China - Day 118, Monday

Wow, I can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post. I apologize for not keeping things up-to-date. I guess I have been a little busy! I will do a quick summary and try to keep it brief.


Two weeks ago I went with Daniel's Chinese class to the Shanghai Zoo. The students had to look at native animals, such as the Panda, Asian Tiger, etc. They also had to find a local person to interview. The children had to ask a few simple questions like "What is your name?" Daniel looked at me like I could actually help him!

Asian Monkey

These men were working in the zoo, building a new enclosure.
They are clearing the dirt away.
They have a burlap type bags and are filling it with dirt to haul it out.

I have mentioned the fact that many people do
not put diapers on babies and they put
them in pants with an opening. Here is
a picture with the babies butt exposed!

Daniel interviewed this man for his class

A group of Chinese Kindergartners at the zoo.

Last week I picked up two shirts and a jacket from the Coat Fabric Market. It is kind of fun having items made for you. You can change things you don't like and you know it will fit you. I love the jacket and the shirts.


We celebrated Thanksgiving, but not the same way we usually do at home. Randy had to work on Thursday. Many places (American places that is!) have Friday as the Thanksgiving holiday. Daniel had basketball on Friday, so we waited until Saturday to celebrate. Some places import turkeys once a year (they do not have turkeys here). Veronica's husband works for GE, and the company took them out to a place called Bubbas (a Texan BBQ place). There were quite a few restaurants that had turkey dinners, averaging around 650 RMB per person (around $105). I ordered a 12 pound turkey from Yasmines, an Australian butcher. It cost me 450 RMB ($70). It was a lot cheaper than going out though.


It is funny. Sometimes when I see the price of 100RMB ($15), I think, "Man that's expensive." It just sounds like a lot when you say 100 RMB! Other times, I don't do the calculation at all - like when I ordered the turkey. When I got home later and calculated the price I nearly had a heart attack! We will have to think about doing things a little different next year! Maybe we will cook a chicken - although here it is head and all - or a black chicken, those look wierd!

The weather has been unseasonably warm. It has been in the 70's. I love it. It will start cooling down later this week. I am told it will get down to around 6 C (42 F). Will need to take out the coats!