We're Home With Our Memories

Yes, we're home from China with our greatest souvenir ever and the world that we once knew is gone, to be replaced with sleepless nights, endless play times and learning to do tasks in short order while baby sleeps or is otherwise occupied.

China was a trip of a lifetime, and hopefully we won't have to make another one anytime soon. The weather was hot and humid, the schedules jam packed and exhausting and there were millions of people and vehicles ranging from cars to buses to bikes to motorcycles....all sharing the road at the same time.

We were given Chinese food for lunch and dinner EVERY day and this about put DH over the edge by day 7 or so. In fact, one night we had chosen not to go sightseeing with everyone else and decided to catch up with the group at dinner. Well, plans got mis-communicated, we ended up taking a "come to Jesus" taxi ride to the restaurant with a driver who spoke no English and drove like Batman coming out of the cave to an emergency in Gotham City. Leena enjoyed the daylights out of her first taxi ride, we were praying heavily that we'd (a) arrive at the right destination in one piece and (b) that we'd see our group again. At any rate, we did finally get to the restaurant only to find the meal consisted of a boiling cauldron in the middle of the table with two sides of hot oil. The one side was for hot/spicy foods and the other was for milder foods. The food that went in to the oil was Beef tongue, Pig Stomach, Goat Intestines.....DH didn't eat that night and vowed that "that is it." From that day on, Lee relied on small portions and room service or snacks.

Other points of interest in China were the toilets (a photo will be included in our slide show). There were "western toilets" and then there were the Chinese toilets. If you ever wonder why Chinese folks sit in a squatting position....now you know; they've got lots of practice visa-vie going to the bathroom. The toilets they use are flush with the floor, similar to a small bath tub. You squat and finish. Oh, and it's a good idea to carry toilet paper, too since that isn't a given for availability. DH had an emergency visit to the "squatter" while at the zoo and, needless to say, it's a memory he will carry with him for a lifetime!!!! Little did we know that when people told us to get in shape before going to China they meant for bathroom dexterity only!!! LOL!

In general, China was a lot cleaner than I'd expected, including the roads. Our hotels were pretty nice, with Bell Hops and door greeters and the whole lot. They even use human street sweepers who stand along the roadways with ostrich feather-type brooms sweeping away while three lanes of traffic zoom by. Talk about hazardous jobs!!! This does not take into account the one VERY FOWL aspect of Chinese culture that we were privy to: the spitting/lugy throwing! Yes, Kleenex isn't a big seller in China due to their option of just spitting their excrement's out in the street, ashtrays, toilets....anywhere. A hearty YUK to that!!! Thankfully Leena will not be taught that lesson!

Well, that's about all I can recount for right now. I'm about to go into another coughing fit due to my post-adoption trip-cold, so I'm afraid I must go drink some tea and sooth a tired and sore throat. Not to mention that little Leena is fighting her afternoon nap and hearing me will give her one more chance at bribery.

More to follow as time (and Leena) allow.