Sunday, February 8, 2009

Everything we've learned all our lives is now useless

Our plane finally arrived in China, and we stepped off only to be corralled into the line labeled "Foreigners". So. We are officially out of our comfort zones! We spent the first two nights at a hotel and it was so fun to explore and get used to the city. Now we've moved into our apartments and are SO thankful for our accommodations while we are here - we were expecting pretty run-down basic housing, but our apartments turned out to be pretty nice! All of our needs have been met beyond our expectation, the L has provided for us more than abundantly.

I found my minivan's Chinese cousin!
There was a dog at this coffeeshop named mocha: it was fun to play with her because both Carley and I miss our dogs!

Learned Barbecue = THE BEST. So, it actually is "Mastered" Barbecue in Chinese, but translated it came out to Learned. Funny.


The last few days we've spent exploring, and we've started a list of lessons we have learned:

Lesson 1:
Everything we've learned all our lives is now useless (direct quote from Keeyon). We're joking a little bit, but in the sense of communication ability or ability to get around on our own,...yeah. we're working on it.

Lesson 2:
There's about a 50/50 chance of survival when crossing a busy street. You're best bet is closing your eyes and sprinting.

Lesson 3:
Honking by cars is more or less arbitrary.

Lesson 4:
Asian babies are the most beautiful babies in the world.
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6 comments:

  1. rocksandfeathersFebruary 8, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    Okay....so lesson 2 has me a little concerned -don't suppose there's any way you could just spend the entire time only on one side of the street? :)
    Glad you're enjoying this adventure and have good accommodations.
    Love you,~Diane/Mom
    PS- Asian babies are beautiful, but you were the most beautiful babies ever. :)

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  2. Kendra GustafsonFebruary 8, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    YAY!!!
    I'm sooo glad you included the pic at Learned BBQ. That place is amazing! We unfortunately didn't discover it's greatness until we only had a couple months left... so ENJOY! Haha.
    I can't wait until you get to go to the Tenderloin place, as we called it :). I'll give you directions one of these days!
    Love you!

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  3. rocksandfeathersFebruary 9, 2009 at 7:14 AM

    The new green coat is stylish! :)

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  4. ChristineFebruary 9, 2009 at 9:03 AM

    mmmmmmmmmmmmm BARBECUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ohhh man, my mouth is watering so bad.........our first time there, Brian mistranslated our order and he accidentally ordered a TON of chicken feet! gross.....but everything else is YUMM! When you guys get bikes put up some pics of those too!! Gosh, seeing you guys there is so encouraging and brings back a lotta good memories, im so excited for you!!!!!! keep strong! :)

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  5. kaleb_aFebruary 11, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    i do believe that you're sitting at the exact table that i sat at about a month and a half ago. i might give my right arm to have that bbq again. i demolished the rice rectangles and the lamb. that was good stuff, along w/ the street vendors right outside, that was just all around good food right there

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  6. rocksandfeathersFebruary 11, 2009 at 8:12 PM

    Luke,
    Have you been there too?!
    ~M

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