Worth A Thousand Words: Day One

So in an effort to be better communicators we have committed to sharing our China lives in pictures.  If I could describe China in one word it would be "VAST".  Is it cheating to use a word that basically means there could never be enough words?  Ok, I'm a cheater.  Instead of a million word epic on the vastness of China how about some pictures worth a thousand words each?  Cheating again you say?  Fair enough

Day One:  Common Strangeness
These are just a few of the things that seemed strange when we moved to China but are now just a part of our daily lives.

It's common for little old ladies to touch your baby.

They usually have some advice for the mother like he's 

too hot, too cold, hungry, fat, crying and are eager to share.

It's also common (and often quite sweet) for them to pick 

up your baby.  This sweet lady got more than she expected

when she grabbed our little chunk though.  She mumbled in

a local dialect that we couldn't understand but we're pretty 

sure she was saying, "OOOOHHH take him back! take him

back!"

It's common to see men and women, young and old sitting 

on the street playing games.  Cards, chess (the Chinese kind) and 

mahjong are favorites.  Always seem to have a great time and a 

good game will often draw a crowd.

It's common to see people sleeping.  Tired?  Take a rest.  Makes perfect

sense and you have to respect a culture who values a good nap but

it still amazes us where people can fall asleep.  Truth be told, his back

is probably in better shape than mine.