Climbing China

Outside climbing in China? Check. 

                                                

Thank God for fair pollution days in the mountains!

I am entirely out of climbing shape it's pitiful ya'll. Maybe it's good my climbing gear was taken; if I went clad in my own gear they would've thought I knew what I was doing! After a measly two climbs at least I can say they were both 5.9 so maybe I'm not THAT much of a loss I gave up and decided to give everyone a laugh

We stayed in a tiny village a few hours outside of Shanghai. No other expats wanted to go so I went with locals. It turned out to be a far richer experience that way!

The thing about these trips I go on...they're fun, they're uncomfortable, and they fill ALL the senses continually.

In case you ever find yourself on such a trip, here are some tidbits of advice:

• When en route to the remote village by bus and there's a chance you'll have an aisle seat, never go without your helmet.
• Chinese are all about fresh air. Bundle up if you're going to eat or if you're going on the bus. Comfort is not high on the list. Winters are freezing. Summers are smouldering. Even in the swankiest of joints.
• Spit any food particle you do not wish to eat onto the table beside the rice bowl. I will try not to do this when I'm back in the states. No promises. 

• Dinner: garlic sprout, spiral hon note my fake smile above when I read that confusing and unappealing translation, pork liver, bamboo, and baby bamboo
• If you are told you'll be rooming alone yet find yourself rooming with a national who frequently goes to the bathroom without closing the door and sounds like she's vomiting, muster all you've got to keep a smile....after all, you're roommate's name could actually be the English word, Smile!

• While observing children playing by the fire, be prepared to be laughed at when you nearly die of a heart attack as the one-year old almost falls in the fire. 
• When the grandma picks up the filth-clad porcelain doll-like child and shoves her cheeks and lips up to your face to kiss you while you're eating, just keep smiling and laughing. Resist all urges to wipe your cheek. Whatever it is; it will dry....eventually. Feel free to finish your meal early.

• Just nod and smile when you're told China is the greatest country in the world and has much freedom.
• When you meet an American foreigner married to a local in that same village, be willing to hear the exact opposite. Again, smile and nod because you never know who can hear.

• Don't fret about looking like a Florida tourist at Disney World with a poncho. It's how we roll here in China. Rain jackets underneath the poncho ya'll.

Take in every bit of scenery you see.

Soak in God's creation.

Revel in the fact you eat everything you see, ignore the fact it's grown in tons of pollution.

• If you're a girl with long hair...watch out for the over-exuberant people swirling fireworks.
• ......and never, ever EVER be timid about being that sole person, who just also happens to be the only foreigner, asking to stop at the rest stop Starbucks. 

Basically, try not to think. Nod and smile a lot. Enjoy being in His presence experiencing a different life!