tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338645242024-03-14T07:52:51.160-04:00Craig and Steph's Vacations BlogCraig and Steph share their love of world travel and exploring other cultures. They have godchildren in Guatemala and Ecuador, whom they visit frequently. Craig has recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), so its impact on travel is also discussed.Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-7999682992517259842016-12-30T17:49:00.000-05:002016-12-30T17:49:00.859-05:00ARW (Anderson Rabin Wakeman) at the Wang Theatre 10/19/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCRC2t5uAcgvtnKOIrK5vAC4pQFcVokONWssLcMtiJ2btOR7HgwRAZyPl0wHI3xeJunU-2BZWVC3Jcbmlvc22LKTdUpufBUaYwwD8U3YlKQDh5vbEcpZCT09SSMYDqLejSrZV/s1600/ARW-Boston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCRC2t5uAcgvtnKOIrK5vAC4pQFcVokONWssLcMtiJ2btOR7HgwRAZyPl0wHI3xeJunU-2BZWVC3Jcbmlvc22LKTdUpufBUaYwwD8U3YlKQDh5vbEcpZCT09SSMYDqLejSrZV/s320/ARW-Boston.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I started this post the day after we saw the show (October), but never got around to posting it before our Myanmar trip and the holidays. Better Late Than Never (to quote Anderson Ponty Band's album of the same name)...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Amazing show by Anderson Rabin Wakeman at the Wang. It felt like a Yes show. It was my first time seeing Trevor Rabin, and he rocked hard. We had a great view of everything from the front row of the mezzanine. It's always so much fun to watch Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson. Rounding out the band were Lee Pomeroy on bass (haven't seen him since <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Troisrivieres/TroisRivieres2001/trois-rivieres.html">Return to the Centre of the Earth in Canada 200</a>1, when we had drinks together after the show, and he complimented Craig's Sun Records T-shirt), and Louis Molino III on</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> drums. It gave me a new appreciation for Owner of a Lonely Heart and even Rhythm of Love, since Rabin really killed it. Lift Me Up was great as well. Other standouts were Awaken and a duet of The Meeting with just Rick and Jon. Lee Pomeroy did a great tribute to Chris Squire on The Fish. And it was great that Kevin could join us (like the old days)!</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Here's the set list, some photos, and a video excerpt of Owner of a Lonely Heart.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ol>
<li>Cinema</li>
<li>Perpetual Change</li>
<li>Hold On</li>
<li>I've Seen All Good People</li>
<li>Drum Solo</li>
<li>Lift Me Up</li>
<li>And You and I</li>
<li>Rhythm of Love</li>
<li>Heart of the Sunrise</li>
<li>Long Distance Runaround</li>
<li>The Fish</li>
<li>The Meeting</li>
<li>Awaken</li>
<li>Make It Easy / Owner of a Lonely Heart</li>
<li>Roundabout</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ewgBEzk3roUTOCtRAOQN0Tqim0fDbZAmKOpvnv1_pQgApQ3ccnSwgeRBP8ITrizAb5BhRsEyiY86n7uIRuHXxwQI6Ca4p1u1aKW3zZbbXRc10PLSximbnU0erjWNqfOelmiz/s1600/PA193350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ewgBEzk3roUTOCtRAOQN0Tqim0fDbZAmKOpvnv1_pQgApQ3ccnSwgeRBP8ITrizAb5BhRsEyiY86n7uIRuHXxwQI6Ca4p1u1aKW3zZbbXRc10PLSximbnU0erjWNqfOelmiz/s400/PA193350.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdJK2b7p9bJvndOV9vhn5CazufzcgNm5gky3hPeucFunA_dymUcVveabZ7xRJQUxwpYCpX4nb3aGJ2eycIIjJu4Ot-nyKMfKGoiJRABMjPsyo01o7ySveKFpQumnrIskKm3O-/s1600/ARW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdJK2b7p9bJvndOV9vhn5CazufzcgNm5gky3hPeucFunA_dymUcVveabZ7xRJQUxwpYCpX4nb3aGJ2eycIIjJu4Ot-nyKMfKGoiJRABMjPsyo01o7ySveKFpQumnrIskKm3O-/s400/ARW.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0y_TsO5rPZ5_SNue_8On_ig58RRpGrzu7y0YYQeTFXWElOB-yUda0f6NzRAu1mbpO9iBIyoac7BT84k32x4sFCg79_9cVFsQL_SlV_ll4CACLXzdFghJLw3St8Inmod3QbvT/s1600/PA193361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0y_TsO5rPZ5_SNue_8On_ig58RRpGrzu7y0YYQeTFXWElOB-yUda0f6NzRAu1mbpO9iBIyoac7BT84k32x4sFCg79_9cVFsQL_SlV_ll4CACLXzdFghJLw3St8Inmod3QbvT/s400/PA193361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhwmTCy-L12AwAHLn2NyrJCndsn6Ny6ib_K9eHPMtkFKZjzTVymsoCq4aY3Kir3_8Q-yeqlMTiwjWQtYmQT4NXh4XVtIkOqTMTETtU9LbVShuMW2GNnzfuXJiC1BFnimlwxOH/s1600/PA193367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhwmTCy-L12AwAHLn2NyrJCndsn6Ny6ib_K9eHPMtkFKZjzTVymsoCq4aY3Kir3_8Q-yeqlMTiwjWQtYmQT4NXh4XVtIkOqTMTETtU9LbVShuMW2GNnzfuXJiC1BFnimlwxOH/s400/PA193367.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ue4Jxk8Ft-Zqk5ZAv206hlLC-X5g0_ekCbfVIFCpLToJj__iBGj09pYTXP9yy4ChC5hLLfCQBA8z7jWqJdXsaYT6vJu2BOSvjwc76Yio5RoPZXSAj_z54O5_0rP3r0j1cz8Q/s1600/PA193369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ue4Jxk8Ft-Zqk5ZAv206hlLC-X5g0_ekCbfVIFCpLToJj__iBGj09pYTXP9yy4ChC5hLLfCQBA8z7jWqJdXsaYT6vJu2BOSvjwc76Yio5RoPZXSAj_z54O5_0rP3r0j1cz8Q/s400/PA193369.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp5t6NsvnmalKLd7WAe6IhtkxB7lLc_A4DvWOrShWtxmyWDCT4xcIt_Fn0S7kBZwdcgONCpqMYw_EwI2wXdwjJ_GK5ZykPQLiyvCQURDXD0wWn3d9bY-EsmSKwXJI6iNKzvxk/s1600/LongDistance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp5t6NsvnmalKLd7WAe6IhtkxB7lLc_A4DvWOrShWtxmyWDCT4xcIt_Fn0S7kBZwdcgONCpqMYw_EwI2wXdwjJ_GK5ZykPQLiyvCQURDXD0wWn3d9bY-EsmSKwXJI6iNKzvxk/s400/LongDistance.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK43OwbHKNd3L3PGcXon3jEJlt8l6QQU_6Ug3lgHsb-6h20LMmz2E5WCSyQJGEBDwLRuziKo95aA4usdTWaiQ4oWQrBrOny5wvAdhoOddizmXPc5k04auEau4Mo2vewZdHhkN/s1600/Lee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK43OwbHKNd3L3PGcXon3jEJlt8l6QQU_6Ug3lgHsb-6h20LMmz2E5WCSyQJGEBDwLRuziKo95aA4usdTWaiQ4oWQrBrOny5wvAdhoOddizmXPc5k04auEau4Mo2vewZdHhkN/s320/Lee.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOHJZpJdwZQZvLFd0-ry-juh8IVEGNxlN1Nmh0iTDv-UbQa02u4VoF6kXgrHhRinQfBkoeGPxnGsfCutqGem9JQnsuQVro5YkIf5nRjVV2E8oexgiofNJxCNYJjSVova0bbZW/s1600/Meeting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOHJZpJdwZQZvLFd0-ry-juh8IVEGNxlN1Nmh0iTDv-UbQa02u4VoF6kXgrHhRinQfBkoeGPxnGsfCutqGem9JQnsuQVro5YkIf5nRjVV2E8oexgiofNJxCNYJjSVova0bbZW/s400/Meeting.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw17rzfjvvY9VqcvROO4tI85Dwbxa_oZuxJ1lxlbfQTaAEC1-IlBPFbXnv4NGlK4_njiSGub7Ti-pZMyJyia-VPRK77pagAthNPdPH26jfrgVpcl1iHwjilZNBMxVczL-y6y98/s1600/RabinAnderson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw17rzfjvvY9VqcvROO4tI85Dwbxa_oZuxJ1lxlbfQTaAEC1-IlBPFbXnv4NGlK4_njiSGub7Ti-pZMyJyia-VPRK77pagAthNPdPH26jfrgVpcl1iHwjilZNBMxVczL-y6y98/s400/RabinAnderson.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy8IjeGRObN-5BsgfAbnQie-emw0zqNCCiPjcrFPwcx1eldvvWP8jN7bgvV5MygwTSIOiZq2REyJAg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SCiwS_JnLAzCDcyLw86iQW_C2v16eUptOd4HXbhShZBLUTDEGGK_e8M4YWU1milf-6GFVN0c2yFq0aGU8miNGObBH_XUB0LNPoMSZ3se42ilajt35cahmuD5O7kEf7ehCXdx/s1600/PA193383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SCiwS_JnLAzCDcyLw86iQW_C2v16eUptOd4HXbhShZBLUTDEGGK_e8M4YWU1milf-6GFVN0c2yFq0aGU8miNGObBH_XUB0LNPoMSZ3se42ilajt35cahmuD5O7kEf7ehCXdx/s400/PA193383.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-66761448703392033682016-09-05T15:37:00.000-04:002016-09-05T15:38:14.008-04:00China - October 2014 <br />
We had planned to go to India to visit Mukul and his family in September of 2014. We were going to spend some time in Agra and then go to Kerala in the south to enjoy the serene backwaters. When Mukul announced that his only child Sukumar and his wife Sonam were expecting their first baby in September, we suggested postponing the trip. Although Mukul was far too polite to suggest this himself, he was thankful that we were flexible. We certainly didn't want to intrude on this important family time for them. So we decided to postpone that trip for a year or two, which left us in need of a new trip for autumn of 2014.<br />
<br />
We contacted our trusted friend Toni at <a href="http://www.mythsandmountains.com/">Myths and Mountains</a>, who had arranged our previous trips to <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Bhutan/2007/BhutanIndia2007toc.html">India and Bhutan</a> and <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Vietnam/2013/Vietnam2013toc.html">Vietnam</a>. We explained the situation and asked where she had a guide who was as excellent as our dear friend Cuong in Vietnam. She said that she has a fantastic guide in China named Wang Jun, and that if he was available to guide us, she knew just the trip that we would love. We trust Toni very much because she knows how we like to travel and what we enjoy doing. She knows about Craig's multiple sclerosis, and understands that we want to do a private trip so that if he gets ill or has particularly low energy on a certain day, we can adjust the itinerary as necessary.<br />
<br />
She talked to Wang Jun and when she found out that he was indeed available, we signed up for the trip <a href="http://mythsandmountains.com/trip/guizhou-and-guanxi-festivals-people-and-their-land/">"China: Guizhou and Guanxi - Festivals, People, and Their Land</a>." This trip would take us to the less-visited southern provinces of Guizhou and Guanxi, where we would visit ethnic minority villages in the mountains and learn about their ways of life. We had visited minority hill tribes in Vietnam last year, on the other side of the Chinese border, and had really enjoyed it.<br />
<br />
We would be able to take advantage of Hainan Airlines' new non-stop service from Boston to Beijing on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was quite appealing. Round-trip non-stop tickets from Boston to Beijing cost us less than $1000 each...it was less expensive to fly to China than Ecuador! We decided to add several days in Beijing at the beginning of the trip, so that we could experience some of the important attractions there, including the Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, and the Great Wall of China.<br />
<br />
Toni put the trip together for us, and we applied for our Chinese visas. The process was painstaking and took the better part of a Saturday to get the paperwork in order, but all went smoothly and we received our visas quickly.<br />
<br />
We always like to believe that everything works out for a reason, and this was no exception. Mukul's granddaughter Sara was born healthy during the time that we would have been in India. And our dear friends <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/New%20Jersey/2014/JaredAndDaveWedding.html">Jared and Dave wound up getting married in New Jersey over Labor Day weekend</a>. If we had been in India as originally planned, we would have missed the wedding. Luckily, we were able to attend, and they even asked me to participate by doing a reading at the ceremony.<br />
<br />
We had an excellent time in China, and we were able to meet adorable Sara when visiting Mukul and family in India in 2016!<br />
<br />
Our detailed China travelogue is now available at <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/China/2014/China2014toc.html">Craig and Steph's Vacations</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM7wg3ZQWwkpO7T-sUQCJmyIq1i6S8Nb-6pIqU5hHpNW1XjBuvTRCBrkx7rxltTKKRM2h3VM6PJRSsorJc6M_a2fcA5_Z5LPfIUhsav5CDKqXLkAHNE09N2GRxVGANaXC3BdM/s1600/2014Toc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM7wg3ZQWwkpO7T-sUQCJmyIq1i6S8Nb-6pIqU5hHpNW1XjBuvTRCBrkx7rxltTKKRM2h3VM6PJRSsorJc6M_a2fcA5_Z5LPfIUhsav5CDKqXLkAHNE09N2GRxVGANaXC3BdM/s400/2014Toc.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-56403388775645933652016-05-22T15:54:00.001-04:002016-05-22T15:54:57.251-04:00Yasmin's Quinceañera - January 2016<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXp_ymPBz83FLCEGlWIc_amyIqElbnD1HxJgk8n-lS_GJwQSYNlhbzjCrYqCAkoJK-9WwsyXVPbOl6EpohyWfvSaNpHSruzZ-hDHbZj1P42Ld-4S8NmzKqSI8pqb5GFmgYKGzY/s400/toc.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br />
It had been 18 months since <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2014/07/spending-time-with-family-in-panajachel.html">we last saw our compadres in Guatemala</a>. We have visited them at least once a year since <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Guatemala/Guatemala2007/July/GuatemalaJuly2007toc.html">2007</a>, so this span was way too long for our liking. But it was with good reason: at the end of June, Paulina gave birth to their seventh child (and second boy), Ian Ivan.<br />
<br />
Our usual July 4th visit would not be possible with a newborn infant taking up the family's energy, so we thought that we might postpone the trip for a couple of months. However when baby Ian was only a month old, he became seriously ill and was hospitalized for 40 days in Guatemala City. He and Paulina stayed at the hospital, three hours' drive away from the rest of the family. Humberto and the older girls held down the fort at home, preparing meals and cleaning and preparing the guest rooms that they rent out.<br />
<br />
Obviously this was not a good time to visit, so we postponed our trip until January to coincide with the 3rd eldest daughter Yasmin's quinceañera (15th birthday party - the Latina equivalent of a Sweet 16). Ian is back at home where he belongs, and his health is getting better day by day. We missed the kids terribly, and desperately wanted to meet the newest addition to the family.<br /><br />Because I am now able to easily work remotely over the internet, we decided to stay longer than usual. We would stay 10 days!<br />
<br />
It was a wonderful trip. We are so proud of Yasmin, who has grown into a lovely young lady. It was great to get to spend time with the seven kids, as well as their extended families. Baby Ian is a charmer, with a very happy disposition.<br />
<br />
I worked during the weekdays when Aracely and Eddy were in school, and on evenings and weekends we found plenty of time to play with them and help the family prepare for, celebrate, and clean up after Yasmin's party.<br />
<br />
Full details and photos are up on our main web site, <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Guatemala/Guatemala2016/January/Guatemala2016Januarytoc.html">craigandstephsvacations.com</a>.Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-17688658999433698992016-05-22T15:24:00.000-04:002016-05-22T15:24:11.060-04:00AndersonPonty Band at the Cabot in Beverly - 5/20/2016<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepvIA9ma6dSFGZEi42P0nG9TEBZqRJkqGf7bSfaABtjl3dSyiTgzcS3yX4Ke0TVAe5IZRlvcdnp3oj2rHjVxHshTcBWbw1uppNsaQYqvrpkTtwsEPgvJppR3dheD1AjQK2t2j/s1600/P5200006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepvIA9ma6dSFGZEi42P0nG9TEBZqRJkqGf7bSfaABtjl3dSyiTgzcS3yX4Ke0TVAe5IZRlvcdnp3oj2rHjVxHshTcBWbw1uppNsaQYqvrpkTtwsEPgvJppR3dheD1AjQK2t2j/s400/P5200006.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
