Donkey burger?

Today was another day for sleeping in and not really doing anything strategic. I find that my body has adapted to the holiday mode (might not have said yet, but I have holiday until the 3rd of March), but I still struggle to switch my mind off. It is always on its way somewhere and always feels the need to do something. I can positively confirm that my mind is my greatest worst enemy and friend at the same time. I cannot wait for my studies to commence as this will give my mind some stimulation and something else to focus on. But I need to enjoy this time I have on my hands as the studies and work will keep me pre-occupied when they eventually commence.

To help the time and boredom pass, I find no better way to cure this disease than walking. Around 12pm I got some walking shoes on. I have two pairs of shoes I live in. One of my pairs is semi-casual, semi-comfortable Levi’s and the other pair is some running shoes. Today called for the running shoes. This means business!! My stomach at the same time in need of something different to eat. I love venturing as you have probably now realized. I love eating different kinds of food and venturing into places where not many dare. I believe this is the only way to experience the culture. If in Rome… well, I am in China!!

Started heading in the direction of the markets where I saw the dog hanging on a hook the previous day. I didn’t go through the market, but just outside I found a vendor that sold me some sort of pancake lunch. The lady cooks the ingredients right there in front of you. An egg, some veggies, sausage all wrapped up in one big pancake. Not bad I might add. The lady cooking the food must have had some foreign customers previously as she knew exactly how to ask me what veggies I wanted in my pancake. This is easy… she just pointed and said “jiga”, “jiga”, “jiga” which means “this” in English, and all I needed to do was confirm with a nod of the head which ingredients I wanted.

Walking and eating I ventured into some unknown streets to find out what else was cooking in town. Once again, glad I took that street! In front of me a vendor was cooking and selling donkey. “Now I know where to purchase donkey if I ever feel the need” I thought to myself. A couple of meters away from this vendor a couple of donkeys were tied to a pole and I assume they will be future donkey burgers. This is China!!
On my way home I got some different types of snacks from my local supermarket which is called “Peach Blossoms”, don’t ask?? Have not succeeded yet in finding a taste that I peculiarly enjoy, but the game is on. Chocolate does not taste like chocolate! Most of the snacks you find are a mixture of sweet, spicy and salty. Strange combination, but you got to get used to it.

When was the last time you saw one of these?

They are not extinct in China!

Spotted: China, 2009

(Linyi City, Shandong Province, China)