Hotpot

Yesterday evening the Korean and foreign teachers all had dinner at a hotpot restaurant just to hang out and also to celebrate Mark's 23rd birthday. Hotpot is basically the Chinese version of fondue, but a lot less oily and stinky. I also had my first taste of "baijiu". For those of you who don’t live in China, which I'm pretty sure is everyone, baijiu, or “white alcohol” is the traditional liquor of China. It is very strong and from what I can tell is a mix of wine and rubbing alcohol. I clearly didn't enjoy it, but obviously drank my whole glass, and am not willing to write it off yet. However, I was happy when the glass was empty and a could refill it with the delishness of Tsingtao beer. We sat at a huge round table and all the food was put on a turntable in the middle to be wheeled around at your convenience. It was very good and a perfect way to kick off this cold weather season that we have suddenly been rocketed into.