"I am sending an
angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I
have prepared."
Travel
Day 13
Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - Touring & Shopping
Today was a tour and
relax day. Although it's hard to relax with all the emotions of being in China,
having a new daughter, etc. The guides took us to a family temple today where we
were able to walk around the temple and the gardens. They also had a gift shop
there but we did not buy anything. The artifacts and art in the temple were
great. There were pictures made with the finest silk that it looked like a
painting. The
architecture of the temple was just beautiful too. The gardens had life size
statues everywhere that told ancient stories. The foliage was nice to see also
since we've been in "the city" for a while now. There were lots of
tourist here, especially elderly ladies pointing and waving fingers at us for not
having stockings on Kya. They would lift up her pant leg to see if we had more
than one layer of clothes on her and shake their finger at us when they found
that she was in one layer of clothes. One set of elderly woman where pointing to
my belly and then putting their hand over their belly. I asked my guide why they
were doing that and she claimed she did not know and suggested maybe they
thought I gave birth to Kya. I think they were saying either I have a big belly
or that my button up shirt was not appropriate. :-) I don't really
know.
In the afternoon we took
taxis over to Shamian Island with our friends Bill, Debbie and their kids Tiff
and now Abby. We picked up our granite etchings and went to lunch together at
Lucy's. We'd heard a lot about this place and wanted to try this 'diner'. The
food was pretty decent and pretty western. Burgers, grilled cheese, eggs. We
bought a little spoon as a keepsake for Kya here. I thought this place would
have a restroom but when I asked they told me to go outside, through the park,
down the sidewalk and I'd see it. What?! LOL! So I headed off for my
trek only to find I had to purchase a lump of toilet paper. I had no money and
the elderly lady just laughed and put the toilet paper back in the cardboard
box. So, I trekked back to get my backpack which had toilet paper and soap in
there. What a trip that was, just for the potty. We laughed so hard
at that. It's one of those things you'll always laugh about. But, next time
we're here....I'll know!
r 
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HERE SEE OUR PHOTO ALBUM FOR THIS DAY
