning)

1.	the joint in the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., above the fetlock joint, corresponding anatomically to the ankle in humans.

2.	a corresponding joint in a fowl.

Two American 'Idiots' at the Paralympics

Cheering for Team USA
On Wednesday (Sept 10), my fellow Asian-American friend (Hubert Ho), my boss (Michael Kou) at China International Freight (CIF/TAO) and I decided to see the Paralympics sailing competition (the venue is about 30 minutes from my office). Tickets were very cheap - 10 yuans. For that price, I could not complain too much for the lack of visibility that day.

We befriended a wheelchair borne Australian lady named Jakie Kay and Chris Mitchell, her friend. They build Dinghys somewhere near Sydney. Hubert and I pretended to be seasoned American sailors. You know - the 'know it all' Americans. Jakie and Chris versus the seasoned American 'wanna bee' sailors. We had a little friendly bantering on who is best.

And so the race starts for the two person Yngling (keelboat) competition (notice my mastery of this sports?). Well, the mighty American nuclear powered boat was on first, while the Australian rubber ducky was close second. It was a close race, until....

Half way through the race, Hubert jumped and said, "Oh no, the American sailboat just went down." My eyes being less than perfect, I squinted and could not find any boat with an American flag on the horizon. I yelled, "There goes another gold."

Jackie looked condescendingly at us and said, "You American idiots. They just brought down their sail for faster turning. Those boats do not capsize!" Jackie did not really say the "I" word. I think she had something worse in mind.

Well, the Americans got their gold anyway. No thanks to two 'mentally handicapped' American cheerleaders.

The Philippine Sailing Team
In the same race, we saw a boat that was way, way, way behind. Jackie informed us that was the Philippines' entry for 2-man Yngling race. I was so proud, yet quizzically wondered why they were so far behind. True to my 'joker' nature, I said, "They fooled us (Filipinos) again. They said the race is on for tomorrow."

Actually there is a heartwarming story about this Philippine Paralympic sailing team. Apparently, there is only one disabled sailing person in the whole Philippine islands who competes in sailing events. So, she and her coach set out to search the archipelago (7,000 islands) for a 'navigator'. After months of searching they found a fisherman with no legs and no arms but was agile enough to navigate his boat and fish for his family. Untrained and untested they took the man with them to Qingdao. So off to the races, albeit coming in last. But the Olympics as well as the Paralympics is not just about who is fastest, highest and swiftest, but also who tried their best. I was proud to be of Filipino heritage at that moment.

My Olympic Parties in QD

Pre-Olympic Opening Games (August 06, 2008)
At Jack's Bar - Free Beer. No, not really. But this is a fun place. Tonight, 2 days before the opening of the Olympics, China played the Kiwis (New Zealand) in men's football. The Kiwis scored first around the early part of the 2nd half. It looked bad for the Chinese. But with only about 2 minutes left, Chinese stricker Dong Fangzhuo scored to tie the game.

The bar went wild. Then Jack, the owner, bought a round of beer for all. Unfortunately, China did not score again. But many Chinese men 'scored' 2 days later!!! ----------------------->

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Here's one Olympics competition where China definitely set a record: at least 314,224 couples tied the knot across the nation on Friday, or 08/08/08, the opening day of the 29th Olympic Games, official statistics showed.

Opening Day Party at Latours Laguens (August 08, 2008)
Latours Laguens (LL) is a small French villa-type resort hotel in the Shiloren area in Qingdao (about 15-20 minutes by taxi from the city center). For 100RMB (US$15), LL offered all-you-can drink Tsingtao beer, and some finger foods. It was pleasant night, a bit warm but breezy. In attendance was about 200 people equally divided of foreigners and locals.

I went with my usual crowd of imbibers - Helmut Probst (the BakkerMeister), Oliver Spanh, Jessie Dong, Phillipe Van Cauwenberge, Gert Vetter, Glacier (local Chinese beauty), Joe Braun (from Milwaukee), etc. Although guests in attendance were a smorgasbord of nationalities, I felt everyone was Chinese at that moment in time.




The crowd was load and noisy. Most were standing and dancing, swaying to the Olympic music. Each episode of the "Greatest Show on Earth" was greated with claps and cheers. Certainly, it was a night that made Chinese people proud. I was so glad to be in China at this historic moment.

My USA v China Basketball Game Party (August 10, 2008)
Two days after the the opening, was the game between the Team Millionaires v. Team Yao Ming. I invited a couple fo expat friends to come over and enjoy some beer and watch the games.

