Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,

The Fujian Province, Shaowu City Beer and Food Crew.
We clicked chop sticks and shared first beers seven years ago; I lived with them for a total of three years and it was time for another visit.

Ting Ting and I met beneath a snowy Guangze Town sky, headed to the small bus station and caught the next bus south to Shaowu Town where the streets were thankfully dry and free of snow and mud. I left for the second time two and a half years ago, Yan and I have caught up in person several times since and I continue to catch up with everyone through QQ and text.         

Several nights ago Yan called and after finding out that I was in Guangze and that she would be back in Shaowu in a few days we figured that it was the perfect time for a beer.

After arriving Ting Ting and I headed to Anjin’s apartment (Tattoo Man) where we spent a few hours catching up over Wuyishan Tea until his next appointment (tattoo) arrived. We then headed to Mimi & Lisa’s Pool hall, well, began to until we hit the small Food Festival where we snacked our way around until Ting Ting reminded me that we had a big dinner in several hours.

Damn, we had only made it half way through!

It was great to catch up with Mimi over several games of pool and more Wuyishan Tea. Lisa was at school and she then had piano practice but I did get to talk with her over the phone and her English has come a very long way over the past two and a half years. It was also awesome to see that Mimi had gone about redecorating the entire hall along with recovering all of the tables.

Then it was dinner time!

We met in a small restaurant down a small alleyway and as each of us entered the room the tears shed flowed and made their way down towards the river. It was such a wonderful evening and in some way, over the past several years I had forgotten how much we all really do miss and care about each other. The conversation never ceased from the moment we held each other 'hello’ to the sad moment we said our parting goodbyes.

In between there was an endless supply of both beer and delicious food.
Beers N Noodles toya…..shane
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The soundtrack to this entry was by Ben Harper
The album was ‘Both Sides Of The Gun’
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