Daniel Royse's Blog, page 3

Ireland: Where to Stay Around The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are probably one of Ireland’s most famous natural attractions.  In fact, the entire stretch of southwest Ireland is packed with dramatic cliffs on distance peninsulas.  But never the less, the Cliffs of Moher deserves its place as one of Ireland’s most popular destinations.

What Are The Cliffs of Moher?

The Cliffs of Moher are basically a stretch of grassy sheep filled cliffs that drop abruptly over 200 meters down into the angry ocean below.  On a clear day, the views are amazing!  On a foggy day, its an odd and surreal experience.  Its important to note, that there are no ticket takers, no lines, and no “main attractions”.  This is basic Irish country side, with a few small parking lots to facilitate.  Here, you’ll be walking along side functioning farm land.  So try to act sober.

Where To Stay Around The Cliffs of Moher:

Since this is working farmland, there aren’t actually hotels in the immediate area.  So you’ll need to stay in a nearby town or city and then drive there.  As you’ve probably realized, a rental car in Ireland makes things a lot easier!  Here are some of the best options for accommodation around the Cliffs of Moher.

Galway:

This is your best “big city” option.  It’s not super close (1.5 hour drive) but if you want to base yourself out of a big city or are limited to taking tours around the country, this is probably where you will find yourself.  Here you have tons of hotels, hostels and AirBnBs to pick from….and all the nightlife you can handle to keep you properly drunk.


Doolin:

Doolin is going to be the closest town to the cliffs.  Its a small village with a scattering of hotels, restaurants and bars.  These days you’ll also be able to find a good number of AirBnBs in the area.  Here, you’re looking at a 15 minute drive to the center of the Cliffs.  But for the north hiking entrance, you’re practically right there.


Lahinch:

Lahinch is a great picturesque little Irish town that is a close proximity to the Cliffs.  Its got a nice downtown and a good number of hotels and B&Bs.  Overall, its a great place to hang out for a few days.


Miltown Malbay:

An easy drive to the Cliffs of Moher or the Burren, this tiny Irish town has a grocery store and a small strip of restaurants and bars.  But be warned they close by 10PM.  We stayed in an old converted railway station that is now an AirBnB, so that made the experience all that much more interesting.

In addition to the towns mentioned above, there are tons of AirBnBs popping up all over the country side.  So these days, you have a lot more options if you don’t need to be close to amenities like restaurants, groceries and bars.  Regardless of where you stay, a rental car is almost a necessity since half the experience of being in Ireland is driving around the countryside and taking in all that it has to offer.  Have fun and don’t drive drunk!

Los Angeles: Guide to The Brewery Art Walk

The Brewery Art Walk has been a fixture of the LA art seen since its inception in 1982, and has been growing in popularity ever since.  This non-profit live/work space for artists was created out of the industrial site left by the Pabst Blue Ribbon brewing company and is now the largest artist-in-residence community in the world.  Its located in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles just north of downtown.

What is the Brewery Art Walk?

Twice a year (Spring and Fall) the Brewery Artist community opens its doors to the public for a chance to walk through their maze of lofts, view the art on display, make purchases and meet the artists themselves.  There is a restaurant, food trucks and a beer garden.

When is the Brewery Art Walk?

The Brewery Art Walk happens twice a year during Spring and Fall.  This year (2018) the Art Walk took place on April 7th and 8th.

Location:

Brewery Artwalk Association

2100 North Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90031

Parking:

Parking during the event can be frustrating to say the least.  If you can pull it off, taking public transport or biking to the event would prevent a lot of unwanted stress.  But if you do drive, the UPS lot is free and the residential areas around the brewery offer street parking.

Cost:

There is no cost for visiting the Brewery Art Walk.  Admission is FREE.

Amenities:

Art
Beer Garden
Restaurant:  Barbara’s at The Brewery
Food Trucks
Porta Potties

Artists:

There are over 100 artists who participate in the Art Walk event, and their live/work lofts span the entire 16 acre complex.  So yeah, it will take some time if you want to see them all.  The type of art you’ll find there runs the gamut, but here’s a list of the general “types” that you can expect to see.

Architecture/Landscape
Ceramics
Design/Print Making
Mixed Media
Fashion/Costume/Jewelry
Painting
Photography
Sculpture
Performance Art
Video/Multi-Media

 

Los Angeles: Is Cypress Park Safe?

Once upon a time (about 10 years or so ago) Cypress Park was one of Los Angeles’s most dangerous neighborhoods.  It may not have made the national headlines like South Central, but locally it was infamous for its rival street gangs.  These days however, outsiders are noticing that Cypress Park sits at a prime geographical location; equal distance between Downtown, Highland Park and Silverlake.  In addition to its close proximity to transit-goodies like the Gold Line, LA River Bike Path, the 5 Freeway and the 110 Freeway….it also has (for now) rents that almost resemble something that’s affordable.  So, many people are wondering…is it safe to move there yet?

Is Cypress Park Safe Or Dangerous?

