Wuhan

I'm writing in from a public PC in my Wuhan hotel today. How I miss internet access LOL. I found out Obama was elected, but Prop 8 got passed too. You just can't have everything worked out in your favor, sigh.

When I arrived on Sunday I didn't know what to expect. Back in 1993, everything was moving forward, but I couldn't remember much other than having to wait for hot water at my grand uncle's house. Today the city was busy and crowded, cars and people everywhere, it was like Shanghai, but with about 1/2 less high rise buildings and designer stores.

First day here I visited my aunt's house. The apartment was roomy but I really disliked how much those energy light bulbs got used here. The entire room looked pale and lifeless. That deadnes-like glow was felt in my hotel bathroom, and almost everywhere in my aunt's apartment building, from her lobby to her living room. I thought they invented one that was more warmer in tone? I really don't like this grey everywhere most of the time when I'm indoors.

Another thing I didn't think I would see again was the on the ground lavatory unit. I don't know how to call it properly. Unlike a toilet where you get to sit and do your business, this type you are required to squat down and... you know. Perhaps I'm just not used to this, it's feels so bare. When I saw it in my aunt's restroom I was stunned. I remember using it when I was in elementary school growing up in Taiwan and back in 1993 when I last visited. Now it was back in my face I had to re-orient myself to get stuff done LOL. It's more smelly too. There's no cover to hide anything. That's another aspect I don't like about this on the ground open-wide "toilet."

Ever since I got to Wuhan, every meal except for one has been a 20+ course extravaganza. My grand uncle used to be a government official and he still has lots of newer and up-and-comers who respect him. When we go out to eat, there's this group who wanted to take care of the lunch and that company that wanted to pay for the dinner. When the plates started, they never really ended until the table ran out of space for them. 24 dishes were typical. I am not even counting the drinks and soups. Yes soups, there were always more than 3 soups to each meal. How could that be? I felt so indulgent, and yes, wasteful to eat that much and still not being able to finish. I knew and know I'm very fortunate to enjoy such overwhelming Chinese food each time we dine out, but I can't help but feel disappointed to see a lot of food goes to waste. My dad said the restaurants just feed them to the pigs. I hope so.

One of the major trips we took so far was to see the 3 Gorges Dam in Yichang. It was a stunning sight. The project was ambitious and the result was overwhelming. I knew it was a controversial task to take on, but I thought the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. We also went to the Jingzhou fortress where many of the great Chinese battles held. Speaking of historical buildings, we also visited the famed Yellow Crane Tower the day before I left for the dam trip. How the ancient people figured out how to build something that magnificent and intricate was awe-inspiring to me. Later this afternoon we will be leaving for Wudang mountain for a couple of days. When I come back I will write more :)