We’ve got big plans today, or at least I do. Judy is so worn out after her week, she’s decides to relax and do a few chores around the apartment. She leaves early for IKEA for some home decorating items, to spruce up the place. The additions are really nice!
My day has two big activities. The first is a trip to “798”, a cultural/art zone not far from our apartment. Thomas, the art teacher at my school (from Dallas), was selected to display some of his work in a gallery as part of an International Artist exchange. He’s been working really hard this past month completing the pieces he’s going to display. Two of the teachers from my school, Josie and Lashawna, meet me at the nearby train station, and we taxi over to the Irish Volunteer Pub, for lunch. It’s on the way to 798. They’ve got really good burgers/fries.
After lunch, we head over to 798 and the exhibition. It’s really nice! Eight artists from all over the world are displaying, and the variety of ideas is intriguing. We had a good time visiting with Thomas and bragging on his work. He likes to collage sections of old maps and then paint around and over them.
The banner outside the gallery where Thomas is displaying. He’s bottom right, with red hair
One of Thomas’s pieces, with Thomas and LaShawna.
Josie and LaShawna checking out one the many unusual art pieces scattered throughout the large area.
I thought this was an alley, but after looking at it closely, there seemed to be several works on display?
I had to get a closer pix of this really crazy piece!
After we leave, we find a nice coffee shop with a good view of one of the main streets. There are huge crowds today (nice weather), and the mix of individuals is so interesting. We eventually head back to the train station and they go home. I walk to the apartment, change clothes, and get pumped up for my next activity, the annual International Schools Bowling Tournament.
Anyone who regularly checks in on this blog might remember our team won the tournament last year. 1st prize is $50 for the team to spend at a local pizza/burger place. The team consists of two Americans, two Brits, two Canadians, and one Australian. They take the top six scores from our best game. WE WON AGAIN! Unbelievable! Just like last year, we all had our share of miserable scores (we bowled three games). Then, we all hit good scores at the same time, and the BISS Barbarians are the 2014 Champions! The story probably won’t make the China Daily, but we’re excited. There were 18 teams competing.