Ni hao from Kunming!

What a luxury to be greeted in a foreign land by two smiling faces (Katie and Annelise) who knew exactly what to do and where to go- typically we arrive bleary eyed, have to figure out the taxi or bus situation and haggle in a foreign language about foreign currency.
We are staying with them where they have been living since last August- a gorgeous condo overlooking the city of Kunming and lovely courtyard (complete with pirate ship). Yesterday we made an attempt to see the torch runner for the Olympics, but were scared off by crowds, so watched the relay on TV. The Olympics are a BIG deal here and there's lots of excitement and celebration. We took the bus downtown and wandered around the city and enjoyed some local food (hooray for dumplings!) for lunch and dinner.
I am very impressed by Annelise's Chinese. Mike and I have learned how to say, "Please, thank you, no thank you, I don't understand, hello, and goodbye." I have found people to be kind and friendly and it's cool to watch Annelise buy veggies or ask a question and be able to bargain in Chinese.
Today we went to the flower market- many of the world's flowers are grown here and the prices set at the market influence flower prices around the world. I love markets and this was my first in a flower market, so found it particularly wonderful. I have never seen so many orchids in one place (or lilies or roses for that matter!) The market extended into a produce and vegetable area and Annelise and Katie were able to explain about some of the more unusal vegetables and food for sale. We had lunch at the University cafeteria and then visited Katie's classroom to talk with her students. It was really fun to talk with them- they were primarily curious about my profession as a therapist, as psychology is a realtively new field of study in China. Two fun/ funny highlights were being told that I look like Nicole Kidman and that I look too young to be married. Hee hee.
Tonight we try Hot Pot for dinner :) Zia jian (Goodbye :>)