Find my Photos of Sanya here!

My first full day in Sanya was productive. I studied for five hours (both at the hostel and at a cafe near the beach), made friends with two American guys currently teaching English in a city near Shanghai, then spent the evening drinking with them on the beach and walking around. 

The area around my hostel is much more "China" than where I lived in Beijing. Well, at least more of what I originally thought China was going to be before ever stepping foot on the mainland. Vendors everywhere, food being prepared on the street in conditions most Americans would call disgusting - or at least it appears that way. For 10 kuai I had a meal of noodles and lamb. It was clean, filling and utterly delicious. For less than $2 USD.

There is a huge Russian propulation here. Of course, most people are tourists. Many people see me and try to speak with me in Russian. 

The next day I woke up at 11:30 AM, had two breakfasts at the hostel and then went for a long run. The first run I've had since August! (The air in Beijing is prohibitively dirty). My goodness did it feel refreshing. I finished my run by jogging straight into the ocean for a short swim, and then fell asleep on the beach for an unknown number of hours. That was a great feeling - waking up not knowing what time it was but also not caring. Most "vacations" adults take are so limited in time that every moment needs to be defined, needs to have purpose. Not very relaxing!

After showeirng I studied for a few hours and then grabbed hotpot dinner. Went to bed before midnight so I could have a full day today.

My American friends Barron and Courtland plan to ride motorcycles into some mountain and camp overnight. What an adventure!