Shopping in China

Cynthia has been venturing out into the market and learning the tricks of shopping.  First, she looks for another westerner and spies on their carts to see what they are buying.  She will then sidle up to their cart and strike up a conversation (imagine that).  Unfortunately, most of the people she has met are also new and don't really have shopping down yet.  Buying chicken at Carrefour was an interesting venture.  They had pre-packaged chicken breasts that were non too appealing and then Cynthia spotted a gaggle of Chinese women sorting through a freezer bin of partially frozen unwrapped chicken breasts - can you say e-coli party?  Undaunted, Cynthia donned her plastic grocery store bags as makeshift gloves and dug in with the best of them.  I came home to a very nice home-cooked meal of pesto pasta, vegetables and shoe leather - I mean - sauteed chicken breasts.  Apparently, Cynthia wanted to be sure no one got sick from the chicken and cooked it extra longgggggggggg.  On my way home, I found a small flower shop and decided to stop in and pick up a bouquet - they had Cynthia's favorites - Star Gazer lilies!  I bought a huge bouquet that in the states would have cost around $80 for only $20.  I am heading out for a business trip on Tuesday until Friday and wanted to soften the news with flowers.  I will be going to Shenyang and then Beijing.  Cynthia and the boys will fly out on Friday to join me in Beijing and we are planning to visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.  Should be a good weekend.  Have to run for now. Take care.