On my 2nd day in Jinan, that morning I looked from my balcony view and saw the full moon above the roof tops. The sky was so clear that I had to capture this moment for I didn't know when I would have another opportunity of getting such a perfect view. Visit most pics at Picasa photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/myp.ms.kaye
Later, I headed to the office in which Sally may assist me in scheduling a trip within and outside of the city through travel agencies. However, the hotel's agency didn't accept any 'foreigners' to accompany their tours, also, if I had wanted an English translator that was an extra 300RMB plus price of tour if they decided to accept me. We faced similar situation at local travel agency 5 minutes from office.
We returned to office, I was slightly disappointed for I wasn't too concerned of having a translator as much as Sally was. She wanted to ensure that in case I had a problem or gotten lost, there was someone who could understand me. I personally was more interested in touring and taking photos, I can always purchase a brochure of the site.
Susan, whom interviewed me, offered her student James to be my personal guide that evening. She explained that he spoke very good English and have expressed great interest in sharing conversastion with a 'foreigner'. I was gamed.
James was unusually tall for an Asian, wore glasses and articulated well when speaking the English language. As we left the office, he explained that he had planned an itinerary for the evening also he wanted to discuss his hobby: photography.
I was in best company, better than any tour translator also he knew how to compose a photo. Fantastic! Couldn't ask for a better evening. He did request that if he required when speaking or there was another English word or phrase to best describe situation, "Please free in correcting me."
Personally, I don't say that I'm correcting, mostly, only assisting by expanding his vocabulary. "You too feel free in correcting my Chinese," I told him. At restaurant, Jasmine, which is similar theme to Hollywood Planet but made Hollywood Planet look like a snackbar, we shared a small meal and intellectual conversation.
From there, we walked to Heibu Springs which is a park of natural spring water which one can literally see the very bottom and see the waving of the reefs from the currents. Locals flock at the park to fil their water bottles, for cooking and brewing their teas, or just to relax and absorb the crisp smell of fresh water. We walked and taken a few photos until we reached Jianan's famous Quan Cheng Square, we arrived in time before the foundation's colorful luminated water performance. We both captured great images (as I also with video) from a two story sky walk. Although James camera 'was losing energy', he was still able to take spectacular stills.
Evening gradually darkened the skies, and we continued to an 'off beaten path' which James was glad that I was not typical 'foreigner' who preferred the tourist site locations. He taken me to an alley in which both sides had rows of food caterers of everything to anything. One could smell the sizzling grease from the crisped chicken or duck skin, hear the boiling bubbled water from broth soups, steamed dumplings or bread, and witness locals with ease and skill use chop sticks to collect portions of their meal to easily place into their watered mouths and anxiously awaited taste buds.
James purchased 4 sweet buns in which the only owner, charged him for the four but handed me the fifth one for free. The late snack was doughy and sweetened just right, James ate his (guiltly admitted very quickly) in two bites. I confessed that I was still nibbling on mine for I savor great taste in which James then handed me the remaining three... "Please take and have for breakfast, I must watch my weight."
19 °C
20 °C
