In China

We're in China again. It's only been fourteen months since we were last here, and many of the sights and sounds are the same. Men on bicylcles, carrying impossibly large loads. Pedestrains crossing the street, never seeming to have the right of way but pouring across in the face of taxis turning right into the crowd. Friendly faces opening the door with a smile. All manner of unusal food being cooked on the street. Fish congee and dumplings alongside eggs and bacon on the breakfast buffet at the hotel. High end, designer wallets, purses and luggage being sold off the sidewalk for ridiculously low prices. High rise buildings everywhere, and occassionally a traditional, old style Chinese building with the characteristic roof line. This time, there are some new sights because we are here at the end of the Chinese New Year celebration. The city is decked out with red lanterns everywhere, and pigs, too, because it is the Year of the Pig.

The thing that is different about this trip to China is that we haven't come to meet our daughter. No, instead we are looking at housing and schools, grocery stores and a church. We're seeing everything a little bit differently this trip because perhaps in a few months we may be joining the throng here in mainland China for a while, living among them. What a gift, to live in the country of Gwen's birth. What flip of experience, to have her be the majority and us the minority.

We'll let you know what happens.