So, Adventures in Nanchang

Today was a good day. We’re official, and now we just need to wait for the remainder of the official paperwork to take to Guangzhou, so we’re basically killing time until Friday, when go in the am to fill out the paperwork to receive the girls’ passports. The weather has been less than stellar (to use a Mattism… “craptacular”) would be the most accurate description. We’ve been experiencing weather in the 30’s with rain, snow and general yuckiness. Needless to say, between dodging the motorcycles on the sidewalk, and trying to manuever around cars parked up the to the entrance steps of various offices, businesses and hotels, it’s been a little challenging and less than appealing to be out and about.

Yesterday, I left Matt and lady Gracie for about an hour and a half (longer than I anticipated) to venture out with Joe, father of Lucy, Simon and as of this week, Maxine, and Rob and his 17 year old son, Chip- dad and brother of BayLi. We were venturing 3-1/2 blocks away to the Wal-mart. Now, those of you who I see and talk with often know that I had known of the Wal-mart, and figured this would be a helpful resource. Okay, it was bizarre. First off, let me describe our four block walk:

Exit hotel, make right, dodge cars, oh, watch out for the Vespa… Walk past a second hotel next door also named Jiangxi Hotel. (okay, none of us get this either…) Now, as you walk past the second Jiangxi Hotel, they like to park the cars basically on the steps at the entrance. I’m pretty sure if they could drive them through the turnstile door, they would… Anyway, once you make it through this maze, go past the beggar with the spider monkey… (okay, those of you that know me, know my feelings about spider monkeys… enough said!) Another block to the underground walkway, which dumps you out at the Wal-mart Superstore. Oh, did I mention that the underground walkway is shared with motorcycles. Yeah, wasn’t ready for that one either, but the cycles are only on the right hand side, so we’re okay.

The Wal-mart doesn’t really have doors, everything has this heavy plastic, like you find in walk in freezers at restaurant supply stores. Wal-mart does have glass doors behind the plastic, which they basically keep locked with the exception of one household size door to the left. I think this is brilliant in the most populated country in the world!

We finally made it into the Wal-mart, our Western Mecca! It’s a big teen hang out, and of course, our little entourage stands out, so we get a lot of attention. The babies get tons of attention. It’s a very Western experience, but in a “bizarro world” kind of way. Anyway, I was looking for a ring stacker. No luck. We then wound up downstairs in the foodstore portion, now, that’s quite the experience. I’m going to have to get Joe’s pictures (since I went with Matt today and he refused to embibe in photos at the walmart?!) There is some cool stuff, they have sugarcane, that they make pure sugarcane juice to order… They had dried ducks and pigs, that were skinned, split and on display. There were many cuts and types of meat that were not identifiable. Matt was offered dried bull penis the other day. Now, I’m not sure why they thought he may need it, we smiled, pointed, nodded and mosied on our way… I may have to go back and bring some home as a souvinier.

On a seperate note, but related to Wal-mart and the Chinese shopping experience in general. you need to be aware that there really isn’t “shopping etiquette”. You may say, Ang, “what are you talking about, have you ever been to a white sale at Macy’s”. Honey, this makes that look like a day in the park. Today, another one of our travel companions, Joe, innocently picked up a hat for his wife Pam, who was back at our Jiangxi Hotel (not the other one, closer to our shopping mecca…). Anyway, Joe found this $1 hat that worked with Pam’s coat… All of a sudden this old Chinese lady did a major shopping Ninja move, and grabbed the hat from him. (Now, he’s from Philly, he can take care of himself…) This lady wrestled the hat from him, and he attempted to get it back… unsuccessfully. Enough said. Matt was wearing the hip harness this afternoon, so I had to block and run interference, since there is little regard for personal space…

Okay, my rant is over, Gracie just dropped another poopie bomb (we’re now up to #5). Some families have yet to experience this joy… I’ve been mixing prunes in with her oatmeal.