Night out :)

I had a wonderful evening! I went out cell phone shopping with our driver, Mr. Chen and one of Allen's co-workers, Owen. Owen speaks pretty good English and Mr. Chen can speak English a little bit. Owen guided us to one of the more "local" shopping centers near by, where there are lots of cell phone stores...every other one practically. Allen opted to stay home with the kids since he's tired of shopping and figured the kids could use a night indoors. He sent Owen with me because Owen is one of the engineers at his work and could probably help me find a phone with the functions I wanted. Many Chinese people of have been more than willing to help us by volunteering their night and weekend hours. We have appreciated all their efforts IMMENSELY!!

First, it was nice to have a night off from the kids. I love them dearly, but they are acting up so much lately that I feel like I need a break! Second, it was good to get to know another one of Allen's Chinese co-workers, other than May. Third, it was really good to be shopping for an item that is becoming an increasing necessity. I mean it...everyone uses cell phones for [what seems like] everything! I have never seen so many people using cell phones like this. If I have a question, someone whips out their cell phone. If they are having technical difficulties with a product, they whip out their cell phone. If they don't know where to go, they whip out a cell phone. What are these cell phones doing that I don't know about??!

When I mentioned it becoming an increasing necessity, I really meant it. I found a cell phone that will allow me to download Chinese characters so I can give our driver and any taxi an address to favorite destinations around town. It will let me check my email. It is MP3 and MP4 compatible. People use them so much here...everyone is carrying around a cell phone.

Since I had two confidant guides through the area, I was able to truly look around for the first time since arriving here this time. One of the reasons I like the area where we live, is that there are some expats, but you really can immerse yourself in true Chinese culture as well. I love looking around and discovering things I have never seen before. Everything is so different.

While walking in and out of the stores and through the shopping plaza, we were surrounded by Chinese people, wanting to see what I was doing. Some of these people truly and honestly looked at me as if they have never seen a western woman before...it was an interesting experience. When we walked into a store, people would rush in and surround us to see what I, as a western woman, could be interested in buying. They just stood around us and watched me pick out cell phones to look at in the store. They stood around and watched my guides talk to the counter people with my questions and requests. I can't even imagine what people would do in these more local markets if we had the kids with us. We would probably be swarmed and wouldn't be able to walk in any one direction with the sheer number of people who would be interested in the kids. Chinese people are always asking my "guides" why I'm hanging out with them (my guides). These people tonight, were blatantly curious, judging by their expressions as we walked down the street.

I can't say this enough...I love walking down these local streets and seeing all the very local activity. Chinese 'fast food' consists of all types of vendors on the streets, cooking and selling their food from their hot skillet or skewers. There are all kinds of food you can buy. There are also mini [fresh] veggie markets and lots of little spaces where people are selling their items. Unfortunately, you also see many animals being sold...for who knows what!? There are a TON of people walking up and down these streets in addition to all the vendors. There are clothing vendors as well and many others. The smell is a mixture of all the food being cooked as well as a heady musky odor of...many people in the heat.

Anyway, it was a great activity and I'm so incredibly grateful for my guides' help! We laughed a lot and had a good time. :)