The second most important part of my first visit to China, besides meeting my future wife in person, was to meet her family. Her immediate family consisted of her brother, who is about the same age as myself, and her mother and father. And, of course, the family cat Giao Giao.
They live in a modest but comfortable apartment in a high rise in Chongqing. I was greeted well, and offered all kinds of fruits right off. Though I had my translator (a CD 636), and Yi had hers, I had quite a time communicating with her parents. They were not used to the translation devices, and labored to use them. Still the most important communication is often unspoken, and they were very good hosts, making me at ease right from the start.
Her brother had been taking some English lessons, and was able to speak some English with me. His wife took a big interest to the translator device, and asked a lot of pretty complex and thoughtful questions. I look forward to when my Chinese improves enough to hold more than a superficial conversation with her family.
I really enjoyed the time spent with her family there. They are very close knit, and stick together, helping each other out. Families in China tend to stay together much more than we do here it seems. Even Giao Giao the cat overcame her shyness, and came to visit with me (even though I am allergic to cats).
