A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the delicious Orion Pies. If you've never had one, it's like a little slice of heaven covered in chocolate. I realized after my first Orion Pie that I was hooked on them. Now, I find myself going to the store with a few gongfu brothers and purchasing a box of 6 pies for 10 yuan (which are usually gone by dinner time). A few nights ago, I was chillin with 2 of my gongfu homies, Jeff and Simon, when Jeff let me in on a little secret...Cacao Pies. I thought Orion Pies were tasty and good, but these Cacao Pie were much better because they are made with real Cacao. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I return to the States without any Cacao or Orion Pies. I don't think I can go "cold turkey" on these pies, so I may need to start purchasing the 2 packs instead of the 6 packs. That way, when it comes time to leave China, I can control the urge to buy some Orion Pies.
Onto a more serious note...Christmas in China. I have chatted with a few of my friends on Gmail chat and Facebook and the one questions I was asked all last week was, "Do the Chinese celebrate Christmas?" Well, they don't celebrate Christmas, but what I find odd is that some of the stores decorate for Christmas. Even the supermarket in Wudang played Christmas tunes and the employees wore Santa hats around the store. I even noticed a few shopkeepers along the main road in Wudang setting up Christmas trees in front of their stores the day of Christmas. However, I'm not sure if Santa Claus has clearance to fly over the airspace in China (joking).
Since there are 16 foreigners attending the Wudang Kungfu Academy, we all decided to do a Secret Santa to keep the spirit of Christmas alive at the school. Of the 16, ten decided to participate with only a couple of rules. One was the limit for spending was 100 yuan (roughly $16) and the second was you were not allowed to discuss who you had with anyone else (that rule was broken on the first day). Jacky (Scotland) organized the drawing of names after one of the morning training sessions. I ended up getting Dane as my Secret Santa which worked out perfectly because he is one of the few guys that I hang out with at the academy. So this made it really easy to find a gift for him. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, I had convinced Dane that Melanie was his Secret Santa and he believed it till the day we exchanged gifts. He had no idea that I could have been his Secret Santa because he would constantly tell me what he wanted in hopes that I would relay the info to Melanie.
The day of Christmas, 12 foreigners including Sifu Yuan headed out to Shi Yan (about 45 minutes away from Wudang) for a Christmas dinner. We went to a steak house where we had a private room which included a mahjong table for our amusement. We arrived at the restaurant at 530pm and I tell you this because you will not believe how long it took to serve our dinner. After settling down and reviewing the menu, the waitresses took our order at 6pm. It wasn't until 8pm when the first plate of food was served. Around 830pm, there were 6 that were still without any food and when they received their steaks, they were over cooked or completely raw. And we were the first people in the restaurant. So a few of the students that spoke chinese went to the manager to ask for a discount, and sure enough we got one! So what did we do after dinner you ask? Well, my friends we went to the happiest place in Shi Yan....McDonalds! Yes, that's right, McD's in China after Christmas dinner. We all ate "ice cream" and those that didn't enjoy their Christmas dinner (myself included) ordered either a Big Mac, quarter pounder with cheese, "chicken" nuggets, hamburgers, or any combination of food on the menu.
This Christmas is one that I will not forget because I was able to experience it in China, a predominately Buddhist country. I am glad I had access to Skype because I was able to speak with and see my family on Christmas. Oh yeah, on a side note...on Dec 24th, a few of us went to Shi Yan to buy some goodies and Simon and I purchased some rasta headbands to wear around Shi Yan and Wudang. As a write this blog, I am still wearing the rasta headband (I take it off only when I sleep, shower or train).
Simon and I sporting our rasta headbands on Christmas day.
Infront of McD's in Shi Yan
Sifu Yuan "enjoying" his steak dinner.
Jeff and Tan-man at the Mahjong table
Exchanging gifts in Tan-man's room.
Jacky and Brandi celebrating Christmas with a nice bottle of wine.
Tan-man, Calvin and Myself in Shi Yan (Ladies, don't act like you're not impressed)
