After everyone was well schnockered-up the singing began. People took turns singing old folk tunes and patriotic songs. I must admit, I love to hear my mom sing. She is well known among her friends for her talent and I've always thought she could have done well for herself as a singer. Instead, she ended up marrying a bum and had to work hard most of her life running small restaurants to support the family. All that to say, it was soon evident I would have to sing a song. "Sing an English song! One we know!" Now. Here I am sitting with a group of 55 and 56 year olds. In China. Good grief. One they know? Sufjan Stevens? No. Mumford and Sons? No. Backstreet Boyz? NO! I reached back a bit. I could do some John Denver or maybe the ever beloved and heart rending Titanic Theme Song. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I finally settled on Eidleweiss. Yes. Eidelweiss. You know.....from the Sound of Music. Don't judge. Or if you do, do it silently. Anyway, for the record, it was a hit! It could have been a scene in a movie. People swayed and sang along in Chinese. I think I might have seen a tear or two. I was a freaking star for two minutes.
Then another round of toasts. They kept asking my mom, "Why doesn't the foreigner drink?" "He can't drink", she kept telling them. "He'll never learn Chinese well if he doesn't drink", the guy next to me kept saying. I'll do my best without I thought to myself as I smiled politely. Admittedly, I wouldn't have minded a glass of wine with dinner, but in a situation like this there is no middle ground. I held my ground firmly on the tee-totaler side. The same guy next to me also said it was a shame his daughter lived in Shanghai or else he'd introduce me. "What a pity", I said with a smile. Next I got a history of their friendships. "This guy and I!? We've been friends since we were 6...no 7...no...8. We even used to pee together when we were little boys!" (I guess 'sword fighting' is universal?) Anyway, that IS close friendship.
I have to admit, though they drank way too much, there was lots to be enjoyed there. Here was a group of classmates approaching sixty years old. They still get together once or twice a month. They laugh, reminisce about old times, and continue to share life together. There is something special in longevity of relationships like that. Though I have thoroughly enjoyed life until now, I've often missed the familiarity that comes from being in one place and having continuity of friendship.
After a few more songs, it was soon impossible to distinguish anything that was being said. Fifteen people laughing and talking over each other is difficult enough to bear. In a second language it was overwhelming. Thanking the host, I made my way to the door. Walking me out, I recieved a litany of instructions from my mom. Watch out for pick pockets! Drink hot water! Don't be lazy! Watch your cell phone on the bus! Rest Earlier! Go slowly! At least she didn't tell me to drink more Bai Jiu.