4 day in

I have been in Changsha 4 days now.  The weather is not as hot as normal but there is still enough humidity to make me sweat when I am out and about.  I let my Father know that I would like for it to stay this way!  I got here a day ahead of the group which gave me extra time to sleep.  That really helped me to acclimate!

The food is very spicy; therefore, I have not been able to eat everything served to us.  We eat lunch at a retired teacher's house each day for lunch and the food is very good and not many spicy dishes.  Last night the restaurant served us what we though might be duck eggs.  The white part was a beet juice red and had a jello consistency;  the white was a greenish black.  Of course there was peppers on the plate too so I already knew I wasn't trying them; however, several of my group did.  After a couple had tried them,  the field director came by and told us they were old eggs buried and preserved somehow.  Thank goodness for the peppers!!!  Some of the others still tried them, but at my age I have nothing to prove!  I bought my own breakfast of noodles yesterday and even managed to tell her I did not want spicy meat!  Yea!  I am going to try to buy dumplings this morning.

I start my Chinese lessons today.  Everyone ask my Father for encouragement and help leaning this difficult language.

Time to go.  See you later.