Mr & Mrs Vogl

October 12, 2007

We had to decide what we would like the students to call us. Rich and I decided we would be Mr. and Mrs. Vogl as we did not feel comfortable such young students calling us by our first names. Not realizing it, our choice to be called Mr & Mrs Vogl brought the image of an inter-racial marriage. They may have had a head knowledge of such a thing but our presence made it real. Inter-racial marriage is rare here in these parts of China. Students were very curious about us and our family. The fact that we would adopt children was also a concept they found unusual. Here in China, they are limiting children and we, instead, took in other people’s children to be our own. That tweaked their thinking about a family. One of the questions raised was, “Why would adopt children since it costs so much money to raise children?”

This morning we had a new escort to accompany us on our ride, Kim. By the end of the ride, I learned that her husband and son live in Xi’an while she lived in Xianyang as a teacher of English. She was going to be in Xi’an to see her husband this weekend and would be happy to show us around. Rich and I were going to be on our own as already did the tours that were offered GV. Now we have a native to guide us on a non-tourist shopping trip and show us good restaurants.

We picked up our laundry at the local place and were pleased to find all was in good order. We had heard stories of how people’s clothes were ruined. One of the services offered in this hotel is massage—full body and/or foot. Two young gals came to our room and gave us relaxing foot massages. Then we were told that dinner tonight would be served in the Western restaurant. Some members of our group had visions of hamburgers, BLT, or a tuna sandwich. After 3 meals a day of Chinese food, though good, their mouths were watering for some home comfort food. However, a full Chinese meal was served us in the western restaurant as it seems the Chinese restaurant was reserved for a special occasion. We all then ordered some kind of American dessert. I had apple pie and Rich had a banana split.