Well, I’ve lived in Cypress Park for about a year now and although I’m an outsider on all accounts, I can say that the neighbors here have all been extremely friendly and welcoming.  Personally we’ve had no issues related to crime or violence of any kind.  I even walk my dog alone at night!

However its important to note that Cypress Park is still a neighborhood in transition.  There are still pockets that some would-be residents might find unsightly or even dangerous at first glance, but these streets can be easily avoided.  Crime statistics in this neighborhood are actually far lower than places like Echo Park and even Santa Monica…yes, thats right!

What Is It Like To Live In Cypress Park?

The area as a whole is predominantly Latino with an ever-increasing young hipster population moving in.  Many of the residents don’t speak English, but if you don’t speak Spanish you’ll still do just fine.  Once you get away from the commercial areas on Figueroa and the industrial areas on San Fernando, you’ll notice that the residential areas are packed full of beautiful little bungalows built in the early 1900s.  Most of the residents keep their yards looking good with a plethora of trees, shrubs and rose bushes.  Cypress Park was actually one of LA’s first neighborhoods.

Food:

If you like Mexican food, you’re in the right place!  If you like El Salvadorian food, you’re in the right place!  If you like…well… anything else, you’ll have to go up the street to Highland Park.  But here, we’ve got more (Amazing) taco and burrito joints than you can shake a tamale at!  A few of my favs include:

Lupitas Restaurant
Tierra Caliente
King Taco (a classic!)
El Atacor

Drinking And Nightlife:

Cypress Park is not yet a drinking destination but there is one fairly popular dive bar called Footsies on Figueroa.  Other than that, you’re stuck taking the two minute Uber ride up to Highland Park.

Public Transit:

I know I’ve mentioned the transit options above, but Ill list them here just for simplicity.  For better or worse, Cypress Park seems to sit at the nexus of LA’s transportation network.

Close to the 5 Freeway
Close to the 110 Freeway
Gold Line Metro Stop
LA River Bike Path Entry Point
Multiple Bus Routes…if you’re into that sort of thing

Next Up For Cypress Park:

The city of LA is now planning on building a pedestrian bridge across the LA river.  In addition, the old Taylor Yard is slated to be converted into a park.

Quirky Fact About Cypress Park: 

There are still a number of old school Ice Cream trucks that drive through the neighborhood, each one playing that same music that you probably remember from your childhood.

Summary:

So for all these reasons, its no surprise LA Weekly called Cypress Park the “Hottest Real Estate Neighborhood in Los Angeles”.  Its a great and semi-affordable way to live next to Downtown, Silverlake/Echo Park, Highland Park, the LA River Bike Path and close to the peace and quiet of Mount Washington.  And…as Ive explained here, its not as dangerous as you might think.

Guide to Puerto Penasco, Mexico

Puerto Penasco, also referred to as “Rocky Point”, is becoming a popular beach destination for Americans looking for an easy (and still foreign) vacation.  In fact, its sometimes referred to as “Arizona’s Beach”.  The town has a laid back vacation vibe with a semi-bustling town center and two stretches golden sand.  Here, we’ll talk about the logistics on how to get there, what to see and do and how to have a great time.

Routes:

From Los Angeles:

From LA, you have a few options.  It really depends on if you prefer to spend your time driving in the US or Mexico.  Essentially there are 5 basic ways to do this, and the directions from San Diego are included here (since its on the way).

Take the 5 South to San Diego, cross at Tijuana and head east through Mexico
Take the 5 South to San Diego, but head East and cross at Tecate, then keep going east through Mexico
Take the 10 East and go south on Highway 86 to Calexico
Take the 10 East and go south on Highway 95 to Yuma
Take the 10 East and go south on Highway 85 to Lukeville (In AZ)

From Phoenix:

From Phoenix, the route is simple.  Head south on Highway 85 until you get to Lukeville.  Cross the border at Lukeville into Sonoyta.  This is fastest and most hassle-free crossing, so you should have no issues.  From here, take MX Highway 8 south to Puerto Penasco.  Boom!…you did it!

Border Crossings:

San Diego/Tijuana:  High traffic, lots of security, Long wait times.
Tecate:  Remote crossing, not close to any major highways.
Calexico/Mexicali:  Slightly long wait times coming into the USA.  Usually fast going into Mexico.
Andrade/Los Algodones:  Short wait times.
Yuma/San Luis:  Short wait times.
Lukeville/Sonoyta:  Easy and hassle free crossing from both sides.  Closest access point to Puerto Penasco.

Orientation:

Puerto Penasco can be thought of as having four separate sections.  You’ve got the main downtown area known as “Rocky Point” where all the shops, bars and restaurants live.  The coastline here, as you might have guessed is essentially a rocky peninsula.  Stretching out on either side of the town center are two long stretches of sand.  These areas are mainly occupied by vacation homes and rentals.  And inland from the central “Rocky Point” area, you have the local residential area.

