Thursday, September 13, 2007

Finally Here!






Well I have made it! I have been in Ningbo, China now for about 35 hours now and it has been the craziest, most overwhelming, and exciting 35 hours of my life! I have walked around most of the campus which has it's own marketplace. There are quite a few streets lined with street food stands, fruit wagons, clothing stores, Walgreens type-stores, and even hair salons. We went downtown this evening where we had a fancy dinner at a super fancy hotel and met all of our Chinese Friends. It was one of the most uplifting and encouraging moments to be in a room with such beautiful, friendly, and happy strangers who I now call my Brothers and Sisters. The food was quite an experience. Our Chinese friends picked many dishes that are famous from different provinces in China such as Peking Duck from Beijing (delicious), and spicy fish soup from Sichuan ( I ate it and thought it was delicious Casey, be proud)




There is so much I could go on about so I have just decided to make a list of the things I learned and observed from being here thus far:

  • Chinese children, while diaperless and do their business on the street, are incredibly adorable!

  • Riding a bus in China is rather like riding the wizard's night bus in the third Harry Potter movie..........really.

  • People here are almost always smiling and are some of the friendliest people I have ever encountered.

  • It is very hard to get fish smell out of your clothes and hair.
  • Meat and melon can be found on a stick almost anywhere in the city at any time.
  • Asia's largest Starbucks is right here in downtown Ningbo.

I will try to get more pictures up in an album somewhere online and will inform everyone when I do. I hope everyone who is reading this is well and happy. Much love to you all.



14 comments:

Kaydub said...

Amazing, Jessica! 'Can't believe you're finally there! Renovatus is praying!

Kevin

The Mooney's Clan said...

Imagine that? They are more friendlier than Americans! Of course!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE YOU JESSICA!!!
LOVE ZINZILE

Anonymous said...

hoh jessica. i miss you so much!
china looks amazing! im praying for, and so are the phi alpha's.
when does school start?

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessica,
We brought one of those incredibly adorable children home with us. She is joining the rest of us in praying for you -- at least she is sure to shout the 'AMEN'!

Roy

Anonymous said...

Jessica- A few Questions-
1) Where are the parents of the bottomless chinese children?
2) Do they have the Pumkin Spice Latte at the largest Starbucks in Asia?
3) at your fancy dinner did you get to say "BOO! Whoa boo chi?"

Luv Ya-
Shawna

Unknown said...

to answer shawna's question, instead of a pumpkin spice latte, it sounds like a fish spice latte is closer to what they might have at starbucks. ew. i hope you packed lots of hand sanitizer!

love you sister!

xerigal said...

Ayiiiiaaahhh fishy smells! Find some Fabreez spray. Glad you made it, we miss you. Can't wait for your next blog. Beth and I think you are the bravest niece. Sending all our LOVE!

Paulett, Don, Rachel, & Beth

Anonymous said...

Hi, my friend! It is good to know you made it safely. Have fun! My brother-in-law is looking up where his friend is at over there, and he says that he has done a lot sightseeing. If youre anywhere near where he is at, you might be able to contact him, but I don't know china's pretty big. You probably have plenty to keep you buzy for now. I love you and enjoy.
Melissa

jon zebedee said...

Zaden misses you!!!

Anonymous said...

Keep on keepin on. I'm proud of you. You are experiencing life to its fullest. T

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for taking us with you (vicariously). You are in our thoughts - I'm looking forward to your next adventures!
Sharla

Anonymous said...

Wow! The start of an incredible adventure. Experience everything you can. We love you and your courage to do what you do.
Love, Ron

Anonymous said...

Happy to hear from you and get to see as you are talking to your Mom. Sending my love,
Grandma dorhar