Before going to bed last night, I picked up a text message from James saying the fire was close but we were clear. What a relief! This morning we tried to connect with the internet for get the latest news and our email. Unfortunately, we could not connect so had to head off to school.
As we reached the lobby, there was serious deliberation as to whether we should go to the school. There was heavy fog on the way and Hu Di did not think it safe for us to be on the road. Last week, we sat on the highway clover leaf for an hour waiting for the fog to lift because it was too dangerous to proceed. The driver had done the 40 min drive from Xianyang to pick us up and our escort, Kim, was there too. However, the decision was made not to go. We were relieved and welcomed a day off.
Kim then took Rich and me to the hairdresser to get hair cuts. We went on the crowded city bus for 1 RMB (13 cents). People were packed in as it lurched forward. But Kim said, it was not as bad as rush hour. I would have taken a photo except that I could not reach for my camera and would probably only get a photo of someone’s belt buckle. We arrived a few minutes before 10 at a small salon Hu Di had recommended. We both had our hair washed and Rich got a hair cut by a young girl. I waited for the master stylist. He was a master indeed. This tall over 6-foot young man didn’t speak English nor did he try to ask me anything through Kim. He just combed through my hair and started cutting. He was VERY skillful. I have never seen anyone handle scissors so artfully. It was like a dance in his hands. In about 20 minutes, I had the nicest haircut I have ever had. It was a style I imagined but never could find someone who could do it exactly as I envisioned. Now I know it’s possible but I’d have to come all the way to
After the haircuts ($7 for the two of us) we headed out for shopping. We went to an area that had many clothing stalls. I found clothes my size and bought some at good prices with Kim bargaining for me. We then headed for the fabric district which we were told was just amazing. There were rows of sewing machines with people at work making curtains and draperies. This was a wholesale area so there were bolts of fabric piled high and drapery accessories by the crates all over the place. I bet this is where Bed Bath & Beyond gets them.
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After a rest in the afternoon, it was time to eat again. Rich had to make too many visits to the WC so he decided skip dinner as were going out to the “Crossing Bridge Noodle” Restaurant. This noodle dinner was more of an activity than a dinner. Each of us was served a variety of thinly sliced raw meats, some salted vegetables, a quail egg, and bowl of rice noodles. Then we each had a large bowl of piping hot chicken soup. We put all the condiments into the soup immediately so that they cooked in a few seconds, then added the noodles and seasoned it with vinegar and/or hot pepper sauce. Many were not accustomed to slurping noodles or picking them up with the chopsticks so there were all manner of creative ways to get the noodles eaten. It was a fun dinner.
Many of the team are feeling under the weather. They were able to get antibiotics without Rx here and quite cheap. I bought some vitamin E today for 65 cents. It’s now raining again and may be raining tomorrow too. We’ve done most of our running around and saw all things we really wanted to see so resting a bit won’t hurt.
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