Tuesday,
November 13, 2007
I went for a run again this morning – my last one. When I get
home I think I’ll buy a lottery ticket since I survived another
run. The way I see it, I think I had the same odds of surviving
as I do winning the lottery. Pedestrians have the right of way –
this only applies in our country. This is an important safety
tip over here. In China , Pedestrians have the right to die
(sudden death or crawl off in the bushes and die). Sometimes
trucks will flash their lights at you….don’t be fooled. They
don’t mean it’s ok to cross. They mean cross in front of me and
I will take you down. China is the only country where running is
a contact sport.
One of the pics posted today is of a Chinese toilet (aka squatty
potty). This was nicest one we have seen in all of China (
Germantown version). Also posted an average squatty potty - they
get worse - I promise. You may be thinking “where is the seat?”
That’s because there is no seat. Guys are inconvenienced half of
the time and girls 100% of the time. You probably had that
figured out though. The little treads are for your shoes just to
give you extra grip - I guess. I don’t really know which way you
are supposed to face (either way works). Paige and Julianne
celebrate every time they find a real sit down western toilet.
While we are covering bathrooms and such we might as well talk
about the bathroom soap. It is in the little dispenser just like
the US . It comes out in a squirt just like the US . That is
where the similarities end. You can scrub all you want….no suds,
no lather, no smell and all the while washing in water too dirty
to drink.??? I figure every time you wash your hands may be a
life saving event. I just figured out something….remember all
the people doing the Kung Fu exercises everywhere….I think they
are doing them to stay in shape for the squatty pottys. You
cannot use one of those unless you are fit. Earlier in our trip,
when I frequented the squatty pottys, I hurt my hip and limped
for an hour – I’m not kidding. Ok, too much info.
We promised to post a list of our things we miss the most while
in China . It is too long…we are not going to do it. But, the
number one thing we do miss is regular good American food
(without the crab guts). Number two is McDonalds diet coke.
Number three is a shower without worrying if you are going to
die if you don’t keep your mouth closed. Number four is brushing
your teeth and being able to use tap water. No wonder the
Chinese don’t brush their teeth often. Number five is not having
to carry your own toilet paper. Speaking of paper and
napkins…..Why do they give you a napkin the size of a business
card for dinner. Then serve you the stuff they do (with crab
guts remember) and give you chopsticks - the napkins need to be
as big as a beach towel.
Tomorrow we promise to post all the things we will miss about
China – there really are some. Stay tuned!
Lastly, even though we are around the world, we can feel the
fact that so many of you love us and are praying for us. We look
at little Madeline and we are so struck by God’s sovereignty and
realize that without his perfect timing we would not have our
Madeline. Madeline was supposed to be ours and us hers.
Posted by Hank
(because if you ever come to China you’ll be ready)
Contributing editors: Paige and Julianne |
Nicest squatty potty in China
Average squatty potty in China
First hair barrett
Madeline sleeping thru lunch
Julianne and Madeline - Staredown |
