#91 Party at Cazzato's

Living as an expat family in China carries with a significant obligation to attend many parties hosted by co-workers, neighbors, and friends. There are two factors that seem to contribute to a much greater number of social activities here than at home. First, I suppose, is that with everyone isolated from the families and homelife, people seem more available to socialize with friends and neighbors. Second, is the greater availability of child care. Most families can rely on their "Ayi" or Chinese Housekeeper to watch the kids on any given night.

We have been to many such parties and events and decided it was our turn to play host. We had a good turnout with a wonderful mix of Caterpillar colleagues and neighbors - many of whom are both. We also invited our Chinese teachers who know most of the other invitees because so many of us go to the same Mandarin language school.

The party lasted until the wee early morning and was a significant blow-out. Things got off on the wrong foot when colleague Bill brought a bottle of Russian Vodka that his wife had just smuggled back from a visit home to the Ukraine. Midway during the night, Kathleen and friend Leslie started mixing Cosmopolitan martinis which got them off on the wrong foot. Later in the night we danced in the living room to downloaded 80s music and did some hanging out on the patio with my buddy Bill and teacher Isabel. My memory gets sketchy at this point, but apparently a woman whose husband had an affair with his Chinese secretary last year sat me down for a lecture about dancing with the Chinese teachers. By 3:00 AM, the party was mostly over, and a good friend and neighbor, Jim, helped me off the front steps and up the two flights to my bed. A good friend indeed.