Monday, August 20, 2007

Janneke loves Chinese people

The last few days have been filled with awesome hang-out times with amazing people. Ok...so I cannot communicate with them all directly but there always seems to be someone around who can 'translate' or at least make sense of what I am saying. Yesterday I was told that students who were supposed to be in my summer class last year were waiting for me at the school gate because they wanted to meet me. We ended up having an awesome time together (walked up the mountain right during the hottest part of the day...bad idea)... I might even get to teach some of them in my classes this year!
Last night I met up with Teresa again and her friend Candy (I had already met Candy last year at summer camp). I LOVE hanging out with those girls and I am very excited that both will stay here all winter long! Half way through the night their friend walked by and sat with us...he did not have an English name yet so we had a little naming ceremony for him...so fun!

Today I met Ruth and Ted in town and they invited me over for dinner at her place...so a bunch of us (Brianna, Sky, Donald etc.) ended up going out to her home to have supper and hang out. It is great to share a meal with these people...amazing cooks!

I am trying to remember everything that happened these last few days but it's been too much! I am definitely not lonely (yet??) and I am loving just getting to know the Chinese culture, the amazing people, and the food.

There are frustrating times...like when I am craving a certain food and I just don't know how/where to find it. Normally I just go to random restaurants to check out what food looks good...then I point at the food and they pack it up for me...then I smile...and then I give them 50 Yuan and wait to see how much I get back to find out how much the food actually cost and then I say "xie xie" (thank you) and HOPE that I will not get sick (sounds bad...but here you just never know...). I have found some favorites: for breakfast I love doughnuts/(fried bread) dipped in warm soymilk, I still love shrimp chips, I love fried rice (especially the kind I can get down by the river)...it's all just so good! I really am having a good time these day (even though I do miss you back home!!). I will cherish these days...next week most of the people I will have spent these last 2 weeks with will be off at university!

2 comments:

MaCo said...

Janneke, what does it mean that you guys always make a v sign with your fingers in these pictures?
I love your stories!

Anonymous said...

Janneke, Think of you often. Glad to read you had a good trip. Keep the pictures and stories coming.

Trudy