Friday - Call it a "do over"

On Friday, the decision to have my soda with ice was reviewed by the internal committee and found to be unacceptable. It was further determined that all other consumption decisions must therefore be removed from the premises until further notice. This decison was appealed to Mr. Pepto, but denied. Not even a local advocate, an un-named (in English) Chinese remedy (although quite tasty) could fully sway the committee's decision. Therefore I was banished to my room early in the afternoon for the remainder of the day.

Lunch prior to my internment was interesting as well. First I must paint a picture.

Imagine a very sunny day in Shenzhen. Imagine a group of tiny (American standard) Chinese women delicately dressed in pastel business suits walking in heels to lunch. (Same place as the first day -- relatively formal). Now picture these same women with parts of pickled? crunchy chicken feet hanging out of their mouths. Let me just say that I accept other cultures, but I have seen this movie and it usually ends with one of us suggesting that we split up to investigate the scary noise outside.

We had several good things for lunch or that at least looked really good. The most interesting (and determined to taste the best by the Lexington panel) was whole shrimp cooked in spices that made them orange. You were supposed to eat the head, shell, tail -- all of it. The folks from work were very concerned about me-- and ordered me a couple of soups to eat. The first was a fish soup kinda like fish & dumpling soup. As horrible as a description as that way -- it rocked. I also was given the chicken foot soup -- and given Woo Lon Tea (imagine herbal tea served Southern Style with twice the sugar) to help with digestion.

I hated everyone worrying about me. I felt incrediby guilty. The cab ride back was surreal as well as I sat up front, but the driver didn't speak any English. I just could say thank you at the end.

Dinner was small and reserved. Apple pie a la mode makes everything all better. 4 hours of sleep

That evening, the others went to a mall in Shenzhen where it is famous for knock-offs and trinkets. One guy bought a Rolex of which we believe the minute hand did not make it all the way around more than once.