China Chat

Since Chris can’t get Jiajia to think about anything besides fishing, they talk about whether fish have a sense of smell, what they use it for, and how Jiajia can use this information to his advantage.

Jiajia is obsessed with fish, fishing and buying lots of fishing gizmos online. Chris makes fun of him and talks about the dense morning fog that was thick as pea soup.

Jiajia and Chris talk about the “Running Man” remake, “The Wizard of Oz” and being kind to everyone always, no matter what. 

Jiajia talks about his love of fishing, his catch rate and Chris thanks him for releasing the big catfish he caught. 

Jiajia woke up with a pollen headache after traipsing through fields of emerald green and bright yellow rapeseed flowers. Huihui throws a big party for the entire family and Jiajia gets to take his great uncle to the dentist.

Chris may be haunted by pig faces, but they make Jiajia drool. A short history of the Chinese delicacy before Chris and Jiajia head off to the homestead. 

Lao Zhan is heading home after her fasting spa retreat, Jiajia is unmasked as a midnight snacker, and he gives his nephew driving instructions. 

Jiajia and Chris head out of the rain and back into the studio, chickens are cleverer than we think and Chris gets enthused over window screens.

Jiajia and Chris continue to enjoy the beautiful spring weather by returning to one of their favorite national forest parks. Chris is thrilled by the new rides available, but Jiajia is unamused.

Jiajia and Chris continue to enjoy the beautiful spring weather by returning to one of their favorite national forest parks. Chris is thrilled by the new rides available, but Jiajia is unamused.

Jiajia and Chris take a trip to NanJing Central to renew Chris’ visa. Jiajia checks out a fisherman’s haul and they marvel at technology. 

Chris and Jiajia take a stroll through their local park to get a look at the Neolithic archeological site by their house from another angle. Jiajia wants to borrow someone’s flute and Chris says no. Chris is excited about getting a kalimba, and Jiajia says, “It’s harder than you think.”

Jiajia and Chris head out on the road again to visit the largest single strawberry planting base in China, Fujiabian, at 10,000 mu. It’s about much more than strawberries, though! Where else can you see an ostrich chase a baby goat?

Jiajia and Chris wrap up their journey around the Taihu Lake Scenic Area with a view of the Jiangnan Grottoes, the Buddhist monastery, and Jiajia continues his own personal quest.

Plum blossoms and cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom throughout the Park as Chris and Jiajia make their way to see the gigantic 21.9 meter high statue of Guanyin. Statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs and koi ponds line the Great Bodhi Road and little glass wind bells stir in the breeze.

Jiajia and Chris head to the Taihu Lake Scenic area and bring you along for the ride. First stop: the three filial memorial archways of  kindness, intelligence and open mindedness. Then it’s on to the ancestral hall and temple, and a journey through The Story of Time!

JiaJia’s mom is heading off with JiaJia’s sister for a week of fasting. Jiajia talks about the new therapy he designed to help with his restless leg syndrome, and Chris prepares to go online to get Charlie a cat food plate to slow down his eating, since he eats like a pig. 

Chris and Jiajia get ready to head out and celebrate the official end of Spring Festival,  Jiajia promises to make Chris a rabbit lantern before the day is out, and we get a mahjong update. 

Chris feels ashamed she forgot to mention “Voyager” on the last show as well as “Firefly” and “Battlestar Galactica”, both old and new. Jiajia talks about his favorite movies, and Chris and Jiajia speculate about the current origin of man theories.

Jiajia Is mystified with Chris’ deep and abiding love of Star Trek and attachment to Star Wars. He also can’t tell the difference. Chris does her best to explain. 

Jiajia and Chris are still recovering from Spring Festival, Tommy snores the entire show, Chris’s allergies are kicking up and Jiajia explains how he and his parents are helping Chris learn to play good mahjong. 

Jiajia and Chris go over the symbolism of the different types of lanterns, the meaning of various colors, and Charlie has a hairball incident during recording. 

Jiajia and Chris talk about the basics of playing mahjong, JiaJia’s family lets Chris win despite her ineptness, Lao Yang is fast becoming a pool shark, and Jiajia and Chris differ in their definitions of appropriate behavior. 

JiaJia’s mom gets lost visiting West Lake, but a friendly Hangzhou policeman helps her reunite with JiaJia’s sister, Jiajia recounts the spectacular fireworks display marking the end of the Dragon Dance for this year, and compliments the CCTV coverage of the Yangjiajia Leaping Horse Lantern Dance.

Chris and Jiajia are wiped out from all the fun and frolic from this year’s Spring Festival! Jiajia managed to survive the final Horse Lantern Dance for this year and Chris gets hongbao just like the kids!