New tastes, but don't mention the war...

"Have you had lunch?" is how I was greeted as I arrived at the door of my new home yesterday to drop off some boxes. It being 9 0'clock at night, I was rather perplexed.

Ming's dear girlfriend, Annie, corrected him. "Would you like to have dinner with the family?"

Having spent the evening packing, I didn't really fit in much food. Though, I did buy a packet of Smith's Cheese and Onion chips that I snacked on for a few minutes.

"That sounds nice." I replied, and was lead into the kitchen where, what I gathered, lay a 'local traditional winter asian meal' on the table. It was called a 'Hot Pot'. In the center of the table was an electric wok filled with a range of foods and boiling water. Surrounding this was a number of plates holding a range of food, some of which were 'a part of a cow... not sure which part'.
That was fine by me. Probably best not to ask too many questions.

The family kept telling me how intelligent I must be. How nice I am and all. Dear God... I'm expecting some kind of altar in my honor when I go back again today. And I won't be humble about it, either. I want blood sacrifices! ;)

So much warmth, everyone smiling and talking and laughing. It's funny how many laughs my attempts to use chopsticks can get. The whole table watched me every time I tried. The dad thought it was hilarious! (I cried inside at my lack of culture :)

Then dessert came. Something to cool the mouth down, maybe? No. We couldn't have that. The mouth must be kept at 1000 degrees at all times, otherwise it's cheating. It was some kind of plum, date and dragoneye bean soup. Very traditional... I assume.

Ming started calling me little brother in Mandarin... di-di? Gey-gey? Meh... there was a few words going around... I can't be expected to remember them all. I started calling him big brother. I forget how.

May the niceness of these great people never end.

William John.
PS. If you happen to meet them, don't mention Japan! Or Sony! If you happen to have a tamagotchi on you, one of those electronic pets, you're going to have to stop feeding it, too. It's evil. :)