Happy Fourth of July!

Well its the fourth of july here and we are super excited for the party tonite! My first American meal since I got here . . . :)

You know those mornings when you wake up and everything is covered in fog because it rained and the sun is beginning to make it evaporate? Well thats what it looks like all the time here, some days its worse than others. Except its not as pretty cause you know its from pollution and it stays all day. Sometimes it even gets a little hard to breathe when you walk awhile. And then there's the river, its more like a creek and the water doesn't move, instead it grows white and green and blue stuff over the top, its almost shimmery . i bet it is radioactive. And then there is the smell . . .lol, kinda like sewer all the time.

But other than that, it is a very pretty place. The people are amazing. We ate dinner last night with the staff and other volunteers, we had a Hot Pot. It is a large boiling pot and then they bring out a bunch of veggies, tofu and meats and you just pick some up with your chops and drop them in, wait a minute and take out whatever you want. The meals are all shared like that and everyone just eats and eats, they walk around so much they can eat massive amounts of food! Especially the guys! lol. And the Chinese students who have come back to volunteer are already here and they are so funny and happy to be back. Everyone says its like a family here and i can see it. There is love and support all the time - most people have given up a lot to be here and they give of themselves all the time while they are here, so everyone bonds. And despite the sacrifices, everyone loves to be here and is happy all the time. I love it. They are just so eager to learn better English or help out more, its a great environment.

For lunch today they served duck. It was my first time eating duck, and it was alright. The grossest part was that i’m pretty sure they just threw the duck in whole to cook it. My bowl was filled with bones and tendons . . .lol. I didn't eat very much of it.

Have a great 4th of July!!
Kelli Lynn