How to Cross A Flooded Street (And Influence Your Uncle)

So Hanzhong had another day of heavy rain, which for me meant the four streets surrounding my apartment were flooded. It happened for the first time in July, just before returning to 'Merca. And it happened again today.

It was a pretty heavy day so let me say the heavy rain was symbolically appropriate. When I headed to work the streets were fine; when I returned home they were a knee-deep, fast-flowing river. Of course. That kind of day.
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After work I walk to a fancy bakery where I pick up a chocolate donut. I then head to another, even better, bakery to get a beef sandwich. From this bakery I can see the street my house sits on and it looks like a lake. I backtrack about two blocks in order to get a cab; after a long wait and many lost conversations I finally find one who's willing to take me near my house.

The taxi driver leaves me on the curb where the water is barely flowing over-- I take a giant leap and manage to get only a little wet. I make it home via some back alleys only the locals (yeah, I'm a loc) know while avoiding the floodwaters.

But of course, this is also a night I have to go out. Ayyyy. I manage to find a bicycle taxi guy to ferry me across the flooded road to a non-flooded part where I catch a taxi to some bars. I meet up with some Chinese friends I dislike (mainly because the laugh at my pronunciation) and then meet up with my most favorite Chinese person ever-- my friend Yang Lu-- who is super-cool and does NOT make fun of my accent.

I know I will likely have to cross the flooded road on my way home so make it a point to drink much pijiu (beer) in case the worst-case scenario proves true. Judging by how the night went, worst-case was expected and was a fitting end to my night. Ha.

The taxi driver refuses to drop me off on the curb and instead leaves me across the flooded street from my home. What to do? It's the Second World...you improvise!!!

First, PEE. Many beers, lowered inhibitions, running water...what did you expect?!
Step Two: Remove shoes, roll up jeans.
Step Three: Cross, slowly. Acknowledge others crossing with a "Shit, man!" look.
Step Four: Remove socks, throw as far as possible in ironic disgust and put shoes on.
Step Five: Look at doorman and show rolled-up jeans as proof you walked across flooded street.
Step Six: Remove clothing; play Two and a Half Men DVD; type.

Annoying? Yes. But these types of events (and resulting infections) make life interesting, at least for me. SL

Eight Days to Eat the World

I returned home for 8 days with a long list of things to eat. Given the complexity involved in finding lunch dates I left California very satisfied at the foods I managed to eat in that very short time. What follows is my food diary whilst in the Golden State:


Tuesday (7/20):

• At home: baguette, beans, cotija cheese
• Round Table Pizza (Guinevere's garden and BBQ Chicken), garlic twists, A&W Root Beer/Dr. Pepper

Wednesday (7/21):

• At home: eggs, beans, avocado salad, green beans, coffee
• Pickle
• At home: Chiles Rellenos, potato pancakes
• At home: Costco roast chicken
• At M&M's: Homemade chili and hummus, tortilla chips, Hamms

Thursday (7/22):

• Neto's Sausages, Santa Clara: Calabrese sausage sandwich, onion rings, Barq's Root Beer
• 7-11: Sleazy Dog and Dirty Nachos

Friday (7/23):

• At home: Chicken Mole Enchiladas, white rice with potatoes
• Some Brewery in Pacific Beach: Blue cheese bacon cheeseburger with deep-fried onions, fries and beer
• From some cart on the street: 1 cream cheese and chili dog; 1 cream cheese, chili and bacon dog

Saturday (7/24):

• From my room, the Party Suite: Salami, peperoni and nacho cheese
• Wedding Dinner: Roast beef, Caesar salad, mac n cheese slathered in nacho cheese, fish taco, nacho cheese, mini slider, Gin and Tonics
• Nacho cheese on assorted edible delivery methods

Sunday (7/25):

• Bahia Resort, San Diego: Poolside Cheese burger + PBR 
• San Diego Intl Airport: Fountain Coke (this one counts as a meal)
• At home: Beans and cotija cheese, one cheese enchilada
• In n Out: 3x2 Meal, Root Beer and Dr. Pepper

Monday (7/26):

• Gombei, Japantown: The Gombei (Teriyaki Chicken, Fried Shrimp, Croquette)  and the famous fried tofu
• Roy's, Japantown: Mocha
• At home: Chicken Green Enchiladas
• At Casa Mateo: Sauteed Veggies over quinoa, fresh guacamole
• At Blue Sun Studios, Oakland: Schafenberger brownies and Fenton's ice cream

Tuesday (7/27):

• Freshly Baked Eatery, San Jose: Turkey and Swiss sandwich
• In n Out: Barq'sRoot Beer
• Sushi Kazoo, Willow Glen: Assorted sushi, mainly hamachi nigiri but also some deep-fried Philly rolls
• Casa Vicky's, San Jose: Carnitas burrito (first time here; disappointing)

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What didn't I have? NOODLES!

What did I miss?

Fresh bagel from the Bagel House in Naglee Park
Chicken shawerma plate from Alhana Foods in San Mateo
Katsu Curry
Bun cha (ruled out because of the noodles) from City Bakery
French Dip (with cheese) from Original Joe's
Philly Cheesesteak SL