PANDAS!!!

The weather was wet and dreary this morning, which worked out just great.  It seems to have kept most panda visitors away, but was very comfortable for the pandas to come out and play.  But, first things first.  Chris and another man from our group, David, got up early today and went walking.  They got to see part of the city wake up. The baker was making dough for dumplings and noodles, vegetables were being sold to restaurants, and pigs were being carved and hung in the storefront.  Friendly gestures were made, and the workers let the silly caucasians take pictures.

After an accident and puke free morning, we headed out to the panda breeding facility.  Last year's earthquake damaged the Woolong Panda Reserve and roads leading to it, so this is where visitors now go to see the pandas.  Last year was a great year, with 14 babies born!  Now 8-9 months old, the babies are filling the kindergarten.  As cute and charming as the pandas look as stuffed toys and in videos, they are even more so up close.  Unbelievably special!  The babies were playing, the young adults were stuffing themselves, and the granny's were passed out cold.  I have forced myself to only post these few photos of the pandas.  Anyone who can stand it for an hour or so, I have a lot more!  The kids loved getting to pose with the panda.  The keepers gave him a special treat, so he just sat on a bench, eating contentedly, while the kids took turns petting him and posing.  Definitely one of the biggest highlights of the trip.

On the way out of the park, we stopped by a pond where people were feeding some carp.  Leslie, this shot is for you.  The fish were flopping on top of each other, onto the bank, making popping noises as they opened up to get food.  One fellow traveler said they get so thick that the ducks can walk across them.  So funny to watch.

The girls all received silk purses today since we visited a brocade factory, so the boys got Mao hats.  Later that day, they were playing a paddle ball game in Tien Fu park, which has a giant statue of Mao in it.  The police came and yelled at them in Chinese, gesturing that it was disrespectful to the statue.  Who knew statues were so sensitive?

Our last treat for the night was getting to see our sister-in-law's parents.  Gretchen's folks were returning to their home in Chengdu from a trip South, so we were able to see them for a bit here at the hotel.  It was great to hear some of their stories about actually living here as ex-pats.  Time was short, but we were so glad we got to see them.

As much fun as this trip has been, it's time it comes to an end.  The compounding lack of sleep is getting to everyone, as is the lack of privacy, cow's milk, and Mexican food.  We leave for Beijing early tomorrow (Saturday), and spend the night there.  Sunday around lunch we will head to the airport.  After a long flight and a plane change in Newark, we are scheduled to arrive in Nashville at 10:17 p.m.  I don't know who I feel sorriest for on Monday:  the kids, their teachers,  Chris, or Chris's patients.  I you need me, I'll be at home, asleep.