Life continues to be a blast. Sat here in Incheon airport waiting my delayed flight back to Shanghai. Spent three days in Seoul which is a very relaxing place and the home of some of the politest people I have met. One issue with Korea - you need a special local Sim card to make your phone work. Though given the e-mails I have recievd from people trying to call me - it has its blessings.
Today took part in team building which was on a mountain side golf course an hour out from Seoul. http://www.blueone.com/.
Last weekend in China saw the Dragon boat holiday. This is an ancient holiday based around a poet and his actions involving drowning in a river. They have special rice wrapped in bamboo to celebrate. I had a lunch in my house. 24 people from the office were invited, 20 turned up, only one of whom was male. Everyone had great fun.
There were two children besides me and so I was able to feel comfortable. Each person brought one dish and the whole food was shared. A lot was taken home as well. A few points to note that continue to show differences in our repsective cultures.
1) - I have polished stone floors except for the bedrooms (polished wooden floors). When the Chinese arrive at some ones house they leave their shoes in the doorway. Which is fine if you are male and wear socks. However the ladies hadnt expected these floors. So I had to lend out a number of pairs of sports, golf, walking socks. Which was even more amusing when you realise that their feet are size 3,4,5 compared to my 10's. For some my walking socks nearly went to their waists.
2) - what they expected to do - after cooking lunch, the guests split into 3 groups, me and the children playing hide and seek, a group chatting and watching DVDs, and a group playing were wolves (more below.) The DVD people chose the Green Mile (because they like Tom Hanks) and sat through it - tissues in hand. Well most of them. Three of them curled up and went to sleep on the floor, sofa, and the other 5 or so just sat around them as if it was normal.
3) - werewolves is a very common game (apparently) in China. It consists of a pack of cards, where there are two werewolves a witch, a policeman and normal people. From what I could determine it involves asking questions to determine who is what and each round selecting people to be killed. The aim is to kill the werewolves and witch. The game involves a part where you close your eyes and the witch and werewolves (separately) are allowed to open theirs. The remarkable thing was they played for 4 hours (13 of them) and not once did they cheat, open their eyes when they shouldnt. they didnt pick on people. they had a lot of laughs. In the UK 30 minutes and then someone would have started peeping.
4) - they were interested in my music and DVD collection and a number of discs have been borrowed, including one Capital Gold compliation CD - because it had a Barry White track on it. I was most bemused by the girl who immediatley wanted to borrow my Travelling Wilburys CD. No accounting for good taste.
They went home about 6, which left me some washing up and cleaning up. My AYI has complained there is too much to do in 4 hours a week. I think she wants more money. So I now do the washing, and washing up before she comes.
Flight called
bye
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