Karin in China

2010-05-13T02:01:00.000-07:00

YOGA & COOKING on May 10, 2010
Today was a very special Yoga class. After thunder, storm and heavy rain the air was clean and fresh. From our north balcony we were able to see the red bridge in Panyu. We normally don’t see! The far hills seem to be close. We are able do see the advertisements of the big material market behind the Sun Ya Zen University. All the colors are bright and clear. “Qeng xi” means ‘clear’ that what my Ai said, the dirt and mist all gone due to rain. During the yoga standing position we have fantastic clear view. And we could breathe fresh air!
I am doing Yoga now for the last 3 years. You might think you can do it by yourself after that time, and YES I am able to do it by myself. I still feel happy that my Yoga teacher is with me. He shows me new positions and teaches me to improve the old ones.
I started Yoga because I had lots of back and knee problems. Sure back problems will never disappear but I learned to live with them. I realized that Yoga has helped me a lot. Sitting straight, not sitting for hours, not crossing the legs, walking, cycling, swimming, good sleep, balanced food, lots of water& tea. I enjoy my glass of wine or beer and the parties with our friends. And I love to eat delicious, healthy food, vegetarian. Since a while, we are cooking together after our Yoga session. And of course, it’s vegetarian Indian food. “Chickpea Chat Masala, Potato Curry, Cucumber Raita and Basmati Rice” It’s fun to do it together and I am glad to learn as well more and more about the Indian kitchen.
What else can I wish for? Having a good yoga session and fresh home made food together with great friends. That’s my healthy living life style. Feeling happy is another important thing for our health we should not forget.

Cycling in Guangzhou

2010-04-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

Ossi also has a bike now and we both make nice tours in GZ. Today we thought to cycle to Shamian. The way goes along the Perlriver and then we have to go over the river on one of the 5 bridges along the way. The stairways lucky have a small bicycle way. Normally Shamian is a very charming old place. There is a alley of big trees along old western style buildings. Many couples use the place to make couple shots or even newly married pictures. Our goal today was a coffee at Starbucks there. But the alley was ripped off. There where uge wholes in the street, lots of materials on the way. It was muddy and dirty and dangerous to go with bike or even to walk. Finally we reached Starbucks. With coffee and cake we sit happy in their nice garden. Glad we just finished when a compressor started next to us. Black clouds of smoke came out of the far too old equipment and we hurried to get out of these place.

Due to the upcoming Asia games in autumn the government wants to make GZ a clean place. Since month they rip off all walk ways. It takes a long time before they tile everything new and it's hard for us to walk or cycle safely in the moment. They are planting tons of new flowers and it looks in the beginning very nice. But some time later I see them dying because they not getting enough water. The money the government is spending for that purpose is as just throwing it into the rubbish. The people living here must swallow all that nonsense and I feel sad for them.

Anyway Ossi and I love our excursions on our bycs and will continue.

2010-03-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

I just made a comment on face book about my day - yoga on the balcony- cycling to meet Nelia and Joke having pick-nick on the island 'Ersha-dao' along the Perl river. Then meeting Ossi to have back massage in Mingyue Ar Lu. Dinner at home and watching later German crime story 'Tatort'. I am a real 'lucky mushroom'!

2010-03-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Ossi had I had a good walk to Jokes house and had a nice chat with her and friends. Suddenly Joke introduced us to her new instrument the "XIAO" a Chinese flute made of bamboo. It's a pretty long and small flute and at first I couldn't imagine how there will be a tone coming out. She asked us to try and Ossi really got out some tone. Lida did as well and then Joke was playing it! How delighting! I fell in love immediately and thought to stay there for ever. The tones are very soft and soothing. My thoughts went back to times in Japan strolling through a old shrine and listening the monks playing and singing. Until know her skills are limited because she just started to play the Xiao. I have no doubts that she will be skillfully playing it in a short time. Joke - we are patiently waiting for it :)

karin & Ossi in Japan

2009-11-03T17:49:00.000-08:00

Ossi told me some weeks ago that he has to work in Japan. I am that lucky mushroom being invited from him instantly to join him.
Monday morning we were both happily sitting in Japans biggest airline ANA. The announcements nicely done in Japanese. How exciting is that for us. The food ‘of course’ excellent Japanese.
Some changes at the passport control in Narita: they took our finger prints and shooting a photo. I asked how long they do have this procedure? The officer asked: how long you haven’t been to Japan? I said long enough to come back for a check. He was smiling and I was glad to use my old Japanese language skills.
Narita express was in time for us and we arrived at the hotel in Yokohama in time. Next little wonder: the hotel stuff speaks all perfect English. But I couldn’t resist to ask in Japanese for the closest Kaiten Sushi. That’s the place where little plates driving around containing small portions of different sushi. The clerk was friendly and smiling. 'Just opposite at the west entrance of Yokohama Station up on the 6th floor' was the answer. We loved the new sushi-ya but realized changes here as well. To our surprise there was sushi with avocado. ‘Ka li fo ni a’ sushi! Well, with that I can live but not with ‘ku ri mu chi su’. (Cream cheese) very strange – not only we thought. The Japanese next to us wondered as well.
Our arrival day was a rainy day and pretty cool compare to China. I appreciated Tuesday morning to find a sunny day with absolute clear and amazing blue colored sky. This time our hotel room has no Mt. Fuji view but I knew he must be visible at a clear day like that.
At 11am I was standing at our old spot: Yokohama Station’s entrance close to the escalators. My old friend Tamae was arriving. How great to meet again. She saw us recently in Guangzhou after a long hiking trip in North China. She loved our cat and our house in the 29th floor. How different compare to Falkensee and Tokyo she said!
Lunchtime: Tamae didn’t know the new Kaiten Sushi and I was glad to introduce it to her and have Sushi again! Then she leads me to a close by building (sky fame) to have a look for Fuji Sama. Wow! 11th floor- there he was. Absolute high above the sky line covered with snow – so beautiful. My heart was filled with love and memories.
We ended up in our hotel room. Talking, drinking green tea, enjoying sakura mochi…….
The evening I was invited by Ossi. His colleges had dinner in a Isekaya. Isekaya’s have a special atmosphere. It’s may be like 'urban life'. Basic raw wooden tables, sitting on the floor, the interior simple but cozy. They offer lot’s of little dishes. And of course sake, beer, sour plum drinks…… and other drinks…… The food is Japanese, delicious little nibbles, but again I was surprised about the menu. International food was offered. It’s great to sit and talk and eat and drink …….very enjoyable.
We where so glad about our first day back to our old town Yokohama.

Good Morning World.

2009-10-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

Good Morning World!

Walking along the Perlriver in the evening opens my heart and feelings. There are millions of colorful lights all over along the river walk way, on the bridges and the high rise buildings, the cruising boats are gleaming. There is no chance to be in the dark and no way for silence.
Then sitting on the balcony of Jokes apartment, 34th floor. We enjoy talking....feeling happy to be with a good friend....sipping a delicous wine..... the view is stunning.......enjoying the freedom up in that height.
Home ride: I took the local bus with many tired people. The street is filled with cars.... the bus driver is doing a good job. Stopping in time not to hit the unexpected drive- in from a big truck. We all struggled not to fall but luckily no passenger was hurt. Nobody was yelling - nobody complaining. We all were just happy not being hurt. It was like a wake-up call: Karin back to reality.

A New World is opening for Karin

2009-10-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

Years ago PC /computer stuff was a foreign world for me. I had lots of doubts that I will be able to handle it.

Today I am starting my first Blog report in the web. I am starting it in our own choosen world - Guangzhou South-China. I am very proud that I have daughters and friends who never give up to teach me.