When the tell you not to drink the water, listen to them.

I just realized that I have been in China for a month... it doesn't feel like it. Also, I am officially back in Hohhot, where I will remain until I return to America in November.

I made a rather stupid decision a few days ago, I drank the water out of the tap.

I was feeling a little thirsty and it was late. I thought, "What the heck?" I filled my bottle with cold water, took a few swigs, and went to sleep. The next morning I looked at the bottle in the sunlight and saw yellow sediment that had collected on the bottom the night before. Suffice it to say that I am feeling ill. My intestines are making sounds that would fit nicely into an Alien remake. So when the nice people on the internet, and your mother, tell you not to drink the water, listen to them. Because the alternative is less than pleasant.

In other news I went to find a book store that sells English books and found it. It is my dream that they know me by name and select recommendations for me, but I think that is a stretch. It's a kilometer from my school, a nice walk, and I've bought the first two books of a Sherlock Holmes series. It's nice to be reading; I burned through all the books that I brought with me. The store is in this little market that I would've walked by a million times if Caroline was not with me. It was a lot of fun; you can buy anything there, even pets. Albeit the conditions of the pet stores would make the ASPCA queasy.

Also, I'm trying to take Matouqin lessons on the side.

1) because how awesome would it be to say that I learned how to play in Inner Mongolia.
2) Because if I don't find something to help de-stress me I'm going to go out of my mind.

My friend Jessi is trying to help me find a teacher and an instrument to rent because, though I have the money, I shudder at the thought of parting with 1600 kuai (~$250) for a hobby (although it seems unlikely that I will find one for rent).

But, things are going well, except for the strange sci-fi sounds emanating from my stomach. Happy Father's Day!

-Kaye

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Part of trip: The Great Chinese Internship

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