If you’re traveling here, you will probably find yourself in the central “Rocky Point” area, or one of the stretches of sand on either side of it.

Things To Do in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point):

Deep Sea Fishing:

Deep Sea Fishing is a popular way to kill time in between cervezas in Puerto Penasco.  Boats can be chartered from numerous places along the main streets in the town center.

4-Wheeling/Off-Roading:

Four Wheeling is great in this area and they can also be rented from the main streets in the town center.  Here, you can get everything from standard 4-Wheelers, Motocross Bikes and other types of more aggressive off-road vehicles.  The desert awaits!

Beach Bumming:

Not into doing stuff?  Don’t worry, Puerto Penasco has two stretches of long sandy beach for you to chill out on.  Keep in mind, these are not “rent a chair and have a drink served to you” type of beaches.  They have a quieter and more secluded feeling.

Drinking:

Yes, drinking!  There’s a solid amount of drinking that can be done here, whether you’re on Spring Break or not.  The town center around “Rocky Point” has enough good party spots to keep you sloppy for a few days, all of which are right along El Malecon.

Things To See Around Puerto Penasco:

The only real major attraction outside of Puerto Penasco is the “Reserva de la Biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto”.  This UNESCO World Heritage site is a volcanic system that includes three major peaks; Pinacate, Carnegie and Medio.  Its also one of the most significant visible land forms in North America that can be seen from space.

To get to the park, take MX Highway 8 north our of Puerto Penasco and turn when you see the signs for Pinacate.

Is It Dangerous?

For the most part….No, its not dangerous here.  However, like anywhere in Mexico be cautious, be nice and don’t be a douche-bag.  Also, don’t be a target more than you have to.  If you can do that, you should be fine.

What To Bring With You:

Pesos:  Actually US dollars will work at most places around here, but personally I prefer to have some local currency.
Mexican Auto Insurance:  Yup, you DO need Mexican Auto Insurance in Mexico.  No, your USA coverage will not be sufficient.  You can get this online before you go, or at the border just before you cross into Mexico.
FMM:  This is basically a Tourist Permit.  You can get it online or at the border.  Although, I’ve never actually been given one.  I guess they keep forgetting.
Passport:  The days of just having your USA drivers license are over.  Now you must have your passport.  Bummer.
Drivers License:  Take it if you’re driving…why not?

Summary:

That’s about it.  Go have fun!  Keep in mind this is still no Cancun or Cabo, so don’t expect that same degree of tourist infrastructure, development or luxury.  At the same time, its no off-the-beaten path destination.  Puerto Penasco lies somewhere in between the two extremes.

Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Like all cities in the US, the wave of gentrification is changing the landscape of Los Angeles.  Once dangerous and run-down parts of town are being transformed into epicenters of the young, hip and ironic.  As these young people (often artists, musicians and random hipsters) search for affordable accommodation they are forced to migrate to areas just outside of the current “cool” areas.  These are typically poorer areas with cheap rents that allow them easy access to the fun parts of town that they are already priced out of.  Over time, coffee shops, bars and restaurants start to pop up to cater to these individuals, there by making it a new “cool” area.  At the same time, the folks that reside in the old cool area start to age, settle down, and have kids…thereby becoming significantly less cool.  Sounds pretty scientific doesn’t it?!

Anyway, here are LAs current hip, cool and up-and-coming areas of town as it stands now.  These will be sure to change as time inevitable marches forward.

Silverlake and Echo Park:

If you’ve done any research on LA, then you’ve no doubt heard about Silverlake and Echo Park.  The area is synonymous with the young and hip, and has been for quite a while now.  Its like Williamsburg in NYC or the Mission in SF, and just like those places, its probably now out of your price range….and actually, not as cool as it once was.  You know who it goes…its so popular, its not cool anymore?  But in all honesty, its still a great place to go out for food and drinks.

Atwater Village:

As the progression of hipsters inevitably had to move eastward, Atwater Village was a no-brainer.  Its conveniently located between the well established “cool areas” of Silverlake/Echo Park and the more suburban City of Glendale.  Its a small area and is technically part of Los Angeles, but you’ll probably find yourself acquiring most of your amenities in nearby downtown Glendale.  Bummer right?

Downtown (DTLA):

It wasn’t long ago that nobody went to downtown LA.  Now, everyone is priced out.  The Arts District in particular (located in DTLA) is a popular area full of gritty lofts, breweries and artists within close proximity to what the rest of downtown has to offer.  Unfortunately the Arts District is a high demand area and things don’t come cheap, but parts of downtown farther south and further east into Boyle Heights are still relatively affordable.

Eaglerock:

Now were getting into NE Los Angeles, where things are really starting to happen.  Eaglerock has been on the radar for a while now, but its still considered a hip area to be for those who are slightly more well off.  This area is also home to a large student population as it surrounds the famous Occidental College.  Yup, the one that Barak Obama attended for a hot minute!

