We’ve just wrapped up a second experience with kids from another country, this time China.
My sister-in-law put this one into motion with a phone call: “I’ve got this friend who runs a program called Cultural Homestay International and she needs a home for two Chinese boys. They’re coming with a class of fifteen kids and I’m taking the teacher. I told her you might take the boys.”
“Sure,” I said. “When? How old?”
“They land tonight and will be in Sonoma County tomorrow. They’re 13.”
Bring ’em on.
We’ve raised three boys of our own and while they’re long gone, my husband and I have the moxie to take on two more. It was only for ten days and they went to school during the day. I knew the drill: cook and drive. No problem.
Of course with such short notice, they had to come along with our planned activities for the weekend which included visiting the Civil War Games and then a day at the lake sailing my husband’s decript catamaran.
Were they interested?
“Yes, Mom.”
We hosted the bespectacled Harry (for Harry Potter–yes, he struck again) and Nick. To make things easier, they called us Mom and Dad. My husband and I both had to hide our smiles when, usually Harry, would ask, “Um, Mom, where is our Dad?” or “Dad, where is Mom now?”
As we had with Giovanna, we attempted to find common ground with cultural figures. They didn’t recognize Star Wars, but they did know Mr. Potter. Harry picked up one of the fat books resting on the shelf in our daughter’s room and stared. “Mom. This Harry Potter book has a great many English words.”
He’s right.
Our appliances amazed them. Most Chinese homes do not have ovens; neither boy had ever seen a trash compactor or a garbage disposal. They stood above the sink every time I ran it and admired with goofy grins. “Wow.”
What joy to turn on the loud, shuddering trash compactor!
They’d never been in a boat before, did not have pets, and couldn’t believe the whole backyard, much less the house, belonged to us.
The doe with two fawns and the wild turkeys walking down the street astounded them. “Who do they belong to?”
“No one. They’re wild.”
Wild? Their eyes went big around.
Thrilled by every shopping opportunity, the boys entered Costco with mouth gaping admiration, but exclaimed with pleasure at their favorite: The Apple Store.
Nick bought an unlocked I-phone and after much international discussion with home, passed on the I-Mac. We brought the teacher with us on that outing–I wasn’t going to be responsible for a thirteen year old boy spending large sums of money without oversight!
We pointed out most items are made in China, but they insisted quality is better in America.
We enjoyed these two very polite boys. They played foosball with my husband and sons, did the dishes, cooked several meals (french fries and noodles) and were enthusiastic about everything we suggested.
The highlight, though, caught them completely by surprise.
“We’re going to the beach,” my husband announced.
They napped on the 45 minute ride to the coast, but sat bolt upright when we parked at Goat Rock Beach.
Jumping out of the car, faces aglow with joy, they stood with their mouths open at the sight of the ocean–which they had never seen before. The thunderous waves, white beach, and calling sea birds energized them.
When their teacher Emily got out of the car, she stood a long time looking at the beach before whispering, “how many words for beautiful are there in English?”
We had a kite which they tried to fly. They waded in the water, stared at a low-flying pelican, marveled at a sea snail and relished sand between their toes. A great day.
All we had to do was drive.
After they left, my husband sighed. “I miss Harry and Nick, don’t you?”
Of course.
They finished their trip at the happiest place on earth. Harry, the puncitilious, sent me a photo.
He wants to be the Chinese premier some day.
He also fell in love with America.
Sounds like we had a good ten days worth of fun work to me!
Love this. 🙂
Do you ever plan a return visit to see Harry and Nick? If you need a travel partner, I’d love to go with you. I’m currently writing a novel about life in China and need to do research!
How cute! They’re so thin, though — skinny boys. Sarah had a Chinese roommate the year she lived in a dorm named Yvonne (Yi Fang). Gorgeous girl who wanted to be a television broadcaster and who had a mom who was some government figure in Beijing. She was very sweet; we had her over for dinner and discovered that her favorite food in the world was fried chicken. Specifically, Kentucky Fried Chicken. It’s a very small world :-). Glad you had fun with your boys!