Motorcycle

We joined the biker crowd in October. Who would have thought that this would have been our mode of transportation in China! Many of the locals and quite a few of the teaching staff have bikes, which really opens up your world. We have seen so much already that we never would have been able to on foot or by train. It is quite the sight for see us on the road - white haired Rick driving along with Gail gazing around taking pictures on the back. Too funny!

The latest trip to the market was the best - it was freezing cold this morning and very windy. We have only peanut butter and a couple of onions in the fridge. So we have to go the market and have decided that being really cold for a short time on the bike is better than being really cold for a long time walking. Rick has his helmet on to keep the wind from his face. Gail is on the back - ski jact, neck warmer, hood up, scarf around it all, big mitts on. Groceries bulging out of the back pack, gingerly holding a huge red shopping bag in one hand so as to keep the dozen eggs in a plastic bag safely balanced and unbroken. Second bag is bulging with the rest of the groceries on Rick's lap. Oh did we want a car with a trunk to load up! I guess we could take a taxi next time, but what's the fun in that??

Life here is speeding along- the days and weeks seem to fly by. Could be that darn age thing as well. We are looking forward to seeing Harbin at New Years for a 3 day weekend. The Ice Festival is not on until the middle of the month, but everything will be set up so it should be spectacular (but cold).

Work is going well for both of us and we are getting settled into our apartment. We bought curtains for our glass kitchen today. That was a major decorating feat for us. It is kind of bare in here, but you realize how little you need. A potato masher would be nice though. Rick tried to do mashed potatoes a while ago. The bottom of a glass didn't quite get the lumps out! Most of the things you really would like are available somewhere, you just have to keep looking. We saw chocolate brownie mix today - but don't have pans to cook it in. Hmmm that will be another excursion.

that's all for now!

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