Those Hot Summer Chongqing Nights
June 2: A bit south west (2 hour flight) is Chongqing and not only was my flight delayed, it was really turbulent on the way there. The flight captain stated that the delay was due to a storm, but within 20 minutes we took to the air anyway. Upon arrival in Chongqing, I shopped around for a decent cab, and had to bargain with a few of them before finally deciding to just get into the safest one (since some of them appeared shady). I finally got to Arlene’s hotel around 10:00 PM. Made it!
I noticed that Chongqing city had more high rises and lights, and although it was raining a bit, it was a relief to finally meet some of the people I would be traveling with.
My good friend Arlene was there for a program sponsored by her graduate school. She is the one that invited me to China to travel. The last time I really traveled with her was when I met up with her in Boston with my other friend April. We walked the freedom trail and saw the Boston Pops during Independence Day. We really made the most of the trip and I realized that we could be great traveling buds.
I also met Jenny and Reyna, her classmates and roommates during this program. To celebrate the last day of the program, the group was celebrating a night out on the town. The next thing I knew, we were off to hit the party life of Chongqing! Of course, the only two pairs of shoes I brought with me where my TEVAS and my sneakers to save space (and because I keep telling myself that I will buy more shoes in China or in the Philippines) Sorry to disappoint you fashionistas out there.
The evening started off in a bar right around the hotel corner, where Black Eyed Peas music could be heard all night. We moved on to a club that played progressive downbeats and some techno. I guess many of us tried ordering certain drinks that night but ended up with diluted orange juice---not the same as in the states I suppose! But the Chinese can definitely party! For me, it was fun dancing the night away in China, whether on the floor or on the stage near the DJ and in the early wee hours of the morning as we headed back to the hotel, I realized that I had not had one of those nights in a very long time! It was more than fun, it was a sense of release from the tensions I felt planning parts of my summer travels. I also felt eagerness for what lay ahead tomorrow as I join Arlene and Reyna to begin our travels to southern China.
I noticed that Chongqing city had more high rises and lights, and although it was raining a bit, it was a relief to finally meet some of the people I would be traveling with.
My good friend Arlene was there for a program sponsored by her graduate school. She is the one that invited me to China to travel. The last time I really traveled with her was when I met up with her in Boston with my other friend April. We walked the freedom trail and saw the Boston Pops during Independence Day. We really made the most of the trip and I realized that we could be great traveling buds.
I also met Jenny and Reyna, her classmates and roommates during this program. To celebrate the last day of the program, the group was celebrating a night out on the town. The next thing I knew, we were off to hit the party life of Chongqing! Of course, the only two pairs of shoes I brought with me where my TEVAS and my sneakers to save space (and because I keep telling myself that I will buy more shoes in China or in the Philippines) Sorry to disappoint you fashionistas out there.
The evening started off in a bar right around the hotel corner, where Black Eyed Peas music could be heard all night. We moved on to a club that played progressive downbeats and some techno. I guess many of us tried ordering certain drinks that night but ended up with diluted orange juice---not the same as in the states I suppose! But the Chinese can definitely party! For me, it was fun dancing the night away in China, whether on the floor or on the stage near the DJ and in the early wee hours of the morning as we headed back to the hotel, I realized that I had not had one of those nights in a very long time! It was more than fun, it was a sense of release from the tensions I felt planning parts of my summer travels. I also felt eagerness for what lay ahead tomorrow as I join Arlene and Reyna to begin our travels to southern China.
posted by RENEWED at
11:00 PM
