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March 13, 2009

Durian

Posted by Kelly

Despite being Friday the 13th it has been a good day so far. For lunch we ate quick noodles aka Rama Noodles that were extremely spicy. The packaging had flames on it so I was advised not to put in the whole package of spices. I bravely used half of each packet and that was more than enough! My nose was running and I swore I could have breathed fire! To cool our mouths down we did enjoy ice cream which was nice.

One of the part time colleagues who stops by the office often brought some treats from Shanghai. I got to try a powdery paste like candy that tasted like Walnuts and also the Durian.. I have never seen or heard of this fruit and I think I would have been better off not knowing… This is a fruit found in Southeast Asia and has a weird look and smell. I was offered a hard candy piece of the fruit. Usually if something smells a little off, I’ll avoid it. However, I am determined to try everything once, so I gave it a shot. My coworker, Evian, waited till after I had put it in my mouth to say that she really dislikes this taste.. And I found out why! It tasted awful!!! No words can describe it! And worst of all the taste and smell stay in your mouth! I read somewhere that it has hydrogen sulfide in it, and it tastes like it smells. Even after gum and lots of water, the taste is still lingering… Hopefully that is the worst that will happen on my Friday the 13th.

I also learned that March 14th is White Day. Apparently many Asian countries celebrate the Valentine’s holiday twice. February 14th is where the female usually presents gifts, like chocolate, to her boyfriend. Then on March 14th, the boy has to get the girl something in return. Someone will have to let me boyfriend know to send flowers and lots of chocolate! (Just kidding, he gave me very beautiful flowers on Valentine’s Day.)

To be honest, I haven’t done too much else during my time in China. Usually when I get home from work, I make some dinner and watch American TV online. I feel like a hermit. So I’ve decided to join a gym not only to keep in shape, but also to make more friends. Tomorrow Evian promised she’d help me with the paperwork and information.

I am also going on a bus tour of downtown Dalian. This is will be a really good way for me to see the downtown city and what it has to offer!