Ok.. I have some catching up to do! While in Chengdu, my hotel window overlooked the house that Mengchen grew up in. It is about the size of a small two bedroom apartment by US standards.
I was invited over for lunch, but before we went Mengchen and I went to the supermarket which I found an interesting experience. First off Mengchen had to check her purse in outside, I guess that helps prevent shoplifting here. Then we got to go inside. I took the shopping basket and I am not sure the purpose of the wheels when dealing with such a small basket, but oh well.
The other part that is interesting about the chinese market as well, they have a lot of pre-cooked foods that you can buy so you don't need to cook at home. It is the Chinese Buffet meets the grocery store. I know that a few stores in the US have the chickens cooked that you can take home, but this place had a whole lot more.
Mengchen pointed out some pigs feet and told me that they are delicious. Right now I will take her word on that one! The food is also out on refrigerated tables not wrapped or prepackaged. You bag the food just like you do your produce in the US. Here is a few pictures of the supermarket.
After the market, I went back to the hotel and checked out and left my bags with the doorman. We then went to Mengchen's Mom's for lunch. She had made a marvelous meal of ribs, rice, soup, and more. Everything was very good! While I didn't get a picture of the kitchen I can tell you the entire kitchen was not more then the size of galley kitchen of maybe 10-15sq ft at most.
Here is the picture of the food she had made!
One thing I can tell you that if you walk away from a table here and you are not full, then it is your own fault! Every time we have gone out to eat there is always more food! Her mom also got me some treats to bring back with me! They are pretty good and if you are interested I might share with you!
After lunch we stay around for a little while, I was stuffed and sat on the couch for a bit.
Later Mengchen and her mom came out and it is universal to pick on your mom.. DID YOU READ THAT MOM... EVERYONE PICKS ON THERE MOTHERS! Here is photographic proof of that.
I on the other hand would have whacked my mom with the pillow. After a nice afternoon, it was time to head back to the airport. We went back to pickup the bags and get picked up. The airline here provides a shuttle service free of charge if you are flying the airline! That was a pretty nice service! But when we got to the airport there was a delay. They did provide us food. But even in China the airline food was a little to be desired, besides I had my fill of beef lung!
So while we wait for the plane back to Beijing there was nothing better to do than make faces at the camera.
When we got back to Beijing I ended up going to a different hotel, this one is like the american motel 6, except they don't leave the light on cause that would be wasteful. All the hotel's here you need to put your room key in a slot in order to have power in the room! This leads to a challenge in trying to get things charged! I have been able to McGyver away around it but house keeping is my nemesis in this matter!
Well this day is done and time is starting to fly by.
Also, what is the phone numbers of the two women sitting in the exact same pose behind you in the airport?