Money and Rituals

Doe shou chien? (How much does this cost?) This is one of the most useful phrases we’ve learned since being here. We can’t get the tones down but for the most part people can understand what we say. In the last few weeks though we haven’t had to use it as much because have started to know how much things will cost. Money is an interesting part of China here. There are hardly any set prices and thus value is all relative. After about 5 weeks of being here we have found what is valuable to us and made it a part of our lives. A routine has helped create a sense of normalcy and ownership in a place that is foreign. Since all of our living expenses were paid up front we pretty much just spend money on food, buses, taxis (and earrings for me!!!).

We pass by several fruit vendors each day but we always go back to the same one at least three times a week. The vendor smiles as we approach and gets up from her seat in front of the fan to help us get our fruit. She gives me a bag to pick out my two peaches and one apple while she cuts off two bananas for me. Once a week I buy a small watermelon. I’ll pick one out and she’ll proceed to pat it to see if it is a quality melon. If not she will tell me something in Chinese, put it down and search for another one with a better “sound”! We always have a conversation. She’ll talk to me in Chinese and I’ll talk to her in English but that doesn’t stop either one of us. We definitely don’t understand each other but in the end it is a respectful conversation. The only thing that she understands is, “Do shou chien.” Amy and I play a little game to see how fast we can understand the number that she says in reply. Recently she’s only had to repeat herself once, maybe twice. I hand her the money, which usually is about $1. She teaches us our numbers.

Across the street is a tiny convenient store. That is where I buy my two bags of instant oatmeal for a total of $.50, which will last me the week.

Outside of the student’s dorm are a string of tiny shops. The third one down has tiny packets of milk packaged by none other than tetra pak. The label has become familiar to me in the many trips that I have taken overseas. The milk is reliable and the perfect size for my cereal in the morning. And my wonderful aunt also works for the company so I am in fact supporting her and the two ladies that own the shop. I come by, smile at the ladies, pick up the two packets, hand them the $.30, put the packets in my purse, smile again and leave only to come back 4 days later for more! I should just buy 10 and be done with it. But I like going and visiting the vendors!

The second restaurant outside of the campus is where we usually go for our Chinese meals. The fried rice with egg and tomato is $.50 and if I really want to spend money I’ll get the spicy tofu which will cost me another $.50. The owner always presents us with the English menu even though we get the same thing every time. Once we branched out and got the French fries on the menu. Let’s just say that French fries should be restricted to certain restaurants! But they know us and always give us the seats inside where the fans are. Curious customers will stare at our mad chopstick skills but for the most part it isn’t an adventure and I like that when it comes to Chinese food.

“Expectations are everything”—the great philosopher, Kari Wright. I like knowing that I take the 21 bus to get to the grocery store that has cheerios. I like knowing that at Peter’s Tex-Mex (which is the best Western food in Chengdu) I can get a smoke free environment and a veggie sandwich with fries for $2. And most of all I like knowing that on Sunday morning I will get scrambled eggs, a fruit bowl and 2 pancakes with unlimited coffee for only $3.50 and it will last me through most of the day including my 2 hour body massage!