Because you listen to Coldplay.

In the Movie "40 Year Old Virgin," some of the funniest lines are actually from the deleted scenes. My personal favorite comes from a dialogue between two of the side characters, which essentially boils down to the two of them coming up with ways to question each other's manhood, the ultimate punch-line being "because you listen to Coldplay."

Well I listened to Coldplay this weekend, and I have to disagree with that scene's premise, because I had a great time climbing an old military turret used to protect the mainland of China for the last 150 years, and I had a great time listening to Buddhist monks chant and play song bowls, and riding an old gondola over a gorge that would even make Indiana Jones think twice about it. Coldplay enhanced the experience. End of story.

I'll say this as well, I'm never staying in a nice hotel in China again, not worth it. Hostels are the way to go. I met a bunch of interesting people this weekend, a few Germans, a Texan, two Taiwanese, an executive at "Qing Dao" Beer (for those stateside, that's Tsing Tao), all while hanging out at this hostel on Gu Lang Yu Island.

So for the record, expensive doesn't always equal awesome (something to keep in mind down the road).

Also, I've now started eating more and more crazy stuff, and I will say this, I have no clue why I didn't eat fish before, because Grouper, Red Snapper, Crab, and Shrimp are all awesome dishes. For those keeping track at home, add Snail, Shrimp Head, Fish Head Soup, Sheep Liver on Bread, and Eel to the weird things I've eaten list. All (with the exception of the Fish Head Soup) being suprisingly tasty.

Final note, as this post has been very haphazardly put together (like my life now, no?). If anyone ever has the chance to go to Gu Lang Yu, take it. The island has everything, its buildings are all old colonial villas of the Portugese and British, it has an aviary and aquarium, and the most famous citizen has preserved an 1800s Garden, which is unlike anything I've ever seen. Not to mention the ancient Chinese art and piano museum. Gu Lang Yu has the most pianos per capita of any town in the world so no matter where you walk, instead of hearing the constant noise of construction or traffic, all you get is lazy music on cool tree covered streets amongst crumbling ruins of historical cottages and compounds. For one weekend, we escaped the place where the Wild Things Are. (as per my wonderful mom's suggestion, the bike has been named Max, after the main character in that children's book) Until next time.