It is one thing to be interviewed by Vrij Nederland and another thing to have my pictures taken, but who expected my face on the cover?!! Shocked! Happily I didn't had my eyes closed ;).
Last weekend I went to do some shopping for my trip back to the Netherlands. It is always the same riddle for bargaining. Actually I still enjoy the game of bargaining. Especially when they start giving me many compliments about my looks and how smart I am ;) hehe..
One example:
me: "how much does it cost?" vendor: "because we are both Chinese, I will give you a good price.180RMB!" me: "what? 180RMB? This is not a Chinese, friendly price? Give me a lower price!" vendor: "so, how much do you want to pay"? me: "50RMB". vendor: "that low? No, I can't do that". me:"I can't go lower, I always pay this price, this is my final price". vendor: OK, because you are so beautiful, I give you a lower price, 80RMB! lowest price". me: OK, because you think I am so beautiful, I add 5RMB more, 55RMB!" vendor: No way, 5RMB extra? That's it? Please? What about 90RMB? You are so nice and tall!". me: OK, because you think I am so nice and tall, I add 5RMB more, 60RMB final price!" Vendor: Ahhhh, only 60RMB? OK, last price 80RMB, we split in the middle". me: "Nope, my last bid was 60RMB, only because you think I am so beautiful ;) ( walking away already)". Vendor: "ok ok, come back, come back...60RMB then, you are a good bargainer" me: "thank you for all your compliments ;)"

Chinese people are preparing for Chinese New Year now, which starts on the 26th of January. Trains, buses en and flights are overbooked. Did you now that during Chinese New Year, this is the biggest human migration globally? 23 million people will be on the road to gather together for the Chinese New Year's eve dinner with the family. I will also be on the road and will be in the Netherlands from the 23rd of January!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR~YEAR OF THE OX