I forgot I had a blog!

I've never been a good blogger. I like doing my monthly newsletters, but blogs seem a little more like a chore to me. Strange since I love writing. Strange since I'm living overseas and experience "exciting and new adventures" almost daily. But once you've lived overseas for over 2 years, every day really isn't so much of an adventure. It's just life. You get used to the stares, the uniquely accented "普通话"/Mandarin, you become "just another person" at the places you frequent (which I'm PERFECTLY ok with, I've never liked the overt attention some people lavish on foreigners on first meetings.), and life and it's little quirks here in China become like life's little quirks in any country.
All that said--traveling with a Chinese friend for the first time over October holiday HAS been an interesting new adventure.
She has classes all day--except for the 3 hours she has for meals and the 5 hours she has for sleep.
 Her parents told her to take break from the strain of classes and go have some fun at least 1 afternoon. Today we went for Italian food at a Venezia Italian Restaurant in Tianjin, in the Italian Concession Section of the city. This street really felt like a walk through Rome rather than through Northern China.

 Judy loved the architecture. She said it all was so pretty and old!

We split a Vegetable pasta dish. It was well seasoned and really enjoyable. About 56RMB a plate.

We also shared a Pepperoni and mushroom Pizza. Really not as good as we expected...lacked seasoning and flavor. But the crust was nice and crisp, not too thick like is common in Chinese pizza places. Service was a lot faster than we expected too, especially since it still qualifies as "holiday". I think this was between 50-60RMB, for a 9in. pizza. Pretty good price for pizza in China.

Total Cost: about 160 RMB

Environment: A

Judy loved the feel--was like being in a classy old home.

Cleanliness: A

Service: B

We had to call the waitress standing right next to us about 5 times to get the bill. She was watching TV. Everything else was fine.

Quality: B

The pizza crust and the cheese were good, the pasta was good, but the pizza lacked much actual flavor.

Overall: B+

Judy thought it was a little expensive for what we got. I agree, especially since I could make everything we had for at least half the price we paid.

Then we went to NanshiJie--Food street. We got a few snacks and explored all the different kinds of Tianjin snacks that she'd never seen before. She loves food, especially snacks, so she really enjoyed exploring here.
We also went to the NanjingLu Carrefour, a big foreign supermarket that was actually a pretty big disappointment. The ones I've visited before had a huge selection of foreign things, and a great selection and affordable prices on other things. This one was dinky and small. Oh well, win some lose some.
It was right across from Subway, which Judy also loves. So, we got another Subway sandwich to take back to the hotel with us for when we were hungry again.
We got back to the hotel and spent 2 or 3 hours chatting and laughing and snacking. She does have class till 12am, so she headed out and back for class a little after 7.

Judy is one of my best friends.
She wants to travel together every year, just NOT over October holiday when EVERYONE is traveling. haha!


If you want a decent meal and a nice environment, you should try this place out.

Venezia Italian威尼斯酒吧
天津河北区意大利风情街自由道48号 
It's near the Marco Polo Fountain in the Italian District, across from the Beer Restaurant. :)


So, I guess this will conclude my first post. It only took 2 years! :)