China Chat

Chris tells Jiajia about how Taihu Lake got its name, theories on how it was formed, successful  restoration efforts, the return of the “Three Whites” which are crucial to the local “boat cuisine” and its important place on the Silk Road. She then tells him three local myths, and how Biluochun tea got its name. 

Charlie keeps “meyowling” at Chris so she’s resorted to spritzing water at him. Effective, yes. Traumatizing? Maybe…Jiajia gives a Japanese language update and Chris is feeling better about her Chinese.

Jiajia gets to live the dream; camping by his own private fishing spot. Chris talks about scallion pancakes and JiaJia’s stomach growls. Tommy joins the podcast by running and barking in her dreams.

Chris and Jiajia go Glamping at the Lucen Resort on Taihu Lake. Chris loved the bubble house and ambience, Jiajia as usual, is all about the fish.

It’s road trip time! Chris and Jiajia talk about Dinosaur Land, rollercoasters, autonomous cars and robots. 

Chris explains why she eats the seeds when she eats watermelon as well as the core when she eats apples. Jiajia is horrified as usual.

Is American Cheese really cheese? We explore the origins of American cheese and the so-called single as well as singing the praises of squeaky cheese curds.

Jiajia recounts air conditioner woes, laments over the hot summer weather and learns about the history of cheesecake. 

Pistachio Basque cheesecake and salt and pepper shiitake fried mushrooms will live in Chris’ dreams tonight. Jiajia and Chris try out the new restaurant on Wuxiang Mountain. Oh yeah. We’ll be back. 

A peaceful evening at home turns into a steeplechase featuring a tiny kitten in distress, a barking dog, pacing cat and of course, a flying cockroach. 

Jiajia is hungry and tired but Chris revives him with potato and salted cabbage talk. Jiajia remains on ear bud probation.

Jiajia loses his ear bud privileges after he mocks Chris’ salad dressing technique, and Chris lauds the benefits of a lettuce ice bath.

Jiajia gets in big trouble for wearing ear buds and ear plugs at the same time, Chris extols the virtues of laundry bags and kale enters the discussion.

News Flash: Charlie finally started using the cat abode we bought for him years ago. Jiajia tells a fish story and how Chris has made him change his way of thinking.

Chris and Jiajia talk about the hand thrown, kiln baked pizza and coffee at the Donglu Camping Site 冬庐驿站 as well as checking out the Lishui Dragon Boat Races and dancing robots!

Chris loves her new mosquito netting, Jiajia has a centipede phobia, and cockroaches are our friends as long as they’re outside.

We wrap up saying goodbye to Auntie and her wonderful family. Jiajia misses our group meals, and Charlie is yelling at us as usual. 

Charlie pitches a fit and is chastised and then ignored, it’s Day Two of the memorial ritual and Jiajia has many deep thoughts.

Wearing white is the thing to do for close family members during the mourning period. Here’s what the family wears and what it means.

JiaJia’s Auntie passed away and Chris and Jiajia were involved in the ceremonies. We’ll compare the difference between western and Chinese funeral rituals and how they changed over the years.

Jiajia’s mum drops off some homecooking , we promise to return her plates and basket (maybe) and we talk about mashed potatoes and long beans. 

We’ll talk about man’s history with fire, how plasma and fire are different and the classic TV show “Boston Legal”. Can you say “Denny Crane”?

We’ll talk about what happened during test days and the night between Day 1 and 2 of the Gaokao. What to eat, how to sleep and what kids do when they’re finally finished!

Keep your voice down! It’s time for the Gaokao, China’s nationwide test for high school students. Sometimes it’s good to be old. No more tests, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks!

Jiajia gets all sweaty playing mahjong with his family, Chris has a refreshing afternoon and Jiajia revels he still has his wisdom teeth.