Strolling through life

Yesterday we made a trip to a local department store and found the experience to be enlightening. The big stores here have it all. Kind of like a Costco, but not bulk. Each floor has a focus with the one floor usually dedicated to a grocery store. We bought Hannah rice cakes that her orphanage told us she liked. They are indeed yummy. Cover almost anything with a fine layer of sugar icing and its gotta be good. We also picked up a really cheap umbrella stroller that we used to go to dinner. Hannah loved it so much she fell asleep in it on the walk back to the room.

For dinner on Thursday night we had Japanese in the hotel. What you say? Japanese food in China? Can they really make good sushi? We all think so. Hannah even sampled the shad roe and loved it. She is a little gourmet. This kid eats everything we put in front of her. It is such a joy feeding her.

Today we explored the neighborhood around our hotel. First up was a brief excursion to an embroidery factory just about 10 minutes away by car. The artistry and skill of this craft is truly amazing. The beauty of the work was just stunning. Of course, I was immediately drawn to an 8 panel series of the seasons that cost just 148,000 Yuan. That's only $18,500. Michelle always said I have good taste in art.

After the factory tour, Michelle and I took about a 3 hour walk with Hannah in her beloved stroller. She was great. So were all the people we encountered. I have to tell everyone that the Chinese seem to love kids. And they aren't shy about sharing their enthusiasm for babies. We were approached repeatedly and Hannah's toes were grabbed and tickled by both men and women.

We went to several large stores exploring and a highlight was a multi-level book store where we found more English/Chinese/Pinyin baby books for our little girl. In one store they offered us drinks of water and we gave a little to Hannah who seemed to like 'drinking' from a big person cup. So, like any good parents, we bought her a sippy cup.

For lunch we ate back at the hotel in the 'Food Street', the equivalent of a food court back in the states. All the food is Chinese, but from all the different provinces. Since we walked in just before they were closing, the waitresses were free to dote on Hannah. She really attracts attention (see pictures). This girl is like a rock star. As soon as we entered, the wait staff descended on us, took Hannah and let us get some food. They insisted that we eat while they fed her and even rocked her to sleep when she got fussy. We offered them 2 tickets to the States so they could come back with us. How are we ever going to eat out once we are home without this kind of support???

The evening brought bath time and again she loved it. I think I might have loved it more though. The best part might be getting to wrap her up in a big bath towel afterwards and snuggling with her on the bed. It doesn't get much better than that!

Tomorrow we are planning to go to the park. Since it will be Saturday we are told to expect many locals there also enjoying the day.

Andrew

P.S. The tushie shot is a special request from Bubie.