- THE TRIP: Long, long, long, long! It took us 30 hours (18 hrs in flight) and 4 airplanes to get here. I can't even express how happy we were to see Kendra and Ian, although we were quite disappointed that they didn't have a sign for us! Oh well, we quickly forgave them. Zal survived the trip, but the 13 hour flight just about put us all over the edge. It was like having two nights back to back. The lights were down basically for the whole flight. Zal kept his schedule that he has at home, being completely untouched by the gravol, so was rarin' to go three hours into the flight. Enough said...
- JUNE 20: Upon arrival, we just hung out at Kendra's place. Her home was a revolving door for the day. She had two "fix it" guys come over to do a bunch of odd jobs and then two internet guys to hook up internet. Kendra just moved days before we arrived. In the early evening we met up with Kyla and went on a short walk to get dessert and groceries.
- JUNE 21: Ian took us to the Forbidden City and Tiannemen (sp?) Square. It's hard to describe without pictures, so the photo journal will show up when we get home. It was a super hot and humid day, something we have not experienced in forever. We were constantly giving Zal water and reapplying his sunscreen. Dave was insistent that we see the Mausoleum, so we lined up to do so. Creepy! The Forbidden City is enormous; very amazing and impressive. The stroller has been a life saver in Beijing. Zal much prefers it to the hiking backpack. We managed to take it on and off three subways....also an experience one must have in Beijing. We avoided rush hour on the way home, thank God, by taking a taxi.
- JUNE 22: Kendra and Ian took us to Hou Hai..an area of Beijing with a fake lake, delicious restaurants, hutongs, and shops. We went for a boat ride (Ian's idea..really he just wanted to drive the boat which was painfully slow). Walking through the hutongs (homes in Beijing as they used to be) was very interesting...something I didn't get to do last time I was here. We also saw the bell tower and drum tower (ancient way of telling time). We were constantly seeing quaint and interesting sights: a dog wearing shoes, old men playing majong, grandmas cooing over Zal, a traveling pet shop, old men with their shirts rolled up (it's SOOOO hot here), etc, etc.
ASIDE: this culture is extremely expressive and has no personal space issues whatsoever. Seriously, Zal is a rock star. People are constantly pointing at him, running up to him, trying to talk to him and taking pictures of him. It's pretty funny! We're really trying to get him to say, "nee hao", but to no avail thus far!
- JUNE 23: we boarded our 5th plane and flew to Shanghai (getting up at 4:30 am). We checked into our amazing 4 star hotel, met up with a good friend Jackie (who I had gotten to know the last time I was here) and toured around Shanghai. We walked through the French Quarter and along the Bund (streets by a river whose name is currently unknown to me). The old street is full of colonial architecture; the new, modern skyscrapers. By 4 or so in the afternoon, Zal was DONE! He had only fallen asleep by around 9 pm the night before and then was up at 4:30 am. Naps are inconsistent (go figure). He sleeps well in the stroller but not in the backpack. We didn't bring the stroller to Shanghai. So, Jackie got him and I into a taxi and we both napped while Dave and the rest of the crew finished walking the Bund. Again, it was a super hot and humid day. Not sure if its dipped below 30 since being here. :)
- JUNE 24: We boarded a train to Suzhou. This was an adventure as the train station is enormous and crowded and everything is in Chinese. We have done a ton of walking here. Am pretty sure that he whole point of training for a 10K was to get ready for this trip. Have I mentioned that Kendra's apt is on the 5th floor (no elevator)? Once on the train we were all impressed as it went 370 km/hour!!! Suzhou, a small city (way, way, way larger than S'toon), used to be a canal city. Once we finally found the old town we were quite impressed by the beauty of the canals. It is also known for its gardens where artists could create. The day was mostly a gong show (for some reason we could NOT find taxis and food....can we say hangry??), but was redeemed by the gorgeous gardens that created a balance of harmony and peace. We experienced KFC in China. Oh, goodness...we all wanted to claw someone! It was full of unruly, LOUD kids...and made me sick...just like it does in Canada...but we were desperate!!
- JUNE 25: We felt very harmonious this day as we had rented a mini van and driver to take us to Tongli. Hallelujah! We dubbed him the "dude." Dude showed up to all locations on time, and knew how to impressively careen in and out of traffic. Yes, Zal is very much loving not being in a car seat, most of the time (when Auntie Kendra drives he is in a car seat). Tongli, a small town (again much larger than S'toon), has many beautiful canal streets. We didn't take a boat, but did lots of people watching, picture taking, and eating. Our Italian coffees ended up costing more than our Chinese meal. It rained off and on most of the day, but that was a much needed reprieve from the heat! Dude took us to an amazing Muslim restaurant for supper (food from Western China)....seriously, I think tacos come from the Uighur people. The lamb kebobs & noodles were also exquisite! Zal is doing very well with the food. We don't give him a lot of spicy foods, but when he does get some, he seems to be fine. He ate a lot of noodles and naan bread. :) At 9:44 we boarded the night train back to Beijing. We made a little bed for Zal on the floor as I decided the beds were way too narrow for the two of us (and Zal is way too wiggly). I can't say I slept super well, but intend to make up for it tonight. Unfortunately, I have a cold. :(
- JUNE 26: We got to Beijing at 7:30 am...got to Kendra's place an hour later, put Zal to bed and got ready to go to NeXt (chuch). Hardcore! I wish I wouldn't have been so stuffed up and tired, as it was a great service...everyone sits around tables and discusses the sermon after it's spoken. So invigorating! Coffee and snacks are available too...I made Kendra keep us stocked. hee! There was a nursery for Zal, who was quite happy to be rid of us for an hour 1/2. My good friend and old roommate Kyla, gave me a ride on her scooter to the restaurant for lunch. Hilarious. I held on for dear life...hoping for the best! No helmets, of course. The rest of today was spent at Kendra's place relaxing and sleeping with Zal. Zal napped a lot today...making up for many days of wonky schedules. Dave and Ian tried to get Dave fitted for a suit, but they didn't have pics of the one he wants, so they will try again tomorrow night. Kendra hung out w/ friends.
- Thus, concludes week one. We've tried to do one big thing a day...so that usually involves leaving in the morning and not getting back until 6 or 7 or later. Yup, Zal has had to be super flexible. Truthfully, it's probably easier for him than for me. It's hard to let go of the fact that he is just not going to sleep as much as he would if we had a nicely structured life. I know our parents brought us up overseas, so we're doing our best to be flexible and do the same for our kids. Am really enjoying my time thus far, and I know Dave would say the same!!! We are blessed!!
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