Long story short:
Wake up: 6:55, I had a video conversation the #fam. I introduced my host family to my natural parents and acted as a translator. I think both parties enjoyed meeting each other and it was fun actually being able to tell them what the other was saying.
Breakfast: Tomatoes, meat, and some kick ass yogurt.
The Sprint of Fashion Lady: I thought that we were going out of town today, but then my host mom told me that I seemed too freaked out about not getting Margie’s permission so we’re going next week probably. These people are so nice to consider my feelings. That seems weird, but I feel like there’s a mindset with some host families where it’s like: “Oh you dumb American! We’re doing things my way.” When I did realize that we were in town for the weekend, I bolted for the subway station so I could meet some friends at Fashion Lady (basically a shopping center underground where you can bargain.
Fashion Lady: We were supposed to meet at ten, but we didn’t actually find everyone until 11 because the people I was meeting were being dragged around by middle schoolers. I actually had no idea where Fashion Lady was prior to today; all I knew was that it was at 新街口. I just assumed it was a store within the mall we went to a few weeks ago when we went ice skating. I waited in exit seven for half an hour, and I just happened to glance up and see someone who looked like Hannah. I did a double take and then saw Jessica with her and bolted after them because holy hell how did I actually find two people I knew in a city with 8 million people? I had them take me to Fashion Lady in hope of finding where everyone else was, but it was going to take another 30 minutes before that actually happened, because there is no phone service underground. (I guess that’s to be expected, but it’s really inconvenient trying to find someone when you can’t contact them.) I still hate the program phones. When we did find everyone at 11, we did some walking around. I did end up getting a really cute dress and shirt comb for 150 kuai. I’d like to personally thank Anushka and Josie for bargaining it down 15 kuai for me, because I’m as useful as a sack of potatoes. When the store lady said 150 and I said “okay” they both yelled at me and told me that I should have walked away in order to get a lower price.
Lunch: I got luke-warm French fries from KFC because it was the only thing I knew how to say on the menu. The lady still didn’t understand me rip.
Power nap: I got home around two and then slept for three hours and I’m still tired.
Dinner: I’ve also been really dehydrated all day and we don’t drink liquids at dinner so I didn’t really eat. Also I was really hot so I couldn’t eat.