Tour Guides

For the next several weeks, we will have various people visiting the company from the States. For many of them this is their first trip to China so we are acting as tour guides. Today we took our current visitor on a canal ride and to Tiger Hill. We had been wanting to take a ride on the canals as a family all summer, but were waiting for the weather to be a bit cooler. And finally, the past several weeks have been BEAUTIFUL!! Sunny (and I mean sunny where you can see the actual sun and not just the sun through a haze) and highs in the 70s to lower 80s. The only downside to this weather is that I am missing fall. You know, put a coat on in the morning but it warms up in the day, the leaves changing colors, pumpkins and apples. I have heard that the leaves won't actually change colors here, but there is a mountain nearby where they do. So, beginning of November, we plan to spend the morning hiking at the only place in Suzhou where leaves DO change colors. Wow, major digression! But with all the people coming to town and planning things for them to do and see, it has got me thinking about the city where we live. There is nothing like describing it to others to show you what you really think.... and I have just been realizing that I really enjoy living here (which is a good thing since we plan to be here for years). Yes, Suzhou has its faults - lots of people, so many stares, pollution, parts are dirty. But our family is really finding our niche here. For that, I am so thankful. I wouldn't trade the experiences that we are having for anything! ;-)

Aren't these "keyhole doorways" fun?! I am not sure if this kind of architecture is just found in Suzhou or also in other cities, but throughout the older parts of the city and in all of the gardens these are everywhere. This doorway opens to the Bonsai Garden at Tiger Hill.

Our flower children. I bargained for these cute flowers. I must confess a moment of Chinese pride. As I was walking by the stall selling these, the woman called out in English. I inquired how much they were (in Chinese) and she answered again in English. I responded with, "Name gui!" (so expensive - this is a typical response when bargaining). She countered again in English so I switched to English. She rapidly got confused when I was inquiring about how much for 2 or 3, as I tried to get a better price by buying more. When I switched BACK to Chinese, she understood me and we dickered over the price a bit more and came to an agreement - ALL in CHINESE! Woo-hoo! Score another point to Sarah in my ongoing battle with this tricky language.... (though seriously, not more than 10 minutes later we attempted to talk to our driver on the phone, had no clue what he was saying and had to call someone to translate. Ah well, like I've said before: nothing like learning a language to keep you humble!)

View of the canal from the boat.

Typical bridge

Taking a time out to eat some xiangjiao (banana). It is so funny to me how our kids' speech is becoming peppered with Chinese. Tori especially uses her own creative version of Chinglish.... a phrase in English, one in Chinese, all in the same sentence. I am sure this from hearing our aie (who speaks ONLY Chinese) and I talk to her all day long. They also are beginning to understand more and more.