Christmas gifts come in all shapes and sizes; this year's gift was no exception. My family's trip to China is definitely the best gift I've ever received. Putting their trip into words wouldn't do it justice. Instead, here are a few pictures.
Pre-Departure Picture
Reunited!
Christmas Eve at the CWEF Office
Green Lake Park
Dev with some Chinese friends on the street. They loved her blond hair and kept following us.
Grrrr! Dad with the lions outside of a bank. Chinese banks often have a statue of a lion on both sides of the entrance. The lion on the left side has a closed mouth, welcoming customers into the business. The lion on the right side has an open mouth and looks like it is roaring, which scares off bad luck and ensures that one's investments will be safeguarded. We decided Dad is the roaring lion at State Bank : )
Having the best time EVER at karaoke! Chinese karaoke is great because you have your own private room. You only sing in front of your friends, and you get to choose all of the songs. I'm so terrible, I think my karaoke career should begin and end in China. Don't expect me to show my skills off when I get home : )
Trip to Beijing
Beijing Olympics 2008: The Bird's Nest
Frustrated!
Let me explain: In Beijing, like in much of China, you must barter when buying something. I often bargain in Kunming when I'm buying flowers, clothes, at the market, etc. However, there are often times when I don't bargain. Well Beijing was a whole new bargaining ballgame. Storeowners assume that foreigners don't how much something should cost, so they mark up the prices. As a result, foreigners unknowingly overpay for many things. I found myself bargaining at a convenience store for Ramen Noodles and a bottle of Diet Coke. Isn't that outrageous? A guy originally charged me $2 for a package of ramen - I was like, absolutely not!
Of course, I've never been as frustrated as I was when this picture was taken. The man above was selling roasted sweet potatoes. (They're delicious!) I walked up to the cart and told him that I wanted four. He handed them to me, and I asked him in Chinese how much I owed him. He told me they were 5 yuan a piece. I thought that was a bit pricey, but I wasn't certain what the actual price should be. As I was digging for my money, a Chinese lady walked up. She asked him in Chinese how much the sweet potatoes cost. Not knowing I could understand him, he told her that they were 3 yuan a piece! I was like, "Oh no he didn't try to take advantage of me because I'm a foreigner!" I looked at him and said in Chinese, "You told me they were 5 yuan; you told her they were 3 yuan. I don't want your sweet potatoes anymore! You are no good!" I made my sisters put the potatoes back on the cart in protest. He looked at me and apologized again and again, obviously taken back by the fact that he was caught red-handed trying to overcharge us. I glared at him and pouted for a few seconds, then gave him 12 yuan for the four sweet potatoes. Well as frustrated as I was, my family sat in amusement as they watched it all unfold.
Group hug!
Sisterly Love
TL! : )
