English corner. Started by Mark Li over 30 years ago, a group composed of Chinese and foreign English speakers has been meeting at Peony Square in Luoyang to practice speaking English. I go there most Sunday mornings.
Free lockers at many major stores and malls
So you don't have to drag your cr*p around while you're shopping. This one is outside the Carrefour, which is in a major shopping mall. You can dump other purchases, your heavy coat, whatever, and shop unencumbered. LOVE IT.
What Chinese military folks do in their spare time...sing
How cool is this? I've seen this a couple of times in places around the city. This was in my own apartment complex and apparently in connection with a wedding...see the heart-shaped ring of firecrackers, below :)
The classiest Pizza Hut in the world
At least that I've ever seen... not that I ever go to Pizza Hut in the states. This one has marble floors, two stories, a decent Chardonnay and excellent service.
Chinese pedicures
A pedicure here consists of a guy scraping off your accumulated calluses with...a sharpened chisel, followed by a great foot massage. (Though I did eventually find a western-style pedi and got my toes painted :)
Apparently creating a vacuum in small jars and then applying them to the foot improves the circulation. If placed on the arch, it also hurts hellaciously.
Chinese Day of the Dead
On November 17, I came out of my gym to see a number of small bonfires at the corner of Nan Chang Lu and Nan Yuan Lu; people were burning fake money and lighting incense, I'm told, to honor the dead.
New friends and experiences
Linden and her fiance, Jun.
Below: Luoyangers are quite proud of their Saturday night fountain, music and light show.
At an arcade with Gibson. Everyone got excited about the new Wanda Mall, which has a Vans department store and a great Indian restaurant.
Impromptu parades
Sidewalk art in China...calligraphy
Still can occasionally be seen in Luoyang:
A mule drawn cart.
On the right: can't help it; I'm a sucker for puppies.