Lessons learned in China #10

There's nothing like some sweet and sour pork with sprinkles on top.   Mmm...

Lessons learned in China #9

You can buy yogurt from a vending machine!  :)

Lessons learned in China #8

You never know who you will meet and when.

It may be dark and you may be in the woods on a path hiking towards your hostel but unsure of which path to take when the most nimble old man appears and guides you to the road and helps you find a taxi.

You may on a train with a sick friend when you meet a women with a baby who speaks very good English and is willing to do anything she can to help you.  And when it's 2AM and you don't speak the langauge and your friend probably has food poisoning, knowing that you can "dial a translator" means a lot to you.  It is even more incredible when you find out that she is also a Sister.  And you are reminded once again that there is One who helps us so much, sometimes in little ways, sometimes in big ways, and his power has no limits or borders.    

Lessons learned in China #7

A guide book, despite being large and cumbersome, can be very useful in certain settings. Say for example that you are on a 12 hour train ride.  It's 2AM and you still have about six hours left and your friend has been rushing for the bathroom every half hour for the past 5 hours.  If you have a guide book, you find an available hostel at the next stop.  But calling ahead and letting them know that you are coming is only possible because of lesson #8....

Lessons learned in China #6

This is pretty accurate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wjZ_QcGlk4

I am trying to learn a little bit of Chinese.  Most of what I can say, can be more easily gestured (left! right! I want this one!), but I can ask someone where they are from.  I can also say that my friend is very sick and throwing up. This was surprising useful on one unfortunate train ride, which brings me to lesson learned #7....

Lessons learned in China #5

I guess those yellow lines are "more like guidelines."

Lessons learned in China #4

Chinese food is delicious.  Even "black fungus" and tofu!

Black Fungus (bottom right), also a favorite, though
the texture does take some getting used to.

 Green tea cakes (top right) - one of my favorites.  :)

Lessons learned in China #3

Cooking with friends is great!

Huang Shan and I cook together about once or twice a month.

A XiaoBaiCai inspired dish on the bottom
and a dish with potato, carrot, green pepper and pork.  

My favorite dish to cook is probably Xiao Bai Cai, which is a type of small Chinese cabbage.  We often make it with mushrooms.  This time is was sort of a soup.

Purple sweet potato and corn.  :)

Lessons learned in China #2

Always, always, always, check the peas before you eat them.

Good

Not so good. Yuck.