Stories of the Middle Kingdom

Saturday Afternoon in Bamboo Forest

In the span of two days we went from sweat to sweaters. Fall made an abrupt but welcome arrival in Bamboo Forest.

I tutored my little neighbor yesterday in English. He is so quick to learn, and he is able to practically apply his knowledge immediately. For example, I said the word "nose," and he quickly pointed to his nose. And since he was there, he decided to pick his nose! What a smarty.

In the afternoon I rode my e-bike to a tea house, and along the way I saw a young man doing a market survey with a middle-age woman. This is only odd because they were standing in the middle of the road to do the survey. I had to swerve to dodge them.

I also had to swerve to dodge a lady talking on her cell phone. At least in this country it is regarded as a nuisance and is against the law.

But I got to the tea house, sat outside, drank the best latte I've ever had in this country that wasn't made by Starbucks (yes, Chinese tea houses now also serve coffee), and read a John Grisham book for a couple of hours. I seldom have time to do this, so it was a welcome respite, a lovely day in the Middle Kingdom.