day trip

After a spectacular traditional Chinese dance show, the crowds pushed out of the doors and poured out into the cool night. Most of the tourists were countrymen. They smack their lips, hawk lugees, and push ever so intentionally at anyone in their way. Hungry, I looked up at Jack the driver to see what our plan was. He has knowing glances that imply whatever it is I need to know. I've learned to communicate this way with him since words get us no where. The "ay-ee" doesn't understand this. She speaks to me in fast Chinese and when I give a blank stare, she talks louder or she laughs. Most of the time she talks louder.

We sat at a well-lit little cafe in the tourist park and ordered dumplings and noodles. Four men with blue matching visors sat at the table as well. They stared at me as I clumsily attempted clamping down on a few stray noodles floating in my bowl of soup. One man pointed to my left hand. My hair, skin, face, clothes, and voice throw them off. And then I'm left-handed. I am really from the other side of the world to them.

Natlie gulped down her meal and wanted to go over to the pool of water nearby. People were trying to do fancy obstacle courses over water. A crowd was forming as teenage boys and young business men attempted lily-pad hopping. People cheered at success and laughed heartily when someone fell into the water. Everyone was a high schooler for a few minutes.

We walked through the park afterward heading for our car and a long ride home. All the round red Chinese lanterns had been lit and the moon was shining bright.