So, our first weekend living on the mainland, somehow we inadvertently became wedding crashers! (As you do!) It was Sunday after all and following a mammoth Saturday exploring Xi'an, we decided the "Beach BBQ" under fairy lights sounded rather inviting for us newbies in town. After a lazy morning, we high-tailed it out to one of Xi'an's 'other' premier hotels where the "beach" BBQ takes place each week. 45 minutes later after some rather manic, bumper to bumper traffic, where the road rules are harder to decipher than Chinese characters (er, what road rules?) we arrived (in tact) at our destination. Ok - so our man-made beach was a little on the disappointing side….but coming from Australia, really who was I kidding! In my mind I was (naively) hoping for this... But what we got - in the middle of China - (of course!!) was this… Not to be discouraged, we settled ourselves back on one of the wooden 'beach' chairs and felt the.... ah... sand between our toes... to watch the evening unfold; meanwhile Ava wasted no time in familiarizing herself with this ever so conveniently located pirate-ship playground! In no time she had a flock of local kids (and adults) around her, apparently keen to adopt her as their English tutor for the day (the adults more so than the kids I have to say)! They no doubt thought they'd hit the jackpot stumbling across this blonde pocket-rocket who's favorite hobby is talking! I'm sure I could hear her revealing our family secrets - (just as well their English wasn't at the advanced stages). It was about now we noticed the big 'faux' beach truck on the gritty fake sand being loaded with pretty pink balloons, and each chair with one pink balloon strategically 'stuck' to the back of it. A rose archway magically appeared, the brightly colored pirate playground making a unique backdrop, along with a couple of blinding spot lights beaming in on the wooden tables with their blue plastic tablecloths and crockery steins bearing serviettes and chopsticks. The BBQ buffet we'd come for was coming to life, so we thought we'd better get ourselves off the beach (as enticing as it was) for a spot closer to the food action. We propped ourselves where we could still see Ava bouncing on the seesaw (or coming face-first down the slide) with her new friends - by now mostly bigger boys about eight or nine, whom she had no qualms about bossing around! The crowd started swelling as the wedding guests arrived for this auspicious occasion. First things first, this was clearly a low key affair. It was mostly a jeans and t-shirt dress code with the odd, sparkly head band and diamante shoes - that came to life under the spotlights. (Pretty much like the city of Xi'an itself, I'm discovering!) So we watched on with amusement as everyone casually took their seats as if it was just another Sunday barbie, which in all reality, it was. By now, we started realizing we might be a little too close for comfort to the wedding party…. but apparently, according to the hotel staff - this was perfectly fine and normal! The regular diners carried on chewing their beef skewers under the stars (slightly obscured by the polluted hazy sky) blissfully unaware of the nuptials taking place. Sooner rather than later, the bride and groom appeared in all their spectacular glory, the bride looking every bit as glamorous as you might expect a bride to be, in her silk white gown and tiara -- dashing groom at her side. I'm choosing to think these two hadn't met at one of China's “Marriage Markets” whereby parents desperate for their daughter to marry put out an ad including their age, height and salary! I wasn't sure what was about to take place but assumed the proper ceremony must have taken place earlier for things to be 'oh so relaxed.' Alas this was not the case, a 'man with a mike' appeared on the beach party bus, looking like he might like to roar off into the Hawaiian sunset at any moment. Rattling off his well rehearsed speech (in mandarin of course), the bride and groom made their way down the "aisle" to a ballad of classical Chinese tunes. It was about now everyone clambered around 'our' table to get a good view of the action! I tried in earnest to hear a word here and there… but managed little more than 'I do' - clearly the exchange of rings helping my cause! Confetti poppers erupted and cheers broke out. I'm sure this is where they said "I now pronounce you man and wife" and I found myself clapping along and snapping photos! What?! Ava's new bestie "Fiona" was the flower girl and when her duty required letting off one of the confetti canisters, Ava was most disappointed she couldn't join the bridal party! Not to be outdone, as the happy couple made their way back to the dining area, I turned around to see her tagging along in line with the bride and flower girl, much to the giggles of several onlookers! According to Chinese custom, professional