Uninspired

So, I have not blogged in over a month. And while the usual excuse (of busyness) is there. I think it is more than that. I think that I have just been lacking in inspiration.

But just to keep you somewhat updated, here is a snapshot of our last month:

• Hosted 2 Thanksgivings (one with almost 40 people, and one with a measly 25)
• Got family portraits done
• Hosted a Christmas dinner for our church's leadership
• Josh performed in the lower grades school musical. My quiet boy actually rapped. It was awesome to see!

And in the midst of it all, school and work continues. Today is the kids' (well, at least Josh and Becca's) last day before holiday break. Tori does not get a holiday break, but in the idea of family harmony, I will decide which days she can stay home from school.

Packed in

I have become used to taking the bus. So much so, that I really don't think about the crowds or other quirks of public transportation here in Suzhou. But like my other recent attempts to show you more of a complete picture of our life here, I thought I would show you a fairly normal sight on my morning commute:

While I am not the only foreigner on the bus, you can see that I am definitely in the minority. Today it was raining and so the bus was particularly crowded (some who might normally use a bike or e-bike in nicer weather opt for the bus in the rain). But there is a saying in Chinese that is commonly heard:

中囯人太多了.没办法.

(Zhongguoren tai dou le, Mei banfa. MEANING: The Chinese people are too many. There is no solution.) I think that pretty much sums it up!

Waiting in Line

I am trying to bring you more pictures that capture our everyday life. Here I am standing in line to pick up Tori from school. The school is ahead on the right (though not visible in the picture). When I pick her up, I scan a card on a machine (each family is issued several cards) and that way they know exactly who is at the school at any given time. Another thing that I think is a great idea is that to communicate with the parents, they send text messages (granted they are in Chinese, but it just becomes a way to practice what I am learning). That is often the way that I communicate with the teachers as well. But back to standing in line. . . I tell you, many times, this song runs through my head: "One of things is not like the others, one of these things doesn't belong..."

Morning Communte

Just another morning commute for all of these people (this photo was taken as I was waiting for the bus). . .

Even though there are more and more people driving cars in China, the bike and e-bike are still the most popular ways to get around. Did you know that there are estimated more than 120 million e-bikes used in China? Isn't that crazy?! It is estimated that there are about 200,000 e-bikes used in all of the United States. I have read that between 700,000 and 800,000 e-bikes are used in Beijing alone. This number is hard to gauge because there is no license required to operate them. I have been pondering buying one. But in the meantime, I have been borrowing a friend's while they are back in the U.S.. Can you imagine me (with several kids) on one of these?

AMAZING RACE: Unexpected Challenge

Unexpected Challenge: Stomach Virus

When living (and especially traveling) in a foreign country, you just kind of expect that sometimes your stomach is not always going to be happy. So when Andy's stomach wasn't doing the best one day, we chalked it up to any number of things (sanitary issues, iffy food, you name it). But then the next day both Becca's and my stomach were not happy. And I began to have suspicions that it might be more than just a "China tummy day." The following day when we were at Leshan seeing the Big Buddha, Josh began complaining that his stomach hurt. Uh oh. On the 2 hour drive back, Josh got really sick several times in the van. Yeah, my concerns were confirmed. He was one sick little man that night. We just stayed at our hostel (and I have never been more thankful for a washer than I was that night). He went to sleep super early and the next morning, thankfully felt fine. On the night he was not feeling well, Andy and I were talking and realized that our kids have gotten sick (aka thrown up) in all kinds of places in several different countries. Just one of the joys of adventuring with kiddos, I guess. I must say that I think that Tori is quite the hardy kiddo because she was the only one of us to make it through this episode unscathed. For which I cannot express enough gratitude because the Super T sick is a daunting thing.

As an aside, I am FINALLY going to finish blogging about this trip tomorrow. Only a couple more noteworthy things. And then back to our "normal life." :-)

One of those days. . .

