Sep 30 2019

China 2019

2019 9.29 – 11.02 | cruise |

The longest trip to China so far: 35 days away from home – very fruitful. One addition was meeting my just-found cousin. It was beyond me why would I book a flight with a stop. But then it served me extremely well because my cousin whom I found through DNA after purchasing the ticket, lived in that stop. How lucky! I made a pit stop to meet her and her husband.

The celebration of the 70th anniversary is a huge production. Beijing is basically shut down, and throughout the period, the security is tight. The most impressive thing I see is, all the people on the Tiananmen are sitting tight without any expression, like mummy, 呆若木鸡 正襟危坐 around their bare tables with only tea cups and a flower arrangement… The music and songs being played on TV are oldies. Wondering why don’t they play some new songs?


On October 7, as we passing through the Gate ⇑

 
Xinhua Gate & S Chizi Street (南池子) ⇑

 
Yup, this is how they park. Making it difficult for the line cutters.   


⇑ Chengdu, Oct 13 


⇑ The beautiful scenic corner of the Forbidden City 角楼  

Over all, the common courtesy is improving even there are people, young n old who are cutting the lines. People behind the service desks are polite, in general. The quality of wine is better

chopsticks; Chengdu hotel note

  1. 9.29 & 30 Sun/Mon, cutting the line @ Delta
  2. 10.1 Tue, Beijing; 中国历史研究院tennis; ZGC
  3. 2, Wed, stay home day
  4. 3 Thur, Meet the Fockers at Lincui Apt
  5. 4 Fri, Prince GongMLF; Leifeng school; Deshengmen/#4/nails; church;

Sep 29 2019

Delta 达美航空


A little jarring to see Elizabeth Holmes and Beethoven being side by side. They both were genius… 
It’s my first time taking Delta to China. It offers direct flight from JFK to Shanghai (14:50). There are stopovers from JFK to PEK. My experience is both good and not too good.

~ 2024 encounter with a flight attendant

The goodies: It’s inexpensive, especially when using my mileage. The food is pretty good: their shrimp cocktail has the biggest shrimp in the sky. The service is very efficient. The wifi works for a little while then it disappears.

The bad: the entertainment screen is small and hard to use (the touch isn’t sensitive). They almost lost my two checked in luggage.

The lady who sat in my row from JFK to Seattle, asked me if I’m going home.

“Oh, no. I’m going to meet my DNA cousin.” I said.

Her eyes lights up and she grabs my hand tight, “I came to New York to meet my mother and siblings – I found them through DNA too.”

We hug and cry … and talk non stop.

As the door is closing, a young man came by our row, and sits down between us… and says politely, “please continue … Very interesting … I’m a documentary maker.”

On my way back home from Beijing, I ran into the same flight attendant who asks, “Where’s your companion?” She thought we were traveling together.

A small world, indeed.

 

Finding Nemo

小插曲 去西雅图的路上我旁边的女生坐下后客气的问俺是不是回家. 


Sep 29 2019

Cutting the lines


JFK Delta (terminal 4)

China trip begins at JFK. It’s my first time using the service by the curbside. People working there are very casual and happy – they joke all the time and laughing. On top of that, they actually check you in, take your baggages and issue you your boarding pass or passes, in my case. But at the end, they also ask for a tip. I was a little dumbfounded but I thanked him and gave him $5. (The cart is $6 – airport charges cart … hmmm) Once in side, I saw the line to Delta check in counter is packed. Guess I was lucky to have chose the curbside service. I asked one Delta lady, “oh, they’re legit, our contractors …” And on the tipping side, she said they’re aware of it and will do something about it. “They’re being paid very little..” If tipping is expected, either raise their salary/wages or post it visibly so travelers wouldn’t be surprised?

 


Sep 19 2019

Blue Lobster Grille 


15 Dock Square
Rockport, MA 01966

Will return.

The decoration could be better but we certainly got the best table in the restaurant. The service is good and the food is even better. The fried Haddock is excellent!

I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc Line 39, without any trouble – alcohol wasn’t too welcome in this little dry town:

In 1856, a gang of 200 women led by Hannah Jumper swept through the town and destroyed anything containing alcohol in what is called “Rockport’s revolt against rum” and banned alcohol from the town. Except for a period in the 1930s, the town remained one of 15 Massachusetts dry towns. The town remained dry for many years until 2005, when it was voted that alcohol could be served at restaurants. Sales at stores were not allowed until March 2019, when a local market was granted a liquor license and began to sell beer and wine.

Oh may I go at the right time -:)

 


Sep 18 2019

Gloucester, MA


A house in the middle of a pond …
We passed by this little charming house on the way into Rockport. Feeling enchanted and decided to go there, to discover.

A little disappointing, or we didn’t give her enough time. Anyway, we drove in and out quickly. Didn’t find her attractive, and left.


Sep 18 2019

Bean & Leaf Cafe


12 Bear Skin Neck
Rockport, MA 01966

Loving it.

Great view and vibe. Cute. Small. Neat.

What not to like? Two bay windows are used as condiments stations. They serve simple fares, so it could be a whole day affair.

   


Sep 18 2019

Xizhimen 西直门


It was an old gate on the SW edge of Beijing wall. Emperors’ drinking water from the Jade Spring Hills was carried through this gate. The gate was demolished in 1969 and is used as a hub for transportation now.


Sep 18 2019

Roy Moore Lobster Co.


39 Bearskin Neck,
Rockport, MA 01966

Will return – 2021.

This little shack is a good place for a quick bit or slow chow (BYOB) on their patio at the back, by the Rockport Harbor. Although I don’t find their fish cake delicious (dead & thick: floury) but the crab s and lobsters are good. The service is amiable and efficient.

The two seater by the door is made from lobster trap – neat. My review on Yelp.

 


Sep 17 2019

Kennebunkport, ME


On our way down from Acadia, we stopped at Arundel Wharf Restaurant for lunch and walked around the downtown. This town is made famous by the elder George Bush, the #41. But reportedly according to the New Englanders, the town is well known to the locals as a favorite summer vacation spot. Tourists are plentiful.

     

We left for Rockport, MA.


Sep 17 2019

Sunset @ Rockport

An evening at Rockport, MA. The clouds add charm to the sunset.