Not for all the tea in China

This trip has felt like one continuous day. No breaks, no sleep, no time zones it seems. It's a fembot moment waiting to happen:

Conference calling on the streets of Barcelona, on the way to dinner, 10pm.

But all fun. The city is stunning. Wide, wide boulevards, brilliant sunshine, super- fashionable people, delicious food. And late. Oh, lordy it's a late town. I was the early bird on Thursday night while out with some friends of Asia's who live in town-- in bed by 4am. Damn.

We arrived in Beijing this morning (Sunday) and have managed to make it through the day with virtually no jet lag. (I've just cursed myself for tomorrow, undoubtedly.) I think the near total lack of sleep in Barcelona was to our advantage.

The big activity for the day-- after enjoying the complementary breakfast buffet-- was the Beijing silk market, home to more knock-offs than you can shake a stick at. We were starving when we got there, and decided to grab a bite to eat at the sixth floor Chinese restaurant (as opposed to Subway downstairs...tempting, but American guilt won out). It was a great decision.

To set the scene: Asia and I ordered, carefully navigating around frog ovary soup and fried duck tongues and hearts (although it was clearly tempting). We decided on cucumbers, pumpkin soup and some shrimp.

We're already through our first course when Waitress, bearing a liquor menu, returns.

Inexplicably, she shoves the menu in Asia's direction.

Waitress: "No."
Asia: "Excuse me?"
Waitress: "No tea."
Asia: ???

The liquor menu is entirely in Chinese.

Waitress repeats herself: "No tea, want drink?"
Asia: "Um, no thank you."
Waitress: "Want drink?" (holding menu in Asia's lap)
Asia: "That's ok, no tea?" (????)
Waitress: No tea.

Alright, then. No tea in China. Sure. Of course. What were we thinking?

So our pumpkin soup arrives. Except it tastes like chicken. Or saffron, depends on who you ask. We eat it anyway. When suddenly, Waitress reappears with tea pot and beautiful little tea cups:

"Sorry."

And with that, I am back in China. I gotta say, I love it here. Preposterousness abounds.

I think it's good for the soul.

Off to bed.

xo