Running to our gate after arriving in Detroit, made the journey feel ever more surreal....am I being taped? Is this a Lifetime movie? Seating on this airline was a bit more like individual cubbies, very self contained. This was great for our girls, each had their own space to stretch and their own TV screen to choose movies, tv shows, and even video games.
Olivia jumped right into the luxury, but played it cool as any "tween" might, and Mia was cautious at first to use the controls, but once she mastered all her buttons lived it up by rocking out lots of video games.Rosie was so excited she barely slept, she was the Queen of her own little castle, with somebody to wait on her hand and foot, bring her drinks, meals and even ice cream. The staff was beyond excellent, so even Chris and I got to catch a few naps and enjoy a movie or two!
After our 13 hour flight we arrived in Seoul, South Korea and after checking in and grabbing the tickets for our last leg into Qingdao found a great little play area equipped with miniature toilets and sinks...we were cracking up! I don't know if it was exhaustion that caused these little fixtures to be so entertaining, We couldn't help but snap a picture.
On to our first week....
We have made daily trips down to the sea walk here, some to swim and some just for exploration. When the tide goes out you can find locals in the rockier areas searching out lunch or dinner by gathering kelp and little soft shell crabs. We enjoying hunting for the little crabs too, but since we are not brave enough to eat them yet, we build them crab houses.Mostly we gather the littlest ones so that we are not stealing anybody's dinner! :) The girls love to body surf the waves, but despise getting any water in their mouths. To quote Rosie, "Mom!, It's nasty! It tastes like salt, pepper and dirt!"
The girls and I have braved grocery shopping as well. We gather lots of stares and smiles as we shop. I have asked the girls to wave and say, "Ni hao" if they notice somebody looking our way, because even more than usual we stand out in the crowd here. For me it serves as a tension breaker, otherwise the constant looks can be intimidating...it's my way of saying, "We come in peace". The foods here are different but similar enough and we are fairing well. Here are a few of the things we have found and you might recognize...I think my favorite label has got to be the "Sanitarium" brand cereals. I can think of a number of inappropriate slogans to blend breakfast with insanity! "Handcrafted for those CRAZY school mornings!"
I also have a fruit and fish market nearby, and enjoy the thought of supporting individual families. I was able to get 5 ears of corn, 24 apples, 5 clementines, and 2 dragon fruit for around 10 US dollars. I should probably try to barter a bit, but hopefully when they begin to see me often and I know more language I can get more for my money. The fish market is quite the sight, and to our girls looks like a petting zoo instead of dinner, styrofoam tanks with ice water, filled with crabs, sea cucumbers , eels, and clams that squirt at you. The locals ogle us as we ogle their wares, hopefully I can make an acquaintance or two to teach me local cuisine.
However, it is clear when it comes to chicken that somebody has moved my cheese. ( if you don't catch this reference check out - http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/ ) Mia and I are sub par carnivores, but that doesn't stop me from cooking a nice meal for the rest of the Colozza's with caveman inclinations. My chicken came with all the bells and whistles. The head and feet still attached, so we named him Fred. I am working past the trauma removing Fred's less than desirable parts.....I'm so sorry little chicken. I really prefer to cook meat that I haven't had to look in the eye. Enjoy the pictures below....blah blah blah... graphic picture warning.....they can be summed up in one phrase, "Ew."
It's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye....or a head. Poor Fred....Dearest Fred, I hope you make good soup. Kind Regards, Me :(
Well that wraps up most of our first week here! We send our love to those back in the US, and look forward to sharing our adventure with you!
