The Calabash

There are many small shops on Shamian Island. Some have been here since our first adoption in 1998. We visited only two shops today--that must be a record. Sherry's was our first stop. Her brother, Jerry, explained that the gov forced them to move in order to lease the old place to a large business. She's still online and we found Casi's chinese dress.

The other shop is where I purchase a Calabash in 2006, because the guy played so easily. Once home, I realized that the instructions weren't clear enough for me and all I could produce were Duck calls! Today I visited that same shop and told Sarah, the main clerk with good English, my story. I think it was a first because she laughed long and hard that I came back to China for lessons. She explained my delimma to the calibash expert and he offered to give me a lesson right then! With his pointing at the music, repositioning my fingers and drilling me on breathing techniques (all without using English) I was proudly able to play a duet of "Happy Birthday" with him. Of course, we drew a crowd; I hope sales were good in spite of my beginner technique. And it will be a long time before I can play as well as little QingChe.

While I took my flute lesson, Casi enjoyed playing with the shop's little birds. Their wings are clipped so they hop in and out of their cage and hop around exploring. Casi would lure them with greens. She has decided that we need a bird. That is in addition to the dog, kitty, bunny, and hamster she desires. She does not want an iguana.

Please pray

for the families of two fellow homeschool moms--Cindy Prentice and Lynda Quinones. These long time homeschool friends have gone to Heaven in the past few days. Their personalities and talents were different and I benefited greatly from them when we began hsing in 1991. Their testimonies were intact and strong to the end; by Scripture, their families know exactly where they are now, yet it's still very sad for those left behind.

What Do You Call a ________?

Russian = Ur Guo

German = Ge Guo

French = Fa Guo

England = En Guo

American = Ma Guo (may gwuh)

You've probably figured out that Guo means Country.

Today at Casi's Medical Exam, the nurse was trying to get her to find a hidden object in a puzzle picture (yes, part of the exam). First, one was telling her what to do, then two and then they began getting louder and finally almost yelling, like that would help her to understand. By that time I'm saying MA GUO. MA GUO to them. Finally one nurse said Huh?? and looked at Casi. The lull in the verbal "instructions" allowed my guide to explain She doesn't remember Chinese! All that time, Casi sat there with a grin on her face. Now, I'm wondering...

A Dark Day in Guangzhou

Early this morning, Casi and I flew to Guangzhou. We're in the Victory Hotel, which I've always enjoyed...until tonight. The peacocks...now I understand all the online complaints. These birds are LOUD. I've heard, for years, about the flock that roost on the nextdoor school. For a long while, I thought it was young children outside (we're on the 4th floor-I should have figure out something was odd). Then the noise grew louder and louder. Do they do this all night?? Guess I'll know by tomorrow a.m.

Today was not a good day. My local guide, as sweet as she is, is having difficulty communicating with me. Not a good thing on the day of the US Medical Exam. She told me that Casi needed shots. 3 shots??? And someone failed to tell me exactly how many RMB would be required for the appt/shots/and record. I came prepared with envelopes of USD and no time to do an exchange; had to hurry from airport to exam appt.

Poor Casi. The nurse giving the shots was brutal! She literally slammed the needle in each time. Casi came close to crying as did I! A big thunderstorm was occuring all afternoon. We quickly went back to our room to hide, play cards, order room service and hope that tomorrow is a better day. The guide has a consulate appointment on our behalf, so Casi and I are free to wonder around lovely Shamian Island, home of many nations' embassies.

Maybe the sun will come out, tomorrow.

Someone asked if they were examining her teeth....
Look closer.....The nurse is using an instrument to look inside her nose!

A Mother's Ordeal

While walking thru Yingze Park today, we saw a very young mother kneeling over her beautiful, sleeping, toddler girl. My first thought was that the baby was ill, so I asked my guide to talk with the mother. Simply, honestly, and with the sweetest face I've seen in a long time, the young woman answered No, she is healthy; I am begging so we can eat. She went on to explain that she is a farmer from the countryside, but it's been very dry and crops are bad. She came to the city for money. We gave money, the contact info of the church I visited Sunday and explained that they could help her in some way.