Everyone has those days every now and then. Days where it just seems like everything is going wrong. Today it seems that our house had one of those days. Last night I noticed that our rug was wet in the kitchen. I thought that one of the kids had just spilled some water. But this morning there was no mistaking that it was more than that as part of the kitchen floor was covered in water. Our ayi (housekeeper), Xiao Lu called the maintenance department of our neighborhood. Someone came to see the problem, went to get a part and returned to fix it. I was out while it was fixed but apparently, they needed to move our oven out to fix the water line. But in moving out the oven, the hose going to the oven broke, and our gas started to leak. They quickly turned off the gas and aired out the house. I talked to Xiao Lu shortly after this and she informed me that there was no water and the gas was broken. [sigh] They fixed the water but she then called the gas company to ask them to send someone to fix the gas problem. They told her that since it was in the house it was not their problem. She next called the neighborhood maintenance department and they told her since it was an oven, they were not qualified to fix it. I called our landlord and she was going to send someone to fix it. In the meantime a different maintenance guy from the neighborhood came by and he was able to fix the gas. But by this time it was almost 5. Hmm, guess we are going out for dinner. We returned from dinner to find that the water was leaking again. Oh, yay! Does this mean we get to do it all again tomorrow?!

Seen on the Bus

I am rather used to seeing unusual things on the bus. People who sell things on the street get on with large baskets and the poles they carry them with. People traveling get on with luggage. I have even seem live animals (though that is not a usual sight). Today I saw an amusing sight . . . a man got on carrying a flat screen monitor. Not in a box. Not even in a bag. Just carrying the monitor. And the bus was PACKED! Not a seat to be had. So there he was standing, holding on, and carrying his monitor. Finally, a seat opened up near where we were standing. I offered it to him and he turned me down. Didn't see when he got off. Hope the monitor made it to its destination safely!

AMAZING RACE Must See: Pandas

You cannot go to Sichuan and NOT see pandas. This is the area that is famous for the Giant Pandas. There is a Research center and Sanctuary that is around 2 hours from Chengdu. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged in the 2008 earthquake. Most of the pandas have been moved to another location that is farther. But in Chengdu there is a Research and Breeding Center. Our first full day in Chengdu we woke up early. We had heard that in order to see them active it is best to arrive early. We arrived at the research center and were walking along quietly (because according to the signs it is important to be quiet) when all of the sudden one of the keepers came along screaming: "来, 来, 来!"(lai, lai, lai; meaning: come, come, come) and waking up the pandas for breakfast. This was such a treat because I had only seen pandas at the National Zoo and they were always sleeping. But we got to watch them eat and then they were really active. We even got to see some newborns. Did you know that the panda has the digestive system of a carnivore, but almost solely eats bamboo? And because this diet is so poor in nutrition, it must consume great quantities of the bamboo daily (20-30 pounds each day). It has also changed its behavior and limits its activities to conserve energy (hence all the sleeping and lounging around).

Tori couldn't be drawn away for a picture, because c'mon how does posing for a picture compare to watching the pandas?

These 2 humored us with their antics as they climbed all over the structure and each other.

And this guy was hilarious. He was reclining with bamboo scattered across his stomach, munching away. He so reminded us someone lounging in a lazy boy.

But then apparently even sitting up required to much effort because we came back a few minutes later and found him like this. Laying down and STILL eating. Got to have priorities!

There was even an area of red pandas.

When we first came upon this guy, he was asleep in the tree. But eventually he woke up, and came down for breakfast.

AMAZING RACE: Unexpected Find -- People's Park

We love to chat with our kids after a trip and discover what their favorite things were. Here are each of their top 3 faves.

Becca

1. People's Park

2. Big Buddha at Leshan

3. Pandas

Josh

1. Fountain Park

2. Pandas

3. People's Park

Tori

1. Pandas

2. Marley

3. People's Park

Hmm, anyone else noting a theme here? We expected that the Pandas would be a highlight (and I will blog about that next), but it is funny how sometimes the unexpected things you stumble across can be the most fun. We had read about People's Park, but I did not realize how big it was. It is located in the middle of Chengdu and is home to several teahouses that Chengdu is so famous for. We discovered several really fun things in the park (and this is obviously why it was a favorite for all of the kids).

This man was "painting" Chinese characters with water. I think there is such beauty in the just the writing of the characters.

Helicopters & New Friends

While at viewing the pandas in the morning, we met another family who we found to be kindred spirits. They are taking a gap year as a family volunteering and traveling about Asia (and you people thought we were adventurous!). After talking with them for a while at the pandas, we exchanged phone numbers and planned to meet up later.

Here we purchased "helicopters" that kids had a blast flying in the park.

Tori had trouble figuring out how to do it at first, but before long. . .

she was a pro!

Tori and Marley became fast friends.

Enjoying time together at a tea house in the park.

Being Interviewed

There was a group of 4 junior high age girls who were "interviewing" people in the park using English. I am not sure if this was a class assignment or just something they were doing for fun. They were super sweet and we enjoyed talking with them (and their questions were funny: What animal do you like? Why? How old are you? Where are you from?)

