Staff Beach Retreat - Xichong
Well, we've returned from the beach and it's back to reality...at least for the next three days (gotta love long week-ends). At this point September is shaping up to be a delightful month that is going to fly on account of this past beach weekend, the long week-end coming up and then we have the October Holiday that will put an end to September all together.
This past weekend could not have been a more perfect week-end, it was exactly what we all needed! It was such a treat to get out of the city, away from work and relax. It was a week-end spent in a beautiful place (Xichong Beach), in lovely wooden cabins only a two hour drive away from home. We spent our time away relaxing, laughing, dancing, eating delicious food cooked over a fire, laying on the beach and lounging in the sea; I know, life is difficult for us here at ISNS...
Our weekend truly began at 5:00 on Friday as our buses pulled out of the school gates to the sounds of 'Wake Me Up' and bottles being popped (Kathryn and I shared a bottle of red to begin the journey to paradise). We arrived at the beach roughly 2 hours after our departure and only had to stop once for everyone to relieve themselves (bathrooms on the road never cease to amaze me...gross).
After getting our keys we set off in search of our cabins; we four girls (Patricia, Krista, Jordan and I) truly lucked out and got a private cabin that only had one neighbor (Michael, Emma and Josh). It even had a little terrace where we could leave our clothes to dry. After some celebratory drinks and a little dance party we all made our way down to gather with everyone and enjoy a huge pot-luck.
With full bellies we set up the canopies, lights and music system up on the beach and thus began our first evening on the beach. We shared a bucket of sangria (delicious) and danced the night away under the stars. Jordan and I even tried to go for a nice swim but after a few failed attempts we gave up and went to bed; apparently the beach cops don't support evening dips like we do...
Saturday: Beach Day #1
Saturday was a very difficult day...we woke up to the sun, screened up and hit the beach (I told you...difficult). It was our cabin's duty to help Thomas with lunch so we headed to the fire pit around 11:30 and began to chop, grate and mix. In the end we created what turned into a delicious feast of pasta salad (perhaps the largest pasta salad I have ever seen) and melt-in-your-mouth pork tenderloins. Following our feast we all hit the beach to relax and sun ourselves. It reached a point when laying in the sun and reading was simply too hot so the ocean kept us 'cool' for most of the afternoon while others played vball or soccer (silly..haha). It was a dinner feast of hamburgers, salad and hummus that brought us out of the ocean and around the fire pits at around 6. There we were entertained by groups Chinese people enjoying their Saturday night in their own special ways; one group was rattled and a shirt was thrown into a fire for example. Following dinner we gathered on the beach (those of us that could keep our eyes open after such a long sunny day in the heat) for some music. A few teachers brought along their guitars and egg shakers and we played and sang our way into the wee hours of the morning; I was in my happy place! It was the perfect way to end such a lovely day!
Sunday: Beach Day #2
Well, Sunday was just as difficult as Saturday: I had had a wonderful sleep and was screened up and ready to hit the beach with the girls around 9:30. We couldn't believe how hot it was and definitely got more sun on Sunday than we had on Saturday. Due to the heat the ocean really did get our full attention. We left the sweet feeling of the water only for food, drink and an occasional short walk. By the time Claud's famous paella (a delicious Spanish rice dish) was served we were all very ready to eat and take a break from the suns rays. It was after lunch that we slowly began to pack-up, shower and mentally prepare to head home and our bus pulled out of the lot at around 3. Thanks to a good nap we got home in no time!
Of course we couldn't simply end such a wonderful week-end with a bus ride and a 'see you at work tomorrow'... so instead we ordered Bombay (the most delicious Indian food around) and piled into Patrick's Green Room, cozied up and watched The Heat. The perfect end to the perfect weekend :)
Life is Good!
With full bellies we set up the canopies, lights and music system up on the beach and thus began our first evening on the beach. We shared a bucket of sangria (delicious) and danced the night away under the stars. Jordan and I even tried to go for a nice swim but after a few failed attempts we gave up and went to bed; apparently the beach cops don't support evening dips like we do...
Saturday was a very difficult day...we woke up to the sun, screened up and hit the beach (I told you...difficult). It was our cabin's duty to help Thomas with lunch so we headed to the fire pit around 11:30 and began to chop, grate and mix. In the end we created what turned into a delicious feast of pasta salad (perhaps the largest pasta salad I have ever seen) and melt-in-your-mouth pork tenderloins. Following our feast we all hit the beach to relax and sun ourselves. It reached a point when laying in the sun and reading was simply too hot so the ocean kept us 'cool' for most of the afternoon while others played vball or soccer (silly..haha). It was a dinner feast of hamburgers, salad and hummus that brought us out of the ocean and around the fire pits at around 6. There we were entertained by groups Chinese people enjoying their Saturday night in their own special ways; one group was rattled and a shirt was thrown into a fire for example. Following dinner we gathered on the beach (those of us that could keep our eyes open after such a long sunny day in the heat) for some music. A few teachers brought along their guitars and egg shakers and we played and sang our way into the wee hours of the morning; I was in my happy place! It was the perfect way to end such a lovely day! 
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