Xi'an: The Final Destination

As I got off the sleeper train this morning, I was anticipating an awkward day with my host family*. I had no idea what we would do for a whole day together, so I decided I would most likely go with the, "I'm so tired from traveling. I might take a nap the whole day." However, I never had to use that line, and our day was far from awkward; I feel close to them already.

I was greeted by Angel, a spunky 13 year old girl in snazzy yellow boots, her mother and her father. They handed me a huge bouquet of orange tulips (which represent friendship). When we got home, a little brown ball of cotton candy welcomed me at the door: Chocolate. He is a ferocious, watermelon sized dog, but I've thrown his ball to him enough times today to gain his trust; he is snuggled up to me on the couch as I write this. 

I quickly learned that Angel is as outgoing as her yellow boots are stylish. She has no reservations what-so-ever about talking to strangers. She even invited a stranger inside to move the car, when her parents had left briefly and it was blocking the street. 

Angel is very confident with her English, but her parents don't speak any. This provides a good balance between practicing my Chinese and knowing what's going on. 

I couldn't have asked for a more hospitable or generous family.

Mattie

*This family is my host family's cousin's family. My permanent host family is currently in Nepal, and I will move in with them on the 20th.