China Through Their Eyes

 Here's one last post about mom and dad's time with us in China, but this time, from their perspective.  Purple text means mom said it, green text is dad, and black text is me. 

What most surprised me about China?

How long it took to do everything (transportation, ticket-purchasing, shopping, climbing six flights of stairs to our apartment)

What I most liked about China?  Seeing my daughter, of course.  I also liked getting my hair washed, blow dried, and straightened for a few bucks.

Mom getting her hair washed, blow dried, and straightened for about $2.50USD at the hair salon around the corner from our apartment where I have gotten all of my haircuts over the past year.The guys here are super nice, and while they look young, they have a lot of experience.

How is China different than America?

China has so many more people, a lack of courtesy for waiting your turn (due to there being so many people--you have to push or cut in line to get a chance), US efficiency/organization of processes and tourism, cleaner in the US, cleaner air in the US, housing is all high-rise apartments in the city.

Squatty-potty (and really a pretty clean one)

Most difficult in China?

No toilet paper and dirty public bathrooms in China--Pollution--So many people--Crowded--The food--Transportation/travel--Not clean--Trashy streets--Visa card not accepted many places--Government-controlled-Internet--Being stared at because we were foreigners

A Chinese Wal-mart:  The name is familiar but nothing inside is!

Seeing Mallary and Chip with the people in China was amazing.  YOU DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB RELATING TO THE PEOPLE!  Tom and I loved being with you and seeing what your life is like in China.  Thank you for sharing China with us and helping us see the real China.  --Mom

I was pretty impressed by mom and dad's chopstick skills.

Tom’s Reflections:  This was mine and Lou Ann's third trip to China together. It has been the most challenging physically (we are older) AND the most rewarding mentally and spiritually. Mallary and Chip provided us with a real cultural experience – we had many – as she immersed us in the culture of NE China and their lives there. All of our time was spent in Jilin Province. We learned Chinese characters and tones and pinyin. We ate Chinese food in small restaurants and from street vendors…most were people Mallary knew…some were new adventures!  LA liked a chicken dish which contained small pieces of white chicken, carrots, and peanuts in a fairly sweet sauce. I liked the Three Treasures dish （地三鲜 di san xian) that is one of Mallary’s favorites – potatoes, onions, green peppers.  Chip ordered some meat dishes for us to try – no dog meat (狗肉 gou rou) – primarily pork in this province.  Despite the heat and humidity in the summer, the restaurants served a pot of hot water to drink.  (We wanted cold，bottled water!) People were friendly and stared at us foreigners (美国人 mei guo ren, American ) a lot! 

If they can stare at us, we figure we can take their pictures.  (We did ask this young girl for a photo and she agreed.)

“It’s a small world.”  In 24 hours you can take four plane flights and be on the other side of the world in a city of 7-8 million people… a place I had never heard of until one year before when our daughter Mallary and her husband Chip moved there to study Chinese. (I do excel in world geography and place names!)

It is a BIG world as well!  There are so many people, so many places, and so many things to do! In just one province of China, there is exploration enough for a lifetime. Building relationships with people – which grow out of our relationship with the Father – is a fulfilling, messy, and essential part of our lives. We met many people on this trip because Mallary meets people so easily, naturally, and lovingingly! (Who can resist that beautiful smile?!) We do not remember their Chinese names but their English names – Maria, Stella, Elizabeth, Stephen and faces stay with us.  And there were American friends – Gabe, Marty, Lauren, Shaunda, Jess, Mark, Dave, Jason, Stephen… Even the Elmores from Pine Bluff, AR! These people are good friends of Mallary and Chip in China with their organization. They scatter all over China both before and after language school.

 

1.    Surprises—China’s explosive growth and economy
2.    Like most—The Chinese people
3.    Different – The eastern mindset differs from the West—longer history and traditions
4.    Difficult—I like the old saying, “There are no foreign places – only the traveler is foreign.”  What appears difficult – food, language, customs – can be a great opportunity.  I like the challenge… 

Cute Chinese kiddos with split pants for easy bathroom stops

Dad (in orange below) practicing TaiChi with the old folks in our apartment complex.  Dad said they were happy he joined. Mom and I watched from the window and were very impressed with his skills. (I hope he won't be embarrassed that I posted these!)

A few more shots and thoughts from our week together. . .

These green beans were RIDICULOUSLY hot.  We all tried a bite and then drank water and ate rice and still couldn't get the heat off of our tongues.  Chip insisted on eating them, so as not to waste, until his face was red and his mouth was on fire and then he just gave up.

Mom and dad were really troopers when it came to the food.  While we have grown to enjoy many dishes, it was new and strange to them but they still gave everything a try.

拔丝地瓜 Candied sweet potatoes

Dad and mom with Chairman Mao

We attended a packed three self church (Chang Ping) where the worship and singing was vibrant, the teaching was sound, and the people were hungry and thirsty for truth.  This love and energy is impacting and reaching people in China. I sensed a real need for hope and joy and peace. We enjoyed this social interaction with their friends and acquaintances in China. 
We will think of them often and hold them in our thoughts.