Our monthly lunch at Morel’s Restaurant

For our Old China Hands lunch 1 September, most people were back in Beijing but many busy picking up the pieces after the holidays. Also sad to have for the last time our Belgian friend Thierry De Dobbeleer of Beer Mania who decided to return to Europe. We will miss him.

Famous members of our group

See here two!

“Former CCTV anchor sees clear skies ahead”, by Yang Wanli – China Daily, 21 September 2017.
As the first non-Asian news anchor on Chinese television, Edwin Maher’s face is known to millions. Through him, viewers at home and abroad have learned of the profound changes taking place across China.
For the New Zealand-born broadcaster, who has lived in Beijing for 14 years, one of the biggest changes he has witnessed in the past five years is the improved air quality in the Chinese capital.
Read the full article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/5yearscorecard/2017-09/21/content_32278063.htm
And of course, when you watch Chinese TV (CGTN to be precise), you will often see our colorful specialist Harvey.

Next lunch

Well, another “unusual date”: 6 October, being the last Friday in the Golden Week of National Day holidays. For those staying in Beijing, no excuses to be stuck at office or meetings!
And the following one is planned for 3 November.

Our monthly lunch at Morel’s Restaurant

In the middle of the hot summer period but the Old China Hands lunch 4 August was again well attended, we were well over twenty.
I was a bit worried as both Renaat and Susan were away, but service was good as usual.

Next lunch

The next monthly lunch is on Friday 1 September, same place, same approach. While most people are supposed to be back, possibly many will be busy.
So, wait and see!
The following lunch will be Friday 6 October!

Sauna weather

The Old China Hands lunch 7 July was well attended, we were nearly 30 and that despite the sauna weather and being in the middle of a supposed holiday season.

Next lunch

Next lunch 4 August, will be another date where attendance is unsure. One never knows!

Start of the summer season?

Either people are busy or going away, our Old China Hands lunch on 2 June 2017 nevertheless had its nice crowd of over 20 people.
We were also happy to see once more our friend Colin before he REALLY leaves us for his homeland. We will miss him and his networking.

Next lunch

Next lunch is Friday 7 July, right in the middle of Beijing sauna weather. Curious to see how many will be still standing to come and sit with us!

Happy Anniversary OCH!

On Friday 5 May 2017 we celebrated our fourth Old China Hands Anniversary, being our monthly lunch normally on the first Friday of the month.
I started it indeed four years ago with some six or eight people and soon we settled for Morel’s Restaurant (Gongti) and we never changed. Everybody seems very happy with the place and the formula. I love to organize it because it is a nice gathering of friends.

Good attendance

My “member list” counts a little over 100 people and is updated regularly to add new people or remove those who left us or never RSVP. As most “Old China Hands” are busy people, many can often not make it due to their busy schedule. On 5 May we had around 30 people, being a typical attendance.
The background of the people is very diverse and so are the nationalities.