Doug and I are really beginning to fit in here. We’ve been told, separately, at various times from various people, that we look Chinese. For example, last night we had dinner with our friend Dennis’ parents. When I met his dad he rambled off something in Chinese and I just stared blankly (as usual) then looked to Dennis for help. Dennis started cracking up and said that his dad was asking if I was Chinese because I look Chinese. I guess my blank stare at the language was enough to explain that I, in fact, am not Chinese. I had a student ask me if my husband was Chinese the other day and I said “No, he’s not, did you want to see a picture of him?” and she said “No, I already saw the picture and he looked Chinese, that’s why I asked.” When we ask other Chinese people they agree. So, we either always looked Chinese, or we’re turning Chinese. Doug still looks like a little white boy to me, but hey, I’ve been wrong before.
After dinner with Dennis’ parents we went to a traditional tea house. We learned about the ancient Chinese tradition of tea making/drinking and the religious symbolism that goes along with it. It was very interesting. It wasn’t just boiling some water and throwing in a tea bag- it was an art form in itself, almost a ceremony. Every little detail must be done just right- even down to how the towel is folded to wipe off the bottom of the teapot. We were taught by a professional- who was so elegant to watch. Then everyone at the table got to have a chance to make and pour the tea trying to mimic every gesture of our teacher. It was a really fun evening! Turns out, I’m pretty good at pouring tea.
So this week is a holiday called Mid-Autumn Festival. I don’t know too much about the holiday, but I did learn an ancient folk tale about a girl that lives on the moon and that families get together and eat “moon cakes” (little dense round cakes with stuff inside like: egg yolk, fruit or nuts). It being a holiday, we have work off and we planned a little day trip with some students. We met up with Peter Pan and Dom (the students) in the morning and headed into town to the train station-which was completely packed. So we tried the bus station-same story. The whole country was instantly grid-locked. There are a lot of people in China and fighting a crowd here is not fun. We changed our plans and decided to spend the morning in Xiangtan. First stop:McDonald’s for breakfast! Nothing beats American breakfast, besides we needed a break from our bao zi.
Peter Pan and Dom are hilarious and fun to be around. We met up with two other girls and went to the park in the middle of town. It was actually quite nice. Below you will see a picture of some decrepit paddle boats. I thought they looked like something from a haunted theme park in an episode of Nickelodeon’s “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”. So, of course we had to try them out. Peter Pan, Dom, Doug and I rented one and paddled around the little lake area for an hour or so and had a great time. At one point, Peter Pan and Dom serenaded us. It almost felt like being on a gondola ride in Venice…but not really. We had a good time with them.
Well, we wish everyone at home a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Comments
11 responses to “We are Chi-a-nese, if you please.”
I guess we can celebrate happy potato harvest festival here in Idaho :)
I love your updates. I wish I could visit! And I can’t believe they think you two look anything like Chinese!!! I would never think that- especially Doug haha!
Miss you guys!
This is random but Im curious about the clothes shopping over there… Do you guys live by a mall and are all the styles about the same as us? And who are their singer pop stars? What kind of music is big over there? Im just curious and really bored at work- LOL- So I thought I would ask :)
Meredith- Yeah, we are getting the “I thought you were Chinese thing” more and more! Especially Doug! Isn’t that strange?
So the clothes shopping is much different than I had imagined. In Beijing we went to some huge markets where they sell all the cheap knock-off stuff. For example- I saw some Men’s Abercrombie shorts and I pointed them out to Doug because I liked them and he’s like “Yeah, too bad they say Abercrombleb and Fitoh!” Which is hilarious because there is a huge operation of counterfeit name-brand stuff, but 50% of the time it’s misspelled. Anyway, I had just assumed that’s how all shopping was here in China- cheap with lots of American brands. But, turns out that market was just mainly for tourists. So in our city there are like 5+ big malls and tons of stores all over the place. I was really excited at first, but it’s way expensive! Like more expensive than back home. Very disappointing. They have a lot of western styles, but lots of their stuff have a little Chinese flair to them that would look silly back home. I am planning on going to Zhu Zhou aka “The Clothes City” soon. It’s about 30 minutes away and apparently just a city of clothes- sold at wholesale prices. So, hope I have more luck there because I haven’t bought any clothes yet :( I’ll let you know how it goes. I wanted to get you a cute Gucci purse or something, but I may have missed my chance since we left Beijing.
And as far as the music- they are obsessed with Lady Gaga! Obsessed. It’s hilarious. They all love Backstreet Boys and NSync and Britney Spears etc. I try to explain that boy bands were popular like 12 years ago, but not anymore! Guess they don’t understand. They always are playing Jack Johnson when we go American restaurants. I don’t know too many Chinese pop stars besides Jay Chou. But I bet a lot of it you would like, I’ll find out the names of some artists and get some music for you.
Hope you and Chris are doing well!
oh, really? i totally thought your parents adopted you from China. i had no idea you were white!
love your adventures. you make me laugh regularly through your posts. looks like quite an amazing experience!
rhys just pooped on me, so i’m going to go now.
You bring up a good point Terri…maybe I really am Chinese! I’ve just been kidding myself my whole life. Haha. So for childrens clothes in China they all have slits up their bum. And when the kid needs to go–they just go. Even in winter gear the slits are in each article of clothing so there is a nice…open…channel, if you will. I’ve seen more than my fair share of little China bums. Guess diapers haven’t really caught on yet. Anyway, since Rhys managed to poop on you- maybe you should do away with diapers and invest in the slits. I’m willing to buy a whole wardrobe for you if you just give me the word.
i’m going to do it, aly! the diaper is off! and then I’m going to mail her to you and you can deal with all the squirty, runny, sticky poop. then you can mail her back when she needs to nurse. i wonder if she’d fit in an envelope…
so, they really go potty anywhere they are? they just squat and go? i wish i could do that. i get sick of having to walk into a bathroom and sit on a toilet. i’m adding slits to my pants too!
Yeah the kids go anywhere! Not cool. Not cute. Adults not so much, thankfully. They use squatters for the most part. You can certainly mail her on over, as long as you are aware of the uncertainty of the mail system. If you’re ok with her ending up in…india perhaps, then start stuffing that envelope! So, blogspot is blocked in China so I haven’t been able to keep up with your blog! Hope things are going well and I’ll have a lot to catch up on when I get home :)
I knew Doug never really fit into our family for a reson- Duh he is Chinese!!! That is so funny! We just got back from Utah- Brady ran the St. George Marathon. It was a crazy experience to say the least! But he finished and I am so proud of him!!! I love that one of your friends names is peter pan- Jack wants to know if captain hook is there too??? Well we love you guys and miss you! Mandy
We are Chi-a-neese if you please.
We are Chi-a-neese if you don’t please.
We are from the residence of Xiangtan.
Why don’t they believe we are A-mer-i-can?
WOW YOU HAVE SOME AWSOMEMEMORIES. I am linda’s friend. next time you go teach i want to go. you both look AMERICAN TO ME!!
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ALSO, DO THEY HAVE COOK BOOKS IN ENGLISH, THE FOOD LOOKS SOOO GOOD..EXEPT THE FROGS.
I haven’t been able to find any :( I want to watch the cooks prepare the food so I can learn how to make some of the dishes