Life in the city

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.

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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.

InterNations Beijing: “the” Oktoberbierfest!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Sometimes pictures talk more than words.

On Sunday 13 October over 200 members of InterNations Beijing filled a private tent in Paulaner (Kempinski Hotel). It started 12:00 (lunch) and according to the brave, it went on till 8 pm.

Lots of Paulaner beer, German sausages, fun performances by the German performers who managed to get the timid Chinese into some more lively action.

As said, the pictures talk! No comments!

Beijing can be a fun city: see here why

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Life in Beijing, never boring, despite our daily griping…
See some shots.

With my daughter we tried the new Friday restaurant in Shimao Shopping Center (Gongti Bei Lu, opposite the Jingkelong Supermarket. We stuffed ourselves with really great spare ribs (yeah, dabao was needed!).
If you want the juiciest hamburger in town with some creative beer, head to Greatleap Brewery, near the Holiday Express in Chunxiu Lu. Mostly completely packed, noisy and filled with happy customers.
Then the birthday dinner party of my friend Judy, in the Scarlett (Hotel G). Great birthday cake by the way…
And Stella Artois continues to flood the beer market. Even the rather wild and super busy Heaven Supermarket (Sanlitun, opposite the Bentley store) was doing a promotion. Not sure the crowd was paying much attention while emptying massive amount of Hoegaarden, Duvel, and many more imported beers at rock-bottom prices. The place is now gearing up for the winter season. Do not ask if they have any license do anything but hey, we like the cheap beer and food!

Monthly Beijing “Old China Hands Lunch”

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

I started the monthly lunch in May and since then we have had each month an interesting mix of people. The idea cam – and is featured – on several LinkedIn Groups.
The idea and setting are simple: a relaxed lunch without a set agenda for expats who have been working with since for at least ten years. We do not welcome newcomers as it is meant to be a free exchange between seasoned business people, working in any field, not to mentor people who just landed and want advice.
We do it normally every first Friday of the month, 12:15, in Morel’s Restaurant on Gongti Bei Lu. We go “Dutch”, most simply chose the set menu lunch, a copious choice with all included for RMB 98.

Or latest lunch was on 11 October, with people from Belgium, France, Poland and USA. I was happy to introduce Frank Gallo and his book, the original printed Chinese version of the Kindle version “Preparing Chinese Professionals for Work in the West by Frank T. Gallo”. I am currently reading the Kindle version.
See: http://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Chinese-Professionals-Work-ebook/dp/B00D0VM6IU/ref=sr_1_1

Anybody interested to join the next lunch, Friday 8 November, give me a sign!