Harbin is definitely colder than Shenyang.
After experiencing the true cold of this wonderful ice city, I won't be able to complain ever again. At least I don't live here full time.
Last night was pretty straightforward, after the plane ride to Harbin, I found one of the CCC tour guides, Andy, at the arrival gates with his coworker Shanika (both Chinese). They said I was the first to arrive; a group coming from Shanghai was arriving shortly thereafter. The group came in all at once and they were very friendly. I introduced myself as the lone representative from Shenyang and they instantly took me into their group. My tour group actually didn't arrive until this morning, from Beijing via sleeper train, and they arrived much later than scheduled. After departing the airport, it was a 30-minute ride to the hotel, when I met the group and took in the sights.
There are ice sculptures everywhere here. If there is a traffic circle, there's an ice tower. If there's an overpass, there are ice columns. If there's wide highways, there are ice guardrails. Ice everywhere!
We got to our rooms after midnight, and a short birthday celebration for one of our group members. My friend from Beijing didn't arrive until about 11am today, so I had the room to myself for the night. No matter though, since I passed right out as soon as I laid down.
I met up with a family of four from Shanghai at breakfast and took a stroll by myself along the Central Ave. It's styled after the Russian architecture, complete with cobblestones and parapets on the buildings. They had an ice sculpture about every 50 yards. Even a Philly LOVE statue. It's internationally known!
The Beijing group was running very late, so when I returned from my stroll, I spoke with Andy to see if he had any updates. Since his group was ready to go and so was I, he invited me along to join them for the morning. A perfect plan, since we were going to meet up for lunch with the other group at the dumpling restaurant. Off we went!
We stopped at a number of sites: the old market street, a large mosque and market, and drove by the frozen river. Once we got to the St. Sophia's church, I had added my snow pants and took out my handwarmers. So essential, especially for the toes of my boots. The church was definitely Russian-style and it was very impressive. After taking a bunch of pictures, I was ready for lunch. My camera's battery was dying (the cold zaps their lifespan; even a fully-charged battery will only last 15 minutes max) and the group was frozen solid. To the dumpling house we strode!
After gorging ourselves with a bunch of dumpling varieties, the Beijing group finally arrived! I met up with my OMS classmate and I joined the Beijing group for good. As the Shanghai group departed for the ice river diving show, I thanked them for welcoming me into their group. The Beijingers ate hungrily and I chatted with them while catching up with my friend. Good times. Following lunch we stopped back at the hotel for a quick rest 休息休息 and prepped for the evening's excursion to the ice sculpture park. Where, naturally, there were more ice sculptures!
Showing posts with label harbin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label harbin. Show all posts
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Harbin: Better Not To Ask
Sometimes in China, it's better to not ask questions.
Today is our full day of ice activities, starting pretty early with the full breakfast at the hotel. After getting suited up in our snow outfits, we jumped on the bus and went to the river side. We joined a bunch of people from other tour groups to watch the morning's ice swimming show. These swimmers were crazy! No wet suits, no bathrobes, no fancy heat warmers. These brave (stupid) men and women came out in Speedo swimsuits and their bare skin, climbed to the edge of the diving stand, and jumped into the freezing water below. Some dove more gracefully than others, but all fully submerged themselves into the water. They came out to rounds of applause and high-fives. I'm not sure if they are sane or bat-shit crazy, but it was sure impressive.
After seeing the ice swimmers and riding down ice slide #3 (yes, this is my third in China), we departed for the island north of the city that houses the tiger park. The park is based on the safari rides of Africa, with the big cats roaming freely as the vans drive around. It was a bit depressing, like all the animal parks in China. In the US, we make a big deal about recreating the natural habitat of the animal while they're in captivity. If there were a tiger park in America, they would have access to water, diverse landscapes, and imitated nature scenes. Not here. Gates, fences, dirt, and tall stone watchtowers. Desolate, barren, and cold.