Highland Park:

Okay, here we go!  Highland Park, otherwise known as the “hippest area in LA”.  If you’ve been reading up on places to live in Los Angeles, then you’ve heard about it.  If Echo Park was the spot a few years back, then Highland Park is the spot right now.  Its a gritty, mostly hispanic area packed full of bars, restaurants, tattoo shops…and tons of hipsters.

Cypress Park:

If Highland Park is “the spot” right now, then Cypress Park is going to be “the spot” next.  In the flat lands sandwiched between Mt Washington and Elysian Park is an area you may not have heard about.  Little Cypress Park is slated to be the next up-and-coming area in LA.  Its cheaper than any other area on this list and is only a few minutes to Highland Park, Silverlake/Echo Park and Downtown.  Its also located on the LA River bike path, which makes it one of the more bike-friendly parts of Los Angeles.  For all these reasons, LA Weekly called it the “Hottest Neighborhood in LA“.

Other reasons why Cypress Park is set to be the “next hot neighborhood” include close access to both the 5 Freeway and the 110 Freeway, it’s still home to the original King Taco, it has easy access to three major parks (Elysian, Griffith, Ernest E Debs), it has cool bars, coffee shops and great Mexican food….AND most importantly its still (fairly) inexpensive…for now.

FrogTown:

Better known (and probably more accurately) as Elysian Valley, this tiny enclave was nicknamed FrogTown because it was, at one time, where the frogs from the LA river would emerge to seek higher and drier ground.  Although as with most wild life in the area, we’ve managed to do a way with that.  These days, FrogTown has become quite popular for its Art Festival, breweries and access to the LA River bike path.  In a sense its an island to itself surrounded by the 5 Freeway and the LA River, there are only a few ways in and out.

Summary:

So there you have it!  The breakdown of the “cool”, “hip” and “trendy” neighborhoods of Los Angeles.  If you’re a young, hip 20-something looking to move to LA, my advice is to get in while you can, because as rents keep increasing you’ll be priced out of these areas in no time…and forced to live in the Valley…and nobody wants that.

China: How To Get To Yubeng

China tends to conjure up images of tourist hordes swarming the Great Wall or Forbidden City, but ask the locals and they’ll tell you Yunnan is the place to visit. Yunnan province borders Vietnam, Myanmar and Tibet, and is known in China for its stunning scenery, more than two dozen unique ethnic minorities, and delicious food. The most popular destinations are the historic cities of Dali (大理) and Lijiang (丽江), but if you want something more adventurous then pack your bags for Yubeng (雨崩).

About Yubeng:

Yubeng is a pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Bhuddists who travel there to worship the Sacred Waterfall (雨崩神瀑), which is said to wash away illness or sins by rinsing and walking three circles around its base. Yubeng is relatively remote and the trip is not for the faint of heart or weak of body. Prior to 2013 there was no electricity, all travel in and out is by foot or mule over a roughly 12 km long dirt path, hot water is spotty, cell service nonexistent, and altitude is over 3000 meters. It is also stunningly beautiful, authentic and worth the hike for any adventure traveler.

Yubeng is located in the Deqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the far northwest corner of Yunnan province. It is split into upper and lower village with a twenty-minute hike separating the two. Upper village is on the hillside closest to the hike in and has a more rustic feel, while lower village is slightly more comfortable and located down in a mountain valley.

Getting to Yubeng:

While Yubeng is off most western tourist radars, it is relatively well traveled by the Chinese backpacker crowd, so cheap hotels and local buses can get you there if you really want to try it. However, for the sake of time and language barriers I highly recommend booking as part of a small group which can be found in Lijiang. While technically this would fit into the package tour category we all loathe, in this case I wouldn’t have done it any other way. My guide was a local Tibetan who takes a group of 6-10 people in an old minivan along a pre-planned route and pre-arranged hotels (Contact: Zhaxi 扎西 Cerli 次里 WeChat ID 13988756442). Typical cost is around 1700 RMB and includes everything except food. While you won’t have the freedom to set your own schedule, you also won’t have to navigate Chinese-only back country, you’ll make more stops and see more sights than you would busing it, and it definitely won’t be one of those stereotypical package tour experiences.

If you want to attempt it via buses, make sure you are well prepared, bring Chinese language translations of the places you’re trying to get to, and a cell phone with a data plan. You should assume that no one outside of Lijiang will speak any English, there will be no English signs, there is very little English-language information about this area, and any information you do find is likely to have mistakes and be outdated.

A typical itinerary will require at least 6 days; my own route is shown below. You can paste the characters into the Chinese search engine Baidu to see what each place looks like.

