My Everest - I can see Seattle from Here

We woke this morning prepared to climb "the wall." Unfortunately it is cold here in Beijing and we Americans were ill prepared to climb in the poor conditions. (52 degrees, overcast and a light breeze) For that reason we opted to go to the Silk Factory first. Here we purchased yet more headphones a nice backpack and North Face and Columbia jackets. We had to pay more than last time. We shelled out $130 MRB per jacket. This equates to $21 American.

From there we went to the Cloisonné Factory. It was fascinating to watch the product being built and painted. The finished product was stunning and it was not uncommon for a 12 inch high vase to cost $1,000 USD. It truly is beautiful. The work was lost on the kids but I assured them as time passed they would grow to appreciate it more. We then went upstairs to have another fabulous meal. Now out of excuses we set out to do what we intended to do. Point me to my Everest.

Now properly equipped we headed for our Mt Everest. Ron and Mady walked to the first area below the first guard tower and called it quits. Michael was the next to drop after his knee said he was done. His quest for the summit ended shortly after the first guard tower. Soon Chase met Michael at the first guard tower headed down. Chase decided the wind had kick up to much to press forward and was headed down to base camp. That left only 4. Myriam, Nolan, Sophie and Chelsea pressed forward braving the high winds and uneven steps. Some steps are 3 inches high then the next step is two feet high followed by another 8 inches high which makes it very hard to get a rhythm. Onward and upward they marched toward their goal. The secret of the Great Wall is as tough as it can be going up coming down is much harder; a fact that Michael passed onto Nolan as they started up. Ultimately the four reached their goal summiting the fourth guard tower. They were all alone at the top. A few photos and a couple of high fives and down they came. Nolan arrived first followed by Sophie a few minutes later and finally Chelsea and Myriam. All were exhausted and everyone was suffering from jelly legs. But we did it. Michael has now climbed the wall twice. No match for Myriam's fourth or fifth trip but for the rest it was a new experience and one to mark off the bucket list. Most Americans will never claim the wall and as the famous quote from Mao says "You are not truly a man until you have come to the wall." Far be it for us to agree with the father of Chinese communism but it is an experience that if presented to you should be taken with a great leap of faith. Health and faith is what you will need to summit.

Now that half the party made the summit and all made it back home to the condo we are ready to make the final trip home. All four legs are now complete. The only thing left is to head home on the tail wind.

We leave tomorrow evening, Thursday for you Friday for us Our plane leaved Beijing and China behind at 4:50 PM on Friday and we arrive at 1:00 Friday. Almost 4 hours before we leave ;)

Things we miss
Family and Friends
Our dogs
The English language
and American food.

Things we are grateful for
Friends and family
Chelsea Chun Tai Avery (She is a hoot you are all going to love her; lack of filters an all)
Our dogs
The English language
And American food.

It has been a wonderful adventure, one our children will never forget. We are glad Mady and Ron (now forever known as "Uncle Panda.") were able to come along but it is time to come home.  We were sure we could see Seattle from that last guard tower...

See you all very soon.

Lat full day in Beijing

Today we went to the Sumner Palace and the Temple of Heaven. Both are located in Beijing. The thing about Beijing is there is over 20 million people in this quaint little hideaway. Walking on the sidewalks you would never guess it. However sitting in traffic makes me yearn for a 10 car pile-up in the rain on a Monday night. The events we go to are maybe only 20 miles away but it is at least a 40 minute drive anywhere.

Myriam, Mady and Michael had been to the Summer Palace before; it is one of Myriam's favorite spots. The summer palace is now a park / historic site and the kids loved running a playing together. The adults were in awe of the painting and workmanship. Michael had told Nolan about the concrete boat built during the Ming dynasty. The boat actually sailed once as a sign of the Ming Dynasty engineering.

Before the Summer Palace we went to the Temple of Heaven. Originally built in the 14th century for the emperor to come and pray for good harvests and good weather it is now a large 280 hectors (acres) park. The local citizens can go there to exercise. they do what they call square dancing (because they dance in a square) Americans would call it line dancing in fact they were dancing to the "Boot Scoot Boogie" while we were there.

later we went to a Gymnastics show that was quite impressive. Everything from traditional gymnastics, to guys doing incredible single hand handstands to 8 motor cycles in a metal ball (death ball)

Finally we were back at the apartment for dinner and bed. Tomorrow we tackle the great wall then pack for home on Friday. we leave a t 4:55 PM on Friday and return home to SeaTac at 1:00 PM on the same Friday. This entire trip has involved fuzzy math. I expect someone to explain the entire math to me when I get home.

