The pizza place, Giano's, is centrally located a few blocks from the main New Oriental School building and serves pretty decent food. Granted, since the ingredients are hard to find, the pizzas are a bit on the pricey side, but when you crave pepperoni, you need pepperoni. I haven't been since July 4th when the place was filled to the brim with homesick Americans, but Angie and Erin are regulars. They go once or twice a week and devour french fries, sandwiches and pizzas after class.
Mr. Mai's Coffeehouse and Language ClubThe real American place where I like to hang out is a coffeehouse and language club that is owned by an American Christian couple from Louisiana, David and Faith McNab (the "Mais"). They came to China on a church trip years ago and decided that they had made enough money from their successful careers as a stockbroker and a nurse that they wanted to give back. They had initially wanted to start a charity organization, but the government blocked it, so instead they started the coffeehouses where all profits go towards helping local children in hospitals. The locations each offer culture nights once a week and encourage patrons to mix and mingle to improve their language skills. Mostly it's foreigners helping locals with their English, but occasionally you hear the uncertain tones of Mandarin wafting from the tables.They serve everything from apple pie and cappuccinos to tacos and milk tea with free wireless internet bundled into the deal. Sure the prices are higher than other places around Wuhan, but you are also helping a kid pay his medical bills with your latte.
David and FaithWhen we're homesick, you'll find us at Giano's or Mr. Mai's, and sometimes at one for lunch and at the other for dinner!
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