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Letters to Grandma and GrandpaMar 18, 2008
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For their writing assignment for homeschool, Anna and Laura had to choose something from our trip and describe it to my mom and dad in a letter. (Bestafar is Norwegian for Grandpa.)
By Laura
Dear Nana and Bestefar,
I am having a lot of fun in China, and I really like it so far. I was really excited to try the food in China, because I love Chinese food! I heard that Chinese food in America is a lot different than Chinese food in China. I was really disappointed because my dad also said it was not going to be very good. When I tasted the food, I was surprised to see that it is different, but really tasty. A lot of the spices they use are not the same as in America, and there are more flavors. There are also different dishes here in China that we don’t have in the US. For example, we were once served pig’s ears with yolk and some pig's elbow. Another time there was dog on the menu, so not all Chinese food is good! Nobody in our family ate them, but it just shows that the Chinese seem to eat nearly everything.
One restaurant we went to, there was a set meal and we got so much great food. I noticed there is always a big circle in the center of the table that you put the food on and it spins around. There were fried potatoes, chicken in celery sauce, sweet and sour fish, vegetables, and beef in really good sauce, and more! The fried potatoes were my favorite and they were a little spicy, which is good for me. I don’t like it too spicy, but a little spice is excellent. The sweet and sour fish was different from anything I have ever eaten before. The sauce was still sweet and sour sauce, but the best I have ever had because it was the perfect amount of sweet and perfect amount of sour. Also, it was strange because the meat was still connected to the fish. I thought that was weird, but it still tasted incredible.
Another thing I noticed about the Chinese food is that there is the same food for breakfast as there is for lunch. I don’t like this as much, but I guess that’s just because it’s not what I am used to. I am also getting tired of rice. In China, people eat rice for almost every meal. Coming from Thailand, where they eat just as much rice, I am getting sort of tired of it. Rice is really important to places like China and Thailand, because it is a staple food and very filling.
In all, I really enjoy the food here in China, and I think it is really great. Sometimes you don’t know exactly what it is that you are eating, but it is generally really good. I am excited to see more of China and eat more of its great food.
I miss you guys so much and I really look forward to seeing you when we get back and telling you all about our adventures. I love you!
xoxoxoxo
w/love, Laura!
By Anna
Hi Nana and Bestefar!
How are you? I miss you guys so much! I am having a lot of fun on this trip. So far we have been to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Right now we are in China! I have found many things about Asia interesting, but the thing I have found the most interesting are the street scenes!
The streets are bustling, crowded, and dirty. There are piles of trash everywhere that people are digging through, trying to find food and things to sell. All the people sit outside their one room houses and shops, eating and trying to sell things. They call out to you, wanting money or for you to buy something. They are selling things like: shoes, food, coins, art work, silk, wallets, hats, etc. There are smells of meat and fish being cooked and smells of trash and dirt. There are sounds of horns honking, and people talking and laughing with their friends and family. Everyone is so happy, even when they have nothing. It makes me realize how lucky we are in the united states and how much we have, yet how ungrateful some people are. It also makes me appreciate my family and friends and shows me that material things aren’t what is important in life.
I love you guys, and I can’t wait to see you when I get home and tell you more about the trip and what I have experienced and learned!
Love, Anna