I am going crazy trying to upload photos. I may have to continue this blog for a few weeks just to get all the pictures uploaded and believe me they are worth it.

Shopping in the morning - Lost in Beijing at night

Our last day in Guangzhou was a memorable one.  After going to the electronics market a few days earlier we decided we would return.  Today is that day.  We started with another great breakfast at the Hilton Garden Hotel.  They put on a pretty good spread and if you leave breakfast wanting it is to no fault of the hotel staff.  Our driver picked us up and dropped us at the market where we jumped in with both feet like the veterans we are.  Our guide cautioned us saying the prices are very good here but the quality is not the best.  This was evident with the Bose speakers we tested.  It sounded like they had stuck a 1970 transistor radio into a speaker box and slapped the Bose logo on it. Sorry we will pass on those.  Other Bluetooth speakers we had purchased a few days back do sound good and the price, about $6 cannot be beat.  Beats be Dre are also on sale here.  The sound quality is actually pretty amazing so we picked up a few more.  The kids got some last time Myriam went to China and they are still around so good on ya China for building a decent product that currently matches the ones in the US for only $7.

A flurry of electronic purchases followed and by the time we left the market, about 2 hours after we got there we walked out with stuff I had even forgotten we purchased.  The markets here are crowded loud, large and overwhelming.  Once you escape you literally stand across the street and take a deep relaxing breath.  It is just too much.  You think I would rather be a high value target in the intersection than do that again.

We got back to the hotel and showed Mady and Ron our spoils of war.  Mady did not go as she was not feeling well again and Ron stayed behind to take care of her.  Some of the things were so cool that Myriam decided to enter the belly of the beast a second time.  While the rest of the group packed bags and got ready to head to the airport Myriam took a cab ride back to the market and purchased more of the cool things and returned.  She has mastered the intersection and apparently has moved onto the markets to get the rush.

When she returned we were mostly packed so a few of us went to get lunch and bring it back to the others for a quick bite then off to the airport.  When we got to the airport, Richard, our guide, helped us get though check in.  We left Seattle with 11 bags.  Left two bags in Hefei, and had twelve and the Guangzhou airport.  Stupid fuzzy math. All the kids and a few of the adults are traveling with power banks.  Those little battery packs that charge your phone when there is no outlets.  We were a bit surprised when they said you could not check them, they had to be carried onto the plane.  So we went through the bags and located all of them.  It was not that difficult as most were charged and ready to go in our carry-ons. When we got though security they stopped and ran our bags through several times.  Michael’s computer bag was the first to be searched.  Next Mady did not remove her kindle and that drew suspicion and the kindle and bag were checked again.  Michael’s bag was also released less one power bank. It would appear the power bank purchased was too big and had to essentially be declared. So with about 70 minutes to departure Myriam reversed her tracks.  She left security, headed all the way back to the check in to declare the battery and get it “its own ticket.” The Guangzhou airport is huge, as are all the airports in China.  Myriam went back to get our battery a ticket which looked a awful lot like a quart sized zip lock bag, got through security again and made it to the plan with about 20 minutes to spare.

The plane ride was an uneventful one.  We flew on a 747 double decker quite comfortable for the three hour plane ride.  Most of us got a little sleep.  Then it was time to deplane and collect our 12 bags of stuff.  We broke the luggage conveyor when a box of folders purchased for the office got stuck twice.  The box is not a box any more but he contents are not any worse for wear.  We collected our things found our drive who then promptly got lost in Beijing.  We circled the blocks a few times, he made some calls, we made some calls, and Nolan was wondering if we were going to get mugged or carjacked in the neighborhood we were in.

We eventually found our place lugged our stuff to the 7^th floor and settled in.  It is a three bedroom condo with enough amenities to get us by until we get home.  Myriam and Michal set out about midnight to go find milk.  They walked about a half mile in each direction and finally found a little shack filled with smokes, beer and about 5 guys’ playing cards who looked quite surprised to see two Americans standing in front of them rocking an imaginary baby in their arms and asking for milk.  The managed orange juice and milk in a pouch and returned to the condo about 1:00 AM where the old day ended and the new day began with sleep.