I went down to my favorite corner store to see if I can order a keg of beer. Yes, he did have cold beer (this is rare!) in a keg which he sells retail via the "plastic bag' way. So, he could not deliver the whole keg as his úsual ''winos' would go berserk. But since I am such an important customer, he will have the beer delivered. Thirty minutes later, my door bell rang. A young boy with 6 plastic bags of Tsingtao beer was at the door. The rest of the night was pure Tsingtao 'pijiu' (beer) love fest.

The Art of Pouring Tsingtao from Plastic Bag

Past Memoirs - Beijing Exotic Food Festival

When I arrived in Beijing on December 30, 2007 (I promised Xueling Zhang I would be in China before the end of 2007). More on these episodes about my early days (Jan - Feb 2008) in Qingdao. An affair to remember and cherish.

At that time, Xueling and I were fortunate enough to be in an area where they had an Exotic Food Street Fair. Here are pictures I took at the Fair (with Xueling):

Oddities - Living 'Lavishly' In Qingdao

Oddities

oddity - a strange attitude or habit queerness, quirk, quirkiness, crotchet strangeness, unfamiliarity - unusualness as a consequence of not being well known

The following are some random oddities I have encountered during my stay here in Qingdao.

Take Out Draft Beer
On a sweltering (exceedingly hot and humid) night last week, I decided to stay home and imbibe on cold beer while watching the news on my one-channel TV set (there is only one English channel in all of China).

The neighborhood store had ran out of bottled beer. So I was offered draft beer. I said no, I did not want to drink in his store. He said, "meiwenti". I think it meant "no problem". Whereupon he poured draft beer into a clear plastic bag. I handed him 2.5 yuans and ask for a straw. I was so afraid the plastic bag would burst and spill my precious draft beer. I poked a hole in the bag, stuck the straw and happily sipped the beer while walking home.

Where have all the chickens (parts) gone?
One of my consulting jobs is located in the Qingdao World Trade Center.

One day, my Chinese staff and I went down to the employee cafeteria. For 8 yuans, I had a choice of three kinds of dishes plus rice, vegetable, soup and Chinese buns. Enough food for a week.

That particular day, I had a choice of:
(1) stewed chicken feet,
(2) sauteed chicken neck,
(3) fried chicken head and
(4) dish of chicken hearts, livers, butts, etc.

While devouring my lunch, I asked one of my Chinese staffer, "What happens to the rest of the chicken - breast, wings, legs, etc.".

He made a face and said, "We don't like those parts, no taste. So we export them to the US".

2 Yuans for Bus Trip
For months I have been paying 1 yuan (US$0.14) for bus trips almost anywhere in QD. Last week, I boarded bus #232, and put my 1 yuan bill in the box. The driver scowled at me and motioned I should put one more. I may be a little bit overweight, but I refuse to pay the equivalent of two people. We argued (he in Chinese, I in English). Luckily a Chinese lady (tall, gorgeous and young) intervened and explained that I must pay another yuan for the air conditioning. Since it was too late to get off the bus and take a cheaper non air-conditioned bus, I had to cough up another precious yuan. What a rip off!

Prada, Hermes and Tiffany in Qingdao

Tall, Gorgeous and Yonng
Yesterday, I attended the opening of the Health/Beauty Spa in the new HiSense Plaza Mall here in Qingdao. Not too "shabby" - Prada, Gucci, Hermes, Tiffany, etc. Short Hills Mall in New Jersey and Rodeo Drive in L.A. come close in comparison.

I figured if I shopped there, I can afford an ice cream cone from the Haagen Dazs kiosk. Even that one looks too expensive to me. Leather sofas, and more.

The Spa is so upscale and classy - but - for women only. Fixtures and furniture are European and American brands - Kohler, etc. But Made In China, of course.

Lots of tall, gorgeous and young Chinese ladies in attendance. I, Helmut and Tomas (my expatriate (Germans) friends) were conspicuous in blue jeans, t-shirts and backpacks. A six-women (tall, gorgeous and young) traditional Chinese musical ensemble greeted us at the door. Then Chinese hostesses (tall, gorgeous and young) served us (non-stop) French, German and Italian glasses of wine and champagne, which helped with the hors d'oeurves -- caviar, truffles -- nah, only cheesecake, canapes, etc. For a while, I thought I was at "The Donald's" party.

My Chinese lady-friend (tall, gorgeous and young) invited me to join her at next week's opening of the French Printemps store in QD. I am a sucker for free booze and tall, gorgeous and young Chinese women.

The Olympic Arenas - Politics, Econimics and Sports:

The Olympics of Politics
Oh, as I was writing this blog, an RSS (news feed) streamed by - on Amnesty International's news release about the 'horrible' human rights record of China. Ten days before the opening of the Olympics!!! That's great timing. At the same time John McCain (my own party's presidential candidate) just had a meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Added on August 1st: Bush meets with 5 Chinese dissidents in the White House, and promised to bring the message of freedom on his trip for the Olympics....NYTimes, July 31st.

