Cutting class to buy a washing machine!

During one of our days off, when we don’t have to be at the theatre till 6pm, Jake and I chose to run around with some of the interpreters.

First thing on the agenda was to go to her high school. We learned that once you are accepted into a college, you are no longer required to go to school full time.

The only thing you have to still go to school for is to turn in essay papers. Other than that, you don’t have to go at all. So she said we would only be on campus for about an hour and told us it was fine that we tag along. We got to the campus, which was a series of outdoor school rooms kind of like the type you think of in your 1980’s California style movie. And in the center of them, was a huge area equipped with like 10 basketball courts, tennis courts, track and field, and so on. What I thought was funny was that all the basketball courts were full, yet the 10 ping pong tables were totally empty. I guess favorite sports have changed.

We went up to her homeroom, and 5 min later she was out the door. Turns out the only reason we were even at her high school was because she wanted to give her best friend a birthday present. Must be nice to go to school for social reasons only.

After that, we went DVD shopping. Yes, again. Hey, you can never get to many DVD’s at a dollar a piece.

Then we went to Wal-Mart. It was interesting to go into a Wal-Mart in China, because up till now we have been going to Care-Fore (a huge Wal-Mart like store). As it turns out, the Care-Fore has many more western products than the Wal-Mart and looks more like the Wal-Mart you would find in the states.

We asked our interpreters if there was a backlash against “big-box style stores” like Wal-Mart. She said no, she said they are very popular for getting all your shopping done in one place. In fact, currently everyone is protesting and choosing Wal-Mart over Care-Fore because Care-Fore is supporting a small village separating from mainland China into there own country. They have been having protests at all Care-fore’s and beating people up if you cross the picket line. It is all over China news,

I’m sure you guys haven’t heard about it in the states. China is very “country” oriented and it is odd that a corporation based in China would support villages becoming countries and stay in good graces with the China people. At least they are doing the right thing.

Anyways, we really had no intent to buy anything at Wal-Mart, and what did we walk out with. A washing machine!! I have to tell you if you are going to stay in China, just pony up the cash to buy a washing machine, because it will save you tons of cash in China in the long term (obviously if you have somewhere to store it).

It was 230 Yuan, which is about 35 bucks. If you are keeping up with my blog, we have been spending 200-300 Yuan every time we do laundry. It is a small one, but you can still wash about 6 or 7 shirts at a time. So excited!!

Did I mention there is meat in China? LOTS!!!

And last (In Walmart), the esculator between floors. Kinda cool way to sell impulse buying, huh? The carts magnetically stuck to the esculator.

(Below- Thought the sign was ironic)