Chongqing, China...Houston, Texas. Twin Cities?

I have wondered at times why God moved us to Houston and now I think I know. It was so Ruthie would feel right at home. :)

Seriously, but not too seriously, I have discovered that Chongqing and Houston really have a lot in common. So here it is:

The Top Ten Reasons Chongqing and Houston Should be Considered Twin Cities:

10. They are both port cities. Chongqing has the Yangtze River and the Jialing River. We have the Gulf of Mexico and Clear Lake. I bet it is a toss up as to which one is prettier.

9. Both cities are very hot. Chongqings highs are around 109 and it is known as the 'burning furnace'. The temperature in Houston today was 100 degrees and t-ball practice did indeed feel like a burning furnace. Hmm.

8. Both cities are overpopulated. Houston has 2.2 million and Chongqing has 30 million. OK Chongqing we fold, you win.

7. Both zoos have panda's. This is important to a 2 year old.

6. Both experienced natural disasters in 2008. Chongqing had a large earthquake on May 12th and Houston had hurricane Ike on September 13th. You are actually getting ahead on this one Ruthie because hurricanes come with warnings and mom believes in early evacuation.

5. Wikipedia described Chongqing as "foggy sometimes, suffers from heavy air pollution". Yep sounds like home.

4. Chongqing has it's own dialect that is different from traditional Mandarin. I think most of the country would say that we in south Texas have our own dialect that is different from traditional English.

3. Chongqing is known for a famous dish called "hot pot". Houston has jails that are full of people arrested for carrying something with a similar name.

2. Both cities worship a tall Chinese basketball player named Yao Ming

1. Both have been/will be the home of one precious orphan girl named Ruthie Mei. Chongqing we win. You lose.