We had a fantastic time last night seeing <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=756279871107626" href="https://www.facebook.com/andersonpontyband1/" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">AndersonPonty Band</a> from the second row at the Cabot! It was our first time at the venue and it is beautiful. Jon Anderson, Jean-Luc Ponty, and the band were tight, sounded great, and had tremendous energy.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We had seen them <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2015/11/anderson-ponty-band-at-berklee.html" target="_blank">from the mezzanine at Berklee back in November</a>. Sitting closer this time was a different experience. We could really see their facial expressions and interplay as they fused jazz and prog rock. When Jon stepped away<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> from the mic during instrumental interludes, we could see his meditational gestures, the fact that his mouth was still moving, either singing, chanting, praying...unable to be heard by the audience but having his own spiritual connection to the music. We could see the loving acknowledgments to his wife Jane, who was present in the first row, cheering him on as always.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Jon mentioned that he and Jane had visited the Peabody Essex Museum and specifically called out the Chinese house. At that point the percussionist banged the gong for effect, causing Jon to burst into giggles.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">There was a large screen behind the band, where complex music visualizations spun and pulsed to the melody and rhythm of the music. Mandalas swirled and morphed into other geometric designs.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline;">
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Jean-Luc Ponty's violin is a wonderful addition to Jon's music, and the lyrics that Jon has written to accompany Jean-Luc's instrumental pieces seem very natural.</div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
The band seemed to be having a great time, and the audience certainly was as well.</div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
And at the end of the night, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=136449136504802" href="https://www.facebook.com/Jamie-Glaser-136449136504802/" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Jamie Glaser</a> threw out a couple handfuls of guitar picks. Most of them went to the front row, but I noticed Craig's foot sliding under the seat in front of him to claim one that someone had missed, and he gave it to me. <i class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png"); background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"><u style="left: -999999px; position: absolute;">smile emoticon</u></i></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We took Craig's 80-year-old mother as a Mother's Day present, and she absolutely loved it. In fact, one of her favorite parts was the drum solo. Rock on!</div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
It was a magical night that we won't forget!</div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Set I:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Intro</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">One in the Rhythm of Hope</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">A for Aria</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Owner of a Lonely Heart</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Listening with Me</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Time and a Word / One Love</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Infinite Mirage</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Soul Eternal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Jig</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">New New World</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Set II:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Revealing Science of God (spoken excerpt)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">New Country</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Under Heaven's Door</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Wonderous Stories</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Long Distance Runaround</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Renaissance of the Sun</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">State of Independence</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Enigmatic Ocean I and II</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">And You And I</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Violin/Keys duet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Roundabout</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Re-Remembering Molecules / Yours is No Disgrace</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Soon</span></span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_UWErHKI-Y56IgNXWFlkAmQqBFoRU21aUxhLeuVgsPnBtLwb95Nn2Ey6gW46blglSNWcIXMMxMBcWmeIpfRq8J_aWPBcdzP3SUCwHEiq6iFl5N8mPf7xF1hZKz6brbqEq_HU/s1600/P5200013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_UWErHKI-Y56IgNXWFlkAmQqBFoRU21aUxhLeuVgsPnBtLwb95Nn2Ey6gW46blglSNWcIXMMxMBcWmeIpfRq8J_aWPBcdzP3SUCwHEiq6iFl5N8mPf7xF1hZKz6brbqEq_HU/s400/P5200013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph1F4IuX8KYyJW8nzZnj5nKNqPFziCjUjvyjjFGa-SOAmitmacQYEnR0E3XTVh_JX62NmeEwQ2kU8SP6i10Ln783NXrVjd9FUZpEASbHa3QNJYVtLTeH6YHeJiBt-lI_H6WNM/s1600/P5200024_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph1F4IuX8KYyJW8nzZnj5nKNqPFziCjUjvyjjFGa-SOAmitmacQYEnR0E3XTVh_JX62NmeEwQ2kU8SP6i10Ln783NXrVjd9FUZpEASbHa3QNJYVtLTeH6YHeJiBt-lI_H6WNM/s400/P5200024_crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7paUG5Dq_hv2FXcyvpAEQCsikyZzDyGfhT3i_SE_Jvf6tqFzQzCWDzAtW5We4AV582FX2N0bbbhB8gF0NYG5qu-TA9J82SDt96cBSVRFLZUsxNXvZBwgeEyetMaOvxXO4C_dh/s1600/P5200030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7paUG5Dq_hv2FXcyvpAEQCsikyZzDyGfhT3i_SE_Jvf6tqFzQzCWDzAtW5We4AV582FX2N0bbbhB8gF0NYG5qu-TA9J82SDt96cBSVRFLZUsxNXvZBwgeEyetMaOvxXO4C_dh/s400/P5200030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwP1csMikul0fc8FARW0PmvptoWdf9Z4zvMPDka2aPV9bL_muZWBUYfO8nDxCkTxoVVVZmTS3Trj_dFyFVKuPKue2nu8Ebs22Df4EJ8IPm2HPUgWwJW7t3MncBXdHJoHQdB1j/s1600/P5200037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwP1csMikul0fc8FARW0PmvptoWdf9Z4zvMPDka2aPV9bL_muZWBUYfO8nDxCkTxoVVVZmTS3Trj_dFyFVKuPKue2nu8Ebs22Df4EJ8IPm2HPUgWwJW7t3MncBXdHJoHQdB1j/s400/P5200037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4xizUVtPIfVHBYrYuvj7O6LwbKojnfsN4FQlEdM0nqUw5n-qrQAZIdecRD9KQX1zrCa2PjVl0t7AVapP2SMwRt8R9UoFpUAjjrDbARPCi867dQNjMnWs1zWuQcU36wE75IOZ/s1600/P5200044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4xizUVtPIfVHBYrYuvj7O6LwbKojnfsN4FQlEdM0nqUw5n-qrQAZIdecRD9KQX1zrCa2PjVl0t7AVapP2SMwRt8R9UoFpUAjjrDbARPCi867dQNjMnWs1zWuQcU36wE75IOZ/s400/P5200044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHVuRNLfMICoezp5ZmARXMs3g3CfI0_WGYT4Y0OC8j6WHvaV2o1mhgPceLXACADoaChWCY5-qEregA3_ahMs8VhLlGWqVspe_tmiENVXEfDNj5hrBQb6PUb67X7sKiQGHWDZP/s1600/P5200067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHVuRNLfMICoezp5ZmARXMs3g3CfI0_WGYT4Y0OC8j6WHvaV2o1mhgPceLXACADoaChWCY5-qEregA3_ahMs8VhLlGWqVspe_tmiENVXEfDNj5hrBQb6PUb67X7sKiQGHWDZP/s400/P5200067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQoOZNsHCoHgaNGVMBJFteJZmqKqDKL_Toq4SmAQlR-akgooSF-jmUw3sIWMmig0Ld1OE4Z709nLs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
State of Independence (excerpt)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-j_LQE7Ol5_9ULyMPrZZIhyphenhyphenpP-uF9FCyIkxTZ06bWUBtSAtRzmhhlxWHv0LjPnKS86W7ncKXS3QaDygcKEfEEiopRQxNSpSFVgf0u7cbJjmOWvZpEMHTAWY2RQwNVSJtzE5n/s1600/Independence.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-j_LQE7Ol5_9ULyMPrZZIhyphenhyphenpP-uF9FCyIkxTZ06bWUBtSAtRzmhhlxWHv0LjPnKS86W7ncKXS3QaDygcKEfEEiopRQxNSpSFVgf0u7cbJjmOWvZpEMHTAWY2RQwNVSJtzE5n/s400/Independence.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBeMUEjAihA2iPhTojreYqAtkcbmthepWRjp8OuC28vNk9FZRUSuYtdbfmh1Imo2Ztwi-bilGVkMOqIqQA7FSndt8i-zMyXrny-PAVV3f2xGqe1Ua08HS99NujdFcroH_QMRP/s1600/bass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBeMUEjAihA2iPhTojreYqAtkcbmthepWRjp8OuC28vNk9FZRUSuYtdbfmh1Imo2Ztwi-bilGVkMOqIqQA7FSndt8i-zMyXrny-PAVV3f2xGqe1Ua08HS99NujdFcroH_QMRP/s400/bass.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb4deg2_P-dGSMudMLEnabzgndYxdMC7V0RMecN-DyGszqLgFEuvM3QkDtPrfM9McSS3DAH2URGyVnRBF0Bi2QsqyeR_1MshkJLNIvRy5Ep9UAoDjJusKQabOkAwcXCnQq6un/s1600/P5200080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb4deg2_P-dGSMudMLEnabzgndYxdMC7V0RMecN-DyGszqLgFEuvM3QkDtPrfM9McSS3DAH2URGyVnRBF0Bi2QsqyeR_1MshkJLNIvRy5Ep9UAoDjJusKQabOkAwcXCnQq6un/s400/P5200080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTsmn7-KPW_UTf8eqn7Es6DPl_lL0vljwG_2J9hAvx3Y8BnfE7Z8lphYL4RrB4aGhI_tbRLnJQ8zk1e_O6W4S4hP6MfFsySWLw2dB7SNADJ826vV9Ef7TWdf1Bx3xuIEYbRWC/s1600/P5200082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTsmn7-KPW_UTf8eqn7Es6DPl_lL0vljwG_2J9hAvx3Y8BnfE7Z8lphYL4RrB4aGhI_tbRLnJQ8zk1e_O6W4S4hP6MfFsySWLw2dB7SNADJ826vV9Ef7TWdf1Bx3xuIEYbRWC/s400/P5200082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqC4Xtr0PHCKnjBLg9z7A2s3oj5nTYWgms1Ry-3ErmfE-xtgbT4hr2QBos7cpfmpOU-2qWaNOuga0ddSS9XJiKE-Ozxqx6lgDXghqyb6QK1HStBCG2ikPg4faMhjI8OK16bHB/s1600/P5200084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqC4Xtr0PHCKnjBLg9z7A2s3oj5nTYWgms1Ry-3ErmfE-xtgbT4hr2QBos7cpfmpOU-2qWaNOuga0ddSS9XJiKE-Ozxqx6lgDXghqyb6QK1HStBCG2ikPg4faMhjI8OK16bHB/s400/P5200084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gp7BHTefoBLqtOMNal4JZq_5B51ORrcgofB-qeHn6rtLeN1JoYSYWuWqjWxdH9YwZgm_ftiFeHOXf2snL2S21s0cRNpm2UMrdAq2PhhptWj22fQC7gj1MQfnvD4Fhoqw8KQX/s1600/P5200088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gp7BHTefoBLqtOMNal4JZq_5B51ORrcgofB-qeHn6rtLeN1JoYSYWuWqjWxdH9YwZgm_ftiFeHOXf2snL2S21s0cRNpm2UMrdAq2PhhptWj22fQC7gj1MQfnvD4Fhoqw8KQX/s400/P5200088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NdLeU_EAPJVQ-nrEgqILqkw8fQDda1jm_Ww75zO9TxOBRkMR2-IyPhK6sLKQ3gn4MxKt7WwiyfmQUzt41SQGwYXqNxPS604nrYppgRX1tincgJ6CgOpUiWUhKrtQhV834ZO2/s1600/P5200100edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NdLeU_EAPJVQ-nrEgqILqkw8fQDda1jm_Ww75zO9TxOBRkMR2-IyPhK6sLKQ3gn4MxKt7WwiyfmQUzt41SQGwYXqNxPS604nrYppgRX1tincgJ6CgOpUiWUhKrtQhV834ZO2/s400/P5200100edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQiIAAL0-zkBH_mY4BQqRieqYV8g-xvyFunXYB6wkejMJ4f1UsLljP4nglB1Q4Gr63S44Zllm-DcktnURYYU9hpxK9xBc5-v28LZ5GVsLSp75UziSBxTZFQaT3-m074iRjBD0/s1600/P5200101crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQiIAAL0-zkBH_mY4BQqRieqYV8g-xvyFunXYB6wkejMJ4f1UsLljP4nglB1Q4Gr63S44Zllm-DcktnURYYU9hpxK9xBc5-v28LZ5GVsLSp75UziSBxTZFQaT3-m074iRjBD0/s400/P5200101crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z7sudpXxkfYqQgzxSgYl_C2HJNSqFzO0Un17M1jidnKYLrs5rGW2y50s8kMpB824-PyQETw_4yuVuz7WCY1KcAA-FdwepsHIuNfSjHzESo_4QxtmKTw7t-jtTrQoTwgjpbnQ/s1600/P5200105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z7sudpXxkfYqQgzxSgYl_C2HJNSqFzO0Un17M1jidnKYLrs5rGW2y50s8kMpB824-PyQETw_4yuVuz7WCY1KcAA-FdwepsHIuNfSjHzESo_4QxtmKTw7t-jtTrQoTwgjpbnQ/s400/P5200105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiWiAf83M8Fsd-XZjxhJtteexO7hpVqnMElN3Y-8U6YEFGABHiTK1y1GrEBTLWBPfOWDBMfxOBxA8Q0URh0LS_tJg6lFhqDo1mDWPti8KoEzek7igAKaYLHsIrB2tgkKXNo0L/s1600/P5210107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiWiAf83M8Fsd-XZjxhJtteexO7hpVqnMElN3Y-8U6YEFGABHiTK1y1GrEBTLWBPfOWDBMfxOBxA8Q0URh0LS_tJg6lFhqDo1mDWPti8KoEzek7igAKaYLHsIrB2tgkKXNo0L/s400/P5210107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-2163865900903062016-01-31T16:39:00.000-05:002016-01-31T16:39:40.893-05:00Three weeks working remotely in Morochos, Ecuador<h2>
10/16/15 - 11/7/15</h2>
<br />
We planned this trip to Ecuador as somewhat of an experiment. Now that our compadres have reliable internet access, I received the go-ahead from my employer to try a working vacation. I would work full time over the internet while visiting the family. A three week trip would only require a single vacation day - the day that we traveled down there. It seemed like this would be the best of both worlds, allowing an extended visit with the family while still being able to fulfill my work obligations. We hoped that it would work out successfully, so that this could become something that we do regularly in the future. Now that Craig is retired because of his MS, we only need to worry about my work schedule. Proving that I could be an effective remote employee could open up new possibilities.<br />
<br />