photographs are taken before the wedding ceremony, so it was time for the newlyweds to let their hair down! It was 'Campai' all round (also known as toasting)! The bride and groom stopping at each table, their steins raised in celebration (did I mention it was a German-themed BBQ)? I wouldn't have been at all surprised if they stopped by our table on their rounds. As I gingerly approached the buffet, I found myself ever so conspicuously in line with the wedding guests. Attempting to work out if the beef on metal skewers being sprayed with hot spices would blow my head off, I really was hoping the ground might just open up and swallow me. Ava, on the other hand, clearly not afraid to made her mark - snagging herself a party favour of chocolates, courtesy of the bride and groom; while I found myself watching the couple's happy moments on the big screen to the tune of Bruno Mars "Just the way you are!' Low and behold a shot of Sydney's Opera House flashed up, showing the loved up couple on Sydney Harbour. Ahhhhh.... way to make a girl feel homesick on a fake beach in north west China, eh! Ironically, rule #7 in the movie, Wedding Crashers was "Blend in by standing out" Well, maybe....just maybe.... we did! PS...it would seem the locals really aren't too fussed about who the guests are at their weddings! We just got an 'official' invite to a wedding next week from someone my husband has only spoken to twice. Oh, and he's been asked to give a speech. I think Ava and I will definitely be crashing that! … [Read more...]
Living in China: Week One – One Foot in Front of the Other
You know the feeling when you visit a city you've never seen before? That dizzying anticipation, the unbridled excitement, the curiosity and wonder of what lies ahead? Well, can I just say - for the record - arriving in a city you've never seen before to live, is nothing like that! Ok, so maybe that's a little over the top. The lead up to moving to Xi'an, China was like that, but actually arriving in one of the world's oldest cities, home to eight and a half million people (the 12th largest city in China), I won't lie - my heart was in my mouth. It's a short two and a half hour flight from Hong Kong, but it also feels a world away in north western China. As we disembarked and entered the airport, my stomach was in knots, as I tried desperately to keep an open mind, at the ready to embrace our new home! I foolishly found myself comparing right off the bat. (Bad move!) The airport was significantly smaller than I'd expected for such a massive city and ever so slightly primitive (of course this is compared to Hong Kong's modern, state of the art, award-winning complex)! I later found out all entrants from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (China's SARS) come to their own individual terminal, so what I glimpsed was just a minuscule part of the largest airport in the north west! I could feel myself ever so tentatively putting one foot in front of the other as I literally stepped into my new life, in one of China's 656 cities, no less! Driving from the airport was at best 'underwhelming' (apart from driving on the wrong side of the road) it was raining and grey as we sped through a maze of highways and concrete; a deluge of chinese characters beaming out at me in their neon, indecipherable glory! I'm not deeply religious but it was about now I silently had a word to God, hoping James wasn't having a moment of serious delusion when he'd excitedly told me the city was really "quite nice." Meantime, our little blondie Ava was oblivious in all her three year old naivety; her primary concern on the journey, the delightful hotel gift of rainbow-coloured macaroons and how many she could eat in one go! Oh to be so innocent. Approaching the hotel, my spirits lifted… despite the incessant rain, leafy green streets splayed out in front of me and there was a distinct buzz of activity with restaurants, bright lights and traffic mayhem! (We may be in Central China, but it was a comforting sign, I wasn't in the middle of no where, even if I was hanging on for dear life!) The hotel was impressive - it's four stories though, the 'chalk' to the W Hong Kong's 76 story 'cheese.' My grand entry somewhat stifled as Ava's prized macaroons promptly fell out of the car onto the wet hotel driveway and a toddler meltdown ensued. Welcome to Xi'an! We quickly dropped our bags off in what would be our home for the next few weeks (until the hotel residences are finished). A suite that can only be described as embracing the typical minimalist Westin decor brushed with an enchanting oriental flair! With James likely to be bunkered down in his new GM role the next day year, we went for a quick scoot around the hotel to acclimatize ourselves with our new 'home.' We probably could've done with scooters because it's ahem, bloody huge. Unlike Hong Kong, space