Day 1: Set off from Lijiang – stop at famous Yangtze river overlooks (长江第一湾，长江月亮湾) – Ben Zi Lan village ( 奔子栏) – Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) – white horse mountain pass (白马山垭口) – stay in Fei Lai Si (飞来寺)
Day 2: Drive from Fei Lai Si to the Meri Snow Mountains outlook (梅里雪山) – arrive in Xidang Village (西当村) and hike 12km to Yubeng (雨崩)
Day 3: Hike from Upper Yubeng to Ice Lake (冰湖)
Day 4: Hike from Lower Yubeng to Sacred Waterfall (神瀑) in the morning – hike from Upper Yubeng to Xidang Village in the afternoon – stay in Fei Lai Si
Day 5: Drive from Fei Lai Si to Yi La grassland (依拉草原) – drive to Shangri-La (香格里拉) – traditional Tibetan meal and bonfire in a local family home – stay in Shangri-La
Day 6: Drive to Zhongdian grazing ranch (中甸牧场) – Leaping Tiger Gorge (虎跳峡) – end the trip back in Lijiang

What To See and Do in Yubeng:

Traditionally Yubeng is a pilgrimage sight and to this day most travelers are Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims going to visit the Sacred Waterfall. Two other equally beautiful and challenging hikes are Ice Lake (冰湖) and Holy Lake (神湖), for directions to any site just ask a local to point you in the right direction and just follow the path.

Xidang to Yubeng hike – The way in to Yubeng, 12km hike, 900m vertical ascent with three waystations selling snacks, fried rice and instant noodles. Mules can be rented for around 250RMB.
Upper Yubeng to Ice Lake hike – a day hike to a small glacial lake in the mountain valley above upper Yubeng. Get directions from locals and stick to the path, occasionally marked by green trash cans. 12km one way, 1000m vertical ascent with 1 waystation at Dabenying (大本营) selling fried rice and a traditional milk tea.
Lower Yubeng to Holy Lake hike – similar setting to Ice Lake, farther and higher, add a couple hours, 1400m vertical ascent.
Lower Yubeng to Sacred Waterfall hike – a half day hike to a waterfall sacred to Tibetans. The waterfall itself is decidedly underwhelming, but the scenery is beautiful, and the authentic Tibetan pilgrimage experience is well worth the trip. 7km one way, 800m vertical ascent with 1 waystation selling fried rice.

Need to Know:

Sleeping:

Most residents have converted their homes into lodges, there are a lot of sleeping options of low to medium quality in the 100 RMB/night range.
Hostelling International (梅朵国际青年旅社), hot water, Wi-Fi, surly, +86 139 8879 4848
Lobsangs Trekker Lodge (雪域藏巴乐客栈), hot water, Wi-Fi, English, +86 139 8874 2017, +86 139 8879 7053, lobsangtrekkerlodge.webs.com


Yubeng literally means Rain Collapse in Chinese, that is to say it rains a lot, typically just a light drizzle, but frequent, bring waterproof hiking boots and rain protection.
It’s chilly – typically 30-40 degrees, cheap hotel rooms will be cold, hot water is limited – bring appropriate clothing.
There is no cell service, limited Wi-Fi and there is very little of anything except Chinese food available locally, bring in everything else you need.
There is no hummus. To the two foreigners who spent 20 minutes complaining that no one in this remote mountain village of Tibetan farmers served hummus, please never travel anywhere else ever again.

 

Italy: How to Get from Rome International Airport (FCO) To The City Center

So, you’ve arrived in Rome….Congratulations!  Step 1 is complete.  Now for Step 2, you need to get to your hotel, and depending on which airport you’ve landed in you have different options.  Since most visitors will arrive at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO), we’ve focused on that.  After all, its much larger and farther away from the city center, so there’s more room for confusion.  Here’s the breakdown.

Rome has the following two airports:

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO):

Used for major airlines (United, Delta, ect)
Located 32km from the city

Ciampino Airport:

Used for budget airlines and military flights (Ryan Air, EasyJet)
Located 12km from the city

Again, in this article we’ve focused on Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO).  Below are your options for getting from the airport to the city center of Rome.  The prices listed are accurate from the time of writing but will probably change slightly over time.

Taxi:

Getting a taxi at FCO airport is pretty straight forward.  Just follow the signs toward the taxi stand located just outside the airport.  Look for white taxi’s with “taxi lights” on top.  They will be que’d up, so just wait in the taxi line.  Avoid the guys that will approach you prior to reaching the taxi stand.  They are unofficial taxi drivers.  A taxi from the airport to Rome city center is a flat rate of 50 Euros.

Shuttle:

If you have a lot of people with you a shuttle may be the way to go.  They also cost around 50 Euros to get to the city center and can be booked from the train station.

Express Train (Leonardo Express):

If you just want to get to the city center and don’t mind navigating your way around once you get there, the Express Train (Leonardo Express) is the way to go.  Its a direct shot to Rome’s main train station, Stazione Termini.  The one-way price is currently 14 Euros and can be purchased from one of two ticket counters at the train station platform.

Metro:

The metro is the cheapest option at 8 Euros for a one-way trip and tickets can be purchased from an automated kiosk at the train station.  However you will most likely have to change lines at some point since the line from the airport doesn’t go through the city center (an additional 1.50 Euros).  This is in no way difficult, but if you have a lot of luggage or a large group you may not want to put up with the inconvenience.

