Mood:  caffeinated

Ok, here's the deal.  I do completely respect and realise that I'm in a totally different country with a totally different culture.  No problem... Or is it??   Funny how one can be so used to and so prepared for something, yet completely blown away when it happens.  That was my problem today. 

I was a bit nervous to venture off alone into the abyss that is Baoding, China.  The sky filled with an off-white haze that layers your mouth and throat with a tingly film, and the drivers who appear to have no idea what a stop light is, nor any comprehension of pedestrian right of way... I felt like I had a nervous disorder while walking down the street, trying not to look up in fear of making eye contact.  The problem was, without looking up, I couldn't protect my life from oncoming traffic... Doesn't matter if you have the little green man or not, you keep yourself aware, or they WILL run you over!  I must have looked like that nervous kid from Zombieland... Anyway, as I made my way down the busy street, hand tightly grasping the handle of my purse, I couldn't help but notice every head turning as I walked by.  People stumbling over their neighbour just to get a glimpse of the strange white creature walking down the street... And if they didn't happen to see me, they were nudged by another and pointed in my direction.  It was so surreal, as if I were in a movie, or a nightmare!  I imagine it would be the same if I were to walk downtown Toronto naked with a for sale sign over my head. 

I finally arrived at my destination.  The market.  I thought 'perfect', I will blend in as just another human in need of food and basic necessities, right?  Hahaaaaa!  I think for every 3 shoppers, there is one sales clerk.  They too nudged each other to be aware of the alien with the Betty Boop purse.  I stopped to look at a piece of luggage and was immediately bombarded with a clerk saying god knows what in Chinese.  I responded with 'No Chinese', and was answered with more Chinese as she waited for me to respond.  I raised my hand as if to say ''it's ok, I'm leaving now''... And politely smiled and walked away.  So again, I was back to the 'just look down, no eye contact' method.  How on earth was I going to get any shopping done?? I didn't.  So I went downstairs to the grocery department to pick up some drinks, salt for a bath, a bottle of shampoo, shower gel, and maybe a snack.  Same stares of course, but I tried to ignore them and pick up my things as quickly as possible.  I found some shampoo, and began to search for the body wash.  ''Excuse me Miss?'' said a little Chinese woman... ''Can you pay for this now here?''.  Despite feeling like a known criminal, it was surprisingly nice to hear someone speaking english!  She directed me towards the cash register and I paid for the shampoo as they tightly sealed it in a plastic bag with a heat sealer.  What do I do now?  Go back and pick up the body wash, pay, and then look for the salt?  No, forget the body wash, I'll skip this department and head to the food.  I got everything I needed, paid the cashier and scurried out of there as fast as possible.  I walked back to the hotel so fast, I broke a good sweat, and practically kissed the floor of my little fortress that some call a hotel room... As I unpacked my things I realised I hurried myself so much in the grocery store, that I only picked up one tiny bag of salt for the bath (enough for just one)... Which means another lovely trip to the market.  I don't know if my nerves can take it!