Xinjiang Shiwang

Today, we planned a going away dinner at my favorite restaurant for Xinjiang food. It is a kind of Chinese food we cannot really find in the US, so I really wanted it again before leaving. However, when we arrived, we found it to be closed for the summer. I hate it when places close for the summer. 

It was too late to change to another location. So we just went to the Dongbei Place next door. My friends that came were Jack, Ava, Stephanie, Sally, her boyfriend, Joseph, his girlfriend and some little girl. In addition Meng's college friends came with their wives and kids. There was a total of 17 people. The bill came to 368. We had about 10 beers as well as two tables of food. That comes out to less than $3.25 per person. If we do some calculation of Meng's fancy dinner with his ex-girlfriend, we find it to be 34.40 per person.... That's the thing about China. It is possible to do things cheaply, and it is possible to do things that are really expensive. As Meng reminded me when he told me the Xinjiang place was closed, it isn't about the food but the people we are going to enjoy the meal with.... 

I really believe I will see all of these people again. It felt a lot less like goodbye and more like so long. I look forward to our paths crossing again. Now I must go to bed as I still have a long day of work tommorow.