Things To Know When Dating In China

Dating in China, simply put there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly. That’s right, it’s exactly like dating wherever you’re from, but as with all new cultures there are some tricks to learn. I’ve spent four years now performing very diligent field research and I hope the totally scientific results I present here will help you get more good, less bad, and avoid the ugly.

WHAT TO KNOW:

Loser Back Home (LBH):

First of all, be aware that some Chinese people are highly suspicious of dating foreigners and for good reason. The LBH’s (Loser Back Home) have made their rounds here for decades and nearly everyone has a story about a friend who was used for a weekend fling by some scum bag foreigner. Let’s get something straight, for the most part dating in China is serious business and women especially date with the specific goal of marriage in mind. So if you are that scum bag … at least chose a date who knows and is a willing participant in your game.

Is it Easy to Get Girls in China?

Next, despite what you may have heard, the glory days of waving your passport around and waiting for the ladies to swarm are long gone (assuming such days ever existed in the first place…). Your likely target is a middle-class, city raised, foreign educated (or working in a foreign enterprise) modern person who shares many common interests with your culture. These are successful, independent people with options, and believe it or not, landing a hot date will take more than just your foreign mug.

Do Chinese Girls Like English Teachers?

Finally, the fastest way to get rejected is by being an English teacher. The perception here is that young male English teachers are just playboys who couldn’t land actual jobs in their home country and have no real skills or future, basically the exact opposite of what everyone here cares about. I’m not debating whether this is true or not, but consider yourself warned and have a battle plan. Oh, and calling yourself a Teaching Consultant doesn’t count (really). Alternatively, don’t date your students or scrounge for partners in dives, people you meet in regular everyday life are much less likely to care about what you do.

What Do Chinese Girls Really Want?

As far as what people DO want, in general it’s not really different from anywhere else, love, happiness, etc, but there are some things you need to know. First, traditional Chinese society places a high value on one’s own home, a house is nearly always a precondition for marriage. Second, children take care of their parents in old age, that means old Chinese people living with you, forever. Lastly, nuclear families are the modus operandi, so expect a significant amount of grandparent intervention in the event of children. Read on to accept these terms and conditions.

FIND A DATE:

Avoid Online Prostitution:

Sooner or later everyone discovers the search functions in WeChat or Momo, the two largest Chinese social network Apps. At one point these functions may have had legitimate use, but now they’re the unofficial Chinese red light district. That being said, that particular service is illegal in China and as a foreigner you’re much more likely to end up with an empty wallet and a black eye than the night of your life with the goddess from the photo. So if that’s really your thing, there’s this place called Thailand…

Dating Apps in China:

Next are dating apps like Tinder, OK Cupid and an assortment of Chinese ones. You’ll find most of the profiles will explicitly warn against one night stands and playboys (also English teachers and tattoos). Do our culture a favor and respect their request, evidently they’ve had a bad experience so don’t compound it. Most people who use these apps have some basic English skills, but if you speak some Chinese you’re dating life will be much more interesting. On another note, if your counterpart is constantly pushing you to speak English then you’re being used as a free English service, maybe that’s okay with you, just an FYI.

Meeting Chinese Girls At Bars and Clubs:

Oh the casual pickup, uncomfortable, risky, occasionally shockingly rewarding. Your odds are probably the same as back home, but as a foreigner people will generally be friendly with you, unless of course you’re a creeper, in which case its better if you just don’t come to China. So find your “in”, and at the right time ask for their WeChat but don’t be too pushy. A free cultural lesson here: Chinese people notoriously avoid confrontation by speaking indirectly and making excuses, if you ask and they say they don’t have WeChat, don’t have their phone, phone is out of battery or any other super lame excuse, it really means “No you can’t have my WeChat, piss off”.

Getting Set-Up in China:

Most common but least applicable to you is family and friends. It is common for parents to play a highly active role in their children’s dating life, however unwelcome their “help” is. As for friends, if someone offers to help you find a date, realize it’s not weird and they probably already have someone in mind. Just ask to see a pic and let them know you’ll think about it. If they’re not your type, find an excuse to politely say no. If you say yes, just make sure they don’t take you to KTV where they’ll make you sing them English songs all night.

TAKE THEM OUT:

Planning Your Date:

Don’t think too hard here, dinner, coffee, movies, parks, shows, sports, anything you’re used to is pretty much game. The expectations for males are generally higher than in western culture, guys should research and suggest options, work out all transportation in advance, pay for everything, ensure she gets home safely and overall just make sure everything goes smoothly. Gentlemen might be thinking “yeah duh”, but remember you won’t own a car, most things aren’t searchable in English, and you won’t have any cultural context for where you are taking them. Just make sure a nice trip to the zoo isn’t actually a disturbing experience in animal cruelty or that the Christmas craft show isn’t two dirty stalls selling stale cookies (speaking from experience…).

