China

The weekend before Thanksgiving I flew to Hong Kong to meet up with Laura and her boyfriend Matt and his family. (Background: Laura's boyfriend Matt's dad lives in China and they were visiting him) I was a little worried that I would be able to find them, but I waited at the one place I knew they would have to come to eventually, baggage claim. A few hours later (I was graded papers during the wait) Laura arrives. It is great to see her! We even did the movie scene where we ran towards each other. Classic.

After getting their bags we started out on the long process of going through HK immigration and then directly next China immigration. We were actually able to do it in the car. Drive-up immigration. It was a new experience for me.

Once past immigration, we made our way through China to Shenzhen. Where Matt's dad lives. His family was gracious enough to put me up for a few days.

The next day the girls set out for shopping and the boys went to the factory that Matt's dad owns.

Shopping was a unique and exhausting experience. Mainly because there was so much to see and everyone tried to get our attention and because Matt's stepmom was with and she is from China and she likes to negotiate. Everything was a process. I wanted a pearl ring, it was real pearl, they showed me their little scratch test. They wanted $12, with the help of Matt's step mom I talked them down to $5. After the ring, we set out to buy our fake designer hand bags. 4 hours later (not kidding) we each walk away with our new accessory.

Dining in China was also a new experience. Not because I was having authentic Chinese cuisine, but because I was washing my dishes at the table with the hot tea that they brought for us to drink. Matt and his family showed Laura and I how to wash our cups and chopsticks in the bowls they gave us. Interesting to say the least. But the food was great. I think my favorite was the smoked bamboo with ham. Yum.

Sadly, my trip to China was a short one and I would love to go back to see more someday. But it was an amazing experience to go and be guided through a city of 14 million people by the locals. I love locals. :)

The sign says, "no killer littering." Meant for the ice skating rink below.