Bring on the Night

7th July 2007 Yilan

We woke up at 7.00am. After a quick wash and toothbrush, I vrote a whole lot on this blog. At least 3 hours worth, which felt really good after many days of missing out. C went shopping for some stuff meanwhile.

We went to C’s parents to meet up with her elder sister who is only here for a short time. Therefore C and her family want to make most of it. We stayed there for lunch and as usually there were plenty of food. Since I’ve arrived C’s family have made an extra effort cook many dishes and those considered of my liking. This is of course a big honour, but it also makes me feel like somewhat of a burden. I told C many times to let them know I should not get special treatment, but C is afraid to mention it anymore, since her father semi-scolds her and calls her a child who does not know about manners. This included me saying no to liquor, which her father just won’t accept when C translates it.

As always I ate too much. Nowhere near what I can eat back in Denmark, but since my stomach is upset, everything feels like too much. At an earlier occasion C instructed me to look relaxed in her parent’s home. I thought I already did, but then of course I weren’t as relaxed as my Chinese in-laws, I’ll give her that. According to C, being able to sleep and lie down in her parent’s home was the best way to show that I felt at home. So I basically just upped my lazy level and had a nap or casually rested from time to time. It’s hard for me, not because I can sleep or anything, but because I am not yet done with enjoying observing C’s family as they interact. I enjoy watching and learning. Also I pick up some Chinese along the way if I concentrate when they talk. At times their body language and use of words give away what they are talking about, which can be quite funny. Especially if they talk about me and I can mirror a mood that fits the situation. Here’s the frowning lower lip and a “*name* bu hao!” a much appreciated gesture.

Then we went to get a bath. C had her nephew in the hand, as no one else had time to watch him. He’s a real little troublemaker and needs ever watchful eyes all the time. This time I went alone while C waited outside with the little terrorist.

C’s can’t catch up with my sweating, so she can do with a sink, some soap and a tiny towel. I, on the other hand, am constantly sweating like a pig on the grill. My skin gets greasy and had this been Denmark, I would definitely have taken at least 2 showers a day. Here it’s another story. Bathing must be scheduled and takes a good hour. First we have to discuss when to go for 10 minutes, then we walk there which takes about 15 minutes each way and then there’s the whole bathing charade which I should be getting used to already, but aren’t.

This is how a normal bathing séance unfolds for a laowai in Yilan.

After the bathing, we walked to C’s sister’s computer school, where I was hooked up on the internet. Unfortunately I have some troubles using Outlook, so it’s webmail for me here. I can receive mails alright, but no sending is possible. Danish webmail sucks and is sluggish from China, so I decided on Hotmail.

Accessing my blog is easy, though it is extremely slow. This means that I can’t always respond on comments or check up on other people’s blogs these days. Also I normally don’t have that much time at the computer school, and most of the time goes with mails and Skyping.

This particular day C family decided to clean a room especially for me. They’re so sweet, but also too nice that way. I don’t need a room for myself, as long as I had access to Internet, I’ll be fine. Nevertheless I’ll have my own room soon. Preparing the room, meant pulling some cables and at the same time they cut the Internet. So even though I had time to write up on some stuff, I couldn’t publish it anyway. So right now I have 2 or 3 days worth of material that I just can’t post. I hope that it will soon be back to normal life here, which means that I am allowed (get time) to explore the city alone and go to the school to catch up on this blog. I’ll just have to wait and see.

It was time to get back for dinner. I knew jaozi doe and filling had been prepared earlier, so I spotted a chance to finally help C’s family out. Back home in Denmark I am allowed to roll the circular doe pieces for C, as she finds this too hard. I find it hard too, but also extremely boring since we always make too many. Anyway, we arrived and I was allowed to roll. Finally something I could do to help. This is the first thing I have done since we arrived.

C’s father is insanely fast at this task. He can produce at least 2 while I only come up with 1. And this is when I speed up my job to the maximum. On the other hand C’s sisters were impressed with my even-shaped rolling so I guess it’s a tie. Cheap points, but they’re points nevertheless.

After helping out we relaxed a bit before dinner.

It was time to eat. I love jaozi, and these were no exception. They were stuffed with fennel and pork. I was given some soy/garlic sauce to dip in, and as usual, some Chinese rice liquor. My stomach is never getting a rest, and as I write this, I’m happy to be near a western toilet in C’s sister’s apartment. There was toasting and beer afterwards, which I politely declined. It’s hard to be a good guest when your stomach is acting up.

I was completely full and was pushed into the living room to relax with half of the family. C’s parents and 2 sisters did the dishes. A job which I am still not allowed participating in.

C’s nephew was also there. He was highly energetic as if he were hooked up on some candy or drugs, so he needed a playmate. I’m slowly getting into his circle of trust, but had a grim setback when we finally opened his mouth and said: “3rd uncle doesn’t understand anything. 3rd uncle’s feet smells”. You have to hear the truth from drunks and children, right? I tossed a ball with him for some time and I think he even forgot about my smelly feet for a while.

At around 8.30pm we walked home to catch some sleep. We were both beat from a long day. Not sure why we felt so tired, but we agreed that our energy levels were not as high as usually. Could be a late jetlag/culture shock/stomach problems thing.

Tags: China