Leigh Does China

My sister, Leigh, and her boyfriend, Carl, made it safely back from China this week.  I talked to her on Thursday and we had a nice long conversation about everything they did and saw.  After talking with her for about an hour we wrapped up the conversation and before we hung up I asked, “So nothing crazy or scary happened on your trip?”  Then, as if she were recounting a trip to the post office she added, “Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you I was hit by a car and attacked by a monkey.”

Apparently China doesn’t have stringent traffic laws, or in some places, traffic lights.  She was attempting to cross an intersection, on a crosswalk no less, when she was hit.  “It just rolled me up on the hood and pushed me forward a little.  It didn’t hurt.”

As for the monkey story, Leigh and Carl were posing for a picture when someone happened by with their pet monkey.  It immediately ran up her leg, crawling across her face, and stopping on top of her head.  “I wasn’t sure of the laws regarding monkeys and self defense, so I just kind of stood there.  I didn’t want to end up in a Chinese prison for punching a monkey in the face.”  I couldn’t argue with that.

Fortunately for me, the person with the camera kept snapping, and for that I say thank you.

Leigh, Don't Order the Pu Pu Platter!

My baby sis and her boyfriend departed two days ago for China.  I, myself, have never traveled outside of the states, but I had some advice for her nonetheless.

• Don't be surprised if someone hits a gong every time you try to speak. It's just their custom.
• Don't pack baby powder in a zip lock baggy to save room in your suitcase. (Yeah, she's done it before.)
• Don't drink water straight from a river like our genius, eldest sister did in Honduras.  You don't want to be harboring a parasite upon your return home. 
• Don't do anything that could render you spending time in a Chinese prison.  Lifetime movies portray it as being really rough. 

That was all of the knowledge I imparted to her, but I did request she bring me back a souvenir that captured the essence of China, e.g. a headband like Ralph Macchio wore in Karate Kid, a fortune cookie, or a T-shirt that says, "Me love you long time."