Wednesday, February 27, 2013

February 26th

Got in late Tuesday two hours late. Went right to the hospital as our daughter is there. Convergence of two conditions caused high fever and things.As of today she is better and hopefully will be home on Friday. I will post final pictures and stuff in the next couple of days.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

February 21st

Another new experience in China

We are in Nanjing after another great ride on the fast train. When Li Bei booked our hotel she asked if they would accept foreigners and was told yes. Apparently any hotel ranked below two stars cannot accept foreigners. The rationalization is that below two stars is sub-standard and they don't want foreigners seeing sub-standard hotels. Apparently the police spot check these hotels and if foreigners are staying there the hotels can receive a fine. When we got to the hotel to check in the clerk said that we could not stay there. After a lengthy and loud negotiation in which the clerk said that we would have to go to the police station to register the clerk took us to the police station where Li Bei registered us. Took about forty-five minutes. We are now technically residents of Nanjing for three days.

The hotel is sub-standard. Of course you should not expect much for 88 rmb which is the equivalent of about $15.00. That's right $15 for a hotel room. Tomorrow, Friday, the rate is 108 rmb which is about $18.00.

What a deal!!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

February 20th

Didn't realize that it has been six days since my last post. Nothing much happening. We are just hanging out enjoying Maxwell, going to the mall, going out to eat.

Yesterday we ate dinner in, a chicken dish. Li Bei bought a half chicken, cut up for dinner. There is truth in labeling and their is TRUTH in labeling. In the package was one wing, one,leg, one thigh, one breast, one foot, and one half of a head. Truly one half of a chicken. For our benefit she did not cook the foot or the half head. Thank you Li Bei.

Tomorrow we are heading for Nanjing, the former capital of the southern half of China. We will be there for three days. There are a number of very good museums there particularly one about the Japanese and Chinese in World War II. Looking forward to that.

Monday we are going to Shanghai to spend the night as we have to be at the airport by 9:00 am for our flight home. Where has the time gone. Looking forward to getting home but very, very sad to leave.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

February 14th

Happy Valentines Day everyone.

Haven't been able to download the blog for some reason the past few days.

Under the heading of "It's a small world".

We went to Greg's Ultimate Frisbee practice on Wednesday to watch him play. Some players from Beijing, friends of Greg's teammate, were in town and also came to play. They were American. We exchanged the 'where are you froms' and to our surprise one of the girls was from Cheshire and her boyfriend was from Hartford. As I said, small world.

Weather has turned cold and rainy so we are kind of hunkering down until we go to Nanjing. Twelve days left. Time flies when you are having fun.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

February 10th

The fireworks started about 6:00pm yesterday and went off continuously until after mid night. Think the best fireworks display you have ever seen on the 4th of July and multiply by any large number you can think of. If I could have gotten above the building next door  I would have had a 360 degree view of fireworks as Hangzhou celebrated the new year. Just the ones we could see from our porch were spectacular. It sounded like a war zone as fireworks were going off all over the place. I took some video just so you could hear the noise but for some reason it didn't save.

Today we participated in the tradition of making and eating jiao zi -jow za- (think ravioli) We did pork, leek, mushroom filling. Boiled them and ate them. Yummy!


Saturday, February 9, 2013

February 9th




Fireworks stand around the corner.

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year making tonight new year's eve. Fireworks are a larger part of the celebration. However, municipalities do not put on fireworks displays. They are private or corporate.

Went to Pizza Hut today for lunch with Li Bei after shopping but there was a waiting list. We went to KFC instead. Pizza Hut here is a moderately upscale restaurant. The menu is very large and includes non-traditional PH items like mochas, cappuchinos, ice cream. Every time I have been by there it has been crowded.

Snowed yesterday and last night. We have about five inches on the ground and it is in the high twenties.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Random Photos


Fresh pineapple prepard at the store.

Procession of monks at the Shinyin Temple. (Hope I have the name right)

One of many Buddhas carved into the hillside. These statues are from 800 to 1000 years old!