Fresh Air

(posted by Alan)
* Picture posting is still limited, so click the link on the bottom to see a full album at full size.

This past weekend we took a trip with 16 other people to Moganshan. Shan means mountain in chinese, so it can be called Mogan Mountain...but Moganshan just flows better. Anyway, Moganshan is known as a nature's oasis away from the dirty, busy, chaotic world that is Shanghai. Its about three hours away by car. It was a getaway spot for Chiang Kai Shek, Mao Ze Dong took a nap there, and lots of wealthy and powerful chinese and foreign figures built fancy villas and resort-like homes in and around the top of Moganshan. Today, its used as a retreat for many foreigners looking to just get into nature, fresh air, friendly and relaxed locals who live on the mountain and away from the hectic life in Shanghai. Sounded awesome.



We rented a house that actually fit all 18 of us. There are these crazy stone pathways and stairways winding randomly around the mountain. Its incredible that they built it all. The landscape is all bamboo forest, like in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The second we stepped off the van that took us up the mountain, we all took a deep breath and were like WOW this is AWESOME. We only got to spend 1 night there, but it was a ton of fun. Hiking and exploring the mountain by day, homecooked dinners and games at night. We even had a chance to have a small sunday morning service on the porch. Great fun with great friends.


I got the chance to go to my first soccer game last week as well. I definitely wanted to experience a soccer game outside of the states and turned out, Germany was playing China here in shanghai as a "friendly." basically an exhibition. But to fans, theres no such thing as an exhibition game. I seriously have never been around more Germans in my life. The crowds at soccer games are unlike anything i've seen. Imagine everyone at Citifield switching between the "Jose, Jose, Jose" chant and "Lets Go Mets" continuously for 90 minutes. Only everyone is also waving flags and swaying side to side. The game ended as a 1 - 1 tie, which is actually an upset. Germany is ranked #2 in the world and China is ranked #97. We were supposed to get blown out of the water. Definitely look forward to going again sometime.


Weight update: I was down to 75 kg (165lbs). So thats a loss of about 5 lbs in 6 weeks. but i've been hitting weights harder and getting more protein (we've been cooking alot of chicken), so I think im creeping back up.

Response to comments:
Corey - Twitter is blocked here too.
Johnny - Dude, china is all about the glass floors in places they shouldnt be. Check out the pictures album. Glass floors on a platform hanging over the mountain.

Click here for pictures: PICTURES FROM MOGANSHAN