The tigers themselves were beautiful. Sleepy, large cats roaming around without a care in the world. Except for being the first cat to attack the feeding car that delivers their daytime snack. A small SUV covered in caging drives in loaded with chickens inside. This brave (stupid) driver slows down, opens his driver side door, and throws a chicken out. This happens so quick, and the cat jumps on top of the vehicle as the driver barely has time to shut his door. Again, crazy but impressive.
We wandered around to take pictures of the different cats. They had more tigers, leopards, lions, cougars, jaguars, and even a white liger! Amazing big cats!
Today is our full day of ice activities, starting pretty early with the full breakfast at the hotel. After getting suited up in our snow outfits, we jumped on the bus and went to the river side. We joined a bunch of people from other tour groups to watch the morning's ice swimming show. These swimmers were crazy! No wet suits, no bathrobes, no fancy heat warmers. These brave (stupid) men and women came out in Speedo swimsuits and their bare skin, climbed to the edge of the diving stand, and jumped into the freezing water below. Some dove more gracefully than others, but all fully submerged themselves into the water. They came out to rounds of applause and high-fives. I'm not sure if they are sane or bat-shit crazy, but it was sure impressive.
After seeing the ice swimmers and riding down ice slide #3 (yes, this is my third in China), we departed for the island north of the city that houses the tiger park. The park is based on the safari rides of Africa, with the big cats roaming freely as the vans drive around. It was a bit depressing, like all the animal parks in China. In the US, we make a big deal about recreating the natural habitat of the animal while they're in captivity. If there were a tiger park in America, they would have access to water, diverse landscapes, and imitated nature scenes. Not here. Gates, fences, dirt, and tall stone watchtowers. Desolate, barren, and cold.
The tigers themselves were beautiful. Sleepy, large cats roaming around without a care in the world. Except for being the first cat to attack the feeding car that delivers their daytime snack. A small SUV covered in caging drives in loaded with chickens inside. This brave (stupid) driver slows down, opens his driver side door, and throws a chicken out. This happens so quick, and the cat jumps on top of the vehicle as the driver barely has time to shut his door. Again, crazy but impressive.
We wandered around to take pictures of the different cats. They had more tigers, leopards, lions, cougars, jaguars, and even a white liger! Amazing big cats!
Harbin: Nothing like the best
Nothing like the best
Just sat down on the plane, in a window seat directly behind first class. Tons of leg room and plenty of overhead space. This is probably the best flight I've ever taken. So far.
When I first arrived in Shenyang, I walked off the plane and instantly felt the cold air, rushing through my jacket, down to the bone. I'm imagining that when I get off the airplane in Harbin, it's going to be even more severe. An arctic adventure, really! I'm ready.
While I was at the airport, these gentlemen in front of me at the ticket counter stopped to talk. They were investors from Stockholm, visiting Shenyang to meet with the provincial bureau. Very nice. And very surprised that they met a young American woman traveling by herself to Harbin. They were returning to Beijing after their meeting, and then heading back home. My story actually makes sense in retrospect; when I explain that this is not my first time in China, then they are more likely to understand why Shenyang. However, I'm sure they think since I studied in Beijing that my Chinese is much better than it actually is. Although, I am getting better!
My driver was able to understand me when I asked him to wait while I ran into the Consulate for about 10 minutes. When I came back, I said "to the airport!" and he replied, "you were quicker than 10 minutes!" I EVEN successfully asked him to pick me up when I return to Shenyang on Monday. Well, the true success will be when he is actually there when I get back. I gave him my flight number and the time, so I'll look for him at the taxi stands. Adventures in China. 听懂了吗？(^_^) 我听懂了!
再见！
Just sat down on the plane, in a window seat directly behind first class. Tons of leg room and plenty of overhead space. This is probably the best flight I've ever taken. So far.
When I first arrived in Shenyang, I walked off the plane and instantly felt the cold air, rushing through my jacket, down to the bone. I'm imagining that when I get off the airplane in Harbin, it's going to be even more severe. An arctic adventure, really! I'm ready.
