Welcome to China

Well we finally landed in Dalian after a very very long flight. Hawaii was wonderful, but as soon as we arrived in China I new our vacation was over. We hit the ground at 9 pm and they let us off the plane onto the snow covered tarmac.. We immediately boarded a dilapidated old bus covered with soot and grime. We stood there on the bus holding onto the handle hanging above our heads and the thought went through my mind that this was really it. No more AZ sunshine for a couple of years. Lets see how this goes.

Well, we quickly went through the flu and colds within the first couple of weeks. Change of climate and change of germs, who knows what we have been exposed to. Plenty of germs. In the bathrooms there is hardly ever hot running water, rarely soap, so of course who needs hand towels or hand dryers. I have however, mastered the art of squating to pee! The first time Jaimie and I went to the bathroom and they only had the squat toilet.I was laughing so hard I flung the door open, slipped on the dirty floor and fell to the ground, which of course only mad me laugh so hard I cried.

We have been adjusting to the driving, markets,(complete with whole dogs, pig heads and the famous chicken feet that come in handy snack packs) and the culture. Spitting is very acceptable here, but still not to me. They love to stare or come up and say Hello, or a few small things in English. I can understand prices now, hello, good-bye and a few short common expressions. Hopefully those Chinese classes will kick in soon!

Looking forward to Chinese New Year! Get out your red underware with the Tigers on it, you need to wear those for good luck. Fireworks everywhere to ward off the bad luck. We bought some fireworks this weekend. The real kind that launch about 200ft in the air. OMG, I didn't want to do it, but you know, peer pressure. Ok, Chad pressure. They come in a big box of about 24 rockets. We asked the doorman at the Hotel where it was acceptable to let them off. They walked us right out front of the Hotel onto the sidewalk and helped us light the box. It was insane and fun. I laughed the whole time. They were so loud and so close. Best fireworks I've ever seen. We have a lot to look forward to this weekend when all the streets will be full of them. I'll take video.

Here we go, the beginning of a new and wonderful adventure. Behind the red curtain, a place I honestly never thought I'd even visit much less move to. Thanks to Cary and Jaimie (the two to blame if it doesn't go well) we will be heading west to the EAST on December 14, 2009. Incidentally that is also Jaimie's birthday! First we will spend two weeks in Hawaii, enjoying the beach and nice weather before we land in the middle of winter in Dalian, China our home. Many pics and experience to follow.