China "Craziness"

We have had an absolutely great time in China.  The people have been very welcoming, the cities and sites have been gorgeous, and some of the best food we have had on the trip has been here in China. However, there are a few things that are socially and culturally different that we just could not get use to.  Below is our attempt to describe them, but you might have to come here and see them with your own eyes!

Bare Buns
During our first few days in China I noticed many bare buns, naked booties, and sweet cheeks. These bottoms did not belong to adults, but to little 1-3 year olds. To be fair these little ones were wearing pants, but the pants had a giant slit from the front to the back and their little naked parts were out for all to see. No diapers and no underwear were worn.

I was taken back. I couldn’t understand why this was happening. How is this sanitary, not only for the baby, but the world around him/her.  What if they sit on the ground? What if they fall? I felt nervous for their exposed parts. I wanted answers and answers I got.

The Bund is a  road that rides along the western bank of the Huangpu river and it's Shanghai's most famous tourist destination. While Miguel and I were walking along The Bund I noticed (in the middle of the walk way) there was a 3 year old squatting and urinating in public! What!?!? I thought. I felt bad, but my eyes were locked in position, I was full on starring at this little one! I couldn’t believe my eyes…these pants promoted public urination and were some weird potty training tool.  Unbelievably, some children are allowed to pee right on the street while others are taught to squat over newspaper. It is so bizarre and ridiculously hilarious. That is when Miguel and I learned to watch our step and be very weary of small watery puddles.

The Bund

I wonder what just came out of here?

Is it water? Is it juice? Oh, it's peepee!

The Subway
Subways are the main transportation systems in many cities throughout China, but our most extreme experience was in Beijing.

Every square inch of the trains are used and literally NO space is wasted. Exiting and entering the trains is the most hazardous part of the journey.  Lines do not exist and it’s each man for himself. It is mandatory to use your elbows an arms to push others out of the way to make room for yourself.

Not everyone (that is waiting for the train) can fit. So, you must be prepared to fight your way through the crowd for a space. Sometimes you are lucky and get a helping hand/push from the neighbors behind you to make sure the maximum amount of travelers are squeezed in while the doors are closing.

When this first happened to me, I almost lost my footing and fell. As you can imagine I was a little frustrated and couldn't believe the lack of common courtesy. I'm a rule follower....I wait my turn, I make the line, and I certainly don't push people. I managed to get out a scream and yelled to all the could hear that being pushed was absolutely ridiculous and that someone could really get hurt. It turns out, no one on the train cared, they all thought I was crazy and from that moment on I pushed to the front without any hesitation.

Court surviving the subway

Beijing Subway

The Food
There are few words I need to use to describe the craziness. I will just tell you the items as they appear on the menus.

Fried squid lip
Catfish maw
Braised pork knuckle with roasted squid lip
Jellyfish in cold sauce
Boiled sea cucumber
Shark tail soup
Sea Horse soup
Soft shell turtle in pot
Crocodile claw
Chicken wing and feet casserole
Chicken feet are available in a variety of ways, but our favorite was vacuumed packed like a beef jerky treat.
Sea Weed (a pile comes on a plate…served much like seasonal vegetables)

Crawling Scorpions

All kinds of craziness 

Tarantulas

More Scorpions

snails and tails

not sure...

The Squatty Potties
Nothing could have prepared me for the things I would see throughout China’s public women’s bathrooms. The main attraction is the actual toilet. What I have termed the  “squatty potty.” I’ve heard tales of these toilets, but never had come face to face with one before. To put it mildly, I’m no stranger to public bathrooms. Let’s remember my many years of camping and travel. Typically, I take the proper precaution and move on, but in China, I was scarred…..I mean really scarred. I do not exaggerate when I tell you that every single experience was terrible.

To be frank, all bathrooms lack the cleanliness we all come to expect. There is no soap, no paper towels, no hot water, and no toilet paper. The toilet is actually a glorified hole in the ground and you are expected to squat over the hole to do your business. The floor is always wet, there is always a gift left behind from the previous user (even though the toilets flush) and rarely do women close the door.

I must say, with much pride, that I am a professional squatter now. I carry my own toilet paper, always flush, and always lock the door….when there is a lock☺ Needless to say, I have a new found appreciation for the porcelain god.  I truly give my thanks every time I have the luxury to sit.

The Throne

Toilet paper..never leave home without it!

The Luggie Extraction Remedy 
Chinese medicine has gifted the world with some great remedies, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and massage therapy.  However, there is one teaching that really never took off anywhere else in the world, but that is still widely practiced in China.  We have termed this the Luggie Extraction Remedy. Chinese medicine stipulates that swallowing one's flem can be detrimental to your health.  People all around China both males and females make an art form of extracting this flem and then disposing of it anywhere they please.  Back in the U.S. we would just call this spitting or hocking, but those would be simple terms to describe what is really going on here. We didn't film people doing this for obvious reasons, but we did reenact it for you in a video.

Other China Curiosities

Scooter hand warmers. I actually like this idea

Airport waiting area

Health inspection notifications at restaurants

Men's urinal...the sign states to aim carefully

Many Chinese women have loved taking pictures with Courtney...I am a little jealous

No matter how many bags people have with them at the airport, they always put them on luggage carts