Squatting and Surprises

I have tried the squatting toilets and you know what, our toilets in the States are so luxurious.  I can squat alright, but little did I know that all ages squat here.  The babies don't wear diapers and the inseam in their trousers is split open to allow free access go when necessary.  I have seen many a child just squatting on the side of the road.  A couple friends were eating dinner when a child relieved himself right on the floor.  The restaurant staff tried to fan away the mess, but the damage had been done.  I bet it was funny to see.  This is something that has surprised me the most.

Another surprising thing is that the ladies here dress up and wear these magnificent high heals when walking around at the tourist destinations.  I can't imagine how their feet feel based on my own sore feet.  They are brave individuals.


We went to the Great Wall yesterday.  The hike up to the wall was intense.  We gained almost 1,000 feet in elevation and followed staircase up the mountain until we made it.  I was so exhausted by the time we got to the top.  It was so worth it though.  The view was amazing and just being on it was impressive.  For how much effort it to me to climb the thing, I am can't imagine how much work it took to construct.

We ate at a Mongolian restaurant today and I went to an animal store with Rose, my Chinese classmate.  She has tadpoles turning into frogs and so we went on a hunt to find them an enclosure.  She ended up buying 2 fish to be their friends.  We also ate lunch together today in the Chinese student cafeteria.  This is a great status symbol because it was what my classmates eat and not the buffet prepared for the US students.  I had a great time hanging out with her.  Rose has given me several gifts including some tea from her home province.  I would like to get her something from the states and send it to her.  Let me know if you have any ideas that are unique to America and/or Colorado.

Miss everyone but am so busy with school and just being in China it is almost hard to stop for a minute and breathe.  I will post more regularly!