This weekend was really great because we got to learn about the history and additional customs of China. First we visited Qiao's Garden where "Raising Red Lantern," was filmed. I didn't realize that China used to have arranged marriages and the husband didn't know who he was marrying until the veil was lifted, also Chinese men used to have multiple wives. The picture I have enclosed means double happiness in your marriage, I thought it was sweet. Also children were given different toys when they were 1 year old to determine their future occupations. We learned about the different days of the Chinese New Years, the first day is praying to the kitchen God to get good luck in your kitchen all year, I think I will start this tradition in my house. We saw a bank in Pingyao, a walled city, were they ingeniously created water marks on paper that served as receipts and created codes to withdrawal money. We also saw many handy crafts (dried gourds for playing music, wood combs, and lacquer jewelery boxes) and typical food (flat bread, sunflower seeds, walnuts, red dates, and a sweet nut bark).
Here are some other things that I think are extremely different here:
-Water and other beverages are served warm or at room temperature because it is easier for your body to digest.
-You must use chopsticks, some restaurants have knife and fork, but you have to ask for it.
-They like to put signs outside of buildings and in parks, I think it's for good luck.
-The language is very difficult because they use 4 different tones that go up, down, flat and v shape, so the same word can have 4 different meanings depending on the way it is pronounced.
-Always carry tissues with you if you are women because paper in toilets isn't always common, neither are western style toilets.
-Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are very similar, they mostly eat noodles, rice, and soup all hours of the day. You can't buy cheese that isn't processed at the grocery store. Also, wheat bread isn't available easily.
-Don't expect that what you order is going to match the picture, Filippo and I had bananas on our pizza a few days ago. :) I don't recommend this combination, especially with fish.
-Bars are not common, people go to dinner a lot, but not out for a drink typically.
-Badminton and ping pong are very popular, we rented a room and played for 2 hours, my wrist is still sore!
-Jogging isn't common, there are a few people that jog, but mostly people in the park are dancing, doing Tai Chi, or other group activities in the park.
-They don't sell t-shirts in the spring until it is warm, Filippo wanted a t-shirt and it has been impossible to find. Only long sleeved t-shirts are available.
-People are very friendly and will try to help no matter what, even if they don't understand any English. They also like to laugh a lot at us, I am not taking it personally! :)