[We have posted our detailed trip log and photos over at our main website, <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Ecuador/2015/October/Ecuador2015Octobertoc.html" target="_blank">www.craigandstephsvacations.com</a>]<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxMkHsWuhjFp_JUKc4hmFex761D6b1pcFMSgdsxwGwJTph2rBXuZ4VS7QAdjcFv_v1ymDeWN0BvuKEwyd7_V0Aq1Bd9o8t2RTh0GvJLxgNX8p0KyGoAf1Oq57DzmqXfFB-gqU/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxMkHsWuhjFp_JUKc4hmFex761D6b1pcFMSgdsxwGwJTph2rBXuZ4VS7QAdjcFv_v1ymDeWN0BvuKEwyd7_V0Aq1Bd9o8t2RTh0GvJLxgNX8p0KyGoAf1Oq57DzmqXfFB-gqU/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-84107102425553720242015-11-15T01:08:00.000-05:002016-03-23T19:31:13.024-04:00Anderson Ponty Band at Berklee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD1HpHo9-AGH-VQoxxZ0uQaKqUpXHOzbOS_fe9dBt0oqAJydlOokJ7gPb0krwkQmkN1fIZEVD7kbFo4eqj5UMHTaaSLL20d64cke7Y27WytBM_X10JZkzHpRgZPWZFHtcYPuZ/s1600/apb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD1HpHo9-AGH-VQoxxZ0uQaKqUpXHOzbOS_fe9dBt0oqAJydlOokJ7gPb0krwkQmkN1fIZEVD7kbFo4eqj5UMHTaaSLL20d64cke7Y27WytBM_X10JZkzHpRgZPWZFHtcYPuZ/s400/apb.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Amazing show by the Anderson Ponty Band tonight! Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty played songs from their collaborative album Better Late Than Never, as well as additional songs from both of their catalogs. The versions were lively and mostly jazzy, though there were touches of reggae, Celtic, and country blues stylings. The arrangements were intricate and tight, and we enjoyed them very much.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We were in the front row center mezzanine at Berklee, so we had a great view of the<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> stage, and of course the acoustics were amazing.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Set I:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">One in the Rhythm of Hope</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">A for Aria</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Owner of a Lonely Heart</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Listening with Me</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Time and a Word / One Love</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Infinite Mirage / Soul Eternal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Enigmatic Ocean Parts I &</span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;"> II</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">I See You Messenger</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">New New World </span></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Set II:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">New Country</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Under Heaven's Door</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Wonderous Stories</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Long Distance Runaround</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Renaissance of the Sun</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">State of Independence</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Jig</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">And You and I</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Roundabout</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Soon</span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">Jean-Luc Ponty addressed yesterday's tragedy in his native France, saying that tragedies can happen anywhere...Paris, Boston, NYC...and that music can be very healing. The entire city seemed to be lit up for France tonight. We noticed the Pru and the Garden, as well as many electronic billboards.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We haven't been to many concerts lately, but this one was definitely worth it! Thanks, APB, for a great night of entertainment!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzUr-mNPekDVQBRFT0vhueTtIHUdzTD7suoOnJCrSbkycZ9CPL0Dm7J_pD_Rkz32DO8yiNEJY_iVMA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anderson Ponty Band 11/14/15: Infinite Mirage (clip)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDDfbiCLN8vyqRt4pNNPw-yH-uFWnzIjdkcCZdpRXvaZ8iyjVK8ryych08bP7vPOrhWlGTqKxbw8aubqE5B2yEZxwXBIwPLv8qvAx8LoD4qUjLyx5QFlpvLPr8gLD4J2UBrkK/s1600/PB140011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDDfbiCLN8vyqRt4pNNPw-yH-uFWnzIjdkcCZdpRXvaZ8iyjVK8ryych08bP7vPOrhWlGTqKxbw8aubqE5B2yEZxwXBIwPLv8qvAx8LoD4qUjLyx5QFlpvLPr8gLD4J2UBrkK/s400/PB140011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69qg9MEOKsV30WdLmIUAK4usR71J0CoXOyoje09xpEqV6TdlPLeEk1d8JAbaeQAF9rMa9N3HtsL_4wIE4hZ-yaD6mFvUdoyfB386952iCwVRW9JvWDR9mmtRiCTaOqQhT2P7i/s1600/VideoCap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69qg9MEOKsV30WdLmIUAK4usR71J0CoXOyoje09xpEqV6TdlPLeEk1d8JAbaeQAF9rMa9N3HtsL_4wIE4hZ-yaD6mFvUdoyfB386952iCwVRW9JvWDR9mmtRiCTaOqQhT2P7i/s400/VideoCap.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSn9Ydsra71G002mzMIgBNxkBhxK3IT9VlVTQWE1WtcrFifxNesreD_CGkchz10i1b8205DT1QhCSTy8wNO7-lWhVxK_yhlgxlRmwOC9OhMiucEyuELuNvYDtR-L8Y4VRWsMk/s1600/VideoCap2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 21.4667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSn9Ydsra71G002mzMIgBNxkBhxK3IT9VlVTQWE1WtcrFifxNesreD_CGkchz10i1b8205DT1QhCSTy8wNO7-lWhVxK_yhlgxlRmwOC9OhMiucEyuELuNvYDtR-L8Y4VRWsMk/s400/VideoCap2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zk_sKj3FlEn0WtvpWfSJFZGv9Z-FS9M9Y_25AtapC1WDxW6_9all6PRxSWUrB2H_XvJKDiH5HdGIL4_cHZZXygeqLg7G8FeZwZoqgHAV0hmT2dTBvsuM5pySR7IJ3GrQ8mpn/s1600/PB140038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zk_sKj3FlEn0WtvpWfSJFZGv9Z-FS9M9Y_25AtapC1WDxW6_9all6PRxSWUrB2H_XvJKDiH5HdGIL4_cHZZXygeqLg7G8FeZwZoqgHAV0hmT2dTBvsuM5pySR7IJ3GrQ8mpn/s400/PB140038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcL591fuIFEBl6aZ9BPVg_osYMLlZiAiOaUQso9PlRlmncXRXpUOMM9Vi8nwmWZlnIlG1JTwoLqXe5E13rSkPxhl20aIttwhhz5TgdAMBolS8DGpeeBXWBKf3P6t_Z7YJ0hYb/s1600/PB140026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcL591fuIFEBl6aZ9BPVg_osYMLlZiAiOaUQso9PlRlmncXRXpUOMM9Vi8nwmWZlnIlG1JTwoLqXe5E13rSkPxhl20aIttwhhz5TgdAMBolS8DGpeeBXWBKf3P6t_Z7YJ0hYb/s400/PB140026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKHvEft2SntQ13zQawzdtO3qn6WZzbXgHDOMJfxmQJwwvIeES3039-Qg9lzqJrr5RboJV6Yg-oSvRXdIMfZjxpVSHob1T9FK53ZKLf_DRwA6DgunkYHvkrsBUq0n5Rqpr5iyz/s1600/PB140020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKHvEft2SntQ13zQawzdtO3qn6WZzbXgHDOMJfxmQJwwvIeES3039-Qg9lzqJrr5RboJV6Yg-oSvRXdIMfZjxpVSHob1T9FK53ZKLf_DRwA6DgunkYHvkrsBUq0n5Rqpr5iyz/s400/PB140020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BzgpYJaeY287WBcnrQJqtqCrDwh3_KlTagWW6nDL0BD7ro5dNKeVe1QgIt3gRclpt8PdH6znFxZZBk3t632IFPukr2rxTNnkuOqy6u08LQgmDgF5BaYgquH7mMdMGoqMkjjJ/s1600/PB150041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BzgpYJaeY287WBcnrQJqtqCrDwh3_KlTagWW6nDL0BD7ro5dNKeVe1QgIt3gRclpt8PdH6znFxZZBk3t632IFPukr2rxTNnkuOqy6u08LQgmDgF5BaYgquH7mMdMGoqMkjjJ/s400/PB150041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZb9KVhtJGxSf9334tVdd2L593EQkv-y21pX8tf_Nr0ppAS4-7b_AjbrfgQ_waja7EEtur1CKbaSVeY4R3kMwvk2bZ-KdYqy6EYg6j4uYPxRRI0UbmdlS_TzrJ78h6UpDl7vT/s1600/PB150043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZb9KVhtJGxSf9334tVdd2L593EQkv-y21pX8tf_Nr0ppAS4-7b_AjbrfgQ_waja7EEtur1CKbaSVeY4R3kMwvk2bZ-KdYqy6EYg6j4uYPxRRI0UbmdlS_TzrJ78h6UpDl7vT/s400/PB150043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-57454597421777190132015-09-20T16:38:00.000-04:002015-09-20T18:05:36.740-04:00A Day Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity North Shore<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21P2kpQs40zJY6LTCe5yHlkK3bgJVkuszU1SpoMyaDUAr9PrmJZPmmHG0XzpaqN20CYhUjIrSJ_lhkKAymRhN43JrARKmQFZPqZW7giKJzcG5IDKbAvUe7xH5745DGfHW0VoI/s1600/P8261651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21P2kpQs40zJY6LTCe5yHlkK3bgJVkuszU1SpoMyaDUAr9PrmJZPmmHG0XzpaqN20CYhUjIrSJ_lhkKAymRhN43JrARKmQFZPqZW7giKJzcG5IDKbAvUe7xH5745DGfHW0VoI/s400/P8261651.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteering at First Street Ipswich</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On August 26, I got to take a break in the middle of the work week to volunteer at <a href="http://www.habitatforhumanity-northshore.com/?page_id=3437" target="_blank">Habitat for Humanity North Shore's First Street Build in Ipswich.</a> My company is sponsoring the project, which means that employees can sign up to volunteer during work time. Craig and I have a special place in our hearts for Habitat, as our compadres in Guatemala live in a home that was built for them by the organization. When I heard about the company-sponsored build, I was excited for the opportunity to give back to this amazing program in my own small way.<br />
<br />
Habitat is renovating a duplex which was originally built as housing for Ipswich mill employees during the 1890's. Don Preston, the President of Habitat North Shore, welcomed us to build site and told us a little bit about the history of the program. He told us that they had already selected two families to live in this duplex. They will get a 0% loan from Habitat to purchase them as condos, and they also put sweat equity into the construction.<br />
<br />
Don explained that they were in the demo phase, and they got us suited up with hardhats, safety glasses, masks, and gloves. There were around 11 of us volunteering from work, as well as Don and two retired gentlemen who volunteer frequently.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jI_VNMzkywczJGYBUA7D2x9iFgrzINzkEtSyRRTiACs1hEDSFhbXr3n40MXqmpntD_c5Ge65LxRqlhAyJDvHgIC531xZImylrSUrY5aAFbqSu0x54COvQeQwmllS24-D_0UK/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jI_VNMzkywczJGYBUA7D2x9iFgrzINzkEtSyRRTiACs1hEDSFhbXr3n40MXqmpntD_c5Ge65LxRqlhAyJDvHgIC531xZImylrSUrY5aAFbqSu0x54COvQeQwmllS24-D_0UK/s400/DSC_0302.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prying up the tiles and subfloor in the second story bathroom<br />
(photo courtesy of Don Preston)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don set us up into two teams - interior and exterior, The exterior folks ripped off the front porch and aluminum siding. The interior folks pried up floors. I was on the interior team, and Jim supervised us. I really enjoyed working with him. It was so hot and humid! Even though it was a bit stuffy in the house, I was at least glad that I wasn't outside working in the direct sun.<br />
<br />
We pried up old tiles in the second floor bathroom, removed some nails (given the age of the house, some of the nails were very old-school: square with no real nailheads.) It felt like I was on This Old House, which I used to watch religiously with my dad when I was a kid. Once the bathroom floor was removed, we nailed down some temporary plywood over holes in the subfloor for safety.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8161cZQui0bwQBh0HrtmnOB-MiGP4a5v0vieRBjGQ_K3VehiVmNYsgOuL1qpXR981w43VI1Up19wcDMmIswjxEeF-U5nsr5uU7XhWhr-wjJDhxqBKMF92rQskx3uRu1wNjo81/s1600/DSC_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8161cZQui0bwQBh0HrtmnOB-MiGP4a5v0vieRBjGQ_K3VehiVmNYsgOuL1qpXR981w43VI1Up19wcDMmIswjxEeF-U5nsr5uU7XhWhr-wjJDhxqBKMF92rQskx3uRu1wNjo81/s400/DSC_0307.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prying up MDF and hardwood in the downstairs kitchen with Jim (center)<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(photo courtesy of Don Preston)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we were done with that, we headed downstairs to work on removing a layer of MDF and a layer of hardwood on the kitchen floor. This was really tough, as any attempt to pry up a large section would result in a very small chunk of MDF splintering off, leaving the rest intact. After half an hour of Jim and myself making futile attempts with prybars and hammers, Jim suggested using the Skillsaw to score the floor, and then pry it up in strips. A couple of the other guys joined us to help with the sawing and prying. My job was to extract nails to leave the floor clear for the saw, and there were a lot of them!<br />
<br />
We managed to get the entire kitchen floor removed just before quitting time. The large dumpster, nearly empty when we arrived in the morning, was now full to the brim!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenHPGfqjFZsAvbLreYe76LNxJEvqV9nauxmaDZh67TuhEcmh8NmG_5r1EMoTcrtzDW7Rgwmdq-jUWBA5kBkKI9OL0FyVygaLM1K9flf8Gl5yBK9NBMdYAuiP8iyPXtfYgfSp-/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenHPGfqjFZsAvbLreYe76LNxJEvqV9nauxmaDZh67TuhEcmh8NmG_5r1EMoTcrtzDW7Rgwmdq-jUWBA5kBkKI9OL0FyVygaLM1K9flf8Gl5yBK9NBMdYAuiP8iyPXtfYgfSp-/s400/DSC_0309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteers from my workplace after a long, hot, and satisfying day of demolition<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(photo courtesy of Don Preston)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0eEUO-gPGdl-x3JvNl_3c1CwLHR6GghDJ5l3klzeK6Wm-AJxkZ4TV_-KPZUcWlO7Id1LDbTyMHblUEr0pelr0hAJeCdeR8e3MOUKtnvjVM6IqZLiGOgDqqC8OOv-G-38DOMY/s1600/P8261652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0eEUO-gPGdl-x3JvNl_3c1CwLHR6GghDJ5l3klzeK6Wm-AJxkZ4TV_-KPZUcWlO7Id1LDbTyMHblUEr0pelr0hAJeCdeR8e3MOUKtnvjVM6IqZLiGOgDqqC8OOv-G-38DOMY/s400/P8261652.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don (center) oversees the rehanging of the sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was really a great experience. Thanks to the Habitat folks who mentored us (Don and Jim) and thanks to my company for sponsoring that day's build and allowing about a dozen employees to participate!<br />
<br />
While cleaning around the house this weekend, we found a lot of ceramic tiles left over from our last renovation. We will be donating them to Habitat North Shore, and Don says they may even be used for the very same bathroom where I pried up the old floor!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlfscAeOfS1q2gs8pvwEcdLtMoK6QdV3o-OJkAImZsphOINUOub8VPytis7kwrkFkxXqnJs5X26POmWHm3vSykDAdG9Pqe8N1aps_M5zvyzD6Jw13QeGAcu9dRB008xzxKgBS/s1600/P8261655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlfscAeOfS1q2gs8pvwEcdLtMoK6QdV3o-OJkAImZsphOINUOub8VPytis7kwrkFkxXqnJs5X26POmWHm3vSykDAdG9Pqe8N1aps_M5zvyzD6Jw13QeGAcu9dRB008xzxKgBS/s400/P8261655.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exterior of the house after our day of work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-75490817991728631462015-08-28T18:43:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:20:39.796-04:00July Ambassador for Barefoot Yoga Shala<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyYNMDWuP_HII5XdJqBr7XqueG7LD8F95-Un_Mmvwg1hGqNlSouNMoFK-oHvejOL3wmg18Yocb71aLsnFE7CbaRwKanuAGa40HMaEgd7uUiyjol39QW9ntTswonkt07gntN6K/s1600/11247893_1658351067728462_8142604577305754124_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyYNMDWuP_HII5XdJqBr7XqueG7LD8F95-Un_Mmvwg1hGqNlSouNMoFK-oHvejOL3wmg18Yocb71aLsnFE7CbaRwKanuAGa40HMaEgd7uUiyjol39QW9ntTswonkt07gntN6K/s400/11247893_1658351067728462_8142604577305754124_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mermaid pose (Sarah Jayne Photography)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTl6lG_tmy-S367n-PrMmQ01flkGt0oENNGYK6MtSSSTLF_axJKxITcv6mJlPLMxqnyHEeJaGOlCDHsCmoBJOA6fhYtGf8elaXhmLlIT3pmI6tfJ-cEyx_3UvySO4lHIIFTHe/s1600/11813324_10153141112379372_244289426611447416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTl6lG_tmy-S367n-PrMmQ01flkGt0oENNGYK6MtSSSTLF_axJKxITcv6mJlPLMxqnyHEeJaGOlCDHsCmoBJOA6fhYtGf8elaXhmLlIT3pmI6tfJ-cEyx_3UvySO4lHIIFTHe/s400/11813324_10153141112379372_244289426611447416_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheel pose <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I previously wrote a bit about our yoga practices with
regard to a <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2015/06/barefoot-yoga-shalas-retreat-at-stowe.html" target="_blank">yogawith horses retreat that we attended in June in Stowe, Vermont</a> with
our yoga studio, <a href="http://www.barefootyogashala.com/" target="_blank">Barefoot YogaShala</a> in Middleton, MA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In July, I was selected as an Ambassador for the studio.
