Tuesday, July 19, 2005
I’m giving Justin a writing break today. Since I’m not the writer of the family this will be much shorter.
Today was another good day. Lily is coming more and more out of her shell. She has a cute personality. We got lots more smiles today. She is so agreeable. She doesn’t care where we go as long as she gets to be held by either Justin or me. We did make our first purchase here, a stroller, and she does like it -- especially if it is moving.
It is hard for me to get used to the heat and humidity. I think it hit close to 100 degrees today. Since it is so hot here, I opted on just going to Wal-Mart with the other family we are traveling with (Lynn and Rey and their two children, Sage and Royce) and not going to the zoo. The zoo is right next to Wal-Mart so Justin and the adoption guide, Eva, made their way over to the zoo to see the Pandas. Then they joined us back at Wal-Mart where we were happily shopping away.
There were 2 Pandas to see at the zoo. This was the better of the 2 pictures. Eva informed me that they are lazy creatures - they like to eat and sleep and that's about it. There are more Pandas in the zoo, but they don't like to disturb them if they don't want to come out. Being a national treasure does have its advantages!
Wal-Mart is 3 stories high. So there is a lot to see and buy! You will see by the pictures below that the Wal-Marts here are very different to the Wal-Marts back home. You can take a shopping cart up an escalator, which is more like a moving ramp, to the next level. Also, Justin commented that it was almost like being at the zoo when he went to the grocery section of the store. There were fish tanks and frog tanks and even turtle tanks. It brings a whole new vision of Wal-Mart. Be thankful that when we buy chicken meat at the grocery store the head isn’t attached. (Hopefully, no one is on their lunch break as they are reading this!)
Pretty impressive entrance - especially for Wal Mart!
Above - (Top) You can choose your own live fish from tanks in the seafood section, if you wish. Just use one of the handy nets provided - it's fun for the whole family! The blue tanks in the back of the picture contain many other selections, too. (Center) Maybe some fresh frog legs or turtle soup for dinner? It doesn't get any fresher! (Bottom) How's this for merchandising? YUM!! By the way, the prices are in Yuan (Chinese currency). Exhange rate is about 8.21 Yuan to $1.00 US. S0 the 13.00Y turtles and frogs would be about $1.58 each. I don't think Petsmart sells them that cheap! (See? Wal Mart really DOES sell for less!) Below - Some recognizable products, labelled for the locals.
We also bought our first pair of squeaky shoes. These are toddler shoes that encourage toddlers to walk because they squeak with each step they take. I’m sure they can get a little nerve racking after a while. But they are so cute we just had to get a couple of pairs. Lily would take some steps and then look down and take some more steps and then sit down. I’m not sure she likes them yet.
After Wal-Mart we ate a delicious lunch at a restaurant that our guide, Eva, suggested. It is in a local hotel and specializes in cuisine from the Sichuan Province. The food was spicy and delicious (hence, Szechwan food, as we know it in the US). The babies had congee which is a mixture made with rice. They really like it. We had a large selection of dishes including chicken, pork, rice and soup for a mere $6 US per person.
"You guys enjoy - I'm not ready for that stuff yet. I'll just work on having a little to drink!"
After a rough morning of shopping and a power lunch in the unbearable Chongqing heat, a little snooze on the way back to the hotel is a welcome break
Justin was eyeing one of these for himself. It wouldn't be as much fun as his motorcycle, but with the price of gas (about the same here in China as back home), it would really cut the cost of getting around town!
Back at the Marriott, we had a leisurely afternoon in the hotel room playing with Lily. She is so fascinating to watch. She babbles a lot (probably in Chinese). We can’t understand her but we repeat what she says and she smiles.
This evening, Eva led Justin and Rey to Pizza Hut for a change in pace. It is located on a large pedestrian mall with huge buildings, shops and, of course, tons of people. We ordered one 12-inch specialty pizza with different kinds of sausages, pepperoni, onions, black olives and green peppers. It was on a thin, “Edge” crust (same as in the US). Justin also ordered a 9-inch Hawaiian (Ham and Pineapple) pizza on Pan crust. The total came to just at $20 US (Clearly, compared to lunch at a local place, they get a good buck for the Western, commercial-type food.) It tasted just like the pizza that we have back home. We were glad.
Justin and Rey pose with the beautiful Chinese hostess. Another impressive entrance for an otherwise common Western icon.
A little taste of home - even if it is only the crust for now!
Lily and Justin are both asleep and it is time for me to turn in also. Hope you enjoy the pictures! We have just a few more days here. We are waiting for Lily’s passport and then we can go to the next stage of our journey. Hope to see you soon!
