Cultural Weirdness and Clothing Police!

It's really strange to be in a situation where you don't know any of the language or customs.

I've seen a business named "Chinese Caterpillar Fungus". Seen a man in a Santa Claus Hat and a full black beard digging through Trash cans, and professionally dressed men walk over to the bushes and take a leak.

Unfortunately, we haven't been able to experience as much of the local flavor as I would have liked. We wanted to try some more authentic chinese food, but with a 4 year old in the bunch, lots of our food has consisted of familiar american Icons, like McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Bugles, Pepsi, Coke, Snickers, etc. etc. You know, if you just point at something on a menu and smile a lot, they don't seem to mind taking your money. :) We will be going out with the rest of the families from the travel group later in the week to eat.

Pizza Hut seemed really upscale here. All the waiters in dress pants, shirt and tie, all the waitresses in Dress shirt, heels and skirts. It reminded me of the scenes of Taco Bell in the movie Demolition Man. To tell you the truth, the pizza was better here than in the states. But they did have some options that would be weird back home. Salmon Soup at Pizza Hut? Egg and Beef Burger at McDonalds? Logan thought it was funny that you could get a cup of corn instead of French Fries with your Value Meal. Oh, and for one more movie reference, It's not called a "Royale with Cheese"... The English version of the menu still said "Quarter Pounder with Cheese."

We had hoped to find some traditional Chinese clothes for Madelyn, but most everyone here is dressed in clothes that would look perfectly normal in any American city. However, I have seen a lot more 80's style big hair and Mullets among the teenagers than I ever expected.

It's like 70 degrees outside, feels really great, maybe a little bit brisk in the mornings. The Chinese think that us Americans are insane for going outside without coats on, and god forbid short sleeves. Every one of them is bundled up like I would be for 20 degree weather.

The little old ladies will come up to us and make sure we have the kids dressed warm enough. Feel logan's hand and face and make sure they aren't too cold. And one couple who had their daughter dressed with some bare leg, I think they got cussed out in Chinese. Luckily, we had been warned in advance about the "Clothing Police" and had Madelyn dressed up snug and warm.