Wang Chung — Opal and Lola

At 6:30 this morning Everybody Have Fun Tonight blasted from my iPad, I wasn't even aware I had that on a playlist and I certainly don't know why that happened, alarm wasn't set. I take it as a good sign.

Yesterday is a good example of parental force fields being tested which is why I am looking for good signs, maybe. Opal and Lola came to us with scaly little hands and feet which I've been treating with medicine we brought along based on a list provided by our agency. The scaliness on their feet cleared up but not only did Opal's fingers get worse, all of a sudden her face broke out in an angry red rash.

This went down as Jerry was taking us to a park which name I can't remember. We took a 20 minute cab ride and these car trips are not for the faint of heart. Mom & Uncle Severin, you think I missed my calling as a taxi driver but you've never been in a rented car in China (you prob have, S). I wasn't scared but IMPRESSED and I might try out a few moves back home. Girls were on our laps, we have yet to become acquainted with a Chinese seatbelt and it felt like the 70's just more Asian. Our drivers have been so friendly and non smoking and that is worth the world to me let me tell you.

So we went to a park (don't remember the name)where Jerry showed us a monument (don't remember the name but has to do with something someone's proud of) and went to a temple which was beautiful. Go ahead & ask me the name.

Mark and I were chasing after the girls making sure they did they didn't set themselves on fire while watching the locals burn stacks of incense in large troughs, and also making sure the wild monkeys didn't get them.

Love these guys. Hundreds of them in this park.

So Jerry came up with the brilliant idea as we are watching Opal's face get redder, that we should call a Chinese doctor who can meet us at our hotel room instead of going to a hospital. This, after we made it back to town and went to the Walmart pharmacy, and the pharmacist said the rash is probably 'inside her now' and we should go to the hospital for 'injections'. Oh HELL no. That's the reason we're getting them out of here in the first place. Oh and when people say the word 'injection' they motion above their heads to their foreheads as though tubes come from above into your face. Jesus.

So eventually, quickly actually, a Chinese doctor and a student were escorted to our room by Jerry. An older man, he looked at both girls then talked to Jerry for about 4 long minutes as Jerry asked questions and at about the 4 minutes mark just when I thought I was going to throw up Jerry looks at us and says, It's not serious. It's bad eczema and the dr wrote down what to ask for at the pharmacy and Mark went and got the basically, Chinese hydrocortisone which might be stronger than US's. I couldn't thank that doctor enough. Earlier, I'd emailed our U.S. doctor with pics of Opal with accompanying questions and just as Mark was at the pharmacy he responded (13 hr time difference) and basically said what Chinese dr said with some more detail and an extra layer of instructions. Wonderful.

The chef at the hotel restaurant has been so friendly and gracious like so many here, but he really stands out. He made us local dishes last night at dinner and once we were back to our room he sent up fruit, tea and warm milk for girls after hearing about our day.

Today has been uneventful. Thank. God. I really like the people here.