Studio owner and teacher Jenny Ravikumar selects two students per month to
promote the studio on social media. This was a no-brainer for me, as it is
something that I do anyway. Yoga has been such a positive influence in our
lives over the past 9 or so months, and I’m not sure that we would have become
so enamored with it if we hadn’t found this particular studio. The community of
instructors and students is welcoming, dynamic, and supportive. We have made
many new friends and we are at the studio taking classes and workshops an
average of 4 or 5 times per week. It makes us feel great physically, spiritually,
and emotionally, so of course I want to spread the word to any others who might
be interested – whether they are experienced yogis, or beginners (like we
were).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As part of the Ambassador program, participants get a yoga
photo shoot with local photographer <a href="http://www.bysarahjayne.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Jayne Photography</a>, and Jenny conducts
an interview about their yoga experiences. The photo shoot was so much fun! And
<a href="http://www.jennyravikumar.com/july-ambassador-stephanie-smith" target="_blank">my interview</a> is now posted on Jenny’s site.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc90sTeNeFMgFmnt5hfN5z7AxgGk3A1YPzJGf8A3Kn_HzhOwr_-E4EEwbAAkKoi2vg2Xfw45szTUb54sjuYdeq28mWbRXyu_E7ekyCXz3U_84lFVP7c-onHhvKlAVhQrNTeUqM/s1600/untitled-0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc90sTeNeFMgFmnt5hfN5z7AxgGk3A1YPzJGf8A3Kn_HzhOwr_-E4EEwbAAkKoi2vg2Xfw45szTUb54sjuYdeq28mWbRXyu_E7ekyCXz3U_84lFVP7c-onHhvKlAVhQrNTeUqM/s400/untitled-0065.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree pose <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPSBJSBRsDfTA8KY_Tpf4T9OdX-MfPS_DgLJMqqVX5N-KuquUTlh8AxF3KMfGn7uvm2uvs69nGQWC4t2Y3KlPMJJ8zK-eJpG5nDihEW7mJjDx3eJPO5RegDpnFkE5NAY4X3yy/s1600/untitled-0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPSBJSBRsDfTA8KY_Tpf4T9OdX-MfPS_DgLJMqqVX5N-KuquUTlh8AxF3KMfGn7uvm2uvs69nGQWC4t2Y3KlPMJJ8zK-eJpG5nDihEW7mJjDx3eJPO5RegDpnFkE5NAY4X3yy/s400/untitled-0060.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree pose <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPSBJSBRsDfTA8KY_Tpf4T9OdX-MfPS_DgLJMqqVX5N-KuquUTlh8AxF3KMfGn7uvm2uvs69nGQWC4t2Y3KlPMJJ8zK-eJpG5nDihEW7mJjDx3eJPO5RegDpnFkE5NAY4X3yy/s1600/untitled-0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8fPwyF_z-ARb3YE_Kn5pPpLg5gQWn7HGt8RRRsaYTR_dLd9W9fEVJoT_kF5NxIlYwfRUqIsGfOYzp1lUpy05-UlFLE3ISIQiBGaBWNFsNl9qph4xmUmazZHoc6ZSEp7uJ4NE/s1600/untitled-0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8fPwyF_z-ARb3YE_Kn5pPpLg5gQWn7HGt8RRRsaYTR_dLd9W9fEVJoT_kF5NxIlYwfRUqIsGfOYzp1lUpy05-UlFLE3ISIQiBGaBWNFsNl9qph4xmUmazZHoc6ZSEp7uJ4NE/s400/untitled-0070.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warrior II <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-B6cD1f__YIIoNhl3L7KwZgracKtLRkUvpkK3HCIAKt-5jxy_zz3_tjRtmgyaqfFAS2qAzqPpa6TjsOx1De3l7rHZy_PAaZLINBmXrpIvbC0Iu53iDh3ARzf1TDyzfxIqowGf/s1600/untitled-0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-B6cD1f__YIIoNhl3L7KwZgracKtLRkUvpkK3HCIAKt-5jxy_zz3_tjRtmgyaqfFAS2qAzqPpa6TjsOx1De3l7rHZy_PAaZLINBmXrpIvbC0Iu53iDh3ARzf1TDyzfxIqowGf/s400/untitled-0074.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reverse Warrior <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-B6cD1f__YIIoNhl3L7KwZgracKtLRkUvpkK3HCIAKt-5jxy_zz3_tjRtmgyaqfFAS2qAzqPpa6TjsOx1De3l7rHZy_PAaZLINBmXrpIvbC0Iu53iDh3ARzf1TDyzfxIqowGf/s1600/untitled-0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6fKJgYW4zSXMCJ8PDijhAZ7kR8pMHwiIx0T-BSdb1oYRkAdX3xYQ5Ywmd4lmkj5zvwmR0zsWM9TnW3WgNLZCP5EgnUVjx4wXAWi6Diexf6StUW7JsbAEYy6mNlNw9710AnRT/s1600/untitled-0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6fKJgYW4zSXMCJ8PDijhAZ7kR8pMHwiIx0T-BSdb1oYRkAdX3xYQ5Ywmd4lmkj5zvwmR0zsWM9TnW3WgNLZCP5EgnUVjx4wXAWi6Diexf6StUW7JsbAEYy6mNlNw9710AnRT/s400/untitled-0079.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain pose <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8M33LWtf4dCVNTK51dLEB0AtHuxQy7BJkGKWxZZjMwmx-weSeHZnX5flsSXG0qK8AB3z1MMRDzC2cttGVJpgSpvaZ5PeslEwR20xzQKk227sxJgc2Yku198TZwjLW7Q9tLjR/s1600/untitled-0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8M33LWtf4dCVNTK51dLEB0AtHuxQy7BJkGKWxZZjMwmx-weSeHZnX5flsSXG0qK8AB3z1MMRDzC2cttGVJpgSpvaZ5PeslEwR20xzQKk227sxJgc2Yku198TZwjLW7Q9tLjR/s400/untitled-0093.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camel pose <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdJ_Fv9X7JOWvfGUhZ9R4Zp6yC6ihQJOXH1S2oGuJUnAC6CLqC7kQmlB4ZxPgOQHm9l3XvPr1o9KCzPsLv-aRoSh17il5EWKwusH6BsBTt9SdjGoR8ufGYDoyFYSV5aQQv6vY/s1600/untitled-0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdJ_Fv9X7JOWvfGUhZ9R4Zp6yC6ihQJOXH1S2oGuJUnAC6CLqC7kQmlB4ZxPgOQHm9l3XvPr1o9KCzPsLv-aRoSh17il5EWKwusH6BsBTt9SdjGoR8ufGYDoyFYSV5aQQv6vY/s400/untitled-0080.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancer's pose <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCavGvLZUnLMHqNvUSFz-KCD-TEIfD24_6qbCVHAfjhj0-sQ0IS7bTwBllKY4sU-hoo0ICGuU-swAo9gRn13LzM3CGu1yt7fnm3DBG16RHZmTLfwWYNvi7xT_P0Cvp8LFjgar/s1600/untitled-0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCavGvLZUnLMHqNvUSFz-KCD-TEIfD24_6qbCVHAfjhj0-sQ0IS7bTwBllKY4sU-hoo0ICGuU-swAo9gRn13LzM3CGu1yt7fnm3DBG16RHZmTLfwWYNvi7xT_P0Cvp8LFjgar/s400/untitled-0185.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July Ambassadors Steph and Meghan with Jenny <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jenny was almost 9 months pregnant at the time of the photo
shoot, and still practicing yoga daily and teaching several times per week. In
fact, she taught right up until 5 days before she gave birth. She and her
husband Karthik welcomed baby boy Zyan Jacob on Monday evening. We are so
excited for them and can’t wait to meet the little guy!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujp7Vfq66u8C2u5zU8nugdyyQX-4bqph4xKGOV59yJMhCcYjkMbigfDmi3L3gpm1Tyg-rdllx1ubOmGE23WKmtBAbRwulqszekf8vebawRVklJzaWvQ6sw4C0fxZghBYRjNVv/s1600/untitled-0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujp7Vfq66u8C2u5zU8nugdyyQX-4bqph4xKGOV59yJMhCcYjkMbigfDmi3L3gpm1Tyg-rdllx1ubOmGE23WKmtBAbRwulqszekf8vebawRVklJzaWvQ6sw4C0fxZghBYRjNVv/s400/untitled-0196.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny and Zyan <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(Sarah Jayne Photography)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8v3vqTXt4UZTHYhdb9QehJMtfo0v3Cb_y00BXk_s98FSnNDQZwZR0r-GCnIsh-6JfQ3mID7jqeO8G1r6lbXpG4tsrbj8V-PxgmVd6VsGCAxJjv6jYfOPVFm-gy2Uw-Xl-mIu/s1600/11781696_747310318747053_2173120204150945460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8v3vqTXt4UZTHYhdb9QehJMtfo0v3Cb_y00BXk_s98FSnNDQZwZR0r-GCnIsh-6JfQ3mID7jqeO8G1r6lbXpG4tsrbj8V-PxgmVd6VsGCAxJjv6jYfOPVFm-gy2Uw-Xl-mIu/s400/11781696_747310318747053_2173120204150945460_n.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karthik, Jenny, and Zyan (photo courtesy of Jenny's mom Brenda)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RG409cNdQLehCDviRT7LGmPHhzmgTlBmxaP1v5oRqcIRwPCFw9eNIrLg0hlIqxiF07619Cj3Z6HA0MW4YwgJzcRO1LWwnzRpNtlln_K7fS1Lu2XHx42m2ke46ADxDDZ6aA5k/s1600/11891039_10103018848265762_4141046584356911220_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RG409cNdQLehCDviRT7LGmPHhzmgTlBmxaP1v5oRqcIRwPCFw9eNIrLg0hlIqxiF07619Cj3Z6HA0MW4YwgJzcRO1LWwnzRpNtlln_K7fS1Lu2XHx42m2ke46ADxDDZ6aA5k/s320/11891039_10103018848265762_4141046584356911220_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zyan Jacob Ravikumar (photo courtesy of Jenny)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-6644365879398195712015-08-16T15:28:00.003-04:002015-12-06T10:18:55.024-05:00July 4th in EcuadorWe spent the 4th of July with our dear compadres in Ecuador this year.<br />
<br />
Here are some posts that we made to Facebook about the trip. Full trip diaries coming soon to the main website!<br />
<br />
7/3/15<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;">E<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">ven though </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1443533535876884" href="https://www.facebook.com/barefootyogashala" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; text-decoration: none;">Barefoot Yoga Shala</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">is closed for the holiday, we did an hour plus long practice with our godchildren in Ecuador this morning. Although I am not a licensed teacher, Craig thinks I did a pretty good</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"> </span><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=9116132" href="https://www.facebook.com/jennyravikumar" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; text-decoration: none;">Jenny Ravikumar</a> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">impression. He thinks she would have been proud</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_7f72ac" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png); background-position: 0px -442px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"><u style="left: -999999px; position: absolute;">wink emoticon</u></i> <i class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_62a652" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png); background-position: 0px -204px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"><u style="left: -999999px; position: absolute;">heart emoticon</u></i> With Craig's MS, the stretching really helps, so we decided to incorporate our practice into our vacation as well. And all 3 kids loved it!! Craig was feeling really run down before we came here, but lots of rest and healthy food and fresh air have done him wonders, even at high altitude.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="userContentSecondary _c24" style="background-color: white; color: #4e5665; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi0B4NVRNCrUzD7-HpapnPgBkRUhJDtzVB0Y_wohnT_BeY7pm3Ak-PYKmkD9Ex9KRrsojjaz1jbQsh5IIpej0-Sc0xDNUw7hiwLWbLUKCOgvQ9Ll5x4WvgGSaM1hqlKctHJlP/s1600/P7030591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi0B4NVRNCrUzD7-HpapnPgBkRUhJDtzVB0Y_wohnT_BeY7pm3Ak-PYKmkD9Ex9KRrsojjaz1jbQsh5IIpej0-Sc0xDNUw7hiwLWbLUKCOgvQ9Ll5x4WvgGSaM1hqlKctHJlP/s400/P7030591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoga practice: Craig and Sisa in tree pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju2CgIFb_Evq7zuRnvQiH7XgXTgL9LxYzL658a0KOWQTGy9j_Rnwpuq7pFb9QjOjkx8HYT7ZLpCwN9u3-fVpZIpgMlkI62nxniv4VFh-aeegimhlVWCN8posy8381FcegrpbA/s1600/P7030590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju2CgIFb_Evq7zuRnvQiH7XgXTgL9LxYzL658a0KOWQTGy9j_Rnwpuq7pFb9QjOjkx8HYT7ZLpCwN9u3-fVpZIpgMlkI62nxniv4VFh-aeegimhlVWCN8posy8381FcegrpbA/s400/P7030590.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Sisa practicing yoga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcA6ev8R_o7jaObEzRgug9qVsLAWRta9gwDiMvvoeGCRWH-1yZO5mPkgVJD3WjVzszEAG3xD2V1Rst7qgsDrTbRuNSLC8ku14gAVSV3tXIqX7n6PmQa2IzwraLGFDZ7wYgiqE/s1600/P7030617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcA6ev8R_o7jaObEzRgug9qVsLAWRta9gwDiMvvoeGCRWH-1yZO5mPkgVJD3WjVzszEAG3xD2V1Rst7qgsDrTbRuNSLC8ku14gAVSV3tXIqX7n6PmQa2IzwraLGFDZ7wYgiqE/s400/P7030617.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max the dog joins practice, just like Apollo Ravikumar at Barefoot Yoga Shala!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTRQLFSf2HcKB4ytWp4DTArQnbULZ1hVC8fsMj5tYzx6tIignX7EcOyp5uWw-emzLOcWCqbZkjPHnl0hPnZWb43DnOlWvntI-OMq6twndgvSLYrc7fGK75uF79Gv-ElX6ZSSZ/s1600/P7030605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTRQLFSf2HcKB4ytWp4DTArQnbULZ1hVC8fsMj5tYzx6tIignX7EcOyp5uWw-emzLOcWCqbZkjPHnl0hPnZWb43DnOlWvntI-OMq6twndgvSLYrc7fGK75uF79Gv-ElX6ZSSZ/s400/P7030605.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa in proud pigeon with Yupanqui and Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR9DbDDegIcLhXpw1zIikNu7CIsgLzAiMPyxBiLnbPD5cIRTMpCAFbp7-PHJWYbrtehhJEoq24dd-1srbuJwuB94nHQrzndp930nf64UCXWOgnE_YwE0QILARvFmW2z1BwqkJ/s1600/P7030634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR9DbDDegIcLhXpw1zIikNu7CIsgLzAiMPyxBiLnbPD5cIRTMpCAFbp7-PHJWYbrtehhJEoq24dd-1srbuJwuB94nHQrzndp930nf64UCXWOgnE_YwE0QILARvFmW2z1BwqkJ/s400/P7030634.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yupanqui, Sisa, and Tayanta in supta baddha konasana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKgicOtSvE2guVjxC2Nh1Ol0SMwM-uxGlAEYixQH7x5W3gJf4nC_ORqyJnGd6XjlJ-QaJuQ3pc40LB9veTUQc4N9q6PyKdYmt6IjzbNbRjg5-gxHeaQTuVSBkl-aK7GuQt-Pj/s1600/P7030632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKgicOtSvE2guVjxC2Nh1Ol0SMwM-uxGlAEYixQH7x5W3gJf4nC_ORqyJnGd6XjlJ-QaJuQ3pc40LB9veTUQc4N9q6PyKdYmt6IjzbNbRjg5-gxHeaQTuVSBkl-aK7GuQt-Pj/s400/P7030632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Yupanqui, Sisa, and Tayanta in happy baby pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdDB2lnfiWRB9H9mqhOY0w8fwaMsmSHzHK1MYmhG5LQWzH4ZrKmL0IFrLcM-E0tqWxdYDbqMdfCb0yB-dpD4DdLG6X4GwMWl0Yl6pttzfJnZoqda23po5bgO5U60QpZ7cJcT0/s1600/P7030626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdDB2lnfiWRB9H9mqhOY0w8fwaMsmSHzHK1MYmhG5LQWzH4ZrKmL0IFrLcM-E0tqWxdYDbqMdfCb0yB-dpD4DdLG6X4GwMWl0Yl6pttzfJnZoqda23po5bgO5U60QpZ7cJcT0/s400/P7030626.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Yupanqui, Sisa, and Tayanta in Figure Four</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy_2l2RJBTw-0MXwDt7dyJrrxlX4nXO1cpdduS1Rbt1LuEMGoT_i38KXTXAOb_Z2clcyi06XoCtbA2xH2Z_bcMTyyW3vNU3wLDXCn9JZ3F7FSKxux7_QFGJZKWwv9myL5JANK/s1600/P7030643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy_2l2RJBTw-0MXwDt7dyJrrxlX4nXO1cpdduS1Rbt1LuEMGoT_i38KXTXAOb_Z2clcyi06XoCtbA2xH2Z_bcMTyyW3vNU3wLDXCn9JZ3F7FSKxux7_QFGJZKWwv9myL5JANK/s400/P7030643.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph practices her headstand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiAdRPP6zhpsW-XC3eafuoRVhZfQxuf1OQc2hnDDX62LyqkwcQ5Vuu7SKHoPP8PKLzCn52zj2Cw5xD2ZWJh-e6lgEeaAshFp2d9rJ6dk8kP3_sLQm8bjMqOZa5K5kEsuKi9X6/s1600/P7030662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiAdRPP6zhpsW-XC3eafuoRVhZfQxuf1OQc2hnDDX62LyqkwcQ5Vuu7SKHoPP8PKLzCn52zj2Cw5xD2ZWJh-e6lgEeaAshFp2d9rJ6dk8kP3_sLQm8bjMqOZa5K5kEsuKi9X6/s400/P7030662.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig practices his headstand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
