Nostalgia

I think the best way to make someone nostalgic is to put them in a place that they loved so much. I returned to Hangzhou this last weekend and it was my demise. The minute I got back it felt like home. I knew where I was at all times, what I was doing. I could understand the local Chinese. They speak Hangzhou hua.. not crazy Ningbo hua. I was seeing people from my life before. It was like I never left. I felt like I was home.

The first story I have is from the taxi ride to my friend's school. We were at a red light and there is a taxi next to us.. and he hawks a huge nasty lougee. He proceeds to spit outside my window.. then looks over and smiles at me. I just shook my head in disbelief with a smirk on my face. He asked me where I was from and I said "Mei Guo" (America). He then says.. "Mei Guo Ren Mei Nu" (beautiful American woman). I just shook my head and yelled.. you just said that with the same mouth you spit that nastiness out of??? crazy man. He just laughed at me. Gross.. somethings in China.

The rest of the weekend consisted of meeting new Americans in Hangzhou, Mexican food, Pizza, Night Market, Starbucks, Chinese food, Subway, Family, Hot Pot, Hair straightening, Chinese food, Old students and friends. It was absolutely amazing. I missed the people the most. I love my old students and friends and it was so wonderful to just be with them. I got to see my old skating crew and I got to see my old hairshop boys.. at least 2 of them. I got to do so much.

The new family there is wonderful. I hung out with Steve and Beth the most. It was great to get to know them. Then there were Rachel and JP and Bev. All so sweet. I will be visiting quite often. Hangzhou is a wonderful place to do things and visit. Lots to see... anyways.. commercial over.

Jackie and Cammie are another of my favorite parts of Hangzhou. They are who I stay with in general downtown. Even when I lived there.. I was at their place for most weekends. They are wonderful. We just fell right back into it all. It was just so normal. We laughed and had a blast. We went to Maya for food like normal and then enjoyed the company of many other foreigners. Something we always did well was meet new foreigners. It was just wonderful.

Today Bekah decided to get her hair cut.. that was fun. We found a guy that is great at it. He knows what he is doing.. which is hard to find in China. It only cost 10 yuan.. which is about $1.50. Amazing. I have never known it to be so incredibly cheap. Even at our old shop it was like 25 yuan. crazy. THen we went over to the coffee place that our friend Bill opened. It is great. Except that everytime it turns into English Corner.. Freshmen wanting to practice their English with the foreigners.. not fair. We just want to hang out. oh well.. we got banana splits and the sugar was definitely more than we were used to. We were all cracking up. Bekah and Jessica and I went. We 3 girls have so much fun when we're together. Always laughing and feeding off each other's humor. It's wonderful.

Sleep is coming soon.. It's my friend Chris's birthday and so happy birthday from China. You get an extra 13 hours to celebrate. Love you all..