things we enjoy about living here

In adjusting to any new culture, there are always things you like and don't like about your new environment, but so far we've been fortunate enough to have a longer 'like' than 'dislike' list.  Below are a few things on our like list:
-we love the food here, it is inexpensive, and there is such variety in food, and restaurant choices

-lots of fresh fruits and vegetables with long seasons

-strawberries in the winter -- the picture above show glazed fruit on a stick.  It is kind of like a candy apple glaze.  And so yummy!

            

-excellent mild weather with lots of sunshine and blue skies almost everyday-- (so if you're lacking in vitamin D, you should come for a visit!) 

-we get lots of exercise because one of our main forms of transportation is on foot, and we live on the seventh floor with no elevators-- an excellent bun and thigh workout! 

-it is fairly safe-- safer than most cities in the US 

-the people here are very friendly and easy going 

-a large expatriate community with some wonderful friends who've helped us get around with our limited amount of language 

-we're really enjoying learning Mandarin and learning our way around the city

-at nights, especially on the weekends, there are people out everywhere 

        >Quick story--  We were walking to a friends house one evening and Josh said he felt like he was at a    carnival because there were street vendors selling food and trinkets, karaoke/musical performances, and people laughing and having a great time .  Right about the time he said that, a lady comes around the corner selling a huge bouquet of helium balloons shaped in all sorts of Asian like characters which added to the carnival-like feeling.