The US Consolate - Touching base on American Soil

The US Consulate General was the task at hand today.  Richard picked us up at 7:45 this morning and off we went.  When we got there we moved past the sea of Chinese nationals trying to get all sorts of visa’s from working to tourist.  Myriam said a lot are immigration visas because one spouse has gotten there visa and is living in the states and now they are trying to get the spouse or other family member over.  Either way we moved to the US citizens line and were being helped in no time.  We went inside showed them our documents answered a few questions and Chelsea’s visa will be ready tomorrow for pick up.  Chelsea will be an American citizen as soon as the wheels touch down in Seattle.  Only Myriam, Michael and Sophie went the rest were left sleeping.  When we returned they had managed breakfast and were waiting for the marching orders for the day.

Shopping was the directive for those interested.  Michael Nolan and Chase bowed out.  Michael’s cortisone shot has reached its 10 day limit and his knee is getting sore.  He decided to stay home and rest it.  Nolan and Chase opted for some down time (and a Starbucks run a few hours later.)  Ron left with the ladies to go shop.  Brave man, we are going to miss him. 5 hours later the group emerged with all kinds of things that say “made in China.”  People mistake him for the living Buddha.  They make remarks about his beard with thumbs up then rub or pat his belly and move on.  I am sure he had local help to survive a 5 hour haggle session or maybe there is some divinity there that we Americans do not see.  Saint Ron?

We had a little more downtime then off to dinner.  There was a local bar around the corner with an Irish theme. We had heard good and bad reviews but we figured average to poor American style food or very good noodles…again.  If you come to China I highly recommend dice or a magic 8 ball to make meal decisions.  The food was good and the company was better.  We met more American families at the consulate so our group has swelled to 15.  Good conversations, good food and some really good dark beer and the conversation turned to having a final toast with an “Irish Car Bomb”.  Once everyone knew what was in it and what the rules were we decided we were not 23 anymore and we all went home. 

Tomorrow we get the visa for Chelsea and wrap up the final day in Guangzhou and depart tomorrow night to Beijing again.  It was be a little tough leaving here.  We have been staying in a palatial 3 bedroom apartment in the Hilton.  The hotel is a 5 star on any scale.  Very upscale, very nice.  It is an oasis of calmness in a sea of chaos.  We must move forward and finish the last leg in Beijing before the tail trip home.  We will speak again from “the wall.”

Safari - Animals running wild in Guangzhou - They look like Americans

In the states we really do not have Safari’s.  We simply do not have the space and PETA would have a fit anyway.  Here in Guangzhou a city of approximately 18 million they have one of the best safari / zoos I have ever seen.  Myriam and I kept comparing it to the Taranga zoo in Sydney Australia.  It was massive.  We were there for over 4.5 hours and saw about 2/3 of the place. Chelsea loved it.  We knew she like animals thus the excursion, plus we thought it would be fun for the kids. 

Once again we went with our friends so 12 squeezed into two buses.  Guess even the Chinese get tired of seeing the filling of a Twinkie squeezed out through side door. We took about a 30 minute ride to the safari. It really is a nice safari ride tied to a VERY LARGE zoo.  The main attractions of course are the Giant Panda’s.  Additionally one of the Panda’s gave birth to triplets; the first time ever in captivity.  The Chinese embrace capitalism enough to plaster the three cute siblings everywhere.  They were not however on site and on “display.” We walked for miles at the zoo only to find out they were on a video feed loop.  Oh well they were cute in HD as well.

After a day looking at the animals and the Chinese looking at us, we came back for a brief rest. Next objective was another restaurant considered to have the best noodles in all of Guangzhou, and Guangzhou has a lot of noodle shops.  It was very good but very loud and very hot and muggy.  There really is not much in the way of ice here, only a few places carry soda and those are served at just below room temperature. If you ask for water you get freshly boiled water so hot you cannot drink it not that we want boiling water when it is 80 degrees and 90% humidity.  Drinking warm water actually cools you but I am not sure water that can scald cools you even more, and I am not willing to try unless I have ice cold water to compensate.

We then walked several city blocks to have a Chinese foot massage.  Nolan and Michael Opted out but Chase, Myriam, Chelsea, Sophie, Ron and Mady all had a one hour foot rub.

Tomorrow we go to the US consulate General to get the Visa paper work squared away.  Then on Tuesday we head back to Beijing four our fourth leg of the trip.

More Photos to come if I can get online long enough.

