Just a short note this time… I’ve gotten the bug that I have always dreaded – the GI bug. Luckily I have Cipro and am slowly recovering. But being sick in China sucks. I don’t know what made me sick. I don’t know if it was brushing my teeth with the tap water in Zhengzhou (something I’ve always done with no problems), the dinner we had the night we left the village, or just a combination of all the food over the past week. I do know that I had horrible visions of being admitted to a Chinese hospital and pumped full of fluids. An overreaction, of course, and now that I’m feeling better, it all seems silly. I’ve had a good run of 5 trips to China without getting sick, so I suppose I was due. I’m just glad I followed my own advice to bring antibiotics.

The group went to the Taoist Monastery yesterday and ate at the great local rib place, and they loved it. Some said the lunch was the best meal they had since they arrived. I’m really glad for that – in the midst of hotel buffets filled with westerners, a little local flavor is very welcome. I was sorry to miss the adventure, but luckily all that I missed I had seen last year.

Now it’s on to Beijing – our flight leaves at 10:30, and we will land, go to Temple of Heaven Park for a tour and some taiji, then to the Pearl Market for the Great Shopping Adventure. Tonight is “dinner on your own”, so people will get a break from each other and from the group dinners, and wander about on their own, maybe to Pizza Hut, maybe to the Hard Rock Cafe (Bill and I will go there, Bill needs another t-shirt), or a local Chinese meal.

3 more days, then home. I will be happy to be home, I miss my kitties, my bed, and my routine.

Advertisement