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.