Photos Photos Photos

Her first airplane ride She was so excited. 
We had a bit of a bumpy ride but no probems

Currently the most popular brother. Of course she
 has conned him into carrying her everywhere

Hefei has so much construction like
 many areas in China lots are being
cleared for the next apartment complex


 

Two very cute girls

The train station in Hefei where Chelsea was laft at one day old



She has really bonded with Chase
Sleeping wiht him at night

Look closely; how mny men do you see?
1 drives the veicle and the other takes a nap
atop the wood pile!











 







Shopping Nirvana - With 3,000 Other People

Shopping at the stationary market in Guangzhou is nothing like Office Depot.

When you come to China (and you really need to come) you owe it to yourself to get off the beaten path and away from the malls to the Chinese markets.  Each market has a purpose.  Yesterday we needed to buy some file folders for Agape Adoptions. I know it sounds funny but apparently these are special kinds of folders and are somewhat expensive in the states, so every so often when Myriam is in town (2-3 times a year) she buys about a years’ worth of these folders and has them boxed up and she brings them back to the states. What we purchased is not important, how you buy It is. 

The street vendors expect you to haggle so they start very high, you start very low and you hope to meet in the middle.  The second part of the dance is you are in the stationary market.  Think Costco size building filled with a cubical farm.  Each cubical is a business selling…wait for it…stationary products. If you cannot get the price you want move 6ft. either direction. I must have seen a billion Pens one for every Chinese person here and more left over for the tourists.  Want a binder I know a place where you can buy a million.  How about a day planner?  Myriam got her folders we loaded ourselves into an even shorter bus, this one had fold down jump seats, and we were off to the electronics market. 

Same scenario, Costco with Cubes.  They had cell phone cases that keep your phone afloat.  If we purchased them we could have walked home without getting a single toe wet.  We picked up five sets of “Beats” with very good sound, four Bluetooth speakers (like the ones we see at home) a couple sets of earbuds and a few other things and left for under $45.  Everyone was fat dumb and happy; maybe that is why they keep putting us on shorter buses. Shopping this way is very efficient to ensure the largest variety and best price.  Not so good if you need stationary, tea, seafood, and vegetables. Still if when you come to China get off the beaten path and experience the markets. Then come home to Fred Meyers, one stop shopping will take on a whle new meaning.

Lunch on the island again and this time Richard (one of Myriam’s employees) was with us. He took us to this little restaurant where the meals were still swimming in the tank out front.  We allowed him to order everything and of course it was great.  We did more shopping in the local shops buying tea sets T-shirts and bracelets.  Sophie has a million friends and I believe EVERYONE is getting something, seriously this girl can shop.  If she spoke the language (everyone assumes she does) and took haggling lessons from her mom, she would either be a boom or a bust to the Chinese economy only time will tell. In China everyone must do their part and she is covering for those on vacation.

We left the island and went back to the hotel.  Chelsea finally said yes to the bathing suit so off the family went to the pool.  I followed about 10 minutes later.  Chelsea’s first experience was a bit troubling as she fell into the kid’s pool.  It was only about 2 feet deep but enough to shock the system.  A few minutes and she was splashing around and having a ball.

Dinner was at the Bridge and Cow restaurant, a great Tai place that use to be on the island but has now moved downtown where all the American families stay.  We have met a few of those American families here, even another family from Washington who knows some of the same people we do.  It is a small world.  Mady joined us for dinner along with the other two families (the second is from Florida that we have so much in common with it is freaky.) and we pretty much took over one half of the restaurant. And the other half was empty.  Each of the families had an American child with them and all of the kids hit it off. I think it was partly because they are kids and can find common ground so quickly (Are your parents as lame as mine?) and because it was just nice to talk to someone your age (or close to it) that gets exactly what you are saying.  It was a nice departure for the children.

Tomorrow we head out on safari.  In this adventure we leave the seafood swimming in the pool behind and we pick out our dinner free range style, it is going to be awesome. There is supposedly a lot on the menu to choose from and you can have up to three things, one for each course.

No I am kidding it is a safari nothing more.  But you were thinking about it right?  We know Chelsea loves animals and we decided to do the safari over the zoo because taking down and animal in a cage is not challenging…No, No, No, wait sorry. We heard the zoo was not so good and we have zoos at home so the safari it is tomorrow.  It’s just a safari folks I promise.

I promise I will load photos of me, sorry, sorry, of Chelsea and the the others as soon as the planets align for a long enough period.