I went to church today, and actually reconnected with people I knew here 13 years ago! I arrived an hour late, though, after a detour through the Catholic Church. The taxi driver dropped me at an unfamiliar site (one can’t drive in to the building, but must walk in from a main road.) When I showed the guard at the gate my map, he was as confused as the taxi driver. But then he mimed “praying hands,” I nodded yes, and he directed me to the second floor of a hotel. I knew it wasn’t the right place, but he insisted on accompanying me. And they were really happy to welcome me into the fold…but they were Catholics.
After church I enjoyed a conversation with a taxi driver who spoke not one word of English (OK, he knew “Obama”), and yet we discussed politics, China’s Expo next year, Japanese cars, and my age, and we shared a package of shortbread. At the end of the ride, he opted to “keep the change” (there’s no tipping in China.) Great fun.
If I haven’t mentioned it, both KFC and Mcdonalds deliver food here (on bicycles).
I met Susan and Andrea at Yuan Garden and then made them ride the bus home with me so they could experience more the conditions of the masses. They both kept asking, “Are we there yet?”
My leg is much better today, and I’m ready to tackle my last week of teaching. Time flies when you’re having fun.