Chinese Apartment Living

We’ve lived in an apartment for the last 2 years, and it was a bit of a transition from owning a single dwelling home with the attendant autonomy, but there are up-sides to the experience as well.  So far, we are enjoying living in a brand new apartment, having a reasonable landlord who takes us shopping to pick out the stuff yet to be purchased so we can help pick it out (read:  Help figure out how to make shelving in the master walk-in closet he forget to put shelving in), and the highly landscaped verdant areas between the complexes.  Let’s let some pictures illustrate some aspects that are particular to the country that is currently our host.  Take exhibit #1:

Daughter #1 poking out the window to see what the massive fireworks are all about, because she suspects a wedding, or a new business, or anything, really.  It sounded like a war had started in our complex, but it ended after a couple of minutes and only the smoke remained.

Picture #2:  as you look at the main living area of the apartment, focus on the terrace and the drying rack.  We have only a 50% Chinese main terrace now because in order to fully comply we need a high hanging rack for our clothing as well.  It’s on the way, thanks again to our reasonable landlord.

Now take a good look at the counter top for the kitchen and the items featured.  You will notice the obligatory stainless steel container for chopsticks (which I copied for my main utensils), the ripening baskets with the peaches, and the bread with small pork pieces in it.  Yes, it looks deceivingly familiar. Finally, compliments of our Chengdu connection, we have a large bag of tissues which she claims are on every table in China for cleaning of your hands.  We have been playing a game of moving back and forth from the kitchen counter (“What good are they there?”) to the center of the dining table “That looks tacky!”).  I’m not sure I’ll win that one.  

Finally, consider the picture of one of the smaller, more demure light fixtures in the house.  Obviously the light designers spent some time perusing the catalogues that supplied the bordellos of the Wild West, or Liberace’s apartment.  It's certainly not dull, and gives some amusement when we lie down.  All in all, a great apartment with new stuff that hasn't broken yet.  Last night I forgot where I was because I foolishly asked S if he didn't smell someone cooking something like Chinese food....He didn't answer but did give me a look of concern.  We've been traveling a lot lately, what can I say?