Abracadabra: they vanished!

As I was saying earlier… Once we were back from Hong Kong, we took a much needed rest, from our vacation. haha. oh boy. The next two days were spent sleeping in, reading, talking, playing Blackjack with M&M’s, and wandering the streets of Guangzhou. Then the fish bit. No. Literally. They did.

I don’t know why, but when Monica and I saw that there were tiny fish that would eat the dead skin off your feet we thought it would be something fun to try. In the seven-ish months that we’ve been here we never got around to it, that is until last week. We were walking through an underground mall when we passed a skin eating fish stand. This is what it looked like: three large tanks full of fish, each tank is divided by glass long ways down the middle, there are two chairs on each side of the tank facing each other. My grandpa, when he saw this set up, stopped and said “that looks interesting.” When we walked back by after dinner, we said why not?! We paid $3.00 a piece for twenty minutes in the fish tank. After our feet had been sprayed with alcohol, the nerves kicked in. Papa had no issue, he put his feet in and relaxed. We women, on the other hand…were in great distress. It feels exactly how you think it does, and then some. They get between your toes. They get the underside of your foot. They get your leg. Tears. So. Many. Tears. Laughing and crying. Twitching and shivering. Twenty minuets stretched on for, what seemed like, an hour. We were the entertainment for all the Chinese sitting by and passing by us. Papa, however, was completely relaxed and enjoying himself. That was…something else.

Their second to last night was a little extra special. All of our close friends (our China family) came to the apartment for dinner. Casandra, Tianne, Reese, and Sam all came and ate with us. All of the stories we’d been telling them finally had faces and personalities. Our friends here are unbelievably animated, waving their arms in huge circles, laughing loudly, talking, talking, talking… We love them so much and it was such a pleasure to see them interact with my family so well. Such a blessing!

The last two days of their stay here, I unfortunately had work. They did, however, get to come to my office and see where I work. We had lunch together both days, and on their last night here, they took Monica and I to a nice Italian dinner. Then, GBDay. 4:30A.M. saw the three of us standing in the street, flagging down a taxi. By 5:45 they were checked in and I had said goodbye. I won’t lie, there were more tears. My poor cab driver must have been uncomfortable. Their whole visit went by way to quickly. As if someone said “poof!” they were already gone. Every day they were here, Monica and I were so spoiled. They paid for every meal out, bought our groceries, and brought us delicious American treats. I can’t believer it went by so fast, but I am incredibly grateful that they were able to experience my life here for a moment. They saw my commute on a busy train, they were stared at and approached by complete strangers, they experience first hand the frustration of not speaking the language, and so much more. Thank you, Mama and Papa for taking the time and spending the money to come all the way to the other side of the world for a visit. It meant so much to me (and Monica.) I love you guys. I miss you guys, and I can’t wait to see everyone again!