I am one of 5 remaining supporters of Bush II in the world (the others are wife Laura, mother Barbara, dad George HW and veep Dick Cheney. Yet I am appalled at how he has given in to left - Democrats, liberals and do-gooders. Why now? Even if there is a reason for supporting the Dalai Lama, this is hardly the time.

There are two million ethnic Tibetans, perhaps a few hundred of them supports the DL. There are 1.3 billion Chinese. Do your math. From my perspective, 99.99999% of Chinese are very optimistic and increasingly happy with their lives. The United States of Meddlers (USM) should butt out!

The Olympics of Economics
While I am at it, I say that the debate whether China will overtake America economically (in GDP) is over. The question is when - 10, 15, 20, 25 years? Most economists predicts 15 - 20 years. If the US turns more liberal and socialistic, i.e., less capitalistic, (Et tu, Obama?) I think the crowning of China as the #1 economic world leader will be sooner. America has become its own worst enemy.

Today's news article - U.S. deficit to hit record level of US$490 billion; U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) will grow 1.6% this year and expand 2.2% in 2009.

Last week's news article - China trade surplus for the 1H 2008 declined to mere US$99 billion (sic) due to slowdown in global markets. China's GDP grew a 'disappointing' 10.6%.

The Olympics of Sports
Many are forecasting that China will be numero uno in the Beijing Olympics. China was #3 in Sydney (2000), #2 in Athens (2004). There is even talk that Russia may spring a surprise by coming in #2 to China, which may place the USA #3. Time to be less cocky, America.

In basketball, Team USA is promising to 'bring back' the glory days. The US was bronze medalist in Athens (2004), silver in Sydney (2000). But if these NBA stars do not come down from the dollar laden backboards, they may not even make medal. China, Russia, Spain and Argentina (the depending Olympic champions) will be huge problems to Team Millionaires.

My Life in Qingdao

Six months have passed, I am still here in China. I decided to start a blog as some people had asked about my well being here in Qingdao......and what is going on in China -- from my perspective. For obvious reasons, I can not blog negatively. But there is so much positives here, so why bother with those mundane, unimportant issues such as human rights, global warming, Tibet, etc.

My Life is 'Difficult and Boring' in China.
I thought blogging (or bragging?) about my nightly dinner routine is a good place to start.

Most evenings, I take a 10 minute walk to the RT (da run fa) Supermarket (3 floor building) to buy dinner and also, to watch the 'older' people dance in the public square.

Sushi and Peking Duck
After 8 o'clock, prepared foods at the supermarket are marked down. So.....

I go to the Japanese section of the supermarket and buy a plate of Sushi at 50% discount. Normally cost 15 yuans, marked down - 7 yuans ($1.10 - used to be $1, but the US dollar keeps losing its value - that hurts).

Some nights I splurge --- I buy Peking duck - complete with pancakes, sauce, onion. Discounted about 25 yuans ($3.25 - again, it would have been cheaper if the dollar was still mighty). Usually enough for two.

Paris Style Sidewalk Restaurants
On my walk to/from the supermarket, I go via a street lined with Chinese restaurants. Since it is summer, they have tables outside - on the sidewalk and on the street itself. So, cars have to navigate around the dining public.

A big mug of Tsingtao draft beer cost 3.5 yuans ($0.50). Dinner usually is hotpot - pot of boiling water atop a gas burner on the table - I pour in clams, shrimp, octopus, squid, vegetables, thinly sliced beef, etc. - a little over $2. Btw, tipping is not allowed in China. Besides, what do I give - US$0.20?

At other nights, I just settle for a large plate of craw fish (they call them 'little lobsters' - larger than the US version) - costs $2.

Or, I go to one of the dozen BBQ places. I point at the kind of BBQ I want (since my Chinese is bad, pointing is more effective) and they cook it right in front of me. A stick cost 1 yuan (15 cents). So, devouring a few sticks of BBQ with beer cost me less than $2. Of course, I have to sit outside and get honked by the cars.

Since I am on a diet -- no dessert. But, most nights, my stomach is mightier than my will.

Google-ing Chinese Girls
While having dinner, I goggle ( verb -- to search/look, then open/undress) at the nice looking Chinese girls in short shorts.

There is no God in China? You must be kidding. Look at those legs and beautiful, slim bodies. After all, God is the creature of all things, right?

I smile. When they smile back, I offer them a stick of BBQ. It worked once!!! This particular rendezvous cost me 35 yuans ($5).

So I stopped smiling since then.