Friday morning we head back to the girls’ school to see Brian read to Veronica’s class. The children are delighted to see Brian who they have nicknamed “turkey” and they love teasing him. We find it interesting that when entering the school grounds, we must first have our temperature taken at the guard house. It only takes a second as they use a device that is pointed behind our ear. The peculiar part is that the week before we entered the school grounds with knives in our bags for pumpkin carving but we’re allowed to go through since our temperature is normal; go figure. Another peculiar thing is that Holli sent Hanson her driver to Papa John’s to get ice for Veronica’s teacher, and that was after we went to Star Bucks to order a Christmas tree. Things sure work differently in China.
That afternoon we head off for greatly needed massages and a haircut; afterward, we head back to the fabric market without Holli. We feel as though we’re really getting to know our way around since Holli sent us off on our own. Of course, in the back of our mind we were also thinking maybe we drove her to the limit and it was her way of getting rid of us. We made it back though after honing our skill at “negotiating” again with the vendors. We’re getting pretty good at that.
In the evening we tackle Friday evening traffic and go to the long awaited trip to the Barbie Store which is 6 floors of everything Barbie; we’ve never seen anything like this. The girls pick out a few items and then we head to the restaurant which is amazing.
On Saturday we visit Yuyuan Garden which is located in the center of the Old City and is considered one of the finest Chinese gardens in the region. Work in the garden began in the mid 1500s and took almost 20 years to complete the original garden. It was like a maze going through it and many times we thought we were done only to realize we found another area we hadn’t seen before. It was all very beautiful. We meet up with Brian and Kendall afterward and do some shopping (and negotiating) in the market area around the garden. Marianne, Brian, Kendall and Veronica spend Saturday evening trick-or-treating and attending a few Halloween parties in a neighboring development.
We spend the day on Sunday packing, playing games, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Our time together is coming to an end and we’re all beginning to feel anxious about parting company tomorrow morning. Monday morning comes and Marianne handles herself like a champ in front of the girls. Hanson drove us to the airport and we charge him with taking care of Holli, Brian and the girls until they come back to the US. He assures us that he will certainly do that; we know that he cares for this family and that is comforting.
Once again the long trip back where we spend our time reading, watching movies and trying in vain to sleep. It was good to see Cork and Steve at the airport in Harrisburg and when we see them we realize how much we’ve missed them.
It was an amazing trip, one that we will never forget. Like we said before, China is a country of dramatic contrasts. However, now we have a greater appreciation for the people who are kind and gentle (except if they’re trying to sell you something.)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday-Thursday, October 27 - 29
Tuesday was a day of relaxation after our trip to Beijing and Xian. We walked to the girls’ school to attend chapel where Kendall had a reading. Of course, she performed flawlessly. We spent the rest of the day reading, playing games and strolling around the lake.
The next day we head to Puxi for an antique market tour. It was similar to exploring antique shops in the US but of course the items are very different. Our guide tells us that since most artifacts were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution one needs to be very knowledgeable to identify a true antique. Many of the items are old but not necessarily antiques and we are told that many items are good ‘copies’ of antiques. Holli asks our guide about an especially interesting etched tile piece and becomes quite embarrassed when the explanation of what this is used for is given. (You’ll have to ask Holli for further details.)
Thursday morning is one of our favorite experiences. We visit Fuxing Park in Puxi where we find beautiful gardens and a delightful group of people. Some people arrive with their birds in little wooden cages that are hung on posts for everyone to enjoy. This area is frequented by retirees and mothers (or aiees) and young children who participate in the many activities taking place throughout the park. We also participate and are warmly accepted by the crowd. One group was playing maracas lead by a lively gentleman. Since we don’t have maracas with us we use “air maracas” and join the group. Next we stop to watch a group dancing what looks like ballroom style. To our surprise one Chinese gentleman asks Eileen to join him. Since he is a very good leader it doesn’t take long for her to be able to follow his lead. The next group of dancers we encounter are doing a lively line dance and again Eileen and Marianne can’t resist the urge to participate. One elderly woman must have thought that Holli and Roni looked rather stressed since she proceeded to give them a shoulder massage and then did a little dance with Holli. The woman was quite friendly and charming. The day was gorgeous and we had a delightful time watching people dance, play instruments, play cards, do tai chi and simply enjoy one another’s company. We leave Fuxing Park and head to the French Concession area to view the beautiful architecture and stop in some shops. We meet Brian for lunch at the Nepali Kitchen which was delicious.
I guess Holli has had enough of us because she charges us with planning and shopping for the evening meal. She sends us off to Carrefore which is the Chinese version of a Walmart Superstore. Her last instruction was that we can’t go to the International section. We’re also in search of brown sugar that Holli has yet to be able to find. At first we weren’t sure if we were in a grocery store or pet store but then we begin to see some more familiar rows of food that weren't alive and moving. We actually find the International section and contrary to Holli’s instruction we decide to pick up what we need to make tacos. We’re also able to find brown sugar, mainly due to the fact that the actual words “brown sugar” are on the package. It was a chance find but of course we don’t tell Holli that.
The next day we head to Puxi for an antique market tour. It was similar to exploring antique shops in the US but of course the items are very different. Our guide tells us that since most artifacts were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution one needs to be very knowledgeable to identify a true antique. Many of the items are old but not necessarily antiques and we are told that many items are good ‘copies’ of antiques. Holli asks our guide about an especially interesting etched tile piece and becomes quite embarrassed when the explanation of what this is used for is given. (You’ll have to ask Holli for further details.)
Thursday morning is one of our favorite experiences. We visit Fuxing Park in Puxi where we find beautiful gardens and a delightful group of people. Some people arrive with their birds in little wooden cages that are hung on posts for everyone to enjoy. This area is frequented by retirees and mothers (or aiees) and young children who participate in the many activities taking place throughout the park. We also participate and are warmly accepted by the crowd. One group was playing maracas lead by a lively gentleman. Since we don’t have maracas with us we use “air maracas” and join the group. Next we stop to watch a group dancing what looks like ballroom style. To our surprise one Chinese gentleman asks Eileen to join him. Since he is a very good leader it doesn’t take long for her to be able to follow his lead. The next group of dancers we encounter are doing a lively line dance and again Eileen and Marianne can’t resist the urge to participate. One elderly woman must have thought that Holli and Roni looked rather stressed since she proceeded to give them a shoulder massage and then did a little dance with Holli. The woman was quite friendly and charming. The day was gorgeous and we had a delightful time watching people dance, play instruments, play cards, do tai chi and simply enjoy one another’s company. We leave Fuxing Park and head to the French Concession area to view the beautiful architecture and stop in some shops. We meet Brian for lunch at the Nepali Kitchen which was delicious.
I guess Holli has had enough of us because she charges us with planning and shopping for the evening meal. She sends us off to Carrefore which is the Chinese version of a Walmart Superstore. Her last instruction was that we can’t go to the International section. We’re also in search of brown sugar that Holli has yet to be able to find. At first we weren’t sure if we were in a grocery store or pet store but then we begin to see some more familiar rows of food that weren't alive and moving. We actually find the International section and contrary to Holli’s instruction we decide to pick up what we need to make tacos. We’re also able to find brown sugar, mainly due to the fact that the actual words “brown sugar” are on the package. It was a chance find but of course we don’t tell Holli that.
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