POLAR OPPOSITES

Lately when discussing the weather with people here, everyone says that a good dehumidifier is a must for spending a comfortable Taipei winter. My AC has this function, but then it makes the room unbearably cold, I think I'd rather brave the elements than make the investment, unless my clothes start to suffer of course!

It's ironic that back in Lanzhou, we used a humidifier to increase humidity! A rabbit that emitted steam from it's ears! Only in China.

FAREWELL LANZHOU!

The view from outside our building

Well, I am all packed and ready to go. I've been informed that my last meal simply has to be Lanzhou niurou lamian so I'll be off to my local shortly for the last supper.

Goodbye Lanzhou, it's been fun but I think I'm ready to move on to something more...

See you in Hong Kong!

Oh, one last thing, since Lanzhou is notorious for its dirt, a shoe before and after -

STICKY SWEET

Sticky glutinous rice studded with Chinese dates and covered in liquid honey... Similar in texture to a zongzi, this stuff is awesome. One of the Muslim influenced food additions to be found in Lanzhou.

COUNTDOWN

10 days until we are in Hong Kong! I am starting to get very excited- I think I'm ready for a change of scene. There to get my Taiwanese Visa and then fingers crossed we'll be off to Tibet!

To get myself in the mood, I celebrated with an iced tea, the drink that I will forever associate with HK. I'm trying to spend a bit of time outside everyday to prepare myself for the heat that will be awaiting us. Not the best time of year for a visit but what can you do? We'll just have to spend a lot of time inside shops with AC.

LYING LOW

After an unfortunate case of food poisoning following a trip to a village just outside the city, I've not been feeling terribly active the past few days. Today I skipped yoga and sat in the square. Attempted to study, read and people watched. The weather is getting hotter so it is lovely to get out of the house and sit in the shade. This place is I suppose the Chinese alternative to a cafe.  People come here to drink and hang out with friends. In order to pay for your seat, they charge you double for the drinks! Oh China.

SUNDAY MORNING

This morning something was definitely up. Dashing policemen at every street corner, helicopters circling overhead, crowds of people surging past me. Granted none of this is totally foreign when in China but at 7.30am on a Sunday?

WATERMELON WONDER

In the evenings, there are trucks like this one parked on almost every street corner. It is watermelon season right now, reflected by the price, NZ40c per kilogram. After wondering where they could all possibly come from, I asked my "Lanzhou Mum" Jun, who said that they come from the villages outside the city. All very well in theory but when the land outside of Lanzhou looks like this... it's a bit harder to reconcile.

A CHINESE STYLE DINER

As you may have noticed, I have a thing for Chinese breakfasts! This place delivers on that front. Specialising in soymilk (it's called Soymilk King!), it has a menu full of almost every kind of breakfast food you could want. Despite all the variety, the customers are only eating one thing. I had to try it...

HOW TO... MIAN PIAN

We first made Mian Pian soon after I arrived in Lanzhou, when the weather was still somewhat cooler. This homemade noodle dish is most often eaten in winter because after eating it you feel lovely and warm inside. Now that it's getting cold in NZ, I thought you could try it! 

CHINESE SANDWICH

I lied! One more post before I leave for Chengdu.

So after yoga class today, I found myself feeling hungry and slightly nostalgic for the taste of home. Homesickness will make a girl do crazy things. I found myself tempted by the pictures in the window of what I suppose we could call the Chinese equivalent of a fast food place. A short wait later and I held in my hands, the Chinese version of the humble sandwich.

LUSTING AFTER... WINTER?

photo fashiongonerogue

The weather is starting to get hot here, yesterday was 34 degrees! I'm realising that I packed all wrong and didn't bring enough summer clothes which is a right pain. I just like winter things so much more! The picture above is from the one magazine I brought over with me, I look at this editorial practically everyday and wish I could live in it! I want to wear a beautiful Celine coat and walk along the beach right now. It's ironic considering how much I gloated about missing winter this year.

LICENCED TO SWIM

Yesterday I hit the pool. Swimming is not big in China generally, but since Lanzhou is so far from the sea, not many here people can actually swim. As such, I was subjected to a swim examination to be allowed in the deep water (at 1.5-1.7 metres I can still touch the bottom!) NZ$1, two lengths and I was good to go. I also get the honour of wearing this cool tag on my swimsuit at all times.

First yoga class tomorrow!

LONG WEEKEND

Coincidentally, this weekend is also a long weekend in China, in celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival. Everyone is scurrying around buying up zongzi, sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. They always have some kind of filling, depending on the region you're in. Here in Lanzhou, the filling is sweet. Apparently in the South, they make them best. I agree, the zongzi in Shanghai had preserved duck egg and meat filling- so much better! It is mandatory to buy them and give to all of your family and friends, people leave the store carrying boxes of them.

THE CHINESE VERSIONS

The weather was stunning today, the first blue sky in a week! Spent the afternoon wandering the main pedestrian street, similar to Nanjing Lu in Shanghai, or Cuba Mall in Wellington :)

People watching was excellent because it was the weekend, lots of consumer spending going on. I had a fantastic iced coffee, from the same shops that sell my favourite bubble tea, which was a nice surprise.

NIUROU LAMIAN

Every city in China seems to have its signature dish, and NiuRou LaMian is Lanzhou’s. Hand pulled noodles with beef, and lots of hot pepper, this dish is eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have so far not had the courage to attempt to eat them for breakfast (I just don’t think I could stomach them) but they have made for some enjoyable lunches.

OLD HABITS

It is raining today so not the best conditions for wandering the streets. The footpaths here are not only slippery, but also cracked, uneven and filled with holes, its not a risk I’m willing to take without good reason! Thus, I am spending the afternoon inside, catching up on some reading. Bliss.

Since I’ve been here, I have to admit to experiencing rather painful pangs of longing for magazines! I am in serious withdrawal.

TO MARKET

There are markets on every block here, down little side streets that wind around the apartment buildings, it is the best place to be early in the morning. Everyone is bustling around to get their daily groceries, catching up with friends and I'm told that the produce is actually cheaper than later in the day.

LANZHOU 101

Lanzhou is a small city by China standards, with a mere 3.5 million people! Compared to other Chinese cities I’ve been in, it does feel pretty compact.

ODE TO MY UMBRELLA

photo: Vogue Mexico

These days I never go anywhere without my beloved umbrella, aside from my phone (with google maps, one can never be lost!), it is the most useful tool for getting around successfully.

HOW THE PROS DO IT

Pineapples are all over the place here in Lanzhou right now. The street vendors have an ingenious way of dealing with them, which one very kind woman let me photograph her do today. I'm definitely bringing one of these tools home!

One more tip for ultimate enjoyment of your pineapple - if too sweet or not quite ripe, soak in salty water for a while - perfect every time :)