As they interviewed us, a crowd formed to see what was going on.

Unusual Candy

We had seen people walking around with these. So when we found a woman making them in the park, the kids all wanted a try. It taste a bit like honey. Watching her make these were amazing. She would quickly pour the hot candy solution out onto a marble table making an animal. Can you tell what she is making? She quickly adds a stick as it hardens. Then you spin the spinner (in the background) and it determines which animal you get.

Our kids with a dragonfly (Josh's), bird (Becca's) and butterfly (Tori's).

Renting boats

There is a small lake in the middle of the park where you can rent both paddle and motor boats. Becca was telling everyone how to row, where to go. As we teased her about it, she kept giving me this look:

Imagine that. . . people are taking our picture!

I started out rowing with Andy to get us from the shore. But the kids were enjoying rowing so much that I moved to the front. It humored me that I was being rowed around by my little people. Joking with the kids, I declared myself Queen of the Boat. I told B that it was my job as Queen of the Boat to direct where we should go (and that prompted another look so I quickly took her picture).

My minions doing my bidding. They had SO much fun rowing. Josh and Tori were particularly skillful at making us go in perfect circles. It was hilarious!

Me and my fellow Queen of the Boat

AMAZING RACE: Challenge #4

Challenge #4: The crowds

For those of you have not been to Asia and specifically to China it is hard to grasp the sheer intensity of the crowd on a daily basis let alone when traveling during the holidays. It is estimated that over 102 million people travel during National Week in China and I seriously think that we encountered 1 million at each of the sights we saw. When we went to the see the Big Buddha at Leshan (a 71 meter tall Buddha carved into the side of a mountain), we had to wait in line for 3 hours to see it. At one point as we were being jostled by the crowd, I turned to Andy and declared that I was not sure that the Big Buddha was worth this. But he was indeed a spectacular sight.

Yes indeed, this is the line at Leshan.

And us in that line!

But even though the line was crazy, the Buddha was such an impressive sight. We are standing in front of his toes. His fingers are longer than a grown man!

This was what the line was for: the perilous path along the cliff to be able to see the Big guy.

I think we are looking down from about at his arms.

We joked that we were trapped and could not escape people taking out pictures. But then when Tori was tired and Andy carried her on her shoulders, our little character took it to a whole new level. She was smiling, posing and chatting with the crowd in Chinese. I love that girl!

Going down the mountain at Qing Shan (near Chengdu). Believe it or not, we are walking on steps not a trail. This my friends epitomizes traveling in China over the holidays.

Challenge: ☐ Pass ☐ Fail

I am not even sure I can vote on this one. Yes, the crowds are crazy, overwhelming, and just altogether draining. But we knew that going in. So I really don't think I can count it as a fail. Maybe we will just chalk it up to: ☑ SURVIVED. And leave it at that.

AMAZING RACE: Challenge #3

Challenge #3: Accommodations

We had made reservations to stay at a hostel in Chengdu, but had no reservations for a couple of our days anticipating that we might join a tour group and a hotel might be part of the package. But after talking with the staff at the hostel they strongly recommended that we do these trips as day trips and we could stay at the hostel. It turns out that they were right -- day trips were the way to go. In Chengdu, we stayed at the Dragon Town Hostel. I cannot say enough good things about it. It was clean, the staff was helpful (and they seriously loved on our kids), and it was in a great location.

In front of the hostel

The hostel was an older building with an inner central courtyard that was used as common space. Here we are enjoying breakfast (and in my case, checking my email -- hooray for wifi, not always the norm in China) next to the coi pond in the courtyard.

The kiddos with a few of the amazing staff. They turned our stay from good to wonderful.

Challenge: (Chengdu) ☑Pass (with flying colors) ☐ Fail

We spent 5 nights in Chengdu but after that we were not in a location more than one night. We look the night train and then spent a night in a city that I do not think has seen many foreigners AT ALL. But the hotel there was good and the hotel was restaurant was even better.

AMAZING RACE: Update

We have been back from Sichuan for several days. I think that we are finally recovered. While we had fun, this was not a relaxing sort of vacation. I will begin to update you on the challenges (both anticipated and unexpected) from our travels. . .

