What IS that?

I went to a noodle shop right outside of my apartment. It's super close so I figured it would be nice to be able to get some food there. I walked in, looked at the menu and just stood there... I don't know how to read any of the foods. Sure, I know some of the characters by themselves, but once they are put together in this way, I have no clue. So, I decided that the first one on the list is probably pretty popular.

I knew the first character so I said that pointed and said that one, the first one for 9 rmb. He said, "OK" and got to work making my noodle soup. It all looked good until he delicately poured something on top. I didn't know exactly what it was until he handed me the bowl. Even at that time, I didn't exactly know what it was. I took it upstairs, knocked on Nicole's door and said, "NICOLE, I have something to show you... what IS this???"

We both were flabbergasted (not sure what this word means exactly, but seems like a colorful word to use here). It looked like a bird, or a mouse, or... half bird/half mouse. I took a picture so I could remember it forever. Then I turned around, went back outside to get food that I would actually be able to eat.

I later found out that it was a quail. They steam the quail and then carefully place it on top. You can still see the ribs, tail, and head. Not my cup of tea! That's for sure.

I didn't know which picture was the best, so I included all of them.

I think you can see the ribs on this one.

Another quick animal story...
Today I was walking to the store. Next to me was a man carrying two large, plastic bags. All of a sudden, a huge fish jumped out of a bag and flopped around on the ground. The man walked up to it, kicked it, it died (or was knocked out) and he put it back in his bag. Then he continues to walk as if nothing happened. I was shocked and sort of giggled at the same time. There was his supper and it almost got away!  Oh, China... you never know what will happen next...

The Last Few Days...

Soon I will be leaving for Beijing. After I pick up my parents at the airport we will enjoy the cool weather of Beijing, check out some of the good places and head for Vietnam. After Vietnam we will fly to my "hometown" in China-Wuhan! My friend invited me to her home for the Chinese New Year. I am very excited for that. It means I have about 1 1/2 weeks to get my parents comfortable eating with chopsticks. :)

After Wuhan we will jump on a train and head to southern China. Tour around there for a while, then fly off to Shenzhen. Shenzhen is close to Hong Kong. We will enter Hong Kong and hang out there for a few days. Then, my parents will fly back to the States and I will stay there and wait for Melissa to come. Crazy few weeks, huh? I'm packing today and I realized I have to pack for weather from 8-90 degrees! Yikes!

Before I leave, I've been spending some time with friends. The other night a friend (Edward) came over to cook. He wanted to make us fish. Edward and I went to the veggie market (which is also a butcher/fish market) and bought some fish. They were swimming when we bought them, but not when we got home. Wonder what happened...

It was time to cook the fish and Edward asked me to come to the kitchen. He said "Jess... the lady we bought it from never took out the insides." I turned and said, "Nicole, we need you in here!" Yup, Nicole saved the day. She put on some plastic gloves and cleaned out those insides! I'm very thankful she was able/willing to do that. :) Here's some pictures of her "working".

See how happy she was to help out!

Here is a close up of the fish she gutted. Hope you don't have a weak stomach.

Then she decided to have some fun and make the fish talk. Oh Nicole...