Qian Dao Hu (1000 Island Lake) – Day 1

Thursday, January 29

Let me first start with the preface that I have never traveled with a Chinese family and been exposed to so much Chinese family life. The rules of a Chinese family are very different from an American family and it’s very difficult to explain. But to my Chinese family reading this (Jerry, I’m sure you’re translating…), I hope that everyone had as much fun and guanxi as I did. It is a memory that I treasure, hold close to my heart and will take with me when I leave China If I didn’t quite follow “Chinese rules” it’s because I don’t know them or understand them well enough. I tried my best and I’m sure you can appreciate that I’ve been trying hard to learn several 1000 years of culture in 7 months. Catching up is not easy for an old Mei Guo Ren in such a short period of time. Lessons are always welcome.

Thursday morning, 9:00am I was picked up in the van by Zhang, and uncle, his wife, and daughter. We met up with the other vehicle just across the Lupu Bridge and we were off. After a 4.5 hour drive south west we arrived about 1:30 at the hotel. I hadn’t realized it, but Zhang Yue hadn’t been outside of Shanghai so this was big experience for her and she was very excited. Anyone who has kids... "Are we there yet?" She has my headphones on listening to American Rock and Roll. She has a bit of her father in her... I'm such a bad influence, The Eagles, ACDC, Billy Joel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, quite the variety.

We walked to lunch at restaurant around the corner in a shopping plaza. I found out, similar to in the US, there are different ethnic foods by location and apparently, my Chinese family wasn’t entirely fond of the meal. Personally I though it was fine but I’m only an infant at 7 months old in China.
We then drove to Santan Island and went for a walk. It was raining so umbrellas were the necessity of the day. We saw birds, snakes statues and just spent time walking and talking. We must have walked 3 miles. Zhang Yue and I raced each other too.

Walking across the bridge. A boat dock and plenty of room to hold tourists. It was offseason and rainy so crowds weren't a problem.
We ate dinner at a small local restaurant. Fish was their specialty, and my Chinese family seemed less than enthused with the taste. I have to admit, this dinner was OK, and it was food and I was hungary. I did learn, that like everything else it China, even a meal can be negotiated. Instead of 580CNY we paid 500CNY for the meal.

After we arrived back at our hotel I was informed that I would be taught how to play Chinese poker. So six of us met up in an Uncle’s room and I began learning this complex game. Each person is dealt 26 cards and you’re expected to hold them all your hand and keep track of the various combinations. The object of the game is to get rid of your cards via poker hands, and you play in teams. Jerry explained the game to me more than once and periodically I would hear one of my team mates tell Jerry something. Then Jerry would translate, “you played the wrong card”. OK, so I’m no good at that came, don’t think the’ll be asking me to play again…. I tried really hard, don't give up on me!