7/5/15</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">We had another great day yesterday with our compadres in Ecuador. We helped with chores around the homestead, did another yoga practice, and played with the kids. I plucked my first chicken, and the family hosted a nice family from Holland for a homestay.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3Zgm99FFNJ5F3lihKDHr-c0qK5OzR0gRbD90RkIoJwU8AjgJGuH9Y1Viql-M_XYoBy9Wszq00VtRVJv7dwQ4qlYL96pRcyRA2KcIJQNDTbYQwHT37Nm7lF5QjmwK7kUvdt5d/s1600/P7040828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3Zgm99FFNJ5F3lihKDHr-c0qK5OzR0gRbD90RkIoJwU8AjgJGuH9Y1Viql-M_XYoBy9Wszq00VtRVJv7dwQ4qlYL96pRcyRA2KcIJQNDTbYQwHT37Nm7lF5QjmwK7kUvdt5d/s400/P7040828.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph in mermaid pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmyyo1JXhcDOd2rLZ8hWata_pyxbcEK007ysVXdztRVp1BJFrQWt1GTfb9WurYnBMgSA9kwSPaGdDZcT6rj8TVZ-OLP6Elya5QykQqGMmxg9sO6qlvj8CA9WizQwBrl-NW7G9/s1600/P7040832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmyyo1JXhcDOd2rLZ8hWata_pyxbcEK007ysVXdztRVp1BJFrQWt1GTfb9WurYnBMgSA9kwSPaGdDZcT6rj8TVZ-OLP6Elya5QykQqGMmxg9sO6qlvj8CA9WizQwBrl-NW7G9/s400/P7040832.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph in wheel pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUIE30xLQxowywW2HXraFZgn6R4g7t5vBNN83FGxF36f2u7S88lBkvZ8fCLRa7-u5OsZFCPUpC8Gu2TmIH9F7U5AIb6_Yn4fcYOJB1gAdZlAWG1Hlg6rY2BA8swyL-hBFX_U-/s1600/P7040834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUIE30xLQxowywW2HXraFZgn6R4g7t5vBNN83FGxF36f2u7S88lBkvZ8fCLRa7-u5OsZFCPUpC8Gu2TmIH9F7U5AIb6_Yn4fcYOJB1gAdZlAWG1Hlg6rY2BA8swyL-hBFX_U-/s400/P7040834.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig in headstand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr2KSHwNET9Roe4cefUCh0A6BEfD8KZjvUsPgW1zhLJu6F53RVXpXwoZa2eoabCYcrD-nLD7vFPaVI6j7-ylXLH4af1T0r-iy5Q8lbKILa197KdQ3fDCRPMBq_vTxfUsTj_IW/s1600/P7040846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr2KSHwNET9Roe4cefUCh0A6BEfD8KZjvUsPgW1zhLJu6F53RVXpXwoZa2eoabCYcrD-nLD7vFPaVI6j7-ylXLH4af1T0r-iy5Q8lbKILa197KdQ3fDCRPMBq_vTxfUsTj_IW/s400/P7040846.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group savasana at the end of yoga practice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOrhWSCulrmbLhOWddx_PHaYkGM4i8FnCOR_12Xyav6Y8blUdk-Hw97U1FD-Gt-sCtfMYrNgAJLML51bTelO-Zx1MtCgOHuUu7CrpcSE0h65I01RSh4GpUyj4V5g9pbbFVRcM/s1600/P7040873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOrhWSCulrmbLhOWddx_PHaYkGM4i8FnCOR_12Xyav6Y8blUdk-Hw97U1FD-Gt-sCtfMYrNgAJLML51bTelO-Zx1MtCgOHuUu7CrpcSE0h65I01RSh4GpUyj4V5g9pbbFVRcM/s400/P7040873.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig plays Jenga with the kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKADi13i2HTCzhraz87IpO6WXGRpWF4i9bcYhsrhnDmc8j_6XfnIfVMbY5a2xDBGXCjvFqeO6rWIT_y3_DsKklpqAH4612vVpEed7RU2ZKUaoQy5585Mqdm_kDJIGL9Ew9_p2/s1600/P7040877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKADi13i2HTCzhraz87IpO6WXGRpWF4i9bcYhsrhnDmc8j_6XfnIfVMbY5a2xDBGXCjvFqeO6rWIT_y3_DsKklpqAH4612vVpEed7RU2ZKUaoQy5585Mqdm_kDJIGL9Ew9_p2/s400/P7040877.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph and Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYSb64N89pIbrRjCF5Brc0KJc-9gKxqmo_oK8N8C_poYx1Cp2kHH0PUG7ENdmwl8X3DB6Bqn0olVWU_DOcy8JjF9oTrArlLBW1sSH4Itb0ZVU1w7MO9h_y-oOwMxjUkw1um_T/s1600/P7040913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYSb64N89pIbrRjCF5Brc0KJc-9gKxqmo_oK8N8C_poYx1Cp2kHH0PUG7ENdmwl8X3DB6Bqn0olVWU_DOcy8JjF9oTrArlLBW1sSH4Itb0ZVU1w7MO9h_y-oOwMxjUkw1um_T/s400/P7040913.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph plucks a chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73uoCxZZ4CwdNBLQfgA_S3rhnzt8i1qxkFVPwgDl5dBBo8DXdB7sRwM4eb0QZ_SS0Xxsx37h79Wa5LJE1khkTaC65RauXE6caf87pi0yIxhoeh265jPTj3k5RVPZGfA7r2ygN/s1600/P7040919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73uoCxZZ4CwdNBLQfgA_S3rhnzt8i1qxkFVPwgDl5dBBo8DXdB7sRwM4eb0QZ_SS0Xxsx37h79Wa5LJE1khkTaC65RauXE6caf87pi0yIxhoeh265jPTj3k5RVPZGfA7r2ygN/s400/P7040919.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph carries the chicken to Rosa for butchering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIespgA03N2giyHEvDAuxiD97w-COCtvFsdIEsgbY-n0nwAfGTkc84q1xSb8quGJGjznJDwB_ZloR9sZJt81KXfikItRt3_HLJgZt6N8yNq7WAVCyn4Un2W2fk-olGNWIf6MYO/s1600/P7040964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIespgA03N2giyHEvDAuxiD97w-COCtvFsdIEsgbY-n0nwAfGTkc84q1xSb8quGJGjznJDwB_ZloR9sZJt81KXfikItRt3_HLJgZt6N8yNq7WAVCyn4Un2W2fk-olGNWIf6MYO/s400/P7040964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with Dutch guest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">So, Papa Francisco (the Pope) has arrived in Quito, and the airport is closed for a couple of hours today with many road closures. He is supposed to fly out tomorrow morning, and as far as we can tell, our flight tomorrow at 2 p.m. should still be on schedule, but who knows. I guess it qualifies as an act of God (literally) if our flight home is postponed?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">7/7/15</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
The Papal visit to Ecuador did not impact our flight home yesterday.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We watched his arrival at the Mariscal Sucre airport on TV on Sunday night. As soon as he stepped out of the plane, his cap went flying due to the high winds. He was very good-natured about it. After a welcome ceremony on the tarmac, his Popemobile (or Papamovil, in Spanish) drove him to Quito. Half a million people lined the streets to see him.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAghVRNRVjfFZhhw2IYEuQA0vUbwaCTwXnlACBbdY0eab1C7SSzau0sA2xMvAVpnbsef_vhBSWmzvQgRsCOxV4eLIcXdInVTN7feH76-kBvvNAyHGxwbZ5jeQDnq3wyR3_oMRf/s1600/P7051187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAghVRNRVjfFZhhw2IYEuQA0vUbwaCTwXnlACBbdY0eab1C7SSzau0sA2xMvAVpnbsef_vhBSWmzvQgRsCOxV4eLIcXdInVTN7feH76-kBvvNAyHGxwbZ5jeQDnq3wyR3_oMRf/s400/P7051187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa Francisco rides to Quito in his Jeep Papamovil as we watch on TV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
It's a really big deal for a country whose population is 80% Ca<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">tholic. There hasn't been a Papal visit to Ecuador since 1985.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.466667175293px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
Apparently he spoke about the need for a more inclusive Catholic Church.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
As Popes go, Papa Francisco is pretty cool!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
When we flew out of Quito yesterday, we could see the red carpet area of the tarmac where they had held the welcome ceremony.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Here are more photos from the trip:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbL3srey0L5lL5qL2oi55V5tHxO5AYbP21GNaNVheXaa1ft-PmElLEdD7IzDMqoX719dCgw97RHkCZA0M7kjd_7a6bu8KXcLZPxsvVQBui38LsKetZzeXRGJ3R8QNY40gBtt8/s1600/P7010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbL3srey0L5lL5qL2oi55V5tHxO5AYbP21GNaNVheXaa1ft-PmElLEdD7IzDMqoX719dCgw97RHkCZA0M7kjd_7a6bu8KXcLZPxsvVQBui38LsKetZzeXRGJ3R8QNY40gBtt8/s400/P7010001.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta meets us at the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS91UitvfCnydQSN6IfjqOq-aM8wTn5gzG3NxHtjZ3pUKr1C58sOok_0cjrCZgbAD1mXOPyuRSOWbznPmImffmRB85KR24ZiAjkr9b9j9RL8lD_U_g-FeuQpe957CcK_-Hsvf/s1600/P7010019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS91UitvfCnydQSN6IfjqOq-aM8wTn5gzG3NxHtjZ3pUKr1C58sOok_0cjrCZgbAD1mXOPyuRSOWbznPmImffmRB85KR24ZiAjkr9b9j9RL8lD_U_g-FeuQpe957CcK_-Hsvf/s400/P7010019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa and her Achi Taita get reacquainted on the ride home from the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzQZNHj3X5hGA1rGt0QXbOItugUh_Rng9toteLt4sXX5_jR5PSc_S1MUy0hJOvE63ehqGAIUVi6QrYIJOe_7BCPEIlhHD4h4LygFORazXvMgpQN9IyUyKKx6Afds_JX1QD5Yk/s1600/P7010065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzQZNHj3X5hGA1rGt0QXbOItugUh_Rng9toteLt4sXX5_jR5PSc_S1MUy0hJOvE63ehqGAIUVi6QrYIJOe_7BCPEIlhHD4h4LygFORazXvMgpQN9IyUyKKx6Afds_JX1QD5Yk/s400/P7010065.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFGSwahKfQ9b8DpUHxGmLtB_LZUvTQwUwvYP1vCZ4LmMmhU8lZM-s7JbSwIoCTuEXEtrswJq3iVVHeq34IjVuW-l9_i0YfwW_l27E0Ks3fAMNHmpJ6Bsk3bz9Ua70VUJ54gYb/s1600/P7010095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFGSwahKfQ9b8DpUHxGmLtB_LZUvTQwUwvYP1vCZ4LmMmhU8lZM-s7JbSwIoCTuEXEtrswJq3iVVHeq34IjVuW-l9_i0YfwW_l27E0Ks3fAMNHmpJ6Bsk3bz9Ua70VUJ54gYb/s400/P7010095.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrAa5GxljPNhyphenhyphenUJEqZvFJ4_64HfL6e1TJN6mtgcwIST4Bf2WKvPFtFNtqdyteQejmTOaYo3smrYHgeWRp2rfIm2msnqPnn-okwsnrJlINhZwCnct7BhzyCYv81N7d0a5whyqQ/s1600/P7051116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrAa5GxljPNhyphenhyphenUJEqZvFJ4_64HfL6e1TJN6mtgcwIST4Bf2WKvPFtFNtqdyteQejmTOaYo3smrYHgeWRp2rfIm2msnqPnn-okwsnrJlINhZwCnct7BhzyCYv81N7d0a5whyqQ/s400/P7051116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yupanqui</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlEe-y90fSP2BczBbdNdznjMZ0rXdgS54-lzdizcHNirj75MzmICXn-5OH3b8QD1vpKHyxCxKdHNZA1OdBSrjM5mnlCKOSQ62H8fUBTw8aAwJufsgXESYXwJna1y_5RUU1Gjy/s1600/P7010125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlEe-y90fSP2BczBbdNdznjMZ0rXdgS54-lzdizcHNirj75MzmICXn-5OH3b8QD1vpKHyxCxKdHNZA1OdBSrjM5mnlCKOSQ62H8fUBTw8aAwJufsgXESYXwJna1y_5RUU1Gjy/s400/P7010125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon over Volcan Imbabura, viewed from the 3rd floor of the house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDxRUyEdVGOCD29XFSGhggzIxJu6jrjhnVta26-9osTuW3565WK_jdAnZUiYA7FRwv5vNAmuLUa4sxszSU9bKguCiMyD2Z8wSUvLFHbEGNXlL3LYg88lHf8d-EODyOxe4TGH7/s1600/P7051182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDxRUyEdVGOCD29XFSGhggzIxJu6jrjhnVta26-9osTuW3565WK_jdAnZUiYA7FRwv5vNAmuLUa4sxszSU9bKguCiMyD2Z8wSUvLFHbEGNXlL3LYg88lHf8d-EODyOxe4TGH7/s400/P7051182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyxOvf924ZmzR4nFFDdyDL2HmZze7v0J-HdbfJSPuV7b4bqMaS2FUZ3WBLXR5NwMymyZtRe8ufJZKqEnTO2jbz4U-V4Nr9Yq4ZeOarbp3Hy7GyQvy6oh9xbNRDSAyRfXSoHnp/s1600/P7020342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyxOvf924ZmzR4nFFDdyDL2HmZze7v0J-HdbfJSPuV7b4bqMaS2FUZ3WBLXR5NwMymyZtRe8ufJZKqEnTO2jbz4U-V4Nr9Yq4ZeOarbp3Hy7GyQvy6oh9xbNRDSAyRfXSoHnp/s400/P7020342.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2aV8vUZxxLd1ZQmLx-lMw_c0ql0PsPdpTN-c8Fx44thFrkAaRGr9wd925B9_rNbWz20UsugMRlmNRBMVA9vBlYEorH2yoDOtXodcu9eyAMQBIEswvY4g6wlROdYWoSI9ziHa/s1600/P7030528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2aV8vUZxxLd1ZQmLx-lMw_c0ql0PsPdpTN-c8Fx44thFrkAaRGr9wd925B9_rNbWz20UsugMRlmNRBMVA9vBlYEorH2yoDOtXodcu9eyAMQBIEswvY4g6wlROdYWoSI9ziHa/s400/P7030528.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcan Cotacachi, viewed from our morning walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5vsEtvBm3FfOUC0jBhmfKAdgs3trJzpoTX1VijdCvKSP3uIfZQZfejvaMIX8qpM-Kzdr4f8UI_z4QSowk0r2fc8K0LWXZEBLY_5qRIO5G5_gmB5hIKlB9GD3m0xxT9eFAd0D/s1600/P7030548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5vsEtvBm3FfOUC0jBhmfKAdgs3trJzpoTX1VijdCvKSP3uIfZQZfejvaMIX8qpM-Kzdr4f8UI_z4QSowk0r2fc8K0LWXZEBLY_5qRIO5G5_gmB5hIKlB9GD3m0xxT9eFAd0D/s400/P7030548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcam Cayambe, viewed from the 3rd floor of the house </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpanWOBO5CF-PgouxfUPEMJ_0rsz71ALY-oVKAXGLE_zKz17K6Ql2DpNo4ULK_UX-fWjk413Kdi_Qd32IOrJ_-UZpUGNlTjNzMDLXRCt0JXnuCDqu33rdCp-81v8aJRnX0xkp6/s1600/P7030737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpanWOBO5CF-PgouxfUPEMJ_0rsz71ALY-oVKAXGLE_zKz17K6Ql2DpNo4ULK_UX-fWjk413Kdi_Qd32IOrJ_-UZpUGNlTjNzMDLXRCt0JXnuCDqu33rdCp-81v8aJRnX0xkp6/s400/P7030737.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel (the local Peace Corps volunteer) comes for a visit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIDn1i35OfgGuyU2qF3ZEK-KRCwgi2nhE8xmU6pZYGAWavK0L49xq2PbPYwmzKJxNv-kaI4KFHtKYdakSwsaalcNAU1b7kpTNSRMSGw4dCEEaFBO3b-M2UclQV6i_zkRFG7TJ/s1600/P7020366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIDn1i35OfgGuyU2qF3ZEK-KRCwgi2nhE8xmU6pZYGAWavK0L49xq2PbPYwmzKJxNv-kaI4KFHtKYdakSwsaalcNAU1b7kpTNSRMSGw4dCEEaFBO3b-M2UclQV6i_zkRFG7TJ/s400/P7020366.