Toasts and Smiles

The MouTai town that produces China’s most luxurious liquor smelled of soy sauce when we got off the bus.  We proceeded to drink several shots at lunch then toured an empty packaging plant.  That was strange.  Then we met with the corporate counsel and president of the MouTai company for a question and answer session.  We learned about how they make MouTai with the specific water only found in that region and they age the liquor almost 20 years.  It is compared to fine brandy.  At night, all the company officers came to each table to toast our visit.  By then end of the night, we had crushed more than 20 bottles of $300 MouTai and every person was sufficiently wasted.  The amazing thing is however, even though we compared the taste to rocket fuel, not one person was hung over in the morning.  The single best attribute of expensive liquor.

Negotiation class this week has been the least of my interests.  We visited a park with monkeys roaming freely.  That was somewhat nerve wrecking because monkeys are super strong and these were not that little.  They also were not that big and after seeing the first few I became more comfortable around them.  We hiked to a mountain top and saw Guiyang from above.  Then we rode a couple amusement park rides that were randomly located near the entrance gate.  Hilarious to be in China sometimes.

Today, I was feeling a little overwhelmed from being away from home and always surrounded by such a large group.  As many of you know, my attitude can be so strong sometimes.  Here, it is so much stronger because the cultural difference.  I am coping though.  I went to see the basketball game arranged between the Americans and Chinese.  At the game, three young girls around 10 years old became my friends.  They first made me a bouquet of flowers they picked.  Then they made me two halos made from leaves and one to go around my neck.  They showed me their dancing and singing skills.  This really made me smile.  Just when you think that you are way too overbearing, someone reminds you to smile and appreciate the little things in life.

My friends are dragging me to a fish restaurant where you point to the fish you want to eat and they prepare it for you.  Um, well ok, when in China…

Happy Birthday to Mr. Joshua Kennard!