Life in the city

Our Beijing Rotary president is now a WOW

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

On 8 March, International Women’s Day and the FCGroup organized a great event in the Hilton Hotel (3rd ring road) to honor “Wonderful Outstanding Women”. Our president Ruby was one of the “contestants” (if we may say that…) and did get her much deserved award in the general category. Congrats Ruby, Ms. WOW 2014!

There was a free flow of wine and champagne, as well as a flood of finger food. I concentrated on the German sparkling wine, provided by Cheers (wine wholesaler), with their super friendly staff who made sure my glass was never empty.
The music was by my friends from In Side Out, Mark Levine and the lovely Fu Han.
Talking about lovely, well as it was a WOMEN day I needed to take some pics of LOVELY ladies. Any excuse is good! (one pic is by FCGroup)
See all the details here: http://fcgroup.org/wow-awards-2014/

The Beatles were in Beijing!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Well, sort of. I finally got to meet The Beijing Beatles, a well-known group of foreigners playing Beatles songs. The evening was in The Basement, under Caribe and across from Qmex (the Mexican restaurant).

The performance on 15 February was promoted by the FCGroup and attracted a full house.
It was great. They are not only good at singing but are also good entertainers, keeping the audience thrilled. Especially me, I grew up with the Beatles (and The Rolling Stones) and I still have several of their vinyl records. I sing more The Rolling Stones in my KTV simply because the Beatles’ songs are a bit too high for me!
See here more about the group: http://thebeijingbeatles.com/

Old China Hands Monthly Lunch 7 February 14

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Despite an unexpected snowfall and the usual traffic chaos in Beijing, as well as the date being a bit difficult – the first working day just after Chinese New Year – the turnout was great: we were a total of 27! See here two of the three tables.

Some new faces, many familiar faces. This time three ex- ambassadors, a famous CCTV host, several embassy people and some other well-known expats.
Looks like everybody enjoyed the formula: no speeches, no fee, pay for your own food and no particular agenda, except having a lively conversation, meeting friends not seen since long and making new friends.
Next lunch is 7 March!

Old China Hands Monthly lunch going strong

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Since May 2013 I am organizing this lunch, for expats with at least ten years China experience.
Venue is always Morel’s Restaurant on Gongti Bei Lu that offers a great lunch menu at 98 RMB. All included and one simply eats too much. We “go Dutch”; no registration fee but reservation is recommended.
In principle it is on the first Friday of the month, except if there is a conflict with a holiday. Starts around 12:15 and people leave according to their work requirement.
Since December I am partnering with Colin of the FCGroup, the best networking of Beijing.
The approach is simple: no set agenda, we mingle and chat freely. I screen participants: no “local Chinese” and no newcomers. No speeches, no promotions. Conversation is relaxed. Some of the participants have over 30 years of China (like me!). All nationalities.
See here the pictures from our lunch 6 December:

We had then about 16 people.
The last one on 10 January counted 31 people, including the Belgian ambassador and the commercial representative of Flanders (who all have a long track record!). And some other well-known expats…

Anybody who wants to join, drop me a mail so I add you to the mailing list. Spread the word if you want.

The yearly Mega Xmas Eve Home Party

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Yes, normally on 24 December we turn our home/office upside down, so people cannot recognize the place. And we all work like crazy for 2 to 3 days to do the shopping, the rearrangement, the cooking and whatever other preparations. All the cooking is done in-house, zero outside catering. This year we were exactly 60 people, all eager to eat the best turkey in the world, plus all the other goodies. A lot of drinks, this year a lot of Chinese tea and red wine. While some regulars join every year, we do have some rotating guests. Most foreigners are away or busy with family but we still find more than enough friends to celebrate with us. This year ago, many from Rotaract. Many nationalities and obviously many Chinese.

Thanks to all for making this another success, for eating and drinking well and not breaking down the house.
By 1 am everything was back in its right place, dishes washed and ranged. And some totally knocked out by exhaustion and red wine. Sun, our major chef and commander-in-charge did a fantastic job again, seconded by our “Xiao Li” plus the servants Valerie and Gilbert.