China 2011: Day 39-41

We are still alive and kind of kicking. I think I feel a new energy today to get us through the last 3-5 working days to get this place ready The skies have cleared of clouds and pollution and the sun does wonders for the soul. Bob was down and out with an intestinal illness for a day but seems to be getting better. I need to get some food in him so he gets his energy back. He's too valuable to the cause to be sick and we really need him. He's known as Bob the builder now that people have found out that he can build and fix anything. He bought a new power saw yesterday so watch out Macellan center.

There has been a lot going on here in the last few days. Wednesday was the craziest ever. The electricians came at 8am with ladders to fix stuff. 4 guys and two ladders to block the path of everyone moving about that day. At 8:15 the door guys came to install the new french doors tfor the great room that we ordered built about 3 weeks ago. To install they had to rip out the old metal ones that were securely attached to the cement walls and they didn't have the right tools so there was a lot of banging and pounding going on along with making a huge mess close to the new furniture that we frantically tried to cover. About 10:00 the couch guys came to put new legs on the 2 couches and 4 chairs. It was completely insane! So all this activity went on for hours. The door guys actually didn't finish up until 8 that evening. They look great except for the hardware which I think we will send back from the states when we get home as the choices here are not to good. It's a shame to have cheap looking hardware on beautiful new doors but that's something that can get fixed later. I was fortunate to leave to go to the frame shop with Huang Shan that afternoon to get some pictures that I bought framed, however, it took 3 hours! Lots of talking, discussing, negotiating, interruptions from other customers, all of which I can't understand. So I spent some time looking at the wedding pictures that a lot of couples have framed there. Wedding photography is a big business here and the pictures are quite interesting!

I have to tell about our neighbor who lives outside our bedroom window. Every morning about 6:00 he clears his throat and spits. Now this is not your ordinary throat clearing and spitting which all men do here, and even some women, out on the streets, in the park, in the market and pretty much everywhere. Ugh! It is a long lasting, deep cleansing and spewing! It has become our alarm clock. Lately he has decided to include this lovely habit at bedtime also. It seems that just when Bob and I close our eyes for sleep that he begins in again which then sends us into hysterical laughter. Oh living in China is so interesting! We really are enjoying our opportunity to immerse ourselves in this culture for such a length of time. It has been wonderful.

I keep saying that I will send completed pictures. Not one room is completed yet so hopefully by Sunday we'll have some to share.