Exploring

After the busy end to last week and start of this week, I have had a relatively quite holiday. I've still been exploring new parts of the city and finding cool and interesting places. Walking the streets of a strange and foreign country is an unusual feeling and you never really know what you will wander upon. There are indeed some very unusual shops and things for sale here and many different ways of living compared to our culture. I have suprised myself at my ability to adapt and accept many things that I thought I wouldn't tolerate so well. I think the secret is maybe to remember that this is a different way of life here(which seems in somewhat a state of flux)and not to be judgmental.
Anyway back to the shops...Ever since I took my first journey into the city, I noticed that on the way (on the outskirts of town) that there is a shop with Drum kits in the window. I keep thinking of getting off the bus early to check it out but until the other day...have not get around to it. Well yes, on Friday..I pulled myself off the bus in the pouring rain and checked it out. The guy in there was really friendly and spoke some English...Upon hearing I played Drums, he handed me the sticks and wanted me to play..It was great...It's been a while now and I enjoyed it. He said to please come back at anytime,that there's a good noodle shop next door that we can eat at and then come back and play drums...so I will be taking him up on that offer. Also, I think he has some teachers that come in and teach traditional instruments such as "Erhu" and I'm quite keen to learn a traditional Chinese instrument.
Yesterday I ventured down Erma Lu ...The tourist guides list this as the cool street with clubs, coffee places, restaurants etc. I know that some Australians and other foreigners meet at a club there one night each week. I also found DVD alley which is full of little shops selling DVD players, speakers, electrical and of course DVD's and CD's. I bought myself "Bridget Jones's Diary" I love this film...maybe in some strange ways I relate to it :-) I actually can't receive the English channel on my TV and it was a joy to watch last night and listen to some English being spoken.I should also mention it was even more enjoyable as I decided to have a "junk food pig out" and enjoy my Australian "Caramello Koala's", "Freddo Frogs" and some "Lay's Crisps" that you can get here and they actually taste like Crisps from home. I have to ration my chocolate though...so I couldn't go too overboard on the finer things in life. "Bridget Jones's Diary" and junk food...the perfect combination (lol)
There are actually some DVD's here at my apartment but many are not really my scene. There is a "Mr Bean" one here which I watched the other night...funny thing was, it was in Russian :-)It gave me a chance to brush up and remember my Russian language skills (it was "Bean"...so not too much dialogue and had English subtitles) After exploring "Erma Lu" I walked to another part of town (on another side) and found a really great shopping place that Graham (another Aussie here in Yichang)told me about. There is a huge range of groceries...It's a bit out of my way,but not too bad, and I now know the number 1 bus will also get me there from the square.
So nothing too exciting to tell...just looking around :-)