While I was at the airport, these gentlemen in front of me at the ticket counter stopped to talk. They were investors from Stockholm, visiting Shenyang to meet with the provincial bureau. Very nice. And very surprised that they met a young American woman traveling by herself to Harbin. They were returning to Beijing after their meeting, and then heading back home. My story actually makes sense in retrospect; when I explain that this is not my first time in China, then they are more likely to understand why Shenyang. However, I'm sure they think since I studied in Beijing that my Chinese is much better than it actually is. Although, I am getting better!
My driver was able to understand me when I asked him to wait while I ran into the Consulate for about 10 minutes. When I came back, I said "to the airport!" and he replied, "you were quicker than 10 minutes!" I EVEN successfully asked him to pick me up when I return to Shenyang on Monday. Well, the true success will be when he is actually there when I get back. I gave him my flight number and the time, so I'll look for him at the taxi stands. Adventures in China. 听懂了吗？(^_^) 我听懂了!
再见！
Harbin: The Journey Begins
And the journey begins!
I'm in the car on the way to the Shenyang Airport, making a quick stop at the Consulate before I go. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty nervous. Maybe this is my first time traveling on my own domestically in China. It's no great distance, but it's not to the grocery store and back, which I've mastered by now.
My suitcase is packed full with warm weather clothing. I brought all of my thermals, Cuddleduds, scarves, fur hats and fur boots. The only thing I'm really lacking is the fur-lined gloves. Im thinking that I might go out early Saturday morning to the wholesale market in Harbin to scope some gloves out. We'll see whether I have any hands left on Monday. If I don't post again, you can assume they've fallen off from frostbite.
Another reason I'm nervous is probably because I've let other people manage my trip. I'm so used to setting all the details myself, from arranging the flights, transportation to the airport, lodging, etc. Not being able to have full control of the different pieces of the trip makes me kind of anxious. I remember traveling in Philadelphia, and because I knew the metro and trolly lines so well, I felt comfortable getting to the airport, no problem. If I needed a ride, I figured it out. Here, I've let the consulate staff arrange things for me and it's that uncertainty that makes me anxious. Maybe that's why I love planning things so much: it makes me feel settled.
Despite my anxiety, I'm feeling good about this trip. I'm excited to see the ice castles and the sculptures throughout the park. Less excited to see the tigers rip apart the small animals the people buy and throw in their cages. But the tigers themselves will be nice to see. It's going to be an awesome, one-in-a-lifetime experience, I'm sure!
I'm in the car on the way to the Shenyang Airport, making a quick stop at the Consulate before I go. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty nervous. Maybe this is my first time traveling on my own domestically in China. It's no great distance, but it's not to the grocery store and back, which I've mastered by now.
My suitcase is packed full with warm weather clothing. I brought all of my thermals, Cuddleduds, scarves, fur hats and fur boots. The only thing I'm really lacking is the fur-lined gloves. Im thinking that I might go out early Saturday morning to the wholesale market in Harbin to scope some gloves out. We'll see whether I have any hands left on Monday. If I don't post again, you can assume they've fallen off from frostbite.
Another reason I'm nervous is probably because I've let other people manage my trip. I'm so used to setting all the details myself, from arranging the flights, transportation to the airport, lodging, etc. Not being able to have full control of the different pieces of the trip makes me kind of anxious. I remember traveling in Philadelphia, and because I knew the metro and trolly lines so well, I felt comfortable getting to the airport, no problem. If I needed a ride, I figured it out. Here, I've let the consulate staff arrange things for me and it's that uncertainty that makes me anxious. Maybe that's why I love planning things so much: it makes me feel settled.
Despite my anxiety, I'm feeling good about this trip. I'm excited to see the ice castles and the sculptures throughout the park. Less excited to see the tigers rip apart the small animals the people buy and throw in their cages. But the tigers themselves will be nice to see. It's going to be an awesome, one-in-a-lifetime experience, I'm sure!
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