The China Chronicles

Well it's been another strange day here in China. This morning, I went to the market, but I couldn't find a cucumber, so I went to the small market behind the school in the villages. Apparently they don't actually have a market on Sundays, so I walked back. On my way back, two guys playing pool said hello, so I said hello back. Depending on my mood, I sometimes answer and sometimes keep walking, but it was a good day so I was nice. They motioned me up. It turns out that they wanted me to play pool with them. Okay, I can't even play pool in English, much less Chinese. I spent a lot of time looking pretty confused, and I finally hit the ball. It sort of drifted to the middle of the table. By that time, five more men in suits had come in to watch the show, and I decided that I didn't want to be Exhibit A so I went home.

Later, I began making garlic potato soup for dinner. I was proud of myself for starting it early so I won't be stressed when it's 5:45 and I only have 15 minutes to clean everything and finish up dinner before the girls get here. I cut the vegetables, sauteed the onions and garlic, added the liquid and started boiling the potatoes. I turned the burner down low and went into the study. Gradually, I began to notice that something smelled. And it didn't smell like garlic or onions or potatoes. It smelled like...burning. I jumped up and ran into the kitchen and discovered that the soup was fine. Yes, the soup was fine. The pot, on the other hand, was not. Despite the fact that the flame was nowhere near the handles, they freakin melted! Who puts plastic handles that can melt on a pot that is obviously intended for cooking?! I transferred the pot to my electric burner, which is right by my gas stove, so let's hope that nothing sparks and blows up my entire kitchen. So much for that pot...

posted by Sara @ 11:48 PM