The First Evening in Yuyao without a Chinese Guide

Sunday evening, after our first day in the classroom we headed out of the hotel to find a place to eat dinner. Joansey, our Chinese leader, has accompanied us to every meal up to this point. We considered going across the street where we'd had lunch a day earlier, but decided to head down the street. Sally remembered seeing a little restaurant. Well... I wish someone had had a video of what ensued!

Walking into what looked like a cute little restaurant, Elizabeth, who speaks some basic Mandarin, asked for a table for 7. We were then sent upstairs to one of the dining rooms. Apparently these rooms are popular for larger groups and private parties. I noticed several other rooms filled with food and cigarette smoke and people sitting around a large tables. Once in our room, two servers proceeded to put a glass of warm water with seaweed in front of each of us as well as two small containers of sauces.

I had not yet come upstairs as the hostess motioned for me to take a look at the selection of dishes displayed along a wall. Nothing jumped out at me so I pulled out my magic cell phone ap and asked if a person could eat chicken with noodles! She smiled and said OK and kept talking and talking as though I were understanding every word. Elizabeth was also downstairs and we chose a couple of appetizers that looked non-threatening. Then, Greg who had been upstairs came down and looked concerned that perhaps we had gotten in way over our heads price wise. The server had shown him a price list next to a list of items all in Chinese characters of course, that no one could understand. It appeared that NO ONE in that restaurant spoke ONE word of English!!! I was thinking maybe we should gracefully exit stage left, but by this time Elizabeth was working so hard to make this work that we agreed when in Rome...

I thought Oh well, maybe I can just order a glass of wine and try and relax... but oh no, it turns out I would have to buy a bottle and none of it was chilled... and I had no idea what it would cost, so I said a beer would be fine. I have a feeling I will turn into a beer drinker in the coming weeks. It's the only thing that is kind of cold.

The appetizers which Elizabeth had cancelled showed up... a plate of endaname, some kind of chilled cucumber and I'm not sure what was on the other plate. I had a couple of peas and then the hostess showed up and Elizabeth told her we did not want these appetizers, and so she took them away... she left the cucumbers as a couple of pieces were missing!

Then, the entrees arrived. 5 people go a piece of sliced cold chicken (skin on) and Elizabeth and I got a plate of beef and green beens. IT was pretty tasty compared to the chicken. I looked up the word for rice in my book and then everybody got a bowl of sticky rice as well! There was a large plate of tasty noodles that appeared for which we were all grateful. Complimentary melon slices were also available.

This meal was enjoyed for about $10.00 I think... and definitely one not to be forgotten!


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Location:Business Hotel Environs