The Luxury of Hot Water- China

The Luxury of Hot Water

Sias University
Henan Province, China
Spring 2012

When I was teaching in China, my students often commented about how lucky they were to have access to the hot water they wanted from 7PM to 11PM. It was such a luxury to them that I didn’t dare tell them that we, the foreign faculty, had hot water on demand.  I could take a shower any time of the day.  Now, it wasn’t a great shower and some days, the water was chillier than others.  But hot water was never an issue for me.

Then, I went to visit another university and found these water thermoses all over the campus.  These students do not have any running hot water.  As a matter of fact, the only hot water available to them is what they fetch in these thermoses at 5PM each night.  This little bit of hot water is their allotment for the day.

So, in the morning, on their way to classes, they leave their thermos in line and come back at % to stand in line and fill their containers.  It was then that I understood why my students bragged about their access to hot water.

NOPE!!!!!

NOPE!!!!!!!  I’m Not Eating That!!!

Viet Nam
July 2005

These are many, many gross things that I have eaten in my travels.  But there is one thing I will never eat: EYEBALLS.  I was offered these eyeballs and turned them down.  Instead, I ate parts of a tarantula just so I didn’t seem too uppity to my travel mates.

Sam Adams

 Sam Adam’s Brewery

Boston, MA

November 2010

 

 I love a great beer.  And I learned to distinguish a good beer from a great beer after I started drinking Sam Adams.  So to pay homage to this celebrated brewery, I decided to spend a weekend in the company of the impressive beer masters. 

One Friday morning, I walked to the train station and took a train to 30^th street Station in Philly.  Form there, I took an 8-hour Metro Bus to Boston and found my way to a pub in that train station.  My friend Carol, came down from VT and met me in the pub.  We then drove over to Sam Adams just in time to take the last tour of the day.  I didn’t realize how special this was until I saw that all of the employees were joining us on this tour and all of them had a pitcher of beer with them which they shared with all of us.  By the time the tour ended and we went back to the tasting room, I was s already a little loaded and probably could have been finished for the night.

But that just didn’t happen. We were allowed to sample four of the 7 beers they had on tap.  When I protested that I couldn’t try all 7, the tour guide said, “Well, you just have to come back tomorrow and try the other beers.”  He then encouraged us to get on a trolley and head out to Doyle’s Bar which served soon exclusive Sam Adman’s beers.

By this time, neither Carol and I were in any condition to drive, let alone go someplace for more beers. Our guide told us not to worry, we could keep our car in their lot and come get it tomorrow.  So that is what we did.  We joyfully got on the Doyle trolley and spent the evening with all of our new found friends at Sam Adam’s.

We fortunately had secured a room at a local B &  B. So a responsible taxi driver took us home at some point in the evening. I think I was more full of beer than I was drunk.

On Saturday, we got up and made our way back to Sam Adams Brewery. Now there was a large crowd.  So we had to wait for a tour.  That got on my nerves. So, while we waited, we went to the gift shop and gave them too much of our money. Once our tour starts, Carol and I excused ourselves and went right to the testing room. This is where we spent the afternoon.  In the evening, we went back to Doyle’s and again drank too many beers. And, of course, took a taxi home.  Our car was still in the parking lot since yesterday.

On Sunday, we went into the Quincy Market area and found the three bars that had exclusive rights to a Sam Adams signature beer.  All three bars claim they have the best Sam Adams beer.  Personally, I liked them all.

Mid-afternoon, I had to catch my bus back to Philly and I got home around 10:00 PM, carrying my two liters of IPA, two pint glasses from Doyle’s and two sample glasses from the tasting room.  All in all, I had a really great time.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, NV

February 2014

Lots of people go to Las Vegas for the gambling.  Personally, that holds zero interest in me. But I found a hotel that had a great great rate.  They made me an offer I couldn't refuse.  So I flew out, rented a car and headed to the desert each day.  While others gambled their money away, I spent my three days in the midst of the rocks and sand and succulents.