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa surveys the family farmland, a short walk down the road from the house. Quinoa and lupins are planted here. The soil was very dry, but luckily they got 2 days of rain after we returned home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkTbWrmtuJvrEgpnwZNri7KHamnJ29lgai0OfZPE4s-P3KIzf34dNRM2HE5uxhyphenhyphengJxbIIOShyphenhyphenEX5CIY4g-z9wBE8KhPhYaDkiA4hZBm2knHO6Ut9w7yAslDWCVrettaR431wU/s1600/P7020429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkTbWrmtuJvrEgpnwZNri7KHamnJ29lgai0OfZPE4s-P3KIzf34dNRM2HE5uxhyphenhyphengJxbIIOShyphenhyphenEX5CIY4g-z9wBE8KhPhYaDkiA4hZBm2knHO6Ut9w7yAslDWCVrettaR431wU/s400/P7020429.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa, Tayanta, and Sisa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJycRH_TJcjxbXsEt02s4LrISyeVbuxqRYf9mIfVrrrqCOoltm28LHK_T1Og7-ArC6K4_4nqG6mLaK6Zk0QVF21yyDx_PmhidDDnN5V6EB4nzVqc4Q5ZTT9F0hdCNi9DQjwfxX/s1600/P7020455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJycRH_TJcjxbXsEt02s4LrISyeVbuxqRYf9mIfVrrrqCOoltm28LHK_T1Og7-ArC6K4_4nqG6mLaK6Zk0QVF21yyDx_PmhidDDnN5V6EB4nzVqc4Q5ZTT9F0hdCNi9DQjwfxX/s400/P7020455.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa, Tayanta, and Yupanqui return home from the store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPwPy2HiCCD4nefXj0FUTO0mutbP87zlZdqd_LuB-2h7fGttuAL4sqW8rVbjGyPlTTyFbzROFJQqMQY_g5xEotUnHh5z9GGPQcga8H6iU3n_V9BuCtVGKr-K9KYVLwIFjifv6/s1600/P7030702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPwPy2HiCCD4nefXj0FUTO0mutbP87zlZdqd_LuB-2h7fGttuAL4sqW8rVbjGyPlTTyFbzROFJQqMQY_g5xEotUnHh5z9GGPQcga8H6iU3n_V9BuCtVGKr-K9KYVLwIFjifv6/s400/P7030702.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa and Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08S8m4l-c9kucnkEuBzRpHad7T_DzemXV_vW2WGkyBVPHoRmjtcfB6FfDu97fK2O9X-0XfY6n0eAhJ44THf0E_zSDyJtg0CSuj2MdE82WkJk_twoOZyASOH9a7Z_qRZ718kLh/s1600/P7061265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08S8m4l-c9kucnkEuBzRpHad7T_DzemXV_vW2WGkyBVPHoRmjtcfB6FfDu97fK2O9X-0XfY6n0eAhJ44THf0E_zSDyJtg0CSuj2MdE82WkJk_twoOZyASOH9a7Z_qRZ718kLh/s400/P7061265.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abuelita in her outdoor kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ioz7Pf_Wo3TCZee7pmt9UO1KLFUuYR8987MSWRAI9N43DGgRv_-tBrxKHC9P4YZl6c828S1BPwy5r1n1ZeBtpGmkuxhaUa8gKuaAAkg7sccD6DF47VU7fFSrzrrO451mq5me/s1600/P7051020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ioz7Pf_Wo3TCZee7pmt9UO1KLFUuYR8987MSWRAI9N43DGgRv_-tBrxKHC9P4YZl6c828S1BPwy5r1n1ZeBtpGmkuxhaUa8gKuaAAkg7sccD6DF47VU7fFSrzrrO451mq5me/s400/P7051020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aida and Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnGy-GnGg-xYMYINne82pKZuN48ggbShdi1aDWBylDLBMhNZMU-iB0UEOeQrPELD88J0NYisMmvC1f_sucyseknfS27dCm8tz6QFkxosDisV9OdPnrxhshr_xCySM4BuftaD1/s1600/P7061262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnGy-GnGg-xYMYINne82pKZuN48ggbShdi1aDWBylDLBMhNZMU-iB0UEOeQrPELD88J0NYisMmvC1f_sucyseknfS27dCm8tz6QFkxosDisV9OdPnrxhshr_xCySM4BuftaD1/s400/P7061262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta and Antonio at breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-6990691060053368702015-06-22T21:09:00.004-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.684-04:00It's a boy! A new addition in Guatemala<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">We received wonderful news today. Our compadres in Guatemala welcomed baby #7 (and boy #2) to the family at 3:20 a.m.! We are so happy, and we can't wait to meet the precious new addition. Congratulations to Paulina and Humberto, and to siblings Vanesa, Paola, Yasmin, Yoselin, Aracely, and Eddy! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RS3Qxf4GKZLB8X64YaRi11gwknVjTROnUMkeovN2KsPjSHo39qgT_XDY2sJkhMt7njPNwhUqpN_RfYsAjS_8vSupMUUDHrNG0OnvmjYbCcif7452nWNbYu-S4okwfbjlktSJ/s1600/Baby3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RS3Qxf4GKZLB8X64YaRi11gwknVjTROnUMkeovN2KsPjSHo39qgT_XDY2sJkhMt7njPNwhUqpN_RfYsAjS_8vSupMUUDHrNG0OnvmjYbCcif7452nWNbYu-S4okwfbjlktSJ/s400/Baby3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-61818299808960236352015-06-21T16:26:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.666-04:00China 2015 Installment #7: Sister's Meal Festival, Guizhou (Final Installment)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
When we traveled to China 6 months prior, we had planned to attend the Lusheng Festival, a festival of the Miao ethnic minority group. But it turns out that the festival was not held on the originally scheduled date. They had postponed it to coincide with their town's anniversary celebration. Because we had been unable to attend that festival, Wang Jun had suggested that we come back at this time of year, so that we could attend the Sister's Meal Festival, a much larger Miao festival that centers around courtship.<br />
<br />
The festival is held several hours away, near the city of Kaili. We had visited Kaili on our last visit as well, so we were familiar with the area.<br />
<br />
We hit the road at 10 a.m. on the day before the festival. It was the first non-sunny day of the trip, but that meant the long car ride was cool and comfortable. We arrived on the outskirts of Kaili and had lunch at a restaurant run by Miao and Dong ethnicities. It was only around 2 years old, but it is large in scale and built in the traditional style. The Chinese majority population (Han Chinese) have historically not been very interested in the culture of the various ethnic minorities. But Wang Jun explained that is now changing. Han Chinese are starting to travel to minority areas for tourism, and they want to learn about the cultures of the various ethnic groups. But they don't always have enough time to visit multiple villages which are a distance apart.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ2PIcP7USuxueMskbVBmIjCcXX3QWCVPhiDCb5B1v6NKBXDUXw6aj_kzU-QvnuqDjuvI1njJ1NxfF80ux7q1l-P0-NdmMpZ-z-XBSzwQvvPiu7T60KJpJ2ncqduG1e2dXsh5/s1600/P5030958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ2PIcP7USuxueMskbVBmIjCcXX3QWCVPhiDCb5B1v6NKBXDUXw6aj_kzU-QvnuqDjuvI1njJ1NxfF80ux7q1l-P0-NdmMpZ-z-XBSzwQvvPiu7T60KJpJ2ncqduG1e2dXsh5/s400/P5030958.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurant in a Miao / Dong "village" built solely for tourism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So two of the minority groups banded together to create this more "Disneyfied" version of a minority village, built for the sake of tourism. Some buildings are built in the Miao architectural style, while others were clearly Dong (drum tower and wind and rain bridge). The employees are young Miao and Dong men and women dressed in traditional costume. Two young men played lusheng flutes to welcome us, and a young woman held a cup to our lips and poured in a mouthful of rice wine. It was strong, and we felt a small kick from that one serving. The restaurant was decorated with all kinds of traditional craftsmanship from both ethnic groups. For lunch we had local spicy specialties, and boiled tang yuan, my favorite!<br />
<br />
After a nice lunch with Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou, we wandered the grounds admiring the drum tower, noticing that the streetlights were shaped like lusheng flutes, trash barrels were shaped like granaries, etc. There were shops, hotels, and restaurants which served local specialties, including water buffalo, dog, and deer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOBLbwBfIhYVs4jf6rn3-vWVoHmymUVXoMQjENcWgkJZeNtRkW9Q9KCAwjno6gPvYHjwfa_o8kZymqLrFlkKDwrvWkKJf-NOxm1NFFLGrSgJy-36OApWoUoLc7qhQdq5PfKVb/s1600/P5030962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOBLbwBfIhYVs4jf6rn3-vWVoHmymUVXoMQjENcWgkJZeNtRkW9Q9KCAwjno6gPvYHjwfa_o8kZymqLrFlkKDwrvWkKJf-NOxm1NFFLGrSgJy-36OApWoUoLc7qhQdq5PfKVb/s400/P5030962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig is welcomed to the restaurant with a shot of strong rice wine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After that we drove downtown and checked into the Zong Heng Hotel for the second time in 6 months. At 3 o'clock, we met Wang Jun and walked a block to the Kaili Minority Museum, a grandiose structure behind the square which we had seen from the outside on our last visit to Kaili. Wang Jun guided us through the second floor. He focused his attention on the Sister's Meal Festival exhibit, explaining to us what we would be witnessing tomorrow. Miao girls between the ages of 14-16 are dressed in traditional finery, including elaborate silver jewelry and crowns which may have been in their family for generations.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RrQBmyNjk5kWBKEVRiMWbHM3mpi669jx9f9bbjIlX38yKm308zP7LO1CEszpNBFj_CVgHwCMw2BUWmERhjXfTIJljVGofcLNlqA14ZGI_wc4OEUzPqyAhzEpMthaJmzsH8Pc/s1600/P5031401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RrQBmyNjk5kWBKEVRiMWbHM3mpi669jx9f9bbjIlX38yKm308zP7LO1CEszpNBFj_CVgHwCMw2BUWmERhjXfTIJljVGofcLNlqA14ZGI_wc4OEUzPqyAhzEpMthaJmzsH8Pc/s400/P5031401.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Horn Miao traditional dress, Kaili Minority Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They dance in front of the village boys to try to gain admirers. When a boy fancies one of the girls, he begs her for some rice. The rice is colorful, dyed with flower petals and leaves. No girl can refuse to give rice to a potential suitor, but she will add a token of her feelings toward him in the rice, wrap it up in a large leaf, and give it to him. When he opens it, he will know how she feels as follows (the progression is from worst outcome to best):<br />
<ul>
<li>chilies: no way!</li>
<li>a single miniature chopstick: Thank you very much for your interest, but I'm not really interested.</li>
<li>pine needles: I'm not sure. Buy me some thread for embroidery, and maybe I will see you again</li>
<li>leaves: I'm not quite sure. buy me some cloth and maybe I will see you again</li>
<li>a pair of miniature chopticks: Yes, I am interested in you.</li>
</ul>
<br />
We couldn't wait to see this in action! The museum had various minority costumes on display, including the silver adornments that would be worn at the festival. Wang Jun gave us some free time, and we wandered the rest of the museum until it closed. Then we walked around the square and watched all of the kids having fun participating in various activities. They jumped on trampolines, played in bouncy houses and sandboxes, went fishing in small kiddie pools, painted plaster figurines, and drove vehicles. from whimsical inflatable cartoon-inspired cars to pink Corvettes to army tanks flying the Chinese flag.<br />
<br />
One tween-aged girl seemed particularly interested in us, and we noticed her watching us. She gestured whether she could take a photo with us. When we said yes, she ran excitedly to her mother. Her mother took out her smartphone to take the photo, but the little girl stopped her. She wanted it on her own smartphone. She dug out her phone, handed it to her mom, and posed with us. We took a photo of her in her pink dress and rose crown. As she and her mom went on their way, she had a skip in her step and kept looking back at us with a big smile.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmkln-sRUsJIgxnkhxF64-PS-Sy4vg3tviPqUYf1RzKMW28rUjiQnPAp7U0_3OCzoEvZTpvN-MGkIHPgYf__nQVm7m-B_Q-rT-Ae-dVKr34B1R_4owCpiuN7fSKyJFCMxTKSp/s1600/P5031448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmkln-sRUsJIgxnkhxF64-PS-Sy4vg3tviPqUYf1RzKMW28rUjiQnPAp7U0_3OCzoEvZTpvN-MGkIHPgYf__nQVm7m-B_Q-rT-Ae-dVKr34B1R_4owCpiuN7fSKyJFCMxTKSp/s400/P5031448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two kids go for a ride in a whimsical Year of the Sheep vehicle in Kali square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHyk2-DvZMRwtn_K0lB1GOEr8xDqqvEsvz2i-NjZsKWu67ad3z0L_2kNum7Hiag8RtZ0JSLtDVCGiGYqSxAIOvh4izBMOI6dBK75geB5VL7Nw9-twoh5EQblJFkUiPwlL58se/s1600/P5031434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHyk2-DvZMRwtn_K0lB1GOEr8xDqqvEsvz2i-NjZsKWu67ad3z0L_2kNum7Hiag8RtZ0JSLtDVCGiGYqSxAIOvh4izBMOI6dBK75geB5VL7Nw9-twoh5EQblJFkUiPwlL58se/s400/P5031434.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new friend who wanted a photo with us in Kaili Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At 7 o'clock, we met up with Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou and drove to a restaurant which specialized in sour fish hot pots. Wang Jun ordered one like they would cook for locals, and the waitresses warned him that that tourists never eat things as spicy as he was ordering. He inisted they didn't know who they were dealing with here. And at that moment, he and Mr. Zhou dubbed Craig the American Chili King.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYZunZjclRBOZVRZMM2hdpHzSCwAByoOregVrAId2Zbu9QwP7bF9A2WmOsiTiC5arfkkLUc8-mDrm2z2ZtN305oCX0y_cvyaUaeJkC6hyphenhyphenVX6CLpuN6shBXxoIPmKFU9kobEM9/s1600/P5031458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYZunZjclRBOZVRZMM2hdpHzSCwAByoOregVrAId2Zbu9QwP7bF9A2WmOsiTiC5arfkkLUc8-mDrm2z2ZtN305oCX0y_cvyaUaeJkC6hyphenhyphenVX6CLpuN6shBXxoIPmKFU9kobEM9/s400/P5031458.