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E-mail to our Friends and Family 2/27/07

Chinese New Year... STILL!!!

Hello Everyone,

We’re home and our trip was to Hainan was good and interesting to say the least. The first day we got there we all walked out to the beach and saw people holding umbrellas in the water! Before the trip I had a terrible time finding sunscreen, and now I know why. The Chinese carry around umbrellas (which they do here as well but did not cross my mind that it would carry over to the beach) and even go swimming in the ocean with them, thus no need for sunscreen. Luckily it was a different story at the pool. We pretty much had the pool to ourselves until later in the day when the sun wasn’t as strong, than everyone came out. This is fine, it’s their pool too but with them came naked children running around (ages 2-7) with some urinating on the side of the pool! Sean just started laughing at these kids peeing and the parents smiling as if they were so proud of their son’s… well, let’s just say, private parts. After that swimming in the amazing pool just wasn’t the same. I just ordered another Mojito and told the kids to keep their mouth’s shut in the water. We’re home now and all are healthy so what the hell.

I also assumed (shouldn’t have done that) that since we were staying at a Marriott resort and Spa that we’d run into more Americans or at least the staff would speak more English. This did not happen. In fact although the resort was lovely, the Mojitos excellent, the nightly fireworks and shows the best we’ve ever seen, and the pool amazing, it was similar to living in Shanghai. One word of caution, watch out for Chinese people at the buffet line. I really hate to generalize but can’t stop myself on this one. They had no concept of forming a unified line at the egg station. It’s was a free for all, the first one that pushes the other one out of the way gets their undercooked scrambled eggs first. After the first day Sean and Sophie just waited at the table where it was safe, while Scott and I tried to tell the cooks we liked our scrambled eggs cooked. I think they finally got that on the last day.

Sophie of course was the center of attention for the nightly activities. There was a 3 person girl band from the Philippines singing 80’s and 90’s music that Sophie just fell in love with. We arrived at the hotel at 9:30 the first night. Sophie made a B-line to the band, while Scott was checking us in, and proceeded to dance by herself, the only person on the dance floor, until midnight. She had a blast and insisted on attending every night after that so she could hang out with her new friends. She requested the song “Walking on Sunshine” and they played it for her on most nights, and that’s when she would really cut loose! Luckily she only lasted until 10:00 or 10:30 but I think the band would have loved to sign her up. By the time we left she had taught the band her “moves” and they were doing them with her while singing. That girl has no confidence issues on the dance floor! Does anyone notice a pattern here? I think when she turns 13 I need to lock her in a closet until she’s 30!

Chinese New Year in Shanghai was loud and the red envelopes plentiful. There were lots of firecrackers during the day and fireworks at night (to scare away evil sprits) for the year. It’s interesting to note the differences in the New Year celebrations. At home everyone spends one night (New Year’s Eve), gets drunk then finds someone to kiss. Here it’s like a 2 week long holiday with gorgeous red and gold decorations everywhere, nightly shows, dragon dances, and a lot of very happy people with the emphasis placed on spending quality time with your family. I chalk that up to China having over 5000 years of traditions and culture. One more thing, unlike at home where 9 times out of 10 the front page is war and politics, here it’s all cute Chinese babies and real baby pigs dressed in formal Chinese apparel! Yes, babies everywhere for the Year of the Golden Pig. They are so cute (the babies, not the pigs) and the hospitals, due to lack of beds, put them all together in one big bed (the babies not the pigs). I’ve noticed since we’ve been here that although war and politics are mentioned I’ve never seen it on the front page, which explains why I enjoy reading the newspaper so much.

Five days without Ayi and Mr. Lin was a little challenging. The laundry did not get done because I couldn’t read the washing machine and I almost caught the kitchen on fire microwaving chicken nuggets for Sean and Sophie. Luckily this was easily fixed by closing the microwave door and opening a window. I’m good with the stove though, they loved their Macaroni and Cheese I brought from home and I had no problems boiling the water. Scott and I enjoyed a $5.00 small jar of Tostitos Salsa and organic chips. I’m glad Ayi is coming back today!

We visited the first Best Buy in China which is in Shanghai. It opened recently and of course made Scott’s entire week. He was literally “Walking on Sunshine” shall I say? Sean and Sophie had strict rules not to complain and were forced to stay as long as Scott wanted. Of course, he had to bribe them with McDonalds which was right next door. All in all, it was still amusing the lack of employees that spoke English, but, this is a good thing because it kept Scott’s spending to a minimum.

So starts another week. Sophie is so excited to get back to school and Sean is not.

I guess it’s time for me to start making some friends and get my hair cut and highlighted. I need to join the ex-pat groups. Two things I have put off for 7 weeks because the thought of both makes me cringe! I don’t know why my friends just can’t move out here so I can skip this part!

I’ve included pictures of our apartment, beach and check out Scott and the pig. This was taken in the produce/meat section of Carrefour, I think they eat these!! Gotta love it! Have a great week!

Jennifer

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E-mail to our Friends and Family 2/27/07