Real China and a High Stakes Marriage Proposal

We've arrived in real China. I can tell because most of the time I cant really tell what’s going on anymore! From touch down we were treated to a small delegation of assorted uncles, Meng’s Mum, our driver (yes we have a driver here now) and bunches of flowers. From the moment we arrived we were treated like minor royalty – surrounded by an entourage of family who, frustratingly, we (Mum, Dad and Me) couldn’t communicate with directly. We were then bussled through to our hotel and then to the most extraordinary restaurant. We were greeted by possibly 20 or more uniformed staff as we travelled a maze of corridors to our own dining room where we were carefully seated around a circular table in order of age and importance. Then between occasional mouthfuls of delicious food we were toasted by each and every family represented in the room with potent rice wine.

It may have been the wine but more likely the engagement ring in my pocket that persuaded me that now would be a good time to ask Meng to marry me. It might not have been the most romantic proposal ever made but it was certainly one with the highest stakes. It didn’t really occur to me what would happen if Meng said no. It certainly would have had an impact on our evening, not to mention the rest of the trip…oh yes and my life. But she said yes and I seemed to gain the approval of the family…for now. Seems like this really is going to be a trip of a life time.