is no issue here in Xi'an and it's spread out, from a luxurious Lobby Bar, to an intriguing museum (yes, Xi'an being one of the four oldest civilizations in the world means, monuments, relics and artifacts are scattered everywhere, even below this hotel!) - to a grand sunken garden swathed in red cloth. (It's lucky my favorite colour is red, because this hotel is literally bathed in a glow of deep red!) To the beckoning cake shop, the three very different restaurants, Chinese, Japanese and Western….and the (wait for it) Rolls Royce show room! (Ahem just quietly the owner has sold 70 of these babies in just two years! Oh how the Chinese looove their luxury!) So, let the week begin. I think I probably spent 24 hours in a 'blur of speechlessness.' It's fair to say the first week is probably the hardest when you move to a new country. I know I bandy about the term 'culture shock' on this blog on a pretty regular basis, but over four years in HK, even I had forgotten what it's really like. Really like to wake up and your husband is at work and you are staring out from your hotel window into the absolute unknown (rain not helping your imagination) it all seems quite surreal. This is your new life and you know not a single soul. There's no routine, no familiarity, you can't order a comforting Mint Mocha or get a blow dry because you can't find the relevant words and even when you do, they can't understand you. You don't even know what's across the road. It's a new beginning on almost every level. And I won't lie, it's bloody scary. Forget being a big fish in a small pond - you're a tadpole in a giant ocean! For the first few days and beyond, tears sit just below the surface, threatening to spill over at a moment's notice, but then you pull yourself together because you know it's not the end of the world and there is a big adventure that you have been waiting for, wanting for! All I can say, is thank God for technology, even if it is slow and more than slightly intermittent (and I may be on the verge of throwing laptop out the window), Facebook, What's App, Twitter, Email all allow you to stay connected (loosely) with friends, family and familiar faces. You'll be amazed at how comforting it is to know online, nothing has changed. (Thanks to a VPN of course.) What's a VPN? In layman's terms, it's a service you pay for monthly that allows you to download an app which makes it look like you are in another country so you can bypass security blocks and access the likes of Google, Facebook, even my own blog (all banned in China). So deep breaths all round, the key to being in a new city, is to get out! So once the rain calmed, first stop - the shopping centre directly across the road; a very westernized Starbucks with all staff speaking reasonably good English (no Mint Mochas though), a peek at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, you really can't miss. This is what this area's all about and it's what tourists from around the globe flock to look at. A roam around the streets, laced with green trees, striking monuments and waterfalls….it's a little European infused with traditional Chinese architecture. On the way back from another local shopping centre (thankfully sporting Zara and a kid's playroom worth it's weight in gold) I spy a street called 'Bar Street' that we eagerly try out a few nights later. A quirky cobblestoned street reminiscent of a Phuket or Bali or even Melbourne with cute, cottage like bars, side by side…live music, humming with people. A day in the heart of the city, we explore the city centre with the world famous Bell Tower and the ancient city wall - a 14 square kilometre cobble-stoned wall that you can cycle along on tandem bikes or do it the lazy way we did (this time) and jump on a golf buggy and hurtle around the historic fortress looking out across a sprawling city. **Quick Fact: It's the most complete city wall that's survived in China and the one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world! We stumble across quaint markets down idyllic lane ways not unlike a slice of Europe with fascinating artwork and oriental trinkets on display. So far, Xi'an is well and truly surprising us on every level….and slowly but surely it's about putting the pieces together. Working out which way is up. (Map reading is not my strong point!) You start to recognize the occasional landmark, hotel faces, and even more importantly remember a phrase or two of mandarin. Nevermind, that I told the housekeeper to come back to clean the room at 13 o'clock. Better luck next time eh? So a week in, it's been tough and more than likely to get tougher, but it's also the beginning of a once in a lifetime adventure, we'll certainly never forget. She chants the mantra, 'one foot in front of the other……' Proud to share this post over on Seychelle Mama's site for her series #MyExpatFamily … [Read more...]
