We got some great response to our question of where it was I ate lunch on Monday and I wanted to follow up with this video showing a version of the song that was sung to us at our table.

The answer to the question of where we ate and what the restaurant was famous for was provided first by Zheyang Du (Michael) of Lexington. “This restaurant is facing directly the Aquatic Park East Rd and is the flagship restaurant for a chain of restaurants. Translated, the name means: GO BELIEVE and they are famous for baozi (a steamed, filled bun or bread-like item). BTW, the English name of this 100-yr-old store could also be “Goubuli” (that’s the pinyin for the Chinese name).”

I was also told the name loosely translates into “dogs don’t care,” and I wondered about that. Michael provided one possible explanation:

About 150 years ago, a farmer in suburban Tianjin gave birth to a son at the age of 40 and they loved the baby so much that they named him “Doggy” (a cute Chinese nickname). When Doggy was 14 yrs old, he went to Tianjin to work in a Baozi store as an apprentice. He was very smart and worked very hard and learned from his master how to make very good baozi. Then he decided he wanted to fly solo and so he opened his own baozi store. He kept testing and finding new ways of making his baozi even more yummy. And he did. His baozi was so well-known that the people from as far as 50 miles away came just for a taste of his baozi. And……………his business was so busy and good that he didn’t even have time to welcome the incoming visitors. So customers spread the words “Hey, Doggy sells baozi and he doesn’t care about people.” Well, so in short, “Doggy don’t care!”

Thanks Michael – much appreciated!

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Didn’t sleep all that much on my final night in China – was up at about 2:30 a.m. local time and tossed and turned until about 4:30 or 5 when I went for a run. I know I’ll sleep on the plane, so I’m not too worried, and I was able to take in even more of the Chinese culture on my run. I wound up in another beautiful park that was hopping with action. People were playing badminton, tennis and doing exercises and poses to music. 

I’m staying at a brand new Marriott Northeast in Beijing (pictured on home page) and the place is gorgeous. I usually stay near the Forbidden Story when I’m in Beijing, but I enjoyed this hotel very much.

This was a great trip for me and it helped to re-establish that I’m now the head coach of Kentucky and it allowed us to share some of our philosophies with over 100 Chinese coaches from all levels. The time I was able to spend with Del Harris was such a treat. I admire and respect Del so much and he just adored here in China.

I was also able to begin putting the pieces together for our coaches exchange program and I met the former Team China player who will likely be with us in Lexington for most of the season as a visiting coach. We had great success at Memphis with two coaches who came and stayed on staff in each of the past two seasons. Great learning experience for everyone.

Well, almost time to take flight. I’ll get back with you when I land in the states. Make it a great Wednesday.

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Took these pictures at the Beijing airport – the biggest, most awe-inspiring airport I’ve ever been in. Just gargantuan. . .