Decline in Restrictions Sees Cases on the Rise, Trip to Lake Songhua Ski Resort is Booked, Lost Hashers and Virgins on Hash 1985, Winter Wear is Purchased, Winter Break Extended

December 18, 2022

This week seemed to drag on a bit. Many students, and some staff, were calling out sick. It rained all week so I had additional duties because of the weather. I also had a lot to look forward to on the weekend which meant my mind was on all that.

On Friday night I attended two parties. The first was organized by an InterNations ambassador whom invited some hashers along with other expats and locals to a classic Christmas dinner with free flowing drinks at the Snake Pit. Afterward we went for a free beer and dancing at Terrace. I split off from the group early to go dancing at another nearby bar. Over the course of the night I got the contact info of a couple of cute people and I had a good time. I didn't catch a cab home until around 2am.

Saturday's hash was very eventful. There was a hell of a lot of shiggy (bushwhacking) and it was mighty cold. Literally everyone missed the beer stop because the paper that was used to mark it had blown away. A good number of seasoned hashers, and two virgins, got lost on trail. The hares had to go back on trail in the dark to find them. We ended up waiting two additional hours for them before we could head home. I was given a lederhosen in circle, which I will wear from now on when I perform my duties as Beer Meister in the circles to come. After arriving home from the hash my neighbor and I had pizza together before I called it a night. Our Sunday band practice was unfortunately cancelled because too many members were ill or caring for ill children. I was disappointed because I had been learning one of the Chinese songs, called "Dang" by Power Station, and was hoping to practice it with the band.

As expected the sudden release of all testing requirements has resulted in a boom in positive cases. Besides Covid there are also various other respiratory viruses making their way through the population. This being the case I was hesitant to travel during this break, but opted to take the risk and schedule a trip to Lake Songhua Ski Resort in the north from 22nd-25th. I can socially distance quite easily at a ski resort. Everyone I have spoken to tells me that if I wait until my next holiday break the place will be mobbed. Because Christmas and New Years are not usually vacations for anyone but international teachers, most Chinese people do their touring during Chinese New Year. Additionally, most people are still too afraid to travel, so this seems like a good time for me to go to avoid a crowded mountain. I can mask up on the flight and since I have combined immunity from being vaccinated three times and getting infected just prior to coming here I am likely to be ok. It will be worth the risk when I get on the mountain.

It only cost me 4200rmb (approx US$602) for two full days of skiing, rentals, three nights of accommodations which are a 3 min walk away from the lifts. The flight was an extra UD$441. Not a bad deal for the top rated ski resort in China. I bought about US$400 worth of gear to ensure I stay warm up in the north. I may only use this stuff once or twice a year but, like I said before, it will be worth it once I get on the slopes. I am not worried about the cost as long as I have a good time, and I know that I will. Next week I will have some epic go-pro footage to share.

Our winter break was started early due to the onslaught of respiratory ailments that have rendered 50% of our students unfit to learn and almost that many of our staff unfit to teach. We will have to sacrifice two days of our summer break as a result but I welcome the extra days off it means sleeping in tomorrow. I still plan to go into to work to get some things done and pick up some things, but do not plan to be there much longer than a few hours.

The photos below are in order for once.

This ring was found in my classroom by another teacher. The day prior my good friend and former roommate from when I lived in Sweden commented on my pedicure photos that I had "hobbit feet". What are the odds that the very next day I find this ring?

The photos below are of the light displays in Sea World.

The photos and videos below are from Saturday's Hash. The temperature was as low as 10 degrees Celsius (50F) with high winds. I wore two layers of short sleaves, a head band, shorts, calf coverings, and toe shoes.

This was the first patch of what hashers call "Shiggy". It was uphill, very thorny and thick, and hard to navigate.

This second patch of shiggy was even harder to navigate but at least it wasn't thorny.

This is beautiful farm that we ran through. Not sure what they were growing but it was a lovely break after the Shiggy.

I had to pass by the following places three times because it was after I passed these places that I realized I missed the beer stop. None of the hashers found the beer stop because it was marked in paper and the paper blew away.