If we were having coffee, I would tell you good morning and thanks for joining me for another weekly chat. I must tell you though, I’m still a little under the weather. After having my grandpa’s lamb stew hot pot on the first day of Spring which was Monday, the 20th, the next morning, I woke up with a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. I began coughing as I felt mucus (not to sound gross) build up in my throat.

At first I blamed spring and my allergies. After all, I went to the ranch the previous afternoon and had been surrounded with blooming flowers with lots of pollen. I didn’t believe it was the lamb making me sick. However, I wasn’t the only one who got sick. My aunt also came down with a stuffy nose and cough the day after the lamb stew. My grandpa too and he was nowhere near the ranch on Sunday. So that leaves one culprit.

The Lamb Stew!

Both my aunts told grandpa it wasn’t a good idea to have lamb stew in such a warm weather (upper 70’s/early 80’s) but as always my grandpa didn’t listen. He does what he wants. On Thursday night, as we were having dinner, grandpa was coughing like crazy. He was coughing into his food as mucus and spit was flying out. I instantaneous lost my appetite watching him still eat what’s in his bowl after what had just happened. I wanted to point out to him about hygiene but he’d just ignore me like everyone in the family.

They say I am diluted meaning I’ve just been called a foreigner but what does that have to do with wanting good hygiene?

All I’m saying is cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough to prevent germs from spreading. What is wrong with that? But it seemed like the older some people get, the more ignorant they become.

Anyway, onto a happier topic. I went on a day trip to Guangzhou on Friday. I went by tram and utilized the subway to move about the city. I went to Lychee Bay (荔枝湾) to taste its famous Boat Load Porridge (艇仔粥).

When my mom first mentioned it, I thought the porridge came in a little boat made from a bamboo leaf or something but after yesterday, I finally knew how it got its name. The porridge had all kinds of seafood – shrimp, squid , fish, scallop. I guess everything you can find on a fisherman’s boat. It was truly delicious.

After an early lunch, we wandered around Lychee Bay before making our way back to the subway station and onto our next location – The Mausoleum of the 72 Martyrs. So far, both of our destinations had been recommended by my mom who had once lived in Guangzhou for 4 years while she attended university in the 1980’s.

The day was really heating up. Although it was only in the low 80’s, it felt much hotter due to the 90% humidity. Sweat was flowing from my forehead and dripping from my brows. Meanwhile, my legs were starting to feel tired and not want to move.

Meanwhile, my aunt was busy talking with my other aunt. Apparently, my grandpa has found a way to sour a perfectly day trip by heading to the hospital. “He’s mean and grouchy,” my aunt said. A stone in the gallbladder had obstructed his urinary tract and my uncle didn’t know whether he should take him to the ER or a specialist. After a long conversation, my uncle took my grandpa to a specialist and he’s having a surgical procedure on Monday.

You’d think after that I’d be able to enjoy the trip. Nope. I still had sweat dripping down and my feet were in pain and I told my aunt, “we’re going home after this.” This was way too much walking for me.

We still managed to see plenty though include the pyramid of stones donated by different countries. I also managed to get a picture of the stone my mom wanted me to get – the one that read “Salt Lake City”. However, that was all I could do during this trip. There was simply no more energy left in me.

Note to self: Next time, get a car. It’s too big of a city to see on foot. 

If we were having coffee, I would like to thank you for listening and I have enjoyed the chat and I am looking forward to another chat next week.