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wang Jun presents us with rice wine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had rice wine which came in a lovely fancy clay jar tied with a red ribbon. Craig correctly guessed from the taste that it contained honey. To me, it tasted like rocket fuel. It was probably good that Wang Jun had only bought a small bottle for the two of us to share, as we had a big day tomorrow and this stuff had a kick. The hot pot which simmered away on a burner on our table contained trout in a hot and sour broth. We also had "crispy bones," stinky tofu, addictive pineapple naan, and sweet potato balls. Everything was delicious.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotfuDT6RE4-ZsRhPfEVQpu5VoVvkHteEw6QMn-G57ri_HfAWkIjWFlSlfcSRK9sWVAT76B7z0uv-NlWwDQLfFXwwsfOdKt9Cd_WgdLcUXSub2KMI7xKzT-jmxQ0R1vtj7AEB8/s1600/P5031471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotfuDT6RE4-ZsRhPfEVQpu5VoVvkHteEw6QMn-G57ri_HfAWkIjWFlSlfcSRK9sWVAT76B7z0uv-NlWwDQLfFXwwsfOdKt9Cd_WgdLcUXSub2KMI7xKzT-jmxQ0R1vtj7AEB8/s400/P5031471.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sour fish hot pot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we got out of dinner, it was raining, so there was no evening activity in the square. Wang Jun was worried about tomorrow's forecast. Rain would ruin the young women's costumes and jewelry, so the festival is not held when it is raining. Craig and I didn't want to get worried as it was nothing we could control. We would accept it either way, because it is what it is. We thought that Wang Jun would actually be more disappointed than we would if it didn't happen, since he felt some degree of irrational guilt that we would have come to China twice with festivals on the itinerary, and not have been able to attend either. And it was the timing of the festival that made our visit to the waterfall land on the second busiest time of the year. We had no regrets and reassured him that it would work out as it was supposed to. If he believed that destiny caused us to meet, then we needed to trust destiny for what would happen next as well.<br />
<br />
The weather was not looking promising the next morning when we woke up. We prepared for a potentially wet day, and went down to the Chinese buffet breakfast. Craig got his favorite spicy noodle bowl.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSaddCc-Cs7QG4LCOeHavk5V2uLK59B9-84MGQm2U0cj7KdswekK7xws4loh-y9E0yKW00c-oVBDZo6hukMdi2hAzPt0SN8mUa8mh3hlW97RkbYBCEeNi0fGTKW4-pdzE_HU7/s1600/P5040012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSaddCc-Cs7QG4LCOeHavk5V2uLK59B9-84MGQm2U0cj7KdswekK7xws4loh-y9E0yKW00c-oVBDZo6hukMdi2hAzPt0SN8mUa8mh3hlW97RkbYBCEeNi0fGTKW4-pdzE_HU7/s400/P5040012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying Tiger P-40 across from the water buffalo fights in Tai Jiang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At 9 o'clock, we embarked on a drive to Tai Jiang to see some traditional water buffalo fights that were a part of the festival. It should normally take about 45 minutes to get there, but it was doubled due to a traffic accident and subsequent backup. When we arrived, we saw 3 Flying Tiger airplanes on the side of the road. They were just sitting there, like an abandoned car would be. I took a few pictures and then crossed the street where a hillside outdoor arena prepared for the fights. They charged 50 yuan to enter, and Wang Jun was shocked, as it is usually free. And they weren't just charging us because we were tourists; they were charging the locals too!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hG_SX2AgNKbkwb-_rMzG-OTh0WAJASb7ZicIHE59WjC-MbMMjp9lCy9B98P2tnO_-XGCEGrdMT_sbok-gn68wF2QueWeXvLFSmT80bG2qoQIqc3crPmCyHBbmwZntL-XaEvs/s1600/P5040066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hG_SX2AgNKbkwb-_rMzG-OTh0WAJASb7ZicIHE59WjC-MbMMjp9lCy9B98P2tnO_-XGCEGrdMT_sbok-gn68wF2QueWeXvLFSmT80bG2qoQIqc3crPmCyHBbmwZntL-XaEvs/s400/P5040066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previous bull fight champion is paraded around the ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The open-air arena had cement bleachers. It was lightly raining, and entrepreneurial types were selling umbrellas and interlocking foam floor puzzle pieces to use as cushions to keep your butt dry. Wang Jun bought us umbrellas and we sat on our raincoats. Bulls, including last year's winners, were paraded around the ring. Today's contenders were spray painted with ID numbers on one side (e.g. A-1) and Chinese characters on the other, sometimes stenciled, sometimes freehand. A TV crew was down in the ring, filming the bulls and interviewing the handlers. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-rTq06XJFFo4Kbc_nod7EdOaQrq666m9qRygDemFLeQCvQXFu7CFDBi0lnQYFnvcw4YaTWMq-o-m2IpkEnSHUrsMuxc_NEsJWTxrShfd4IZYYyPhjcXKCgBou5-ODy1qAvQ5/s1600/P5040062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-rTq06XJFFo4Kbc_nod7EdOaQrq666m9qRygDemFLeQCvQXFu7CFDBi0lnQYFnvcw4YaTWMq-o-m2IpkEnSHUrsMuxc_NEsJWTxrShfd4IZYYyPhjcXKCgBou5-ODy1qAvQ5/s400/P5040062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reporter and cameraman from CCTV-7 national news</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8kSZ9XWdKQcz6pl72GxWMPYVQAN8XjSLrGjDM1uzFm4JSZmn0qatIkNj4qGOCNpqDkOL5DxPwbTG4Kgjh7TDzhLCXB1W0YP0sz3FUK9Gj06n7MDhgDF5MQbeEdsdWgAKv8Fm/s1600/P5040071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8kSZ9XWdKQcz6pl72GxWMPYVQAN8XjSLrGjDM1uzFm4JSZmn0qatIkNj4qGOCNpqDkOL5DxPwbTG4Kgjh7TDzhLCXB1W0YP0sz3FUK9Gj06n7MDhgDF5MQbeEdsdWgAKv8Fm/s400/P5040071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us, as we were interviewed for CCTV-7 News</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wouldn't you know, a few minutes later, they were standing right next to Wang Jun, asking him if they could interview us for national news CCTV-7. Wang Jun translated for us, and they asked us why we were here so early (it was only 40 minutes before the scheduled start time), as well as whether we were here for the festival (yes), would we change the rest of our itinerary for the day if it continued to rain (the rain might change it for us), and whether we had seen bullfighting before elsewhere in the world (no). Then they asked what our expectations were for the upcoming buffalo fights. We said that we liked the idea that the bulls fight one another rather than fighting a human, and we liked the idea that a bull could step aside at any time; it is not a fight to the death. When one gives up, the fight is stopped.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwdfS01SwzBotxDn444UWy75Rc1DqAvRB0ZOQfOWVdXqTJwsHhyphenhyphenIhgfXsN9_NnZU-JjpYn-1iwHY3GoOcKOfrHPVL2ZSzR-bXcRqFflSmPET5gNyy4I20FSHI-vFysw37wYkK/s1600/Bullfight1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwdfS01SwzBotxDn444UWy75Rc1DqAvRB0ZOQfOWVdXqTJwsHhyphenhyphenIhgfXsN9_NnZU-JjpYn-1iwHY3GoOcKOfrHPVL2ZSzR-bXcRqFflSmPET5gNyy4I20FSHI-vFysw37wYkK/s400/Bullfight1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First round of the water buffalo fights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the start time approached,the arena filled in with spectators, No wonder the TV station asked why we were here so early. Nobody shows up until start time. Some people congregated to watch the fights from a steep hillside overlooking the arena. We guessed that this might have something to do with wanting to avoid the newly-instituted admission fee.<br />
<br />
We wondered if we would be able to see over the umbrellas in the rows in front of us. But we needn't have worried: the rain stopped. Not only would that make watching the fights more comfortable, it also meant that the rest of the festival would go on as planned this afternoon! We were so happy.<br />
<br />
The judges convened, and a man pulled numbers to determine the match-ups. A Red Bull van (seriously.) pulled up and delivered cans of Red Bull to the judges and owners. Then it was time to begin.<br />
<br />
The first fight was the most dramatic. When the 2nd bull entered the ring, he was all fired up and immediately confronted the first. They locked horns, pushed one another around in the slippery mud, and head-butted one another resulting in a broken horn that started bleeding. Eventually he retreated, causing the alpha bull to be declared the winner and move on to a future round. Cheers erupted as the crowd rewarded what they saw as a job well done. Because the loser had broken a horn, Wang Jun explained that he would ultimately be killed. Despite the fact that we feel that this kind of bullfighting is less exploitative and inhumane than a human stabbing a bull until it dies, it was still uncomfortable and disturbing to see the bulls injure one another, and to know that it can ultimately still be a life-and-death battle.<br />
<br />
The second match only lasted 19 seconds with very little contact and the loser giving up very early. The next couple of rounds were draws as the bulls refused to fight. You could tell the crowd wanted action. These peacenik hippie water buffalo were not satisfying the coliseum mentality, though we preferred to see bulls that just wanted to socialize rather than fight.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-UG10h2Xs6mHytYuFahnMea8VooZ7HgkzK3KMM4YsuoyJ5ZY8Gzdu3BdEyQR9efoEAjn1GHx3DqjVbqDtiPY5ZMK1o2XqSmss_dEfBStqZWcCWoTm1bLpbxsH_zjW2WyazWM/s1600/Bullfight2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-UG10h2Xs6mHytYuFahnMea8VooZ7HgkzK3KMM4YsuoyJ5ZY8Gzdu3BdEyQR9efoEAjn1GHx3DqjVbqDtiPY5ZMK1o2XqSmss_dEfBStqZWcCWoTm1bLpbxsH_zjW2WyazWM/s400/Bullfight2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water buffalo fights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In a later round, the action took place against the boards on our side of the ring. People in the front couldn't see, so they stood up to get a view down at the action. There was immediate backlash as those behind them started yelling at them and throwing chopsticks at them.After being pelted with projectiles, the people sat down. This was interesting to us, culturally. In a country where personal space is at a premium and people seem to forgive a lot of transgressions, this clearly was non-negotiable.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohFZ_KwXR7Jd0Er0XkuarxLARFupeYvEQYYIii4CD8bmvtgYlB-phyphenhyphenv4L01912pOhMVeDaUuTSzJCjBZtsZyXygM3bHmdQDLVAPCrTJgqacsGYpAf6nlmkAqZVfy61yV6luxe/s1600/P5040116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohFZ_KwXR7Jd0Er0XkuarxLARFupeYvEQYYIii4CD8bmvtgYlB-phyphenhyphenv4L01912pOhMVeDaUuTSzJCjBZtsZyXygM3bHmdQDLVAPCrTJgqacsGYpAf6nlmkAqZVfy61yV6luxe/s400/P5040116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The arena is packed with people to watch the water buffalo fights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wang Jun said that we would stay for one final match before heading to lunch. Bulls A-8 and A-18 seemed pretty well-matched from the numerological perspective as well as physically. They locked horns, pushed, pulled, and wouldn't let go. They slid one another through the wet mud, and bled from being scraped by one another's horns. At the 6 minute time limit, it was deemed a draw, and they put a rope around each bull's hind legs to separate them. Both of these bulls would move on to the next round for having fought valiantly until the time limit. A draw with no serious injuries, but two bulls exhibiting their strength and determination was the most positive end to the bullfighting experience that we could hope for. We now knew definitively what we had expected before, that we would not enjoy watching traditional man vs. bull to the death bullfighting.<br />
<br />
It was time for lunch, but many restaurants were closed so that their owners and staff could participate in the festival celebrations. We stopped in at a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant called Happy Staying, where an older woman, a younger woman, and a young man prepared, cooked, and served the food.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewxYPLsrcXawLfDd7kkF3ht4vk9Fm833CPlBKctqVX9Gf7Pvh3HwMsk21cz6KunWYGQOmfUSFiE9Xls7llUO4z8qKSGDG0ojZ8nLz-ATlBa2fvRCdbxXjEMhqsrJhpMzWBKsV/s1600/P5040124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewxYPLsrcXawLfDd7kkF3ht4vk9Fm833CPlBKctqVX9Gf7Pvh3HwMsk21cz6KunWYGQOmfUSFiE9Xls7llUO4z8qKSGDG0ojZ8nLz-ATlBa2fvRCdbxXjEMhqsrJhpMzWBKsV/s400/P5040124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our food being prepared at the Happy Staying restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wang Jun ordered food for us and they didn't believe that foreigners could eat food that spicy. He insisted - prepare it the way you normally would, not the way you prepare it for foreigners (though we wondered how many foreigners had ever been in there...it was not a typical tourist restaurant).<br />
They skeptically did as they were asked, and they were very eager to see us eat it.<br />
<br />
