Chinese Doctor & Pharmacy - Sept. 25th, 2008

I thought it would be fun to go to the Chinese doctor for my jet lag. The best part of it was his fee was only 25 rmb or about $3 us. After taking my blood pressure, pulse and looking at my tongue he prescribed herbs for me. We then went to the Chinese pharmacy where they made the concoction up. It consisted of about 12 different herbs. The cost of these herbs was only about $6 US. The herbs are soaked for 30 min, then boiled for 30 min. The broth is thrown away the herbs are boiled a second and a third time . After 2 hrs the brew is ready to drink. It must be boiled in a special medicine pot. There is enough broth for about 6 large cups it must be drunk hot. I can not say that it helped me, but it sure was fun having all these people messing around with me. That was last Sunday, on Monday I came to Xi'an to visit my friend Rui who works in a new kindergarten here. I have my own room here in the kindergarten with a bed as hard as stone. I don't know what is worse, staying in the kindergarten or with a Chinese family. They both have advantages and disadvantages. Anyway, I will be going back to Chengdu where I will be staying the apartment of three kindergarten teachers, a bit cramped but the best option so far. The biggest problem for me is the Chinese toilet, I still can not figure how to use it with out taking off all my clothes, and there is still the fear of falling in the dam thing. Maybe I will have to take a lesson on how to use it. Anyway today is Friday my last day in Xi'an, later today I will go to there other Kindergarten here in Xi'an-to visit and to give a massage. A friend from our last visit will pick me up and I will massage his daughter, he will then take me out to lunch. Tonight I will give a massage workshop and give 3 massages. I have not made a lot money but I guess it will cover the air fair to and from Chengdu. Yesterday a friend of Rui's met us with his car and we took a road trip seeing some of the local sights. The weather here in Xi'an is wet and cold. I will try to buy a jacket later today.