AMAZING RACE: Challenge #2

UPDATED:

Challenge #2: Weather

I have been following the weather closely, and I have to say that for the last several days it has not looked great. Keep in mind that we will be moving around a lot, plan on hiking around a mountain or two, and will be on a boat for a day. I am packing rain jackets but if we get seriously wet, we won't even have too many extra clothes. Hmm, this challenge could also lead to a packing fail. Because I am an eternal optimist, I choosing to believe one forecast that said it will be cloudy during the day and rain at night. But time will tell . . . Here is the forecast from the BBC (this is in Celcius, for you Americans think upper 60s, lower 70s):

Challenge: ☑ Pass (it only rained one day and that was in the evening. I must confess this one was worrying me a bit) ☐ Fail

AMAZING RACE: Challenge #1

UPDATED

Challenge #1: PACKING

Because we will be on the move so much and this is one of the peak weeks for travel (it is estimated that more than 120 million people travel within China during this one week), therefore we don't want to be encumbered with suitcases. So instead we are taking all that we need for the 5 of us for 8 days in these:

Yup, just 2 backpacks. We will need to do some creative packing, and just not take very many clothes. Personally, clean underwear is really overrated, don't you think? Kidding! (Sort of). My plan is to pack 1 pair of pants, and 2 shirts for each of us plus what we are wearing and then we will wear those clothes into the ground. Because we also need to pack some food. Getting off the beaten path means that what we will find to eat is unpredictable. And while we all seriously enjoy eating Chinese food, I think there will PB & J in our future. So let the packing begin!

Challenge: ☑ Pass (We wore our clothes, slept in them, wore them the next day, and

eventually changed after a day or two. But the backpacks were the way to go, we were

so thankful for them later in the trip.)

☐ Fail

The Bridal Tour

China is the land of tours. Go to any famous place (or even one not-so-famous), and you will inevitably find a tour group with coordinating hats or shirts (sometimes both) being led by a person with a flag and a megaphone. At the expo we saw the tour to end all tours: THE BRIDAL TOUR. I kid you not. There was a group of brides (and some men dressed up, but there didn't seem to be matching number of brides and grooms. not sure what was going on there) complete with the tour director with the hat and megaphone. Andy and I were left speechless. So clearly, I had Andy get some pictures.

Apparently, they went to Turkey. Can you spot the bride?

Is it me, or do they seem to be missing some grooms?

All lined up waiting to go into the exhibit. Like I said, speechless.

AMAZING RACE: Wilcox-style

Friends of ours repeatedly tell us that we would be great Amazing Race candidates. (And if they ever do a whole family version, we would be there.) But I really don't think that a lot of our trips are that adventurous. But all that will change on Friday! We are doing our most adventurous trip yet. 8 days, 7 destinations (though all within 1 HUGE province), and at least 5 different types of transportation. While I will not be blogging in the midst of it, I will make note of our various challenges and whether we passed or failed. Stay tuned. . . . For the AMAZING RACE across Sichuan!

Shanghai 2010 World Expo

On Saturday we took the train into Shanghai for the day to attend the 2010 World Expo. We talked to our parents the week before and neither even knew that there was a World Expo going on this year in China. Please, tell me that somebody out there heard that it was happening!?

Anyway. . . . We had researched which pavilions that we wanted to see. What might be worth standing in line for (to see some country's pavilions the lines were 8+ hours long!!). Thankfully, none of our lines were that long. But then again we avoided the worst offenders (Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Germany, ...) and found some others that were interesting.

One of the corporate sponsors. I think this sounds a little better in Chinese: "Come to the Coca Cola Happy Factory. We will wait for you there!"

But I just don't get the "happy factory" part.

Thailand

Saudi Arabia -- the costliest exhibit

The lines were crazy long at both the U.A.E and Saudi Arabia so we opted for a similar cultural experience and went to Qatar. Wait time: 10 minutes.

Yes, my friends, we are in this line! Waiting to go to India.

While waiting in line, some people behind us were eating these and gave us some to try. They told me what it is, but I had never heard of it. I then proceeded to amuse those around us as I tried to get them open (really hard) and get the nut-like things inside out (even harder). While it wasn't my favorite thing in the world, we ate all that they gave to us. It kind of reminded me of a cross between a nut and a bean. ???

Standing by a Christmas tree (that is actually the kind) created by the set designers of Lord of the Rings (I heard that the entire New Zealand exhibit was created by them).

India -- this is the pavilion that we waited the longest time for (a little over an hour). But it was worth it for the amazing lunch we had inside.

Mmm, curry and tandori chicken.

The girls and I showing off our henna from the Indian pavilion

We ended up seeing almost 20 pavilions and WOW we were tired by the end of the day!