I am having a Big Bad China Day.

This happens about twice a month or so…no it is not hormonal. It is just when you are over stimulated by all that is CHINA. For the past several weeks Diane and I have been attending Jing’s exercise classes three days a week. We leave our compound at 745am and travel to Dong Jo (sic) which is another compound at the base of Purple Mountain. This is where Jing lives and she holds classes at the clubhouse. The exercise class is a whole other series of rants which I will add another day. We usually are finished around 1030, at which time, Diane and I normally set out around town to see what we can see.
One day may be bead hunting; Diane is great at making jewelry. Another was to the frame shop to get some oil paintings framed. Chaotian Gong is one of my favorite stops which is the antique market. Usually we have lunch somewhere and this past week, as we are both sick to death of “shopping”, we get foot massages one day and hair treatments another, mani/pedi’s, etc.
Most of these are fun and quite indulgent but the one thing that I cannot escape from is ALL the CHINESE. You have to communicate with the staff at all these establishments and well, my Chinese level is somewhat around the development age of a 2 year old. Diane who has lived here for over 4 years is much more verbal and able to deal with more situations then I but even she is overwhelmed with the interactions.
Today I decided as it was a non-Ayi (housekeeper) day and a non workout day. It was going to be a complete non-Chinese day. This means that I was not going to leave my house, I was going to eat western foods, watch western TV and if at all possible connect to the Internet without any Chinese Government Blocks.
I was successful minus the Internet. Now I am rejuvenated and ready to take on tomorrow. Class starts at 830am, lunch and then maybe Tao Tao Chian.

Not a picture I took but was taken in Nanjing. This is a poultry market.

If you feel so inclined this is how you purchase your dinner.

Yeah, I will take the fuzzy one in the back...thanks.

No not that one...the other one...no not that one...the other on...screw it...yeah, that one.