China 2nd Impressions

No, you did not miss the first impressions.  That will be a future post because first impressions mostly involved face masks and utter shock that anything can grow here.

But after that first week of jet lag and getting nothing done because of the Chinese National Day holiday, we had a spectacular clear day to go see the Forbidden City and this lovely little lake.

Despite my shock that anything can grow here, the produce is actually quite tasty.  And I don't just mean food prepared with Chinese flavors.  The raw stuff at the market SMELLS good, LOOKS good, TASTES good.  I had my first food mix-up at a restaurant near the embassy.  I ordered the grass-cross-box claw 苦瓜， instead of the grass-cabinet claw, 黄瓜，which turned out to be bitter melon instead of zuchini.  Everything else tastes better here, so maybe bad-tasting bitter melon would too.  But no.  I don't care how healthy it is supposed to be, it is not something I will ever eat again if I can help it.  The kung pao chicken, however, was tasty and there was plenty of it for both of us.

You've all heard that Chinese safety standards are lacking.  Here's an example.  The splash pad at the playground is just for looks.   The sign warns, "Do not enter the fountain area!"  The kids can probably handle the water pressure, but the electric shock would be a nasty surprise.

Now it is the weekend.  After two weeks of no internet, I think this picture is self-explanatory.  My friend posted almost the exact same picture after her move to Abu Dhabi: empty house, embassy furniture, kids lined up glued to electronics, animals interspersed, laptops on laps.  Winston explained that this is why they are called "laptops."

Tomorrow is Sunday, which means Dunkin' Donuts around the corner and then Monday will be back to work and school, scouts, Chinese and Bible Study.  Normal life, in other words.