Thursday, April 9, 2009

Chengdu






Today got off to yet another traumatic start.  Kinsey woke up feeling much better, and we all got ready for breakfast.  However, while tying her shoe, she managed to do a backflip off the bed, whacking her nose on a table on the way down.  We managed to get everything to the airport on time, despite not scheduling "clean up blood" time.  She took it like a trooper, and got a new panda bear shirt out of the deal, since the shirt she was wearing is pretty much ruined. 

Our first day in Chengdu has been spent mostly eating.  This is the Sichuan province, so spicy is the way to go.  We had a special table tonight for the challengers, and we all survived what they called 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.  Everyone compared what part of their mouths were burning and/or numb.  Good stuff.

A little later we went to the People's Park and had tea, then spent some time walking around.  Seeing people in their regular life is everyone's favorite.  Retire people tend to 
gather in parks in the early morning and evenings to exercise and socialize.  We saw people ballroom dancing, doing tai chi, singing karaoke, playing chess, and lots of other things.  Most of the grandparents were sweet and let us take pictures of their beautiful grandchildren.

After supper, 11 of us got foot massages at the School for Chinese Medicine, while the others went shopping.  It was pretty good, but hurt a little, too.  One person commented and was told, "Sometimes hurt, but help." Yikes!  We'll count bruises tomorrow.

Tomorrow is what all of the kids have been waiting for - The Pandas!  We have to leave early, so I'm gonna check out.

A few notes:
Jeff, I found sweet tea.  Yes!
Jay, I don't even know if I can tell you about some of the bathrooms I've seen.
Jill and Laura, will K still be clumsy in her 40s?
Jamie, happy birthday (for real) today!!!
As always, thanks for the comments.  We miss you guys!

6 comments:

  1. Poor K! My goodness...I'm beginning to think she is really mine with all her clumsiness. haha Looking forward to the pictures of the pandas. Sounds exciting.

    Love to you all,

    Jamie

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  2. Kinsey needs a merit badge for all she's been through on the trip so far. Hope the pandas are fabulous. We missed you at mahjongg last night. I lost the entire night so I'm stockpiling pennies. We play in 2 weeks at Amy's house.

    Leslie

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  3. What an adventure it is turning out to be! Everyone looks great: happy and smiling. Even sweet K!

    Drink up that sweet Tea, now. I'm sooo jealous about the Szechuan! MMMM!

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  4. Hermena says Hi to everybody and we are really enjoying all of the news you are sending. sorry about Kinsey-she is just too mean. tell her we said that. We are headed to Puxico. call when you get in. be safe.

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  5. you know my Sophie is a spicy girl from around those parts.
    eat some spicy food for us, we loved it!
    Kinsey, hope you have a safe and healthy rest of your trip.

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  6. Thanks for keeping the posts coming. I love the pictures and hearing what you're doing there. Sorry to hear Kinsey's had more trouble . . . hope she doesn't have anything else to happen the rest of the trip. Enjoy the pandas (can't wait to see pics!).

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