Duck! Hot Pot!
Friday was a good day- I slept until 11am. Too bad I was woken up at 8am by construction, but that's why I have earplugs. So after I stumbled out of bed, and before I got coffee, Vivi called to tell me about that night's dinner. Ok, the bus stop across from Viva (mall) at a little more 7pm. Got it. Or so I thought.
After making myself useful, and prying myself off of Facebook, I went to the bookstore in Sanlitun to get my Lonely Planet travel guides to Korea and Vietnam so I could start thinking about my trips. And I got a free cloth bag and T-shirt. *shrugs* I never complain about free stuff. From there to grocery store, then home.
Later on, Vivi called and asked where I was. She meant to be at that bus stop at a little before 7! So I hopped in a taxi, showed him where I wanted to go (Vivi had sent a SMS with the bus stop in characters. I'd found it on the bus map, but it was more time efficient to take a taxi.). Finally, I met up with Vivi, Leo and two of Vivi's friends. And we went to dinner.
Okay, hot pot with a duck inside, so Duck Hot Pot! And it was great! One big communal pot, but lots of duck for everyone, plus the regular hot pot goodies- we had pork balls, beef, lettuce, sweet potato, dumplings and bamboo-ish stuff that wasn't too good. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of conversation and a lot of fun. I had a great time and I'm really glad I got to go to this hot pot restaurant. I may have to bring the roomie when she gets back. If I can remember where it is, anyway.
Saturday- lunch with Katherine! She picked me up around noon, and we went to her house. Along the way, I found a live a few bus stops from a Super Wal-Mart (not the Jianguo Lu one), another cinema and a Parksons! I'll check it out next weekend. She lives outside the 5th Ring Road, so it was a bit of a drive, but on the way I got to scope out Happy Valley (amusement park), I *so* want to go!! But it'll be very crowded, so not sure if I'll make it.
Lunch was great- Carlsberg beer to share, lots of beef & carrot dumplings and salad. A little while later, we sat down and talked a lot more over red tea and cheese. Overall, great, great day. I even got leftover dumplings and a German beer. :D
I know this may not seem exciting, but I think it was a great weekend. Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend some time. Oh, and watching movies. Good- Repo! The Genetic Opera. Not so good- AVP. Bad- Dragonball Evolution.
