In early August, before the school started, we were assigned a Chinese buddy. Their role is to help us with these daily challenges that life in China has. For example, going to Jialefu, to the bank (I never spend less than 1 hour there)… My buddy is Zheren, aka Sam.

Last Sunday was mid autumn festival. As I said, Chinese people tend to meet with their families and, together, under the full moon go outdoors and eat the mooncakes (yueping in Chinese). It is a traditional and family event.

Monday was a bank holiday. At 9am somebody was knocking on my door. Sam was bringing that:

A box with 9 mooncakes. There are 3 types of stuffing: marzipan with egg (really sweet), red beans with egg and minced spicy meat (this one, without egg). I was impressed. I have to remember to bring him some polvorones when I go to Spain in Christmas (and some jamón for me). I was amazed by how elaborate the packaging was. Every cake was wrapped, then into its individual box and then, all together into a larger box.

On Friday we are starting a one-wekk holiday (National day). I am going to Huangshan, the yellow mountain, in Anhui. Chinese people say it’s one of the most beautiful areas in China, so I am really excited. I am really looking forward of going out of the city and seeing another part of China, more rural. Meanwhile, I have to spend the week-end analyzing the cola wars in China. Exciting. Luckily, it rains.