OH, CHINA

---

China is, in a word, amazing.
This morning, we went to the bank to exchange money and were then let loose in the local mega supermarket.
Among other things, we found $40 ceramic hotplates, 75 (c) beer, fresh lobes of squid hoods the size of porterhouse steaks, and more candy than you can shake a stick at (including HEAVENLY milk candy).
Afterward, we walked around a square and shopped a bit for touristy things and assorted knickknacks while being filmed by some weird guy who wouldn't stop following us American Beauty-style (kid you not, he was there for the better part of two hours), and then went to lunch.
Lunch was a two hour sit-down buffet of the best dim sum I, and most if not all of the group, have ever tasted, accompanied by the performance of a spectacularly trained Tea Master (who was probably no more then twenty-five). The whole meal was absolutely wonderful and truly tested our ability to eat everything put in front of us. However, when presented with what we started calling the "pork marshmallow," (a chunk of pork braised for two hours, coated in corn starch, and fried to light, crispy perfection) and other delicious things, it was harder Not to eat everything in front of us than to consume it all.
Having eaten, a few of us retired to the loo only to be met with, er, a fancy porcelain hole in the floor. It wasn't the worst thing that could have met us, but it certainly caused a bit of a stir. No worries, there will probably be a picture of that "toilet" at some point for you to laugh at.
After lunch, we went on a sort of tour of Chengdu city square, and then... more shopping! It was more an experience in getting around and making nice with the locals, but it also gave us a lot of photo ops. Because the Chinese? LOVE to have their picture taken with foreigners. LOVE IT. We got chatted up by a pair of kindergarten teachers (our guide played translator, thanks Bobbi!) and they took no less than twenty pictures with our group and, of course, the taller individuals.
Following that, we arrived back at the hotel. Some of our group went for massages (more on that later) and the rest waited their turn or, like Kate and I, went off in search of stuff.
It was then that Kate and I got lost on our way to rediscover the market and found PURSE MECCA. Surely, the locals don't call it that, but every girl in our group is pretty happy about the find. Who doesn't want a $4 Versace purse? A $1.50 faux Burberry wallet? A huge, lovely travel bag for SIX DOLLARS? Yeah, we do.
Anyhow, after shopping (and btw, it's legal to drink beer whilst walking the streets, and shopping and drinking together? Are splendorous) and the first two groups going for massages (again, more later), we went out for dinner. It was, well, spicy. Delicious, with the exception of the jet fuel (rice liquor), but awfully spicy for the most part.
Post dinner?
MASSAGES.
You know what a ninety minute massage costs in Chengdu? Fifty-eight yuan, otherwise known as a whopping ten dollars. The masseurs? Get about $1.50 per person, and I can tell you quite honestly that they deserve a hundred times more. I am sorry that they get paid so little, if I ran the business, they would get the whole ten and more, but I don't. I am a broke college kid who just got a marvelous one and a half hour massage for ten dollars, and I am SO going back later this week.
But it's 11:30 p.m. now, so before we head off to the tea farm tomorrow to harvest, cure, and pack our own tea, I'm going to get some rest.
Sleep tight, be back tomorrow!

---

Comments

[Tina Yager]

china
mommy would love Versace for her bd in july xo

[Kaity]

TEEHEE!
Sounds like you are having the most amazing time EVER. Purse Mecca sounds purely delightful and I can attest the the wonders of drinking and shopping, having been to a marvelous Christmas fair where wine was as abundant as the booths. :) I love you and miss you and I can't wait to read more!