Surviving is hard but oh so much fun (sometimes)
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!
On 15 October our Rotary Club of Beijing had its weekly lunch, this time we were honored with the presence of three ambassadors: H.E. Manuel Valencia (Spain), H.E. Stefán Skjaldarson (Iceland – a Rotarian) and H.E. Sèdozan jean-Claude Apithy (Benin, member of our club). That guaranteed a pretty full house for once.
Also, a group of Rotarians from Iceland visited our club, exchanging banners and introducing their clubs. As Sergeant-at-Arms I had a hard time reading their names but one of the Iceland ladies graciously volunteered to help me pronounce at least the first names.
The speaker of today was the Spanish ambassador who gave a rather optimistic picture on how Spain is economically improving and could regain its glamor. We certainly need some optimism in Europe…
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!
Yeah, adults also have their toys.
I am still struggling to grasp the main points of the 250 something pages of the manual but I am discovering a great camera. Shoots great, especially in dim light. Even if the pictures seem a bit dark, I can adjust them pretty well in my MacBook with the simple Preview program.
See two pics taken in my office from the same location.
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!