Serendipity Strikes

Last night I had this serendipitous experience with random or not so random people. The rain ceased just as the sun was setting. I ventured out of the hostel to the lake. What a hike...3 minutes by foot! I enjoyed the incredible beauty of the place as I sat on the rocky beach. I was pleasantly surprised a few random who stopped by to say hello. Most couldn't say more than "hello". But I can't say more than"Niehou".

Just as I was getting ready to leave a group came up. They had yelled down to me, "Hello". One of the girls proceeded to ask me questions about myself. I was impressed by her ability to explain her self and interact with me in English. It turns out she has been studying English in Lijiang (the city I've been staying in this week between excursions). She and I had an incredible conversation. I found out that we share similar passions. I was blown away as she shared what she is interested in and how similar her interests are to mine. She invited me to dinner and I accepted. We exchanged numbers and we are hoping to get together on Sunday. She also works with a few orphanages in Lijiang. I'm hoping to visit one with her. I guess there is a center in Lijiang that has 40 plus children who are now orphans from the Shinchuan earthquake.

Dinner with my new "friend" was definately one of those once in a life time experiences. Seven Chinese and one American circled the table. I was so out of place but also made to feel very welcome. It was clear that this group were long time friends. Interestingly, we were all about the same age.

As soon as I walked in I noticed a cup of blood against the wall. I had to look twice to confirm, "Is that what I think it is?" I must admit a red flag went off and I wondered what I'd got myself into. They pulled up children size sitting stools--that seems to be the common way here. Then the BBQ and coals came out. That is when I felt relieved. The blood was from what we'd have for dinner--the chicken! They had just killed a chicken. I couldn't complain about the food not being fresh!! When they began to cook the chicken I noticed some pieces I don't normally see. They cook the feet and the head. Later I tried the chicken feet and head. Not my favorite but it didn't taste bad. The chopsticks came out and we dipped the BBQ'd chicken in spices. It was tasty. The hostess brought out rice balls; they were literally sticky rice squished into a rice ball. We ate with both hands--in one hand the rice ball and in the other hand the chopsticks. I continued eating. Next came other vegetables--potato's, eggplant and onions. It was a huge meal. At different intervals one of the friends offered a toast to another person. This proceeded for the whole meal. My "friend" did some translation and continued to tell me about her life. She seemed happy to meet me, practice her English and share like passions. I kept on thinking, "I'm in the middle of rural China eating a BBQ'd chicken and speaking to a really compassionate woman(in English)?" Yes, I was. Serendipty definately struck!