Not Immune

[mamculuna]

After seeing the poor old folks with walkers and wheelchairs standing in the supermarket for hours to get a flu shot, I wouldn't take one even if I could get it (unlike the football team at our local U). But since I am headed to the source of most flu, I thought I'd at least get a pneumonia shot. And gamma globulin. So I made my appointment with the travel doctor, drove way across town (45 minutes) to his office, waited half an hour. Oh, says the nurse, I forgot to order that vaccine. Why don't you come back next week?

Never mind, I say. Just give me the gamma globulin and I'll take my chances. But grrr. What are appointments for?

Meanwhile, lots of packing. Trying to travel light to leave room for baby stuff but still have something to wear everywhere, from Beijing where it could snow to Hong Kong where it's still very warm--plus must carry supplies of mystery paperbacks and locarb snacks, also my complete stash of emergency provisions for every possible eventuality. Whenever I'm traveling and run into a problem, I add something to my pile when I get back and take it on the next trip. So I have clotheslines, reading lights, peptobismal, matches, candles, pillowcase and washcloth, sleeping pills and dramamine, vaseline, and enough hand cleaner to wash the city. And I still know I'll find something missing just when I needed it. Give it up, Nancy. Travel is unpredictable--you'll never be prepared for everything.

Trying to refresh my travel mandarin, still not getting tones right at all--and anyway we'll be in other dialect regions most of the time. Review charcters instead. Woman--very important word to know when looking for the loo--also difference between eel and fish (but in China, I actually eat first and then ask. Otherwise I'd miss some amazing things. Jellyfish and porkstomach can be tastier than you might imagine).

Talked with another friend who just completed the same trip and he says food in Hunan is wonderful, and tells about the babies and suddenly I can't wait. Add squeaky ducks to travel pile, and go by Laurie's to see the baby's room, all blue and green with a wonderful rocking chair. Can't wait.

This time next week I'll be eating salty scallion pancakes. I wonder if there will still be old men with sewing machines and umbrella repair kits working on the sidewalks, and men in the streets driving tricycles piled high with furniture and bricks and grandmothers? Will it still smell like coal smoke and cabbage, and will the ladies in the market lecture me in local dialects when I try to buy the wrong kind of doufu? Will I get to burn incense to the 80 foot tall Buddha at Yong He Gong? Will mules be fighting Mercedes in the streets and the bicycle bells jingling like Christmas? I know it's changed...

Already can't sleep at all. When I went to China before, I couldn't sleep for days, I was so jacked up. There's something about the energy there.

Comments

[oyceter]

It's not quite Taiwan, but oh, you've made me so homesick!

And jellyfish is really good ^_^. And scallion pancakes. Mmm. And, er, frog. Hee.

[altaego.livejournal.com]

There are cars, lots of cars now.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I think Taiwan has got to be part of my next trip. I get the feeling that it has more tradition still alive than the mainland, maybe. And I'll mostly be in Chansha and Guangzhou, both completely modernized from what I hear.

Next time Taiwan and the countryside!

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

There were lots of cars when I was teaching there in 1994--but many of them were hideously dangerous little tin boxs that were one yuan taxis. My husband said those were gone by the time he went by in '98.

The highways were really crazy then--hope that they got better traffic control along with the increase in cars.

When were you there?

[oyceter]

Not sure about the tradition in Taiwan anymore, especially given the change in the government =(. My mom says that they voted to stop teaching Chinese history and to concentrate solely on Taiwanese history in schools. While I do sort of understand that, it also feels like losing a big part of my culture.

But if you're ever there when I happen to be, I would love to drag you around to all the strange little places I love!

[wombatina.livejournal.com]

sounds fascinating and frightening. can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!