Me with REAL pandas!!
I can’t believe I’ve already been in Ya’an for a week! Where has the time gone? I have spent most of this week getting adjusted to the jet lag and culture. My first few days were so busy with touring Ya’an; grocery shopping, attending a Chinese wedding lunch reception, pot luck with friends, and even hot pot complete with Chinese beer!
Hot pot dinner
Maria and me at the Chinese wedding lunch reception
After a couple of busy days, I made my way to the base! It was amazing! I stood feet away from my favorite animal of all time! Being here is a complete dream come true! (Now if only I would get to hold that baby, ha!).
Me with pandas
I have to say that as a vegetarian the struggle of what am I eating is real, but not unmanageable. That’s been an easy adjustment since I’m originally from a place where vegetarianism isn’t common. The main issue is not being able to understand the labels or what people say to me. But the people have been really nice, I have learned how to say vegetarian and tofu which have saved me. (phonetically: vegetarian = chisu (cheeshoe) and tofu = doufu (doughfu).
The picturesque city of Ya’an
Around town I stick out like a sore thumb! It’s been interesting; all the stares, people randomly saying “Hallow”, and people taking pictures of me. It’s like I have weird alien celebrity status in Ya’an. Definitely something to get used to! Until I do, I am soaking up all the cultures and oddities of Ya’an (including all the red and purple hair most women seem to have here) It’s all an adventure for sure!
Until next time!
-Lauran