its a good life and its mine : Now You Will Start To Make Your Own Story- Kung Fu Show

On Wednesday I rode a train for the first time, and it was great. Probably a good thing, since that's basically how people travel from city to city around here. Anyways, we had to meet up in the lobby of King Joy Hotel at 6, which wasn't too bad. I've become accustomed to waking up early again, so its not as painful as it used to be. (I am sure my family is laughing right now... at home I sleep in late if I don't have anything to do).

Anyways, we have to say goodbye to some very good friends, which was hard. Even though I only have known them for two weeks, you just bond when you travel to a foreign country. You do things together like eat weird foods, use squatters, get food poisoning, share food, get lost and talk about how well you bartered for something on the street. I got onto the train and I realize that I am the only person who speaks English in my bunk. There is a very nice Chinese boy who helps me put my luggage away, which is very nice because its embarrassing how heavy it all is. After that we realized that we didn't have a single thing to say to each other, so I settle in to read. And get stared out by the other 5 people in the bunk. Oh well. After a few hours, I wander next door to a bunk full of China Horizon people. We cram 12 or so people into the bunk meant for 6. It was fun and still roomy. We played 20 questions, Scum, and a random assortment of games. People trickled in and out of bunks, and no one really sat in their designated spot. People took your spot, and that was okay, at least for this train anyways.

So my liaison (from here out known as Ivy) picked me up from the bus on Wednesday night. It was a mad dash out of the parking lot, but I had no idea what the rush was for. They pushed me to the front, which I thought was weird. In our family, the oldest people sit in the front. Being the baby of the family, I am quite comfortable sitting in the back. But I quickly realized I would offend them if I didn't sit in the front. Ivy and her husband speak English very well, something I will be eternally grateful for. Ivy casually asked me if I was hungry, and I was operating on one bowl of insta noodles and lbs of candy ingested on the 8 hr train ride. I am so glad I said yes, because apparently they were planning on taking me to dinner. With her sister's family and another teacher from my school. All in all there was about 15 people at the table. They took me to the fanciest restaurant I have ever been to in my whole life. We are talking Davenport Hotel and nicer.
Small indications: beverages were served, along with a wet cloth and a special dish for the wet cloth. Our waitresses kept a constant patrol to make sure our drinks were filled and brought out special courses. I got watermelon!!! I was so excited about fresh fruit. Any ways, overall it was a very interesting experience. I sat there, trying every dish while everyone spoke in rapid fire Chinese. Periodically Ivy would translate or ask me a question, but I am quickly becoming used to not understanding what people are saying around me, just knowing that they are talking about me. And I am okay with it. I wasn't at first, but I am now.
Some random things from dinner:
- I ate fish from the Yangtze River (delicious), sea cucumber (NOT delicious), mutton, bacon, and this fishy soup noodle thing that Zhenjiang is famous for. Ivy did not believe me that I was stuffed. "You must eat more! You hardly eat anything!" Chinese people are always telling me to eat more Chinese food and get fat, its weird because I am already bigger then everyone...
- I received my Chinese name. I don't know how to spell it in Chinese, but it sounds just like my name. You just emphasize the "y" part.(Like MollE, kind of said in two syllables). Supposedly it means Jasmine, so I am okay with it.
-I have quickly discovered that finding cold drinkable water is not common here in China.( At my apt, I boil it hours before I actually want to drink anything so it has time to cool.) They served this hot orange juice, and later I got to try Walnut juice. I preferred the walnut juice, it was actually pretty tasty. You just have to watch out for the chunks.
- We had our own room for our dining party, fancy table, and then mounted on the wall was... a giant TV. It gets better. Playing on the TV was the Chinese equivalency to SpongeBob. And that played the whole time, while the three little boys at the table watched. They were so engrossed in the show that their mothers got the noodles are ready on this special spoon and shoved it into their mouth. It was similar to when I watch my sister Abby feeding her child who cannot feed themselves. It was baffling to watch.

After dinner I was exhausted. Then Ivy told me she was actually taking me to another hotel to stay for a few days because no one was at my school, and it is kind of far away from town. At first I thought "seriously? I just want to unpack, be in my own space, and get into a routine."( It turned into a huge blessing because the Wanda Plaza was a perfect place for our group to meet up, as it was fairly central and had excellent wifi and hot showers, my favorite part. ) Anyways, they took me to my room and made sure I had everything I need. Ivy tells me if I have any questions to just call her and then they leave. "You in room one eight one two! Boss man in one three one zero!" I walk down with them to see where the ATM is. Then I return up to my room, only to realize I have no idea how to open my door. Its an old fashioned key and lock, and takes a certain amount of pressure and jiggling and praying to get open. I couldn't get it open, so I start to panic, and then "boss man" (hotel maintenance guy) is coming back to replace the light bulb in front of my door, not doubt Ivy told him to do it. Anyways, he didn't speak any English, but could figure out I was struggling. Then he showed me what to do. I was so grateful, because I was about to lose it. Three minutes into being all alone in a foreign country and I couldn't even open my own door. Embarrassing.

Random moments of awesomeness in Beijing:
- Dancing at the summer palace with all the old people
-Listening to Chinese music on the way to the Kung Fu show (The Kung Fu Show was great, I really enjoyed it. The whole thing is a story, so there was lots of contemporary dancing mixed with this angry dude breaking things with his head. My favorite scene was when this boy and girl were dancing in the air, holding onto chords of fabric. It was absolutely beautiful. It doesn't get more legit then watching Kung Fu in Beijing, or anywhere in China for that matter.)
- Attending the international branch for church in Beijing, and overhearing some ladies in Relief Society "Yeah, I was thinking of going to Thailand in April, but if you are busy, don't worry because we can go another time." I want that life! Ha
-The Lama Temple. Its the largest Tibetan Monk temple outside of Tibet, and its a big deal to go. It was quiet, and China smelled good for once. It was great. People burn their incense, and kneel before all these different statues and offer their prayers. The second you left the parking lot, then you can hear and smell China again. On the way back we picked up Tibetan flags! So excited to put them up when I get back to the States.
- When Jinelle took a picture of some random dude peeing in a corner on Tien'amen Square in broad daylight.
- Mosh pit: Asia style at the Forbidden City
- Chair ice skating at the Summer Palace (this seriously needs to become a thing in the States, one of the most fun things I have done on this trip)
-Talking to Shelby and Kelsie about the "Chopstick Diet"
-Every time I get on a bus or taxi, there is an adrenaline rush. People cut you off, there are no blinkers- only horns. Or they flash their lights at night if they think you are going too slow. Taxis stop in mid traffic to get a potential customer. Two cars attempt to occupy one lane of traffic. And yet- through all of this- I have only seen one car hit another and it didn't even hurt anyone. I am now comfortable crossing the street, even with cars approaching in both directions. Yay me