I just have to let you know that I wish you were here. Not because I am lonely or anything but I am really getting a buzz out of the everyday ordinary here which is so unlike Oz.
I finished a days work, came home for a while and decided I needed some supplies and that i would eat out. I followed down the cross street behind the apartments and was amazed at the array of food stalls and restaurants and wonder why anyone would bother cooking at home.

I stopped when I found a BBQ that I understood as Luke and Lei showed me at a restaurant near school earlier in the week. I decided to go inside and find a person to take my order which involves going outside, pointing at the various meats or veges or tofu on skewers to be smoke/BBQ'd over coal, and indicating by fingers how many of each. I went inside and to my excitement I was invited to look at an English menu, expanding my arena greatly. I only know it as the Muslim restaurant which is what the delivery bike basket was labelled. I had a special lamb chop dish which was essentially crumbed in spices, served on the bone to satisfy a whole army! Side dish of julienned potatoes sauteed in butter. More expensive than my planned meal but it was delicious. Plates and bowls come hermetically sealed, and the green tea is never ending. An Alcohol free day today but I've stocked the beer in the fridge ready to celebrate if I survive to my rest day.

I was walking back and all the shops are open late, it seems you can buy anything from apples and lychees to wheelchairs and the hairdresser was gearing up for later night trade. If you have visited China you will know what I am pointing to but will not commit to the keyboard.

Two taxis were having a standoff at the corner, both refusing to budge, both trying to dislodge the other by honking the horn which eventually turned into a long mingled noise. Even as I reached my apartment- neither had budged!

Walking down the footpath the unwary are at risk of tripping over raised pavings, being run over by silent electric bikes, discovering unfinished footpaths, slipping on wet paved areas and tripping over small dogs or children but it really makes a wander a wonder! everything is so close, numerous supermarkets (local) are 5 mins away , one directly across theroad for heavy items like drinks and water.

A day trip to the supermarket would leave many "open mouthed" at what they sell. The fish section, unlike home sells live fish, turtles, frogs, eels and much more if it lives in the water and fits in the shop I think they sell it! Chicken includes everypart of the bird available cooked or uncooked (live is still banned due to hygiene required for safe handling to prevent bird flu). I would love to take Chester, Louise and Oscar around for the day but I would not be able to answer all the questions....

Anyway, get my drift - the usual here is facinating for the moment...stay tuned.