Sweaty Buildings and Yet Another Post about FOOD

I am lucky. My work couldn't be closer to the subway station without it being the subway station and I swear to you, there is a minor monsoon outside today. I prefer this state of affairs over yesterday's muggy, sweltering heat, as really, either weather condition leaves me soaking wet. I've noticed that people here tote around wash cloths and kleenexes in the vain hope of staying dry, which I have decided is impossible. Even the buildings here sweat. I can't tell you how many times I've been hit on the head with a warm drop of built-up condensation from a glassy building. *Shudder* It really grosses me out.

On a more bittersweet note, we checked out our apartment last night and we will soon be leaving the swanky Marriott. While I know I will miss the free baskets of fruit, the maid service, the marble bathroom, the plush bathrobes, the city view, the pool, the chilled scented hand towels outside the steam room, the complimentary morning muffins, sleeping with 6 feather pillows, and curtains that operate with the touch of a bedside button, it will be really nice to have a kitchen again. By kitchen I mean I will have a sink, a fridge (that isn't miniature and stuffed with overpriced Godiva chocolates and wine coolers), a microwave, and 2 stovetop burners. I know I can at least make some french toast or something, and I have missed food that doesn't need rehydration.

Eating here can be cheap, if you're willing to eat Chinese food. Chinese food? No thanks. It's terrible. I don't even really enjoy Americanized Chinese food (besides PF Changs) and the stuff here still has the heads attached. Also, I don't care what I order, it ALL tastes like fish. There has only been one "Chinese food" thing I've enjoyed here and that was fried chicken with kiwi in orange sauce. But as Logan said, "it tasted like chicken cake."

Fortunately, this city doesn't seem know that it's Chinese. No one here seems to acknowledge it, and if the Smiths weren't so cheap, maybe we'd forget too. Last night we splurged and went to a balsamic-vinegary type place which was seriously a western embassy. White people from around the globe gathered to celebrate shaved Parmesan cheese and chicken breast and fresh veggies! Ohhhh it was goood. The French people across from us seemed to think so too, and for just once, Logan and I didn't feel so lame about the fact that we don't speak Chinese.