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Happy Thanksgiving from China!
November 27, 2008
// 7:10 AM
Today's feast left everyone complaining. Complaining about stomach pains, that is.. from eating way too much. I carried myself better than I thought I would though. The Thanksgiving meal was definitely the best we have had here by far. We started the day off with a light lunch after classes and headed straight to Xidan 西单, the shopping area just south of campus. I was so ready to spend loads of money, but it was unsuccessful. There was nothing there that I wanted, nor even found the least interest in. But I did end up finding a whole new bargaining place I hadn't heard about or seen before. I'm definitely going to hit up YaXiu or XiuShuiJie instead next time. My list of things to get: jeans, shoes, sweater, and a shirt. It just has to be done. My wardrobe is getting old.
 Anyways, after shopping, we got back to our dorms and headed straight for the subway station via bus. The ride was about 20 minutes--a lot less than what it would have been if we took a taxi. A lot cheaper too: 2 kuai (~30 cents)/person for the subway versus 30 kuai (~$4.20)/ car for the taxi. We got to the Beijing Lufthansa Center and headed for Kempinski Hotel 凯宾斯基饭店, a German high-class hotel chain. It was amazing inside, but no time to enjoy the beautiful decor inside the hotel.. STRAIGHT TO THE BUFFET! The buffet was at Kranzler's, and they were serving up an All-American Thanksgiving feast. Complete with your turkey, roast beef, ham, bbq chicken, porkchops, mashed potatoes, vegetable medley, salad bar, soup bar (including the MUCH missed Boston Clam Chowder), cold cuts, fruit bar, cheese, breads (oh, how I missed that french bread), and of course, the Chinese favorites Beijing Roast duck, fried rice, dim sum, and sweet and sour pork. But what was most important, especially to a girl like me? DESSERTS DESSERTS DESSERTS. The dessert bar complete with cheesecake, pumpkin pie, blueberry pie, pecan pie, lemon pie, sweet potato pie, walnut brownies, cookies, and my absolute favorite--Haggen Daas ice cream (green tea, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry) complete with toppings. It was amazing.
What was the best? I'm thinking it was the roast beef, turkey, mashed potatoes, Beijing Roast Duck, and the desserts -- especially moose, which contained a good 3 millimeter thick layer of pure, rich chocolate, unlike any I've had for as long as I can remember. I wish I could have eaten more!!
But because it's Thanksgiving, I have to give my thanks for this year:
- My family for their endless support and care that they have given me this year, especially while abroad
- My friends and close ones for their company, concern, and smiles that they've brought me, year and year again
- My teachers for all the knowledge that has been jammed in my head--especially in the last few months
- My entire experience in China--safe traveling, intense studying, cultural learning, and independent living
- The food on my plates, bowls, take out, clay pots and hot pots--and for SURE this Thanksgiving's feast
- My health, even though, I've gotten sick like 3 times since I've been in China
- All the good movies and music that has come out in the last year, which always seems to relax me
- The Olympic year, for making this entire experience 50 times more interesting and fun
- The election, for showing that Americans are changing--no doubt slowly, but surely
- Cal, for challenging me, and providing me not only academic knowledge, but cultural as well
- REACH! for giving me the opportunity to outreach, to talk to students and tell them how important it is to go to college, and have these kinds of experiences I am having now
- I am lucky to have the people I do in my life, seriously. That's all I can say.
Anyways, food coma is getting to me. Here are a few pictures of the feast:
 The first plate: bread, roast beef, turkey, pork, mashed potatoes, salad
#2: mashed potatoes, salad, roast beef, Beijing Roast Duck, pork, pasta
Labels: buffet, shopping, Thanksgiving
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Name: ymmatammy
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