My mom has been living it up in China. And I couldn't be prouder.
When she first announced a 3 month visit, everyone wondered, "what will she do all day?!". I knew I'd be taking some vacation when she was here, but I also assumed she'd be lunching with my non-working friends, shopping with the "wives" in the ex-pat malls, and just relaxing.
Not Carms.
In the 9 weeks since she arrived, we've amassed over 4 weeks of just traveling outside of Nanjing. Within China, so far, we have toured Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Dong Yang, Yicheng, Chengdu, Ya'an, Le Shan, and Chongqing. We also spent 2 weeks in Thailand touring Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Bangkok.
Still to come are Yunnan, Xi'An, and Hong Kong. I'm exhausted, but she keeps on going!
She has climbed every monument, Wall, and mountain in her path. She's boarded boats, planes, elephants, funiculars, and sky trams. She's bonded with Buddhas, monkeys, tigers, leopards, pandas, and of course Harley.
So what is she doing the rest of the time???
Well, in the 4-5 weeks that she's been home in Nanjing, she has managed to:
- Find a hair salon and explain how to cut and color her hair. It only took 3 co-workers, my driver, and 2 people at the salon to get the message across, but she did it!
- Go back for a second haircut and color… no problems!
- Locate a wet market near my apartment and befriend Vendor #20. Apparently, her eggplant is the best.
Shop for all of the hard-to-find ingredients to make an Italian dinner for 15.- Cook said dinner in a table-top oven that is just slightly larger than a toaster oven (2 lasagna pans max!)...while dressed as Julia Child!
- Befriend Pepe, the owner of the local Italian joint, Ciao Italia. They lunch together regularly now
- Take cooking classes in-home and out.
- Give cooking classes to Wei Ayi. I'm eating a lot of eggplant parm!
- Buy an entire local "Chinese" outfit at prices that make a local proud
- Test out the medical facilities in Nanjing – excellent gurneys and fluids (it was a LONG first 2 weeks!)
- Walk around Xinjiekou haggling with street vendors for everything from fruit to scalp massagers
- Meet me for lunch a few times near work – It's so nice to get out during the day (no offense to the guys at work, but sometimes, I need girl time)!
Find a Catholic Church in Nanjing and somehow request a priest to give her Holy Communion outside of Mass - Visit a K-TV
- Buy bras – a story unto itself!
- Find her way to a nail salon, and get a manicure and pedicure without problem
- Visit with Pedro!
- Try street food (crabs on a stick!), camel, Chinese lamb, and Chinese cake
- Learn to use chopsticks
- Find her way to a local bakery – another set of new friends – and find her new favourite treats
- Host my Chinese neighbors for coffee… and never have a lapse in conversation!
- Fill my freezer with yummy treats for after she leaves!
She really is remarkable. She didn't need a babysitter, and she is making her own friends everywhere she goes!!! Her independence is awesome! I'm so blessed to have those genes from both she and my dad.Wei Ayi makes sure there are fresh lilies in Mom's room every week, and never lets her leave the house without a jacket. She is devastated that "Mama" is leaving so soon and not returning for 9 months...
Zheng Kai, on the other hand, is relieved that come January, he regains his afternoon naps and his command post pushing the grocery cart...
I wish everyone had the chance to get to know Carms and spend time with her in China. My mom is such a warm, caring, and genuine person. Almost everyone who met her found themselves smiling just being around her… See?!
She is embracing China and all who live here. In 2 months, Carms became more "local" than any ex-pat I know! Truly an inspiration.
Thanks for reading!
I leave you with my personal favorite...
Carms, the Exchange Student!!
Zai Jian...
