December 13, 2005
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China
Back from China for about a week now. And then I just booked another trip today (to Shanghai in January). Now the first trip was to a place called Shantou where I did some work and then attended my cousin's wedding. Shantou is a port city near HK. If you start in HK and then head northeast along the coast, Shantou is the first city you'll see. I say all this because people either think I went to Shanghai already or they ask me (many, many times) where the heck Shantou is. Now you know.

So the wedding was fun. I think my cousin was super stressed (made doubly complicated since he doesn't speak the local dialect very well)...my sister reported having the following conversation with him as he was running around doing things and having his fiance help.
Sister: Hey...isn't it bad luck for you to see the bride before the wedding?
Cousin: *Grits teeth* Who....really.....cares?
Sister: .......uhm, not me. *runs away*
You know one of the things I noticed in China. The traffic there is unbelievable. You've got a huge hodge podge of pedestrians, bikes, mopeds, cars and trucks...but no one really honks their horn. And people are cutting people off so much...that there isn't that much road rage. Interesting.
Receptions in China apparently have karaoke as part of the festivities. Yea....
Since the real estate is kind of cheap there and my cousin's earning an US salary...he's able to afford a really nice apt. in China. Except its a seven story walkup. The first night, my roommate, sister and I decided to just get up it as fast as we could. And after he opened the door we went thru it and collapsed on his couch. When we teased my cousin about carrying his wife up the stairs after their wedding...he was like: Oh haaaiillll nooo! hahahhahahaha
I polished off five books during my trip.

It was 70 degrees there and people were like... its so cold. Are you ok? Meanwhile, I'm wearing t-shirts and thinking: This is great!!
On one leg of my trip I was stuck between two older chinese ladies. One of them who got caught trying to steal utensils, got caught and was forced to give them back. Which just taught the other one to put my tray over hers to hide her missing utensils. They also spoke in two volumes - Off...and LOUD. Luckily that part of the trip was only a couple of hours.
I know its cold in New York City. I know I had to come back to work the day after I landed. Yet....I missed it and I'm glad I'm back.

Comments (26)
and you didnt come out to see me saturday night! pshhhhhhhhhhh
btw, welcome back!
i love karaoke!
can i be your date to a chinese wedding? hahahahahaha
welcome back~
Chinese people don't know how to whisper.
oh, how I miss Asia...
welcome back!!
lol. i think the rule is, "the bigger the vehicle, the more right of way."
LOL, the traffic is insane over there...plus there only about 2 traffic lights! hahaha...when i came back from Japan, I went to work the following day too...and i was kinda home sick as well. and i was glad i was back for the 1st week or so...then im looking forward to another vacation, where i can come back and appreciate US again.
which 5 books??? =)
i looooooooooooooooov me some 70 degree weather! you can.. bbq!
hey... can you bring some orthopedic pillows to China for my sister?? she can meet you in Shanghai!! she's been trying to get them sent over from here... but nobody wants to pay the shipping costs... and she says she needs them desperately. apparently, china and hong kong people dont believe in good quality pillows.....lol....
ooh - sounds like fun - i havent been to asia for ages - i'll just live vicariously thru ur stories.=) where are the pictures?
awww, welcome back grandpa. Glad u had a good trip
Oh I heart karaoke!
yeah Karaoke!
though somewhat frowned upon at new york weddings hehehe
I noticed that about chinese people conversing. It sounds like an argument between two people.
this is all a rerun of stories ive already heard before!! =P
all i have to say about your profile pic, you are a dork..hehe...glad yuou're back! =D
WELCOME HOME!!!!!! we missed you here in nyc! glad you had an UBEr time in China. you really should take me with you to shanghai!

You should book a third trip for early June bc that's when I'm going! =D
welcome back from the motherland!...next time i will steal utensils and say you did it... :X
"I know I had to come back to work the day after I landed. Yet....I missed it and I'm glad I'm back."
i feel ya.
I"M GOIN TO CHINA IN JANUARY TOOO!!!! ..... i just can't get away from you can i?
=p
Welcome Back Mr. Kinsen! They have the strangest sense of temperature there. When I was in Hong Kong it was like 100 degrees out and I looked naked in my shorts and tank top compared to the people with turtlenecks, sweaters, and scarves!! I felt like i was in the twilight zone.
ahaha, jonathan was so funny....=) you forgot to mention the creepy videographer.
come back to the COLD!
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