First Sunday in China

Sunday here was more crowded than ever, it could have been any weekday; which comes as a change after being in Sunday shut-down Europe for so long. Buses were packed full, running everywhere. We even were surprised to be blocked in by about five buses when we came out from the Friendship Store. Mrs. W. didn’t hesitate to tell them to move and managed to have us out of there in less than 10 minutes on the road again.

She also blatantly parked in a yellow no parking zone in front of the (88 story) Hilton and waved at the guy as we went in and came out, telling us that his is “HER” parking space. (I’ll tell you boy, and you thought Americans were the only ones.)

Into the Pool

Back at the house, I was hesitant as Luise and Fritz let Vera and Sophia (who can’t swim) loose to go into the pool. Mrs. W. had remarked, “They’re your children,” as Fritz and Luise were doing something on the other side of the pool. All of a sudden, Sophia is face down in the water, floundering about with arms and legs, and didn’t manage to come up for air.

As I looked on to judge the extent of her situation, Mrs. W. yelled in German frantically and commandingly, a couple of times, to go in and “pull her out.” Neither parent being within reaching distance and her obviously not jumping in herself, I unhesitatingly walked in with my clothes on, holding Leon in my right arm and casually, calmly and efficiently pulled Sophia out with my left arm. Shirts, shirt and I went for it. She was okay, but a bit startled and shook up. She had not swallowed much water at all, luckily since I really don’t know C.P.R.

Later in the evening I went for a real swim and did 50 laps, alternating between front and back stroke, in the warm water and the thick tropical night air. As it began and continued to lightning, I got out. The wind blew another light rain through, and by 12 a.m. I was finally ready to sleep.

 

Sunday 15 August 1999