Thoughts after 3 weeks

We have been in China now about 3 weeks. In that time, we have had a lot to figure out—the banking system, the transportation system, the food situation, the shopping, and more. While walking around, I have started to notice some uniquely Chinese qualities about life here: 1. the younger aged women wear high heels—the more straps and sequins, the better. 2. the men roll up their shirts to mid-nipple when they feel hot (it’s normal). 3. the fruit vendors outside the school will charge twice as much as the fruit vendors by the grocery store. 4. the local restaurant owners have started to recognize us and become more friendly. 5. the aerobics and dance classes happen in the morning and at night in the nearby park (Purple Bamboo Park). 6. the maids only give you toilet paper once a week—we exceed this quota and have to buy our own. 7. yogurt is more expensive than ice cream; so hey, eat ice cream. 8. noodles are delicious. 9. if you have the lightest color hair in a large group of Americans, you will be stared at more than the others. 10. if you say one word correctly in Chinese, the Chinese will assume you are fluent and start speaking rapidly to you in Chinese. 11. street food is delicious and cheap.