It's gotten very cold, it's been snowing for 2 days and we're back to seeing our breath in our room again. That means it's chilly.

Last week we took a little trip to the city and went to an unexpectedly interesting local museum, stayed overnight in a lovely hotel, ate japanese food, and took lots of baths. It was really nice, in fact, I wish I was there right now sitting in a nice, hot bath. I'd been having some pain in my hip that I just couldn't get rid of, well 3 baths took care of it. It is amazing what a hot bath can do, don't take your bathtubs for granted people!

While we were in the big city, we went to a supermarket and picked up a box of delicious chocolate cappuccino truffles (imported from Italy). What were they doing in the middle of nowhere China you ask? I have no idea....but I sure am glad to have them. I'm eating one right now and the texture is divine, melt-in-your-mouth decadence. Luxuries like this become otherworldly here. In eating one of these truffles, I really do enter an altered state of consciousness. My cup of morning coffee is like that too. We brought the beans from home, sometimes we get them sent. We grind them in a crappy blender, and brew them in a really nice insulated french press that a friend gave us and then each morning have a life-changing cup of real, good coffee. I like coffee, but at home I could easily go without for a few days and I do, but here..... it becomes nectar of the gods!

So, even with snow falling, 4 layers of clothes on indoors, and only enough hot water to wash my hair or my body (but not both), I'm doing alright.