Can you see this?

Dear All with Tricky Internet Connections,

Can you read this? I can link to Blogger but not my own site.

Yesterday we also had another "What do you think that says" moment when we went to a fast food restaurant and did manage to order the only vegan dish but then after that were faced with a whole board menu of meat dishes for Claire (hey do you want a different and hilarious perspective on China -- Claire keeps a blog too and it is great) and I but no idea what they were. Luckily who should come along but a sweet nine year old whose English name is Bonnie. We asked her to order some things that she likes to eat so she ordered a small plate of cold roast beef and some pork dumplings. Bonnie's mom asked us if we liked what we had ordered and we reassured her that we really liked what Bonnie ordered. We talked to them for the rest of the meal and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Then we went and got some dessert by pointing.


You all must be wanting beautiful pictures by now -- and its true that it is very beautiful here like a misty Chinese painting complete with bamboo and blossoming spring flowers that cover bridges and distant mountains. The small children in layers of different bright fabrics and sweaters and arm bands and many feet layers are super cute (ke ai) although it seems to hard to move with all their layers and with their bright pink cheeks they smile bright. But, I think the culture shock is getting hard right now -- it is hard not to be able to communicate, it is hard to keep guessing at what is happening next, it is hard be to stared at all day -- and it has been a long time being a tourist. This weekend I can feel myself trying to find routine -- in laundry, in walking to certain known places, in daily conversation.

And I only know a limited number of verbs so "see" means read and see and understand and I don't know how to say many verbs.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Elaine