The next day, we seriously got the full celebrity treatment. That morning, we went out for dim sum with nearly 40 of our relatives! My dad comes from a huge huge family, so my grandma invited a bunch of the elderly relatives to come out and join us for dim sum. It was really nice, actually, to be able to talk to them and hear stories about their childhoods, experiences traveling, and more.
It's always been strange to walk into a room and have everyone stare at you and scrutinize every part of your body...I've had to get used to it over the years though, and just accept it as it is. You basically smile, nod, and address them in the right way, and everybody's happy. This was a very heightened example of the situation since there were so many people; it was fun though, since everyone really just wanted to know everything about your American life.
We ate some high-quality dim sum that included sweet egg tarts, pig-shaped buns, and freshly boiled tea prepared by one of my relatives (who also happens to have the absolute cutest smile ever). During dim sum, I also was able to hear some great stories about my grandma as a little girl, and about how my distant uncle was able to learn English on his own, just by using an English radio program. After we had conversed with everybody and eaten our fill, we left and returned to the house.
In a few minutes, my dad's friend from high school and college came over and talked with my dad for a while. He works for GAC Engineering, a car company in Guangzhou, and brought us a model of an awesome car they were designing! He also brought his son with him, who is a college grad and is working in Guangzhou as well. After sitting for awhile, we headed back out for lunch with them (even though I was still full from breakfast). Ah, the symbolic, societal need to go out for meals can be both a blessing and a curse!
We went out to another restaurant for lunch, and ate some interesting things, like SNAKE, for starters! It tasted pretty good actually, once you ignore the whole creepy crawly thing. So we stuffed ourselves a second time (you can see how I gained so much weight on this trip) and chatted with my dad's friend and his son. His son and I actually had some really interesting conversations in English (his dad encouraged him, very strongly, so that he could get in some good practice). He chose "Boeing" as his English name, because he wanted a name that no one else had! So strange! Well, he certainly got what he wanted...it was cool to hear that he also watches House of Cards, Friends, and the Big Bang Theory. I love talking to people here that are around my age, so that I can understand their lifestyle better. We finished up, said goodbye, and then went home.
It's always been strange to walk into a room and have everyone stare at you and scrutinize every part of your body...I've had to get used to it over the years though, and just accept it as it is. You basically smile, nod, and address them in the right way, and everybody's happy. This was a very heightened example of the situation since there were so many people; it was fun though, since everyone really just wanted to know everything about your American life.
We ate some high-quality dim sum that included sweet egg tarts, pig-shaped buns, and freshly boiled tea prepared by one of my relatives (who also happens to have the absolute cutest smile ever). During dim sum, I also was able to hear some great stories about my grandma as a little girl, and about how my distant uncle was able to learn English on his own, just by using an English radio program. After we had conversed with everybody and eaten our fill, we left and returned to the house.
In a few minutes, my dad's friend from high school and college came over and talked with my dad for a while. He works for GAC Engineering, a car company in Guangzhou, and brought us a model of an awesome car they were designing! He also brought his son with him, who is a college grad and is working in Guangzhou as well. After sitting for awhile, we headed back out for lunch with them (even though I was still full from breakfast). Ah, the symbolic, societal need to go out for meals can be both a blessing and a curse!
We went out to another restaurant for lunch, and ate some interesting things, like SNAKE, for starters! It tasted pretty good actually, once you ignore the whole creepy crawly thing. So we stuffed ourselves a second time (you can see how I gained so much weight on this trip) and chatted with my dad's friend and his son. His son and I actually had some really interesting conversations in English (his dad encouraged him, very strongly, so that he could get in some good practice). He chose "Boeing" as his English name, because he wanted a name that no one else had! So strange! Well, he certainly got what he wanted...it was cool to hear that he also watches House of Cards, Friends, and the Big Bang Theory. I love talking to people here that are around my age, so that I can understand their lifestyle better. We finished up, said goodbye, and then went home.
That afternoon was one of relaxation! My dad had wanted to get a haircut here, since they're way cheaper and include a great massage, so I went with him and my aunt to a salon nearby. My aunt and I just got a shampoo and massage treatment, but it ended up being really great, because I was able to chat with all of the hairdressers! There were three who took turns with my head, and once each of them found out I was from America, they asked plenty of questions about my life there. Again, I loved being able to socialize with young people here! It's fascinating and very meaningful to learn more about our similarities and differences, in my opinion.
All of us walked out feeling like a million bucks...the massage was so relaxing, and my hair was now on point too! The three of our hair treatments only cost 90 yuan, which would be the price for one person in the States, for maybe one simple haircut. Good deal, right?
We went back home and I read my book in my room for a few hours for going out again for dinner (a marathon of eating, I know...) with an uncle and his family. We went to this really famous restaurant in Shunde that had won a lot of awards for it's cooking and dishes; when we walked into the restaurant, the biggest moon cake I've ever seen was on display. It was the size of a round table, and was one of hundreds of moon cakes around the lobby, which were for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.
We had another great meal in a private room, with lots of dishes that our uncle ordered and an enlightening conversation with my cousin. She's younger than me, going into high school soon, and we spent the whole night comparing our school and life schedules to see how different they were...and they were truly very different. I felt really guilty listening to her describe the endless hours of academic practice and work, without any opportunities for other hobbies or interests. You were a student, and that was that. She was so envious when I described my incredible experiences with sports, volunteer work, friends, and much more. I truly am a lucky girl...
We drove back shortly after 9 pm, having spent the night enjoying each other's company and stuffing ourselves once more with the never ending supply of amazing food. After a great stroll around the city, it was bedtime once more!
All of us walked out feeling like a million bucks...the massage was so relaxing, and my hair was now on point too! The three of our hair treatments only cost 90 yuan, which would be the price for one person in the States, for maybe one simple haircut. Good deal, right?
We went back home and I read my book in my room for a few hours for going out again for dinner (a marathon of eating, I know...) with an uncle and his family. We went to this really famous restaurant in Shunde that had won a lot of awards for it's cooking and dishes; when we walked into the restaurant, the biggest moon cake I've ever seen was on display. It was the size of a round table, and was one of hundreds of moon cakes around the lobby, which were for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.
We had another great meal in a private room, with lots of dishes that our uncle ordered and an enlightening conversation with my cousin. She's younger than me, going into high school soon, and we spent the whole night comparing our school and life schedules to see how different they were...and they were truly very different. I felt really guilty listening to her describe the endless hours of academic practice and work, without any opportunities for other hobbies or interests. You were a student, and that was that. She was so envious when I described my incredible experiences with sports, volunteer work, friends, and much more. I truly am a lucky girl...
We drove back shortly after 9 pm, having spent the night enjoying each other's company and stuffing ourselves once more with the never ending supply of amazing food. After a great stroll around the city, it was bedtime once more!
Dim sum dishes
The piggies!!!
Aaand more food pics. Lunch!
Snake fo' lunch
Our dinner destination! (feat. Jason)
The biggest moon cake ever made
Our private room...we so fancy!
You could watch the chefs at work! Stalker mode to the max
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