The Expat Club: The Membership that’s for Life
As many of you know, our departure from the frenzy of bright lights, burgeoning buildings and bustling bodies that make up the metropolis of Hong Kong, is imminent. While I can’t deny I've fallen madly in love with this city, in truth, I've always known the toughest goodbye wouldn’t be to Hong Kong itself, but to my family, my 'expat' family.When you're in a foreign country, devoid of all things familiar - from the language, to the landscape, culture and climate; not to mention your community, friends and loved ones, you reach out (clutch desperately) to those like-minded souls walking the same path as you. I've long realized just how important these people from all walks of life, strolling (or quite possibly, running) alongside us in our new life have come to be, but it was a few months ago when it really hit home, just how pivotal the expat connection becomes to your daily existence. For more, click over to Expat Focus for my full column here... … [Read more...]
Let Asia Entertain You! **GIVEAWAY** ENTER HERE!
***Competition now closed*** A huge congratulations to all our fabulous winners and thanks to everyone who took part! Mint Mocha Musings GIFT to YOU! Enter to WIN. It's been awhile since I've had my hands on one of these babies! Back in the day in Sydney I was an Entertainer book convert, eagerly purchasing a new one with each new year that rolled around. What's not to love! With a 'Buy One Get One Free' concept applying to all your favourite things - whether it be the city's hottest restaurants, night spots, cafes, attractions, spas or salons the Entertainer is your one stop shop! So, I won't harp on about its merits, all I can say is the Entertainer has found me in Hong Kong and I'm hooked....as well as potentially saving you thousands of dollars, it's the perfect opportunity to get you doing things you might otherwise pass up. If you want a sneak preview of what's on offer, check out the Entertainer website here! Clearly things have progressed since I last owned one of these bibles, because now there's also an app!! You can either purchase it on your smartphone or stick with the hard copy in book form. I'm a bit slow to catch on to new technology but I can definitely vouch for the app. Easy to download and even easier to use. I've been out and about ordering two for one Mint Mochas all over town! Now, here's the exciting bit....usually these babies cost about HK$595, but guess what? I've got a surprise for you! As loyal Mint Mocha Musings friends, all you need to do is enter you details below and you are automatically in the draw to win one of 15 Entertainer books.YES! I've got 15 to give away! Even better, the choice is yours, either the Entertainer Hong Kong, Entertainer Singapore or Entertainer Malaysia. Bonus! You don't need to live in any of these places to use the book....heading to one of these destinations for a holiday any time soon? How handy would it be to have one these? Think of it as your key to the city! OK, it's easy, enter below and WIN! a Rafflecopter giveaway … [Read more...]
Beyond the Five Star Gates, Poverty Knocks!
As we gear ourselves up to embark on our second expat gig; unlike last time, when we moved to Hong Kong - this time two have become three! Moving to China is not just about James' new job and mum's unbridled enthusiasm for adventure, it's also about the small person amongst us and what it means for her. Too small to understand the complexities of why we are moving to a different city, but big enough to know we must live away from family for the immediate future. Old enough to know daddy works in hotels, but too young to know not everyone can walk into a five star hotel and instantly have staff running to get you chocolate ice cream with sprinkles on top! There's no denying an expat life for kids is a lark! Travel, exotic experiences and more often than not, nannies at their beck and call. Throw in 5-Star shenanigans and it's plenty of poolside pampering, fancy food and hand-picked presents perfectly placed on your holiday 'heavenly' bed. This next gig will have us living IN the hotel...(not to mention in a city where blondies are looked upon with sheer wonder and amusement, especially pint-sized ones). So you can imagine, I am keen to make sure my little "Third Culture Kid" (yes that is a fair dinkum term) doesn't become too accustomed to the finer things in life at the click of her chubby fingers. (Of course, these rules need not apply to Mint Mocha-swilling mummies.) In all seriousness though, as we immerse ourselves into a life where untold luxury is at our fingertips - a life where groceries are supplied by the hotel chef, a driver takes us to our each and every destination and housekeepers keep our things in order, there's never been a more crucial time to remind ourselves that we must not become immune to the hardships of the world. A great reminder came just