Yes I know what you mean Arnold... after spending a month with Anna it is going to be very hard leaving her at the airport. Also knowing that we will not be together again until we finish the visa process. But at least we know that eventually we shall be together.
Some things of note from being here in China...
After taking many taxi cabs now, I have come to the realization that the Chinese cab driver uses his horn in lew of a turn signal. Also the honking begins well in advance, with just the potential of something getting in front of the cab, and also continues well after there is no longer anything left to honk at! Hehehe...
When you make a purchase in a supermarket or small store you must bring your own bag to take home the goods or purchase new bags. You no longer get free bags due to a new law the Chinese government has passed to try and cut down on the amount of garbage generated. So existing bags are always saved.
Tonight to celebrate new year's eve, Anna and I took her good friend Annie Le out to dinner. Annie told us of a nice steak and coffee house that is well known for their fantastic dishes that are served in a combination of western and Chinese style. Annie was one of Anna's college roomates for four years of her English degree, and is still one of her best friends. She lives in the same city of Hefei. She has not spoken a word of English for the 10 years since her graduation but I found that with just a few minor mistakes she spoke very well. It was very nice to see how excited and happy Anna is when with one of her close friends. Another thing I have noticed is that when Chinese women are together who are very close they will often hold hands or link arms while sitting or walking and even touch foreheads together while in conversation. It is actually nice to see such affection expressed. I think this would probably be mistaken in the USA. The restaurant, called The City Garden Coffee House, was a large multilevel place full of atmosphere. We were seated at a comfortable table in a no smoking room which was nice. We ordered two of the house specialty dishes... Chicken with black pepper sause, and steak with black pepper sause. Dinner also came with a delicious tomato and potatoe soup and dinner rolls, plus a nice bowl of fruit salad. For desert we had a bowl of pineapple, tangerine, lemon and rice pudding. Followed by cups of Capicino. It was nice for a change to get a western after dinner drink. It was interesting to order a steak in China. The waiter asks what percentage you wish the meat cooked instead of the normal medium-well etc. So I tried a 70% and it was pretty much how I like it... pinkish on the inside and cooked on the outside. All this for three people for 150 rmb. This meal would have cost about 150 to 180 USD including tip in the USA. So we had a great time for $25. I found Annie to be intelligent, cute, warm, fun and full of laughter. We had hoped that we would be able to get together again after Anna and I return from Shanghai, but I was sad to find out that Annie will be going on a business trip and it looks like our schedules will not match before I have to leave China. But it was nice to make a new friend and we will plan on visiting her whenever Anna and I return to China in the future.
I am excited to have found a wireless signal here in Hefei that does not have a security password so for now I have internet access again! It is now less than an hour to midnight here in China, so Happy New Years to the Brotherhood! Talk to you again soon!
Big Dave