Her words and picture are enough for now.

Jia You!! Jia You!! on June 26

Jia You! Jia You! (pronounced jye-yoh) The crowds shouted over and over as they walked along in an unorganized parade. The Olympic Torch came to town today! and we were there! Sidewalk Tshirt and flag vendors appeared overnight. Sales were good. Flags were waving. Everyone was excited about the One China, One People. That's the local slogan for the Olympics and they plan to win big! Jia You is a phrase you'd use to gas up your car. So, roughly it means Let's get Going! or Let's Do our Best!

It's Sunday, Time for Church and a Walk

Online I found an index of churches in China. Just type in a city or province to find listings. Christian Church of Taiyuan City is about 15min from our hotel at No.98 Qiaotou Street (ph202-7557). We arrived during the music service to hear hundreds of voices singing To God Be the Glory. There were several more songs, some that I knew and a special from the choir. Then the congregation did a reading of scripture. It appeared that all the prayers were scripted because, in unison, the congregation would say Amen! at appropriate intervals. Today’s sermon was given by an 81year old preacher from Shanghai. His passion and stamina during his one hour sermon hid his age well. The text was from Psalm 34:9-22. I’d ask my guide What is he saying? occasionally, hoping to keep her attention on the message. Just as with the Beijing church I attended in April 2007, there was no Invitation given.

The crowd was so large and packed into a medium sized auditorium. I just had to know the number attending, so counted seats and rows. 27 across x 38 rows=1026 seats and more in the balcony which I couldn’t see. Leg room was like on airplanes, so they get more seating here for the space. The locals and I don’t have much leg length, so it’s probably a good design plan. Over one thousand people in church in Taiyuan on a Sunday morning. And this was the 10am service. They also have 7:30am Sunday and 10am Saturday services.

As with any large church, there was moving around, folks leaving, and some obviously not paying attention. Like the guy sitting next to us. He kept rubbing his arm. Finally the lady in front of him turned to politely ask (I’m guessing here) Is something wrong with your arm? No, he said (I heard this part) and continued to rub his arm. Some folks had to leave early and some came in late. It was raining and cool today, so the un-air conditioned auditorium was comfortable. I wonder how many are actually Saved? Is this a weekly social gathering for some as it is in many American churches?

We walked home and stopped at a sidewalk kitchen to buy JianBing (like a rolled thin tortilla, smeared with beaten egg, sprinkled with chopped green onion, chunky pickle relish and a secret sauce (salty and bit spicy). Fried, then folded over and over, cut in half and put in paper sleeve to eat as you walk. Casi said she did not like it. The pickles added an unexpected burst with each bite. Cost was 7y (about $1

Sidewalk pet stores were abundant and Casi begged at each display to bring home: 1st, a baby duck, 2nd, a puppy or a kitten, 3rd, a hamster, or rabbit, or giant turtle. And there were birds. Thank goodness for Airline rules! And I didn’t stay to ask prices!

She brightened when we passed Yingze Park and found the cotton candy man. As my guide told me, this is not the same taste as our cc back home. The sugar is different, sort of tasted like brown sugar although the sugar he used was white. Just 2y (about 25c) for a stick.

Calling card and stamp collector sidewalk sales were in full swing today as well as a giant flea market. Looked just like what you’d see back home except for the chops, antique Chinese carved furniture and Chinese bird cages. There were even beautiful giant, truck size stones for sale. Maybe tomorrow we’ll visit here if it’s open.

We had dirty clothes to drop off at a local laundry, which is also the young couple’s home. 90y (~$11) for 22 pieces . They will deliver everything to our hotel tomorrow afternoon. Each piece will be clean, pressed and individually packed inside a plastic bag.