SUNDAY SHOPPING

(street scene by our apartment)

Today I went to the Russian market on the outskirts of Hunchun. The market caters to Russians who cross the border for cheap shopping. The shops (more like booths) are owned by Chinese, but they speak Russian and sell items Russians may like. The average Chinese person doesn't shop there. I went there with another team member and a translator to try to find shoes to keep in the studio I've been taking aerobics in. I can't find shoes because most Chinese women don't have a size 9 foot like me. So we ventured to the Russian market. First of all, all the Chinese spoke Russian to us, but when they realized we were with our own translator, they quoted us fair prices. I bought shoes, mens but they'll work, that are so name-brand they used two brand names.....on the side "goodyear" is printed and on the back "adidas" is printed (Did you even know Goodyear made shoes? Me either....but I now own a pair!) They just put any old American name on merchandise and most don't realize it's not authentic, or even makes sense. I also was tickled to buy Jim running pants for Christmas. (Then this evening at our Sunday meeting another team member gave Jim a pair that he loves.....just my luck!) I bought a few gifts for the kids, but not very much. We rode the bus home from the market and the 3 of us ate at a fast food chicken sandwich restaurant that just opened today. It was pretty good....salty fries and lettuce on the sandwiches (usually cabbage is on the sandwich instead, which I've learned to like.) We went to a new mall near my home that had it's grand opening today. I don't know how long it'll stay open. The prices were way too high for Hunchun. The shopping is more like our department stores and I can't wait to take Jim and the kids there. It's not like Chinese shopping at all. I'm glad it's there.

At our Sunday night meeting Jim led songs for the first time. He called the team member kind of in charge and asked what he thought about Jim taking over the singing part and was told that would be great. It really was a need. I could tell others enjoyed it and I'm glad Jim has that to prepare for each weekend. It gives him more of a purpose here.