Day Nine: Hotpot Adventures

That night, Andrew and I went out for dinner with Stephen and Echo, who took us to a 'Hotpot' (huǒguō) restaurant. Here we were seated at a table with a gas cooker in a hollow and a pot was placed on top of that containing an oil sauce with chilli. This pot was heated so the chilli was bubbling and pieces of food were added to the pot to be cooked. Items added included vegetables such as sweet potato, beans, cauliflower and bean sprouts; noodles, both thin and wide; and pieces of meat. Each individual then took pieces out of the pot to eat when they were cooked to their liking. The meal was very hot initially, but either our palates adjusted or the chilli cooled. Eitherway it was delicious and an experience we will repeat again soon!

Stephen also introduced us to Báijiǔ, a strong rice liquor. Andrew did not take to it, but Stephen and I downed a bottle each through a regular chorus of 'Gan bei'...

The four of us then went to the English Speaking Corner, incidentally the place where Stephen and Echo first met. There was again a good crowd of students, and one of the children from last week was present also. The discussion was much and varied again, and I was delighted to receive a couple of written notes from the children, including presenting me with a Chinese name!


I am now proud to have the Chinese name 'Gāo xiáng' (高翔), literally meaning Gāo: high, tall and xiáng: to soar. I hope that I can live up to my name!