Last night we had a second wanhui (class party) again an interesting cultural experience. We started off at one of the strangest restaurants I have ever been in. Its Germany themed as it is a self proclaimed ‘beer club’, and they brew their own beer. My teacher insisted this meant it was good beer. So all the waiters and waiteresses are dressed in hilarious German cliche outfits, and they provide giant German style beer mugs. They also bring these giant cylinders of beer with taps so you have to pour your own. Apart from the German theme, all the beer posters on the wall were in Russian. And all the music was in English. And Tom and Jerry was playing on the tv. It was sort of a buffet restaurant but they bring around roasted meat on giant skewers fairly regularly, nearly stabbing you in the face every time they serve you.
Once the olds in the class got tired, I somehow ended up heading off with 3 Korean classmates to drink further. Turns out we went to a Korean restaurant where we had a whole other meal. Because it was a Korean restaurant we sort of sat on these cushions on the floor, and I attempted to tangle my frame into some sort of comfort. I was quickly taught the technique for pouring the Korean Baijiu (kinda like vodka), and tasted some foods I never expected to. The only food I said no to was the still squirming octopus, however I did later try a bit that hadnt moved for a while.
After this meal, and a lot more Baijiu and beer the decision was made to go to KTV. KTV are big karoake bars where you rent a room ($30/hour), crank the volume and hurt your friends’ ears. I am still not sure if it is a franchise called KTV or just all karaoke places are called this. To be honest, as a first visit, it was disapointing. That being said, everyone else I was with was Korean, so I didnt understand any of the words. Then again because everyone was singing I got the lion’s share of the beer. Quickly tiring of this I bid the Koreans farewell, and headed to bed. Not a bad effort for a class party I thought.
“Korean Baijiu”
Would that be Soju/烧酒? If so, bloody good stuff, and surprisingly good for settling an upset stomach. I highly recommend it- for medicinal purposes, of course.
We’ve got the central heating on here in Beijing, I hope they’ve fired up your local boiler.
Yeah i think thats the stuff. All night they kept telling me the crazy Korean food i was eating was good for my body, and I didn’t believe them until I woke up completely without a hangover.
Great. I am coming to Beijing this weekend actually. Visiting the NZ Embassy and catching up with a Chinese friend. Just checked the weather report and it bloody sounds like you need central heating more than we do. We are still flirting at around 2-4 degrees, but there’s a biting wind coming straight off the sea that rips straight through you.