We went to visit the Summer Palace on Monday afternoon. It was the emperor's (empress's?) home to escape the city. I could be okay living in a home away from home on the water. The house was opulent like all the other buildings we've seen, but it was even better because it was on a giant lake. Someone said that the lake in the middle of the city blew Central Park away and it was true. We didn't see inside the palace, we just walked around the grounds and took a lovely boat ride. We were with the Chinese students again and we each took turns singing songs in our native language. Theirs were pretty and about being in a boat, so we sang "Row Your Boat" and then some other favorites including "Sweet Caroline."
I love casual cultural interactions like that-something as simple as singing to each other can be educational. I found a common bond with one of the girls in our love for the Backstreet Boys. At dinner I talked to two of the students, Amanda and the girl next to me-whose name I cannot recall right now, about life in China. I asked about the college party scene (they claim they don't), strict parents (apparently some were hit when young but their parents are pretty cool), homosexuality (they are accepting, but not everywhere) and other social issues. I am lucky to have friends in countries all over the world and I enjoy talking to them about their everyday life. These things are more relateable (is that a word?) to my life.
Here is a squat toilet. The same is self explanatory-a hole in the ground that requires one to squat. My calves are looking good. There is no toilet paper in the bathrooms. Invest in Kleenex as tourism in China increases. People keep saying so much has changed since the Olympics. I would have enjoyed seeing the before and after especially the toilets. There are some Western toilets but mostly not.
The novelty of being white has not yet worn off. I am still getting picture requests, which I am happy to accept.
Dinner was at a Shanghaiese restaurant. I'm surprised by a few things in China cuisine which I will discuss here.
1. There is a lot of corn. We always seem to have dishes with corn, there was the horrific aforementioned corn ice cream, and corn is sold on the street as a snack.
2. Cherry tomatoes are served as dessert. Tomatoes are a fruit I guess, but I never thought of them this way.
3. Contrary to Western belief, rice is NOT served with every meal. In fact, you have to ask for it, and it is served later on in the meal and not with the meal, vegetable, etc.
4. I am not surprised by this one, but merely pointing it out: All meals are served family style with a lazy susan. This way we all share dishes and try everything. This makes sense. I am going to start a round table movement in America.
5. Eggplant is more popular than I thought.
There are more, but I can't think of any now.
It was Joe's 20th birthday, so we all chipped in and got him a giant cake. I can't stress how big this cake was except for with a picture.
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