Know Your Chinese Food:

One universal truth here is that Chinese people love food, get to know your (many) varieties of Chinese food and the good restaurants. If you pay attention to just one thing make it the food, a good meal is more likely to get you that second date than your lame first date small talk. After a date or two invite them over for an authentic western meal, good cooking game is like Jedi mind control, may the force be with you.

SEAL THE DEAL:

Avoid The Friend-Zone:

The dating ritual can go on for an awkwardly long time, if you’re not sure what’s going on, just ask or risk getting trapped in the friend zone forever. Put real effort into planning your dates, take them to different places, see new things, and try some stuff that gets you out of your comfort zone. Given your cultural differences, try to get a well-rounded understanding of your counterpart before committing because once it’s official you’re in it for the long haul.

Impress Her Family:

Sometimes the hardest part of dating is the family and China is no exception. Families tend to be very close and parents can have a lot of influence over their children, it is not uncommon for people who are very much in love to breakup over parental objections. To make this work you’re going to have to make an actual effort to win over the parents and extended family, this may include but is not limited to gifts, drinking baijiu (Chinese rice wine), singing KTV, and large meals with lots of strangers talking about stuff you’ve never heard of in a local dialect you don’t recognize while sitting there like a jackass not speaking and making forced laughs at jokes you don’t understand. Cheer up, it’s not that bad, most of the time you just need to sit there, smile, look good, get drunk, and eat lots of food.

Enjoy!

 

How to Date in China: Lessons Learned and Things to Know

Dating in China, simply put there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly. That’s right, it’s exactly like dating wherever you’re from, but as with all new cultures there are some tricks to learn. I’ve spent four years now performing very diligent field research and I hope the totally scientific results I present here will help you get more good, less bad, and avoid the ugly.

WHAT TO KNOW:

Loser Back Home (LBH):

First of all, be aware that some Chinese people are highly suspicious of dating foreigners and for good reason. The LBH’s (Loser Back Home) have made their rounds here for decades and nearly everyone has a story about a friend who was used for a weekend fling by some scum bag foreigner. Let’s get something straight, for the most part dating in China is serious business and women especially date with the specific goal of marriage in mind. So if you are that scum bag … at least chose a date who knows and is a willing participant in your game.

Is it Easy to Get Girls in China?

Next, despite what you may have heard, the glory days of waving your passport around and waiting for the ladies to swarm are long gone (assuming such days ever existed in the first place…). Your likely target is a middle-class, city raised, foreign educated (or working in a foreign enterprise) modern person who shares many common interests with your culture. These are successful, independent people with options, and believe it or not, landing a hot date will take more than just your foreign mug.

Do Chinese Girls Like English Teachers?

Finally, the fastest way to get rejected is by being an English teacher. The perception here is that young male English teachers are just playboys who couldn’t land actual jobs in their home country and have no real skills or future, basically the exact opposite of what everyone here cares about. I’m not debating whether this is true or not, but consider yourself warned and have a battle plan. Oh, and calling yourself a Teaching Consultant doesn’t count (really). Alternatively, don’t date your students or scrounge for partners in dives, people you meet in regular everyday life are much less likely to care about what you do.

What Do Chinese Girls Really Want?

As far as what people DO want, in general it’s not really different from anywhere else, love, happiness, etc, but there are some things you need to know. First, traditional Chinese society places a high value on one’s own home, a house is nearly always a precondition for marriage. Second, children take care of their parents in old age, that means old Chinese people living with you, forever. Lastly, nuclear families are the modus operandi, so expect a significant amount of grandparent intervention in the event of children. Read on to accept these terms and conditions.

FIND A DATE:

Avoid Online Prostitution:

Sooner or later everyone discovers the search functions in WeChat or Momo, the two largest Chinese social network Apps. At one point these functions may have had legitimate use, but now they’re the unofficial Chinese red light district. That being said, that particular service is illegal in China and as a foreigner you’re much more likely to end up with an empty wallet and a black eye than the night of your life with the goddess from the photo. So if that’s really your thing, there’s this place called Thailand…

Dating Apps in China:

Next are dating apps like Tinder, OK Cupid and an assortment of Chinese ones. You’ll find most of the profiles will explicitly warn against one night stands and playboys (also English teachers and tattoos). Do our culture a favor and respect their request, evidently they’ve had a bad experience so don’t compound it. Most people who use these apps have some basic English skills, but if you speak some Chinese you’re dating life will be much more interesting. On another note, if your counterpart is constantly pushing you to speak English then you’re being used as a free English service, maybe that’s okay with you, just an FYI.

Meeting Chinese Girls At Bars and Clubs:

Oh the casual pickup, uncomfortable, risky, occasionally shockingly rewarding. Your odds are probably the same as back home, but as a foreigner people will generally be friendly with you, unless of course you’re a creeper, in which case its better if you just don’t come to China. So find your “in”, and at the right time ask for their WeChat but don’t be too pushy. A free cultural lesson here: Chinese people notoriously avoid confrontation by speaking indirectly and making excuses, if you ask and they say they don’t have WeChat, don’t have their phone, phone is out of battery or any other super lame excuse, it really means “No you can’t have my WeChat, piss off”.

