Seems like 'old home' week

It's amazing to think I was only here for three weeks in December; based upon the rekindling of friendships and joy I experienced at seeing my Chinese and Western friends here, you'd think I had lived here much longer.

At 9:30 I appeared in the doorway of the International Education office and everyone stopped what they were doing to welcome me. Smiles. Smiles. Smiles. I also met my TA, Jessie! (More about her later!)

Invited to rejoin the group for lunch at noon, I quickly made a trip to the local grocery store to stock up on a few items. Walking the familiar path home and up the stairs I found a note from Lorraine along with the two sacks of items they had stored for me at my front door, plus a few welcome back food gifts! It was quite delightful!

Returning to school at noon we—five folks who work in the American section of the International Education school and two Western teachers, Paul the Canadian and 'boy' Tyler (yes, two Tylers teach in Wuhan)—all walked to lunch at the same place where I had been taken my first day in Wuhan back in December. Familiar and new foods appeared on the table...my first view of a chicken feet dish. Decided to pass this time, but several of my favorites I eagerly consumed including taro rolls and an amazing fish dish...it's a work of art!

By mid-afternoon I returned to the foreign faculty apartment building and as I started to climb the stairs to #402 I heard movement in Bob and Lorraine's apartment. I banged on the door and a grinning from ear to ear Lorraine welcomed me in. We sat on short, plastic stools as she emptied her grocery shopping treasures into the kitchen cabinets and we caught up with many details our emails couldn't cover since we saw each other.

At 6:45 I returned to Bob and Lorraine's and we rendezvoused for dinner with the new couple: Shaw and Jane. It really seemed like 'old home' week my first full day in Wuhan! And, I forgot to note, I had a chance to say "Nee How" to 'the lady with the key!"