Banqueting

One of the great delights of China is the banquet, a convivial meal that features a dazzling array of dishes and endless toasts.  These begin with everyone standing and touching glasses all around—and you must click every glass.  Throughout the meal people walk around the table toasting each person individually.  Teetotalers can abstain from alcohol but you've got to drink something!  Dan and Tamara Yu, Beloit College professors, are spending their sabbatical in China with their daughter, researching language in Beijing.  They came to Kaifeng to deliver a pair of lectures.  Henan University Chancellor Guan hosted a feast for them and was kind enough to invite me.  

We've pretty much exhausted the Australian wine Professor Guan brought, so he and I are drinking corn juice.