Q & A Part 1

Hey! And were back!! I wanted to answer some questions that are likely on your mind (or maybe not..). Welcome to ISU Q & A Part 1.

Have you gone shopping yet? What is it like?
Well, of course I have! And I am totally in my element in bartering.We got familiarized with the silk market - which isnt really a silk market, the street just sounds like the word silk in Chinese. It has 5 levels of mini-stores, one after the other, full of clothes, shoes, and jewelry, and you can really get some bargains. Rule is to start out really low and set a max price for yourself. For instance, I bought a leather (yes, real) "Dolge & Gabbana" purse (note the spelling error, its not me :). I started at 80 RMB (about $10), she wanted 350 RMB. I said that she could definitely give me a deal, why barter with my price, etc etc and eventually I said that the lowest I'll go and that I will walk away at 100 RMB ($12). Sold. Voila.




















What's the food lke?
We all eat in a cafeteria-type setting where chinese and "American" dishes are served. Its okay but Im starting to get daring and just grabbing a small egg sandwich for breakfast at this small shack-like place on the way to class. Must be good if there are half-a-dozen students lined up for the same. We did have Peking Duck the other night, it was fantastic and weve dined at a Japanese place (for $3 or $4, its impossible to spend more than $20 on a meal here). We'll be venturing out a lot more in the coming weeks.






















Have you met any astronauts?
Two. Dr Jeff Hoffman is one of our lecturers here (he was on the mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and now teaches at MIT) and Leroy Chiao who was on the industry panel last week and owns a space tourism company. Next week is the astronaut panel so there will be several astronauts including the first Chinese Taikonaut available to meet and ask questions. The Canadian astronaut corps will be represented by Dr Bob Thirsk.
















What do you miss the most right now?
Cheese. An herbed goat cheese with a crisp Sauv Blanc. Or an Aged Gouda, or a creamy Blue. Yes, cheese. And a good internet connection.

If you have a question, send us a comment below!!