recently via my dad, who went to a work conference in Fiji. Just a short three hour flight from Australia, it was his first time to the neighbouring pacific island. After a few days in the popular tourist haven, he sent an email which sent goose bumps prickling all over my body....and was a stark reminder that in many, many countries right across the globe, usually not too far beyond the five star gates, lies a parallel universe, one that's more often than not steeped in poverty. This tiny paradise on Australia's doorstep, was no exception. In Fiji, 250,000 people live in poverty. Forget five star feasts, facials, foot massages and frolicking in paradise, beyond the palm fringed beaches, its back to the bare basics... and in these traditional island villages life is all about the three F's - family, farming and fishing. What my dad experienced reminded me very much of my trip to Kenya, Africa in 2007...perhaps it's why the story resonates so well with me. After volunteering at an orphanage in rural Kenya we travelled south to the Mombasa coast. A postcard-picture perfect beach was flanked with leisure laden pockets of paradise, while a stone's throw away, locals lived in mud homes without power. To me, this email captures a moment in time, delivering a poignant message that all too often gets lost in today's fast-paced, frenzied society, monopolized by modern day manipulations and the eternal quest for material possessions. He wrote: "Fiji has been a reality check. The poverty is in your face. There is a definite misconception about this pocket sized utopia. Sure, there are cheap air fares to this tropical paradise, but it's also very third world - local communities are craving for the bare basics. On Tuesday, 30 managers (including myself) embarked on a support mission to a very poverty stricken area, just one hour (in the bush) from our luxurious five star hotel. I was confronted with no electricity, poor housing and no roads….in a place where 900 houses exist…each with just two rooms, it was hot, dry and dusty . But what stood out immediately, above and beyond the realities of this shanty town were the big smiles! A complete reality check unravelled before me. In the morning I painted. In the afternoon, I mixed concrete. English was minimal and it was sign language between me and my Fijian workmate - who was maybe 30 - all the way. He used two fingers to indicate dry cement and seven fingers for gravel mix. On we went, all day, drying and mixing, a dynamic duo. "Keep up 'whitey' - shovel faster," he joked….it felt like we were part of the chain gang! This guy earns $2.05 an hour, but oh how happy he was. At the end of the day we washed up; exhausted he shook my hand. It was emotional. I go home soon - to a bed , a great family, a car. I travel. I enjoy at times much more than I need. I handed him 20 dollars…he says 'No boss!' I say, 'Go to the pub, have a beer…' This was more than a day's pay for him…but for me it was a truly humbling, once in a life time experience. I saw my granddaughters, three and two respectively - little Ava’s and Lillie's, everywhere. Another group of managers made bed bunks… You know these little guys, until they received the bunks, had never slept in a bed. I helped deliver a bed to a family at the end of the day. A little Lillie, the same age caught my eye…I went and chatted and I told her about my girls…she was shy…I kept chatting to her and at last...came a beaming smile! I said goodbye and trekked off back to the bus, air conditioned with soft seats… As we moved off, I looked out the window, here was the little girl with her sister (an Ava) waving, a big toothy smile. My goodness I will always remember that big smile. The stand out is this hotel, flushed with all the amenities you could ever ask for, yet just 20 minutes out, utter poverty…nothing except the bare necessities. But it's these people, who have nothing in life but each other, who showcase the very best in humanity." Thanks for the brief reminder Poppy. All too often, we get caught up with how much we don't have. How many of us are guilty of enjoying the finer things in life without giving much thought to those that go without, really go without? Whether it's a dinner out, a new outfit, or the ability to go on holidays and stay at a luxury hotel, it's all too easy to forget (or turn a blind eye to) the harsh realities might be lurking just around the corner! Next time you grumble or complain the water's not hot enough or your cheese platter is a little on the lean side.... remember not too far from your five star paradise there just might be a family grinning from ear to ear about a plate of dusty rice to share and a wooden bunk to clamber into. A life lesson I surely hope we can teach our Ava and Lillie. What about you? Do you have similar stories of your own? I'd love to hear. Leave me a comment! … [Read more...]
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