Getting Set-Up in China:

Most common but least applicable to you is family and friends. It is common for parents to play a highly active role in their children’s dating life, however unwelcome their “help” is. As for friends, if someone offers to help you find a date, realize it’s not weird and they probably already have someone in mind. Just ask to see a pic and let them know you’ll think about it. If they’re not your type, find an excuse to politely say no. If you say yes, just make sure they don’t take you to KTV where they’ll make you sing them English songs all night.

TAKE THEM OUT:

Planning Your Date:

Don’t think too hard here, dinner, coffee, movies, parks, shows, sports, anything you’re used to is pretty much game. The expectations for males are generally higher than in western culture, guys should research and suggest options, work out all transportation in advance, pay for everything, ensure she gets home safely and overall just make sure everything goes smoothly. Gentlemen might be thinking “yeah duh”, but remember you won’t own a car, most things aren’t searchable in English, and you won’t have any cultural context for where you are taking them. Just make sure a nice trip to the zoo isn’t actually a disturbing experience in animal cruelty or that the Christmas craft show isn’t two dirty stalls selling stale cookies (speaking from experience…).

Know Your Chinese Food:

One universal truth here is that Chinese people love food, get to know your (many) varieties of Chinese food and the good restaurants. If you pay attention to just one thing make it the food, a good meal is more likely to get you that second date than your lame first date small talk. After a date or two invite them over for an authentic western meal, good cooking game is like Jedi mind control, may the force be with you.

SEAL THE DEAL:

Avoid The Friend-Zone:

The dating ritual can go on for an awkwardly long time, if you’re not sure what’s going on, just ask or risk getting trapped in the friend zone forever. Put real effort into planning your dates, take them to different places, see new things, and try some stuff that gets you out of your comfort zone. Given your cultural differences, try to get a well-rounded understanding of your counterpart before committing because once it’s official you’re in it for the long haul.

Impress Her Family:

Sometimes the hardest part of dating is the family and China is no exception. Families tend to be very close and parents can have a lot of influence over their children, it is not uncommon for people who are very much in love to breakup over parental objections. To make this work you’re going to have to make an actual effort to win over the parents and extended family, this may include but is not limited to gifts, drinking baijiu (Chinese rice wine), singing KTV, and large meals with lots of strangers talking about stuff you’ve never heard of in a local dialect you don’t recognize while sitting there like a jackass not speaking and making forced laughs at jokes you don’t understand. Cheer up, it’s not that bad, most of the time you just need to sit there, smile, look good, get drunk, and eat lots of food.

Enjoy!

 

Italy: The Different Types of Gelato Flavors

If you’re really into ice cream, or specifically Gelato, then I guess this article is for you.  Although it seems a little obsessive to be researching ice cream prior to actually getting it, I guess I can’t judge since I’m the one writing this stuff.  So for you Gelato Aficionados out there, here is a list of all the wondrous flavors of Gelato that you can find in Italy. You should be able to find most of these flavors all over the country….from Rome to Venice to Florence to Cinqueterre.  My apologies if I missed one or if they’ve come up with new concoctions since this article has been published.

Ferrero Rocher
Amarena Vanilla Cherry
Reese’s Peanut Buttercup
Oreo
Ovetto Kinder (Kinder Surprise)
Spagnola
Tiramisu
Nutella
Stracciatella
Stracciatella Chocolate Chip
Fragola (Strawberry)
Cheese Cake
Cloccomenta (Choco Mint)
Puffo Smurf (Yes, it’s Smurf flavored ice cream!)
Lemon
Mango
Kinder Cereali (Kinder Country)
Pistachio
Yogurt
Banana
Crema al Whiskey (Whiskey Vanilla Cream)
Cloccolato al Latte (Semi Sweet Chocolate)
Vanilla
Caramello (Caramel)
Lampone (Raspberry)
Cioccolato Fondente (Dark Chocolate)
Fior di Latte (Milk)
Melon
Nocciola (Hazelnut)
Caffe (Coffee)
Ananas (Pineapple)
Frutti di Bosco (Forest Berries)
Cocco (Coconut)
Variegato Amarena (Black Cherry with Cream)
Whiskey Cream
Zabaione (Egg Flip)
Choco Lime
Crema (Cream)
Menta (Mint)
Cream Caramel
Bacio (Chocolate and Nuts)
Bailey’s Irish Cream
Yogurt Frutti di Bosco (Wild BerriesYogurt)
Soleada (Papaya and Passion Fruit)
Passion Fruit
Pesca (Peach)
Macedonia (Fruit Salad)
Fico (Fig)
Melone (Melon)

Whewww!….that should do it.  Those are the vast majority, if not all, of Gelato flavors that you will encounter in Italy.  Have fun, enjoy…and try not to get too fat during your trip to Italy.