Wii Bowling with Grandma!

(Sandy)

March 6, 2010

It was still raining…a lot…our first full day in Hangzhou. Helen came to fetch me at the teacher’s apartment at about 9:30 am to guide me to the school and to meet up with the rest of the “Shanghai Five” and host siblings. I am REALLY glad that I brought waterproof boots. It was pouring and cold most of the day. We were bussed to West Lake and because of the awful weather did not take the boat tour but instead visited the museum across the street. We viewed works of two contemporary Chinese painters. Their work was beautiful but very un-Chinese. Both had studied and painted in Europe and certainly brought the traditional technique back home. One of the artists was from Hangzhou, painted many portraits of his family and figure studies, and has works hanging in some of the great museums. Having painted in Europe mostly, the other artist’s work was interesting because all of his subjects were westerners. We then visited the part of the museum that housed magnificent porcelain pieces from a number of the dynasty eras. Many were in perfect condition with the tiniest details still in tack and included bowls, drinking vessels, incense holders, and a huge dish that had to be close to three feet in diameter. The beautiful matt celadon green glaze was in abundance along with dragons, lotus leaves, little squiggle designs that were meant to be silkworms, and some very humorous animal caricatures. Because it was still raining after the museum visit, we were taken to a teahouse for, of course, some tea but also sunflower seeds and chips that resembled the sweet-potato chips that we can get at home at the grocery store. Many of us were just happy to hold the hot teacup and capture the heat.

Next, I was told that I would have dinner with Lauren and her host family. Let me just say up front that it was the most fun and interesting evening for me since the start of our adventure. After walking up 7 flights of stairs, we arrived at the host’s home. It was a lovely 2-floor apartment with many surprises waiting. First we had some milk tea and then the Dad brought in what appeared to be a lemon about the size of a soccer ball. We were all in awe as he cut away the top and began to use all his might to peel away the very thick tough skin. It had a great citrus-like aroma to it. He gave us each a wedge and then showed us how to break it in half, peel away the membrane and eat the interesting fruit. It had the texture of a somewhat dry orange, but a nice subtle flavor. “Ning”, the daughter, said that her Dad usually never peels this at home, so I’m thinking this was a special performance for us. Little did I know that it would be just the beginning of many performances!

After a few minutes, the house was buzzing with visitors. Ning’s Grandma and Grandpa joined us from their rooms and an Aunt, Uncle, Cousin Frank and good friend knocked at the door. Ning and her friend played the piano for us. They are both very talented and kept us entertained. Lauren and Ning also played a duet they had worked on. I couldn’t even remember how to play chopsticks! Ning then let me know that her Dad played the erhu, the tall 2-stringed violin-like instrument. I asked if he would play and it appeared that he was not shy about performing for us. It was so interesting to see this instrument played up close…how the strings encompass the reed…how the reed is played on each string separately…where his fingers travel to create the notes…how the bow sits on top of the snake skinned barrel part of the instrument…I was fascinated by the mechanics and by how beautifully he played it. He even played the theme from Titanic while Ning sang a bit.

With that part of the concert over, Ning’s friend then unveiled her guzheng, another stringed instrument that looks like strings on a fancy log…played flat across a table. She is fairly new at this instrument, but played a couple of very sweet and soft tunes. Her hands floated over the strings very delicately and yet plucked them with a variety of finger techniques that were very authoritative and guitar-like.  When she finished she tried to teach both Lauren and me a couple of notes. It is much harder than it looks to create the beautiful sounds and look graceful doing it!

As if that wasn’t enough entertainment for the evening, we were then escorted upstairs to compete at Wii Bowling. Ning’s 14 year old cousin, Frank, was very good at this game and was encouraged to show his dominance, so Lauren, Ning, Frank, the Friend and I all competed. We had so much fun and there was a ton of laughter and good sportsmanship. After the first game, Ning’s 77 year old Grandma was encouraged to play me (I knew I was in trouble) so to fill out the second game, four of us played. Let me tell you, Grandma was talking to that TV (in Chinese) and tossing that virtual bowling ball like her life depended on it. Again, we had a great time with lots of good humor and great fun.

I think she beat me!

Finally it was time for dinner. We were taken to a really nice buffet-style restaurant at a hotel. The food was good and included spaghetti as well as many of the local Chinese dishes. Lauren and Ning had ice cream for dessert…a cross between gelato and sherbert. While I hopefully ate enough to be polite, I was still stuffed from the huge lunch we had earlier in the day. At the time I didn’t realize that I probably should have “carbo-loaded” because after dinner we were taken to the ping-pong room at the hotel. The host family changed into their ping-pong outfits while Lauren and I were still bundled up in the warm clothes required for the day’s earlier events…I had long underwear on! So you can see where this is going, right? To make a long story short, we again had a great time albeit a very hot one. After just playing for fun for an hour or so, Lauren won one out of two games with Ling…way to go Lauren! I just played for fun. Frank once again showed his athletic ability playing really intensely against his opponents.

Finally it was time to say good-night. I was dropped off at the gate of the school to find my way in the dark back to the apartment. I will admit that I was a little apprehensive, but after just one wrong turn found the right doorway. Thank you Joanne for the flashlight suggestion!

I will end by saying that Lauren is very fortunate to be staying with this family. They are so much fun and the hospitality was abundant.  And, I am glad to be joining them tomorrow morning again. I wonder what Grandma will have in store for me?        

Best, Sandy