艾伦 康斯坦汀品长沙烟火气 Constantine and Alan taste the charm of Changsha

茉莉花

2023 09 17伟叔叔安排的一顿特别午餐，当年毛主席喜爱的长沙最具饮食文化的火宫殿。

On September 17, 2023, Uncle Diwei arranged a special lunch at the Huogong Palace, the most popular restaurant in Changsha known for its rich culinary culture that Mao Zedong loved back in the day.

臭豆腐不臭 辣椒不辣，长沙媳妇就是不一样。

The stinky tofu isn't stinky, the hot chili isn't spicy, because a Changsha bride is just different.

漫步古老的城市中古老的街道。

Wandering through the ancient streets of the old city.

3:30Pm登一登长沙城最高的地方岳麓山云麓宫。

Climb to the highest point of Changsha, Yunlu Palace on the Yuelu Mountain.

天气炎热，爬山很吃力。

The weather is hot, and climbing the mountain is a bit strenuous.

爱晚亭前留个影，爱伦爸爸曾在这里读书。

Take a photo in

front of the Ai Wan Pavilion, where Alan’s father once studied.

华灯初上，打卡长沙最具时代烟火气的文和友。

As the city lights come on, check in at the Number One Instagram famous restaurant in Changsha, Wenheyou.

头上的招牌写的啥？“婚姻介绍所”

The sign says, "Marriage Introduction Agency”, a bit of a cultural shock.

Changsha local delicacy.

长沙小吃：糖油粑粑。

长沙饮料：冰豆浆。

长沙烧烤：牛肉串。

想吃甲鱼的愿望实现了。

The wish to eat softshell turtle has come true.

俩人乐此不彼的吃着甲鱼。

The two deliciously ate the softshell turtle without any reservation. 

来文和友就必须吃小龙虾🦞。

When in Wenheyou, you must eat crayfish.

非常认真地快乐地地剥小龙虾🦞。

Very diligently and joyfully peeling crayfish 🦞.

2023 09 18午餐，陪同奶奶 妈妈 舅舅 舅妈一起吃饭。

Lunch on September 18, 2023, accompanied by Grandma, Mom, Uncle Mo Yi and Aunt Kexi

艾伦饱含深情的讲话，让我们动容。他讲述了奶奶对他的养育之恩，讲述了小时候舅舅对他的关爱，讲述了对他自己出生之地的怀念…特别是追忆了他亲爱的爷爷，并按中国的习俗领着康斯坦汀上香祭拜爷爷。

Alan’s heartfelt remark deeply moved us. He talked about the kindness and nurturing he received from Grandmother, recounted the love he received from Uncle during his childhood, and reminisced about his birthplace. Most notably, he fondly remembered his beloved late grandfather and, following Chinese customs, led Constantine in offering incense and bowing to pay respects to Grandfather.

今天我们安排的湘菜得到了艾伦和康斯坦汀极大的认可。不停的说：好吃。

The Hunan cuisine we arranged for today received high praise from Alan and Constantine, who kept saying, “Delicious."

超级美味的当地美食

Endless super delicious local delicacy

小点心。

炒野葱。

果蔬沙拉。

无骨凤爪。

清蒸红豆角。

野生寒菌

青椒炒鳝鱼。

红椒炒肉。

小甜笋。

皮蛋煮南瓜藤。

滩羊肉。

银丝卷。

好菜要配好酒。

Good food goes with good beer!

2023 09 18下午，在奶奶家学包饺子。，

Learning to make dumplings at Grandma's house in the afternoon of September 18, 2023

康斯坦汀非常聪明能干，一学就会，并且做得很好。

Cons tantine is so smart and capable that she learns quickly and makes very good dumplings

舅舅细致的讲解包的步骤，妈妈亲手示范擀饺子皮，奶奶在一边不停的提示要领，艾伦也参入其中学习，舅妈则忙着拍照和煮饺子。一家人其乐融融。

这是一场严格的培养厨师的课程，只是老师们太温柔。

This is a rigorous training course for chefs, it's just that the teachers are too gentle.

在离开长沙的前夕，吃一顿最后的晚餐，口中的“二舅妈”“三舅妈”已然是艾伦认识了十年的舅妈的闺蜜，她们送给康斯坦汀的百合花喻意着艾.伦与康斯坦汀的婚姻百年好合。

At the dinner before leaving Changsha, the "Second Aunt" and "Third Aunt” are still close friends of Aunt Kexi’s over the past 10 years. The lilies they gave to Constantine symbolized a long and happy marriage for

Alan and Constantine.

富甲一方的红烧甲鱼

Red-cooked softshell turtle is served only to the very special.

饭后返回酒店的路上，遇到了一个卖茉莉花的小贩，禁不住买了几串，有手环，有香包，芬香扑鼻，康斯坦汀开心极了。

On the way back to the hotel after dinner, we encountered a vendor selling jasmine flowers. Unable to resist, we bought several strings of them, including bracelets and sachets. The fragrance was delightful, and Constantine was overjoyed. 

时间飞逝，艾伦和康斯坦汀五晚四天的长沙之行很快结束啦。康斯坦汀的到来，让我们身居中国 长沙的家人们倍感高兴，作为家人，我们必须告诉康斯坦汀：从现在起你不仅仅有一个在加拿大的父母的家；有一个属于你和艾伦自己的家；你还有一个远在千里之外的中国长沙的家，这里有奶奶、有伯伯、有姑姑、有叔叔、有舅舅 还有许多兄弟姐妹…我们所有的家人都爱你。

Time flies, and Constantine and Alan’s five-day trip to Changsha quickly comes to an end. Their arrival brought great joy to our family here in Changsha, China. As family, we must tell Constantine: from now on, you not only have a home with your parents in Canada but also a home that belongs to you and Alan; you also have a family here in Changsha, China, tens of thousands of miles away. Here, you have Grandma, uncles, aunts, and many brothers and sisters... All of our family members here love you.

背景音乐：古筝演奏《高山流水》

Background Music: Guzheng Performance of “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”