Off to China

I leave for China in less than a week. I am a little nervous, but I guess that is the spice of life. At least I should be able to pack light, since it is going to be hot over there...

I am also hoping to lose some weight. Partially due to the heat, and partially due to the limited cuisine options. Should be interesting. I generally stay away from rice, so I am imagining to fit into the South Beach Diet pretty well over there. Not a lot of bread or potatoes, so that helps, I guess.

I also am DYING to try Kung Fu in a park. I think it would be really fun. And I am told that it is totally common place and I won't look like an idiot or anything!!! (Very different in Vista, CA.)

Sifu said that when he was there (about a month ago) he was trying to ask the woman at the hotel desk where he could go and practice but she didn't speak English, and he didn't speak Mandarin. So they went back and forth for a while, and finally he just said "Kung Fu?" And she smiled and nodded and pointed in the direction of a park that was apparently overflowing with Tai Chi practitioners and various other studiers of Martial Arts. The only reason he would stand out would be that he is Mexican. :)

I want to stand out just because I am an Irish/Polish/Scottish/etc. white girl.

Then again, I don't know how much time I will have to actually do things on my own, and my New Zealand "host" will be with me, so he will probably want to do things together. Not because of my company, but because he is kind of sexist and doesn't think it is safe for someone like me (woman) to be alone in China. He may be right, but then I won't get to do any Kung Fu!!!

Sigh. I never am going to get my blue sash. My staff still sits in the corner, purchased over a year ago and wrapped in Looney Toons Christmas wrapping paper.