Day 4

I can now use an eastern toilet.  The first few times I just couldn't get comfortable enough to go and had to find a western toilet. My big accomplishment was that I was able to squat and potty!  Next time I travel I need to pack prunes just in case I need them.  I knew I needed to find some so when we were in a store I found what I thought were prunes and then asked our Chinese host to translate the label for me.  I bought two cans!  I am not the only one with this issue; it's affecting about half of our group!  At least I have company!

Today was a shopping day so it was much more relaxing than yesterday when we were running from one thing to the next.  It was also relaxing to start our day later and end our day with time to just hang out with each other and explore without a guide saying "this" is where you need to go.

I bought dresses and a puzzle of China for Mena and Maggie.  I bought some jewelry, hair clips, Christmas ornaments, postcards, and a scroll with a painting to hang on my wall.  We ate a Chinese meal for lunch and were on our own for supper so we chose Subway.  Subway made the exact same sandwich that I get at home and it tasted the same.

We toured a temple of Chinese gods.  We were asking the Chinese students what the incense was for.  They couldn't think of the words in English to explain it so they typed their Chinese word into the translator on one of their phones.  Then they showed me their phone with the word "Clifford" on it.  I immediately thought of Clifford, the Big Red Dog.  I shook my head and said that word doesn't fit this situation.  They did another word search and it came back "prayer."  They were trying to say that the smoke carries the prayers or wishes up to the gods.  Totally different than Clifford the Big Red Dog!

After we got back, Julie and Cara came to our dorm room to hang out.  It was so nice knowing we had time to relax and get to know each other better.  We looked up our Chinese Signs.  I am a Tiger and the description was pretty darn accurate.