Beginnings and Endings (or "Day 8")

[This entry was written on November 15 in Shanghai, China]
 
The end of my tour was rather of a sad departing. Here I would part
ways with those that I've become friendly with for the past week. The
last remnants of America are gone... The morning of, I woke up later
than usual (around 8am) to eat breakfast. I saw a few people left from
the tour. We made small talk for a little bit. I gave a few of them
the business cards I made for my class reunion. Perhaps I'll hear from
them again when I return to the states.
 
And thus also begins the next phase of my journey, in which I would
meet family members that I have either known in passing or have never
even known had existed before. Many of which are from my grandfather's
side of the family. Grandaunts and granduncles, as well as uncles and
aunts, and a pair of adorable 10-year old twin [girls] cousins.
 
I was greeted in the airport lobby by my grandfather and a non-related
grandaunt that I'd be staying with for the next few days. Apparently
that evening I'd be introduced to many of the family members in a
dinner party for me. I felt rather honored, being the eldest grandson
bearing the family name. Hopefully I will be able to present myself in
a positive light that will make my family proud.
 
Over the next few days, I hope to be able to figure out what my next
plans are. It's not even noon time yet, and since I have nothing else
to do, I'm using this time to blog, something I haven't really had
much time to do aside from the times I was sitting around at the
airports.
 
There are a few things that have already been planned out for me.
Tomorrow I'll be heading out with an uncle that's going to show me
around. It'll be nice to have a personalized tour now, although I
don't know how much we'll be able to converse with since my
understanding of Mandarin is rather lacking.
 
Supposedly on Monday I'm to be "set up" with a local girl here. Alas
the family has shown their intentions of introducing me to girls. I
laugh to myself at the thought. I find it amusing. Well at least she's
been said to know English.
 
My grandparents took me to the dentist yesterday. I haven't been to
the dentist in 3 years. And what he found was a rather large cavity in
one of my molars. It was rather disgusting to see this giant hole
there... Guess I need to cut out the soda drinking. I'll have to
return on Tuesday morning to get the thing sealed up. The price for
the initial visit was around $23 dollars US.
 
At the home where I'm currently staying in... it's probably better to
call it an apartment complex. It looks to be a building of around 13
stories tall. Looks like much of Shanghai looks to be like this.
Though much smaller than Beijing, the population:land ratio is greatly
compacted here.
 
Anyways, back to the home. It's rather quant with a main living
area/dining room. Then there are two bathrooms, one of which serves as
a laundry room. Then there are three bedrooms, a small kitchen, an
enclosed balcony area, and a section for the computer area.
 
In their balcony area, they raise several pets - two turtles, 4
canaries (much like the ones my parents raise), and this odd black
bird. This latter bird looks like a raven but with the capabilities of
speech... Maybe it is a raven (thinking of Edgar Allen Poe's poem
right now). The first time I heard him speak was as I was sitting in
the dining area. Something said, "Ni hao" all of a sudden, and I was
wondering if it was from the TV speakers or something outside. He also
makes sounds similar to that of R2-D2 (whistles and clicks) and cat
meows ("Me-ow?"). Rather amusing creature.
 
The granduncle that I'm staying with, along with the grandaunt and my
grandparents, have all been very warm and inviting. They have a
daily... caretaker which I call auntie, who comes in to looks after
the chores and cooking. The granduncle has a considerable limp on his
right leg. Not sure if it's proper to ask about it.
 
Well, I'm just lounging for a while. Waiting for my mom to call.
Haven't spoke to those at home for about a week. I had hoped I would
have had more internet capabilities during this trip, but I found that
many of the hotels charged for internet service, which I wasn't
willing to pay for. It's probably better this way anyway. Free of the
distractions of home.
 
Hopefully I'll be able to find a Starbucks so that I can upload these
entries soon... Well, time to go lie in bed again. *ugh* I feel blah.