A Huge Feast

All the foreigners were invited to a huge feast today by all the Generals Major - met so many big shots.  There were 200 present.  This affair was all 'tung ming guo' - all allies together - and has never been done in W.  The food was good but not extraordinary, but we did enjoy being there + meeting so many of the people.  - Annette, January 1944

Last night was the Opening Night of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I at the Fox Theatre.  I'm sure many of you know the story.  Anna, a single mother of English upbringing, travels to Siam to teach English to the many wives and children of the King of Siam.  Just before Act Two, the King learns that Western countries find him 'barbaric,' so Anna helps him plan a lavish party to display the kindness, beauty, and tolerance of the kingdom of Siam.  In some ways, the party is a success...and some ways not.  No spoilers!  Go see the show! =)

While playing the show last night, I kept thinking about Annette and her role in China.  She played organ at the church, helped train the nurses at the hospital, cared for the children at the orphanage, and through it all, taught English to the women and children who lived in the village.  Here, she describes a party with some very important military leaders.  She describes the event as "'tung ming guo' - all allies together."  This is likely tong meng guo, or 同盟国.  This was a time to celebrate the collaboration between the US and China - one never before done in Wanhsien.  I'm sure it was quite a lavish event - much like the party that Anna and the King planned.

What an exciting evening!  Of course, she mentions the food - a crucial element of every party!  I wonder what they served their American guests.