Floaties and Proud!

Going to a beach means fun in the sun, splashing in cool waters, eating great food and enjoying each others company. In China, its not much different...its just how they do it.
The beach I saw today were rocky, with large gravel in place of sand, the water was murky and speckled with seaweed and various plastic bottles/garbage items. I walked along the concrete barriers, watching waves hurl themselves against the structure in a futile fashion, dousing people with it's fury then rushing back out to the sea. The awesome power of the ocean has yet to ebb for me...I will always wonder at it's changing nature. One minute very gentle and rolling, then next pushing people down and dragging them back to the ocean's dangerous embrace. I only say that because I laughed hysterically at one of my friends who tumbled over in an inner tube and couldn't  run away as the next wave came crashing down on them. Yeah ok, judge me, see if I care!! It was funny...
The group I went went took up a large section of tables shaded by the sun with green tent tops. I walked up and  saw the huge feast of junk food, and people sat around chatting and eating, which is becoming a normal sight. They asked me if I was going to swim and if I wanted to change. First off I wore my swimsuit (or in their giggly and breathless words "a bikini") under my clothes, but after one look of the questionable waters, I decided to excuse myself from swimming. Honestly I just wanted to be in the sun for a change.
Towards six o'clock, all of the sudden people started bringing platters of food out and our tables were covered in dishes of fish, seafood, vegetables and beer.
Did I mention the proclivity towards drinking warm beer here? I don't mind if its accidentally warm, or just left out a little too long on the beach...but they drink it that way on purpose. Yeah...think about it. Just imagine drinking a Bud that's never seen a hint of ice in its life... because you like it that way. Something is wrong with that picture.
I ate shrimp with faces, some kinda tongue looking seafood thing I freaked out over but ate anyway, and maybe 6-15 skewers of lamb/pork stuff...which was mostly fat and entirely delicious. (Or as my cowokers say, deliciours). Also, seaweed, tofu, table onions, peaches, potato chips, peanuts and miniature puff pastries. (I might be a little fat) So if I suddenly take ill...you are well informed of the possible contaminants; seafood, meat and most likely unwashed produce.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow!
I should also mention the fact that I watched my boss, a very intimidating person to my colleagues and who is known for going on rants for half an hour about...well I don't really know, but he rants like crazy...I watched him put on bright, orange arm floaties. Literally the kind I wore when I was five. And then splash around in the ocean giggling gleefully. This sight is not unusual as many grown men ran around proudly in such devices for flotation with nary a thought toward embarrassment.
 Also the shorts the boys wore rivaled those of any 6 year old I've seen. Let's also just throw out any obscuration of the junkular region and you'll have the 8 fully grown men walking around with no shame, that I was so blessed to be in company with. The general public has no rules of attire either, nor any bashful glances are seen. I'm amazed at the amount of Buddah bellies hanging out, and the the lack of self consciousness people possess. I saw scrawny, I saw beefy, I saw skinny and I saw...just things I hesitate to share with you...in case you get nightmares. In the end, my "fat belly" just didn't seem like the biggest deal anymore. I gave up trying to look skinny, relaxed and ate. And also drank. A little. Ok..more than a little....but when else can you go to a work party and get tipsy at a beach?
It was a long and exhausting day, the bus ride took a lifetime to get me back but I'm glad I went and I'm happy I had the chance to go out and experience just another moment in China.

Also...I'm just never gonna eat chicken feet. I informed my colleagues that when they stop resembling feet, I'll try them. The concept was not transferred well and my humor was, once again, lost. Can't wait to be in America again, where I'm funny. (er)