Sunday night we were invited to attend a Reception for Foreign Visitors in Weifang. It was quite an event to say the least. We each received a formal invitation and official name tag to wear to the event.

Name tag and Formal Invitation

Name tag and Formal Invitation

Inside of the Invitation

Inside of the Invitation

James arranged for a car to arrive at the apartment at 4:50, Door to Door service here!  This was my second banquet so I had a better understanding of what to expect but was still a little apprehensive. Chopsticks are still not my forte and eating at big events doesn’t help the nerves.
 
The Banquet Hall

The Banquet Hall

We found our table and were slightly surprised at the seating arrangements. I had been seated next to Adam with Dantzelle across the table, not really sure why but as seating is assigned and has traditional significance none of us were going to switch seats around.

 
My name translated into Chinese.

My name translated into Chinese.

I would like to take a moment to brag about our Wai Ban*. James bends over backwards for us and I don’t thank him enough. He is especially kind when it comes to banquets and our drinks. China is the land of Tea and toasts I have come to discover, which can be slightly difficult as a Latter-Day Saint as I neither drink tea nor alcohol. James always kindly sorts out the necessary accommodations prior to the meal and substitutions are made. Sprite for the toasts and my new favorite, hot water instead of tea. I must admit I’ve never appreciated abstaining from alcohol more in my life then when attending banquets. The goal of a good host is to get the guests as drunk as possible. (please see the toast section on the Uniquely China page) 

 
Our little American Group!
The Mormons!
 
 
 The entertainment for the evening was a variety of songs, Chinese and Ukrainian, and traditional Chinese folk music. There were speeches throughout from various local leaders including the Mayor and Foreign Affairs officer. Toasts were made on behalf of China, Shandong, Weifang, the local officials, and of course us foreigners, we hailed for 13 countries in all. [Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France, Spain, UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Ghana, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea]. This was my first glimpse of how many westerners there really were in Weifang. Just being in a city of 8million the whole 50 of us just get a little spread out.
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Traditional Chinese music.

 
Now for my favorite part of all banquets the parade of food that is only consumed on special occasions. I wonder if they serve these things at banquets because no one really likes them but every one is to afraid to say something so they just put it on the banquet list so they only have to to eat them a few times a year.
 
Rather than bore with a long list of foods I just touched on the two highlights for the evening. . .
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Fish, this dish signals the near ending of the dinner.

 By now whole fish no longer surprises. I’m still not great at getting any meat without the bones, it seems that if I go shallow and I get only skin and if I dig deep I can’t help but  get the bone. Chopsticks are NOT convenient for everything, I don’t care what the Chinese say on this subject.  

 

A Chinese Delequicy?

A Chinese Delicacy?

 

Will someone please tell me how slugs made the delicacy list! Wait Sea Cucumber that’s right if we give something thing a nice name with a vegetable word that makes it edible.

I can now officially say I’ve eaten a Sea Cucumber. Boy am I glad I started eating before I knew what it was. This is a rather expensive and highly prized delicacy ergo a real TREAT! Yeah let me please define treat for the Chinese, something delicious, mouth watering and something you might crave in a dream. The pictured food does not belong in any of the a fore mentioned categories. I did eat half to be polite. I’m sorry when I eat it is all about texture and slugs just don’t cut it!

 

The Head Table

The Head Table

Our table was right in front which is nice because we got a clear view of all the entertainment. At the head table were all the big leaders, Mayor, Communist Party Representative, Korean, Russian, British Big Businessmen and off course the big hitters from Weifang Business.

 

 

I don't want to know how many toasts they did.

I don't want to know how many toasts they did.

 

 

Toasts to all. Toast after toast was made at each table. Each table joined in on the banquet toast then had their own table toasts.

During the meal the Mayor and a few other head table members circulated the room and had toasts with each table individually. I don’t even want to count the number of drinks they had that night. Thank goodness most of us take taxis home.

 

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Our Table - James, ?,?, Adam, Dantzelle, Me, Russian - Soccer Coach here in Weifang, Soccer team manager, Foreign Affairs Officer

*Wai Ban – the person directly responsible for the foreign teachers, our go to man for EVERYTHING!