Downtown Hefei

May 12, 2007 Saturday

Chuck taught his class in the morning. I went to Carrefour and did the other chores. (4 flights) They are often having events in the front of the building. Today, was new car day.

After lunch we went to the center of Hefei and walked along the pedestrian mall. I am still looking for a dumpling steamer and we need to find an ATM with international symbols. The machine (without symbols) at the university wouldn’t give me any money because I was out of the area. We also both remembered the horrifying story of the machine that ate the physicist’s card the last time we were in Hefei.

Wandered along some of the other streets, too. One of them was dedicated to wedding photo shops. Big ones and little ones, very elaborate and very cheap. There were at least 8 of them on one street. It looked like some of them were one stop shops with displays of wine and souvenirs and all of the dresses that were for rent. (3 flights)

Finally found an ATM and have more money. Chuck said can you find it again? Not really, but there was another one near the big department store that was the right kind too. That one I can find again. Just before we went home, I found the dumpling steamer shop. Actually 3 shops – must be the restaurant supply area.

Bought 2 steamers and a lid for 15¥ I probably should have bargained, but things are so cheap, I always forget. (4 flights)

We went to the restaurant on the corner for dinner. They were having a wedding. When the bride and groom entered the room, they set off fireworks outside. It was deafening – and we weren’t close to them.

We had pickled cukes, shrimp with asparagus (really this time), beef in a basket, tofu with beans, steamed greens & watermelon. (2 flights – 1 to the restaurant and 1 to choose the food)

As we reached the street, they set off another barrage of fireworks. Now, we were not only deafened but also choked by the smoke. Walking home across the quiet campus is really a pleasure. (4 flights)

17 total