Every Monday and Tuesday, I meet and eat with a group of students from my International Trade classes. In order to spend time with as many students as possible, we typically get together in groups of three or four. I really enjoy getting to know them better and to hear their personal perspectives on things that are hard to share in the larger classroom setting.
One requirement is that the students pick the restaurant and the food, helping me to find and experience places where I would never go on my own. There seem to be hundreds of places to eat within a short walk of campus, so it’s good to get the advice of students when choosing one. This week while I was eating with some students, Susan happened to be joining friends for lunch at the same place, giving her the chance to shoot a photo of our little group:
For those of you new to China, here’s a bit of advice for choosing a restaurant: stick with the cheaper, “home cooking” places and avoid the expensive ones. Those fancy, upscale restaurants serve the “exotic” food while the budget ones are actually pretty good.
Tell us what a typical meal would be? Say the “home cooking ” kind.
Home cooking in China includes lots of green veggies, rice noodles, and fried rice with minor amounts of meat, usually dried. Exotic foods are high priced due to their rariety, not their edibility (like “birds nest soup” with a real nest, as well as misc animal parts that probably shouldn’t be eaten). Beef is scarce, but is best when eaten in a Muslim restaurant since they abide by the Halal cleanliness standard. We had goat at a Muslim place last night and it was quite tasty.
Regina and I are amazed at how well you and Susan have adapted to the new culture, and are trying new things. I am sure your students appreciate the ‘face time’ they get with you. You guys are doing great!
I really enjoy reading what you are doing and thinking of you there. It sounds as if you are having a very good time and meeting some interesting people.