As always, Wang Jun watched the food preparation. When we walked in, there was no food to be seen. But the family prepared the food in the dark back kitchen while one person cooked it in a wok out front. All of a sudden there were five delicious fresh dishes on our table. Only a few minutes had elapsed. These people were good - and fast!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqJg-eRePw7ihp3ZMRUVk24CZ99OdA-Mi1EWeeyjsWS5JhoGNH4M5qymzzYKmoB6wCCRVpIVr7rWbrwJtRsOgmJf-36z6QR9p_dh5yVv4mzgZPHZyfr37AkEZOmxAEyXsA06Y/s1600/P5040133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqJg-eRePw7ihp3ZMRUVk24CZ99OdA-Mi1EWeeyjsWS5JhoGNH4M5qymzzYKmoB6wCCRVpIVr7rWbrwJtRsOgmJf-36z6QR9p_dh5yVv4mzgZPHZyfr37AkEZOmxAEyXsA06Y/s400/P5040133.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurant proprietors want photos of them with these American chili eaters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When they saw us eating and enjoying the dishes with the hot chili peppers, they were so excited that they took photos of us on their phones. That had broken the ice between us, and they immediately began chatting, asking where we were from, what brought us here, etc.<br />
<br />
Wang Jun explained that we were going to the festival. They showed us a video of festival preparations on their cell phone, and then the older woman brought over a little video player that looked like a vintage radio to show us clips of other Miao festivals in other seasons. They were so sweet! We are very glad that we patronized their establishment.<br />
<br />
We drove an additional 40 minutes on winding mountain roads through beautiful scenery (rice paddies full of water at this time of year) to Shidong for the Miao Sister's Meal Festival. Mr. Zhou parked the car and we walked to the village on footpaths past fir houses as females, regardless of age, from infants and toddlers to the elderly, were getting dressed up in their traditional finery for the courtship festival. There were a number of tourists here, but it wasn't overrun as we had feared.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21scdnaKDF0YGBmWG9q0H-Dkrpw4bPSRzOMbVSS7b_E-Qd7_IxGxuZ4tkt7AkIn7uU2I32ESezhxMUwYrdmTAqhZR0YEILG4yT_Hggiwng2NFvJ352E8r6XrwjIlNbw2tp4us/s1600/P5040168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21scdnaKDF0YGBmWG9q0H-Dkrpw4bPSRzOMbVSS7b_E-Qd7_IxGxuZ4tkt7AkIn7uU2I32ESezhxMUwYrdmTAqhZR0YEILG4yT_Hggiwng2NFvJ352E8r6XrwjIlNbw2tp4us/s400/P5040168.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festival grounds, Shidong</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked to the village festival grounds where vendors were selling balloons and toys. Girls aged 14-16 were being dressed and bedecked in intricate silver jewelry and headdresses by their female relatives. The girls themselves looked completely shell-shocked. I thought back to how much pressure there is around the prom in American society, and then realized how much more pressure this must be. Girls needed to impress the boys, to encourage suitors. The girl could then choose between any invitation she gets. Hopefully this would lead to marriage. The stakes are unbelievably high. And now this all plays out publicly not only before the entire village, but also foreign tourists. The pressure must be unbearable.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdh3gO0tGggs5f0UUFGQqOPjUr78CvND1n_2e6KK8CvQBr0jld58bUcipDvNO4jHyaQX-ISPjuIxRRo2Zpl4ERcr6k2SwV_51L8P201lmPvVQrA1bqZJD38kg8Gyhm9PANbwh/s1600/P5040438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdh3gO0tGggs5f0UUFGQqOPjUr78CvND1n_2e6KK8CvQBr0jld58bUcipDvNO4jHyaQX-ISPjuIxRRo2Zpl4ERcr6k2SwV_51L8P201lmPvVQrA1bqZJD38kg8Gyhm9PANbwh/s400/P5040438.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young women adjust one another's clothing and jewelry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVhSbKDuaohlisEnWRe_rnp0cB8MhGf_w_TtvYQAE0YwCr7UO0igrtuND9gCrA7xGRx0XpPyFCp-1dJdI9oVl0XdOJ_gRp6GU4x6dR2SBHYaVjuJMHVxx3J5UWvSnqwS4eWeZ/s1600/P5040387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVhSbKDuaohlisEnWRe_rnp0cB8MhGf_w_TtvYQAE0YwCr7UO0igrtuND9gCrA7xGRx0XpPyFCp-1dJdI9oVl0XdOJ_gRp6GU4x6dR2SBHYaVjuJMHVxx3J5UWvSnqwS4eWeZ/s400/P5040387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">14-16 year old women dance in their finery to attract suitors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNBuvWeIIqaaE28tX1paUW1VemTeDbengB5sHHMqSdNz6NcWLjelh05RzvLZkWTVmC0T9IqIDTTXoiKXMvIFNv1OR5AVreCJLItilzckqLpPtXw8AXWJ0bSulxJri_dWXLCez/s1600/P5040193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNBuvWeIIqaaE28tX1paUW1VemTeDbengB5sHHMqSdNz6NcWLjelh05RzvLZkWTVmC0T9IqIDTTXoiKXMvIFNv1OR5AVreCJLItilzckqLpPtXw8AXWJ0bSulxJri_dWXLCez/s400/P5040193.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All generations of women dress up for the occasion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Upon realizing this, we at first felt a little bit uncomfortable gawking at and photographing these girls as they went through a rite of passage. It felt a little bit invasive to us. We observed the other tourists swarming like paparazzi, taking photos, getting right in their personal space and photographing with no interactions. I had a different approach.<br />
<br />
I started off slowly, making sure to make eye contact and greet people with a smile. This instantly softened them and they would often pose for photos, or ask for photos of us. It instantly made all the difference to make that human connection. After photographing a small child, I would show them the photo, and they would often giggle and point at their image, which in turn made their families smile.<br />
<br />
We also acknowledged that some of the locals were curious about us. As they took photos of friends and family members during the festival, they would sometimes try to take a surreptitious photo of us. When we noticed this, we would smile and pose for a proper photo, and they would giggle and say thank you.<br />
<br />
It comes from an attitude of reciprocity and respect. We know that we are probably as interesting to them as they are to us. Here we are, invading their villages and cultural events...the least that we can offer is a cultural exchange for those wishing to partake.<br />
<br />
A couple of parents wanted to photograph us with their children. One woman (not dressed traditionally, so she may have been a Chinese tourist) gestured that she'd like a picture of us with her daughter. When we said yes, she plopped her bare-bottomed toddler into our outstretched arms. We wondered what the girl would think when left in two white strangers' arms, but she was completely unfazed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TO6bVMcq4dc8mpwAcVHrTOVCpmA5t7pgaLU9fcTFwvymgJmvfc_vt_-ahWDgmmYObd1OObktAB2aHJDoHafCqBX-A5rEdApqZCFYMdy07QPR7Q08SCGfa-QNRZ12ge4K3bKz/s1600/P5040455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TO6bVMcq4dc8mpwAcVHrTOVCpmA5t7pgaLU9fcTFwvymgJmvfc_vt_-ahWDgmmYObd1OObktAB2aHJDoHafCqBX-A5rEdApqZCFYMdy07QPR7Q08SCGfa-QNRZ12ge4K3bKz/s400/P5040455.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An eligible bachelorette poses with youngsters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7_gvLrxi9jV2-SWMn756W0xxDWjs6p6a6eIv79rO9GoSIVXQ-v53jbEZqhre_YQs5aARFtPvRL-xdi0eEEeUkYs7WUQG7DsGt1x9mIe2PfwKIbU1wf1XJf8R8bh5nMwr5wRU/s1600/P5040235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7_gvLrxi9jV2-SWMn756W0xxDWjs6p6a6eIv79rO9GoSIVXQ-v53jbEZqhre_YQs5aARFtPvRL-xdi0eEEeUkYs7WUQG7DsGt1x9mIe2PfwKIbU1wf1XJf8R8bh5nMwr5wRU/s400/P5040235.JPG" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young girl dressed up for the festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuvZYxd_e5NaWsLQw9guOT3rdzsMuelXgIlBUHdBKRHEOd9phncNRl0LsP-GMmuXIcU32oYZ7ElfWMMjVgjv5MzPxP6Ww6XgTB5Ro2etab2ezBYFSOiUsztd2Q8QSsOe_OtkK/s1600/P5040231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuvZYxd_e5NaWsLQw9guOT3rdzsMuelXgIlBUHdBKRHEOd9phncNRl0LsP-GMmuXIcU32oYZ7ElfWMMjVgjv5MzPxP6Ww6XgTB5Ro2etab2ezBYFSOiUsztd2Q8QSsOe_OtkK/s400/P5040231.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Toddler dressed up for the festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked down a foot path to the river, passing food stalls cooking up delicious smelling festival food. There were photo stalls with live peacocks and people could buy prints on the spot. The women formed concentric circles (older on the inside, younger on the outside so that they could be seen by potential suitors) and danced clockwise, while two women beat a large drum. You could hear all of their silver ornamentation jingling, making a pleasant sound like a wind chime or rainstick.<br />
<br />
It was interesting that only females were dressed traditionally. The Miao have tradition men's outfits as well, but none were being worn here, except for a few very young boys. It was difficult for us to tell which young Chinese men might be tourists, or which might be involved in choosing a girl to approach and ask for rice. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIVJ87YzYuK9AXsSi65tC7qp5NXV2_xdZ30NGU6-RyKcolgH9ymBm1OKahbSyAEbAORMDlUXr-i50FALbmMNGfxdTDA1XAHy1-dGGo9770XrLqTgPKvudXWSvtddQ0GNN9hDz/s1600/P5040348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIVJ87YzYuK9AXsSi65tC7qp5NXV2_xdZ30NGU6-RyKcolgH9ymBm1OKahbSyAEbAORMDlUXr-i50FALbmMNGfxdTDA1XAHy1-dGGo9770XrLqTgPKvudXWSvtddQ0GNN9hDz/s400/P5040348.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young women dance in a large group to impress the boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wang Jun convinced me to go into the center of the dancing circles. My first instinct was to stay outside, so as not to intrude. But Wang Jun said that it was perfectly ok; he had just been in there himself. I am so glad that he convinced me to go in. From this angle, I was able to get many portraits of the young ladies' gorgeous faces, accessorized with flowers and silver. The girls face inwards into the circle as they dance, and boys on the outside can only steal glimpses of their faces. Maybe it adds to the mystique.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzfvT4fjYiuB5MrKZ_BSy0-8-6p4wTMGSm2vx5QWEzgKkWFeMt4TBZShCBFeK1wjZH99fBD1msNo3x5r02Kmf4r0Gce-TpDDSeWNvM3D7IXKMTDNGTlrui4nDFczohyphenhyphenlVtF73/s1600/P5040341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzfvT4fjYiuB5MrKZ_BSy0-8-6p4wTMGSm2vx5QWEzgKkWFeMt4TBZShCBFeK1wjZH99fBD1msNo3x5r02Kmf4r0Gce-TpDDSeWNvM3D7IXKMTDNGTlrui4nDFczohyphenhyphenlVtF73/s400/P5040341.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The young women dance in a large group to impress the boys</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgqyTTN5xb2yUpMdCfUMq_tUrG5GsVOx0BAKbkpR3eCA8_ovpC303GaAsoCE2O35XO8_mvsIMyVbN9KJaWn8k1ZdGIlerzwCYYL_fDWNM5UGM8Lq6JNimtK0_DaZrBSy2ZzfT/s1600/P5040416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgqyTTN5xb2yUpMdCfUMq_tUrG5GsVOx0BAKbkpR3eCA8_ovpC303GaAsoCE2O35XO8_mvsIMyVbN9KJaWn8k1ZdGIlerzwCYYL_fDWNM5UGM8Lq6JNimtK0_DaZrBSy2ZzfT/s400/P5040416.JPG" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The young women look gorgeous and elegant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the afternoon progressed, girls would leave the dancing circle and others, who had taken longer to get dressed, would enter. But at around 5 o'clock, most of the eligible bachelorettes had left the riverside. Now the older women (mothers and grandmothers) danced and beat the drum.<br />
<br />
We were the last tourists, and among the last people period, to leave the festival grounds when everything wound down at 5:45. Away from prying eyes, boys would now ask girls for rice, and the girls would accept or reject their advances.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiWEH6o9uidAe2vlVr9ekH0P6fjpC2I1Q3N4zrV2XH61CVnK4CzOEDRRyBESEL9XJTKKSlBNPDzbvYoh25MbdI28IOqMqpokE44HKQ9Jyvm_hyphenhyphenOmqXLTCOHXi5Y16Gc2TPVQX/s1600/P5040378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiWEH6o9uidAe2vlVr9ekH0P6fjpC2I1Q3N4zrV2XH61CVnK4CzOEDRRyBESEL9XJTKKSlBNPDzbvYoh25MbdI28IOqMqpokE44HKQ9Jyvm_hyphenhyphenOmqXLTCOHXi5Y16Gc2TPVQX/s400/P5040378.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional meets modern:<br />Friends and family photograph and text one another</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGac0a7e7NhUloHj7BCk7ZXKPEfgM0mHxBu43fV2DXXMiHCSaWXZSo7J_H0W9oTNUkF-UOmQtrPWo1fRvHM5_A7RvhUkEusBBK1Xby8tpV3Mm0FLvBRs1hd-leMpm7H4n0kt-V/s1600/P5040485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGac0a7e7NhUloHj7BCk7ZXKPEfgM0mHxBu43fV2DXXMiHCSaWXZSo7J_H0W9oTNUkF-UOmQtrPWo1fRvHM5_A7RvhUkEusBBK1Xby8tpV3Mm0FLvBRs1hd-leMpm7H4n0kt-V/s400/P5040485.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the young ladies poses with Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEFf2ZhgICDgzowt6HE8fhojiqnPoknPus6zbliG177hIcJwo_r17wx_mFuKMseT_hP7ULUlA3yPs4-xVgSOayfBPAgVBfw8Oq7Ct9aY8GQHCq3Q3TkmJ1zqswlkBizbw5OMw/s1600/P5040472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEFf2ZhgICDgzowt6HE8fhojiqnPoknPus6zbliG177hIcJwo_r17wx_mFuKMseT_hP7ULUlA3yPs4-xVgSOayfBPAgVBfw8Oq7Ct9aY8GQHCq3Q3TkmJ1zqswlkBizbw5OMw/s400/P5040472.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Married women get the dance floor to themselves at the end of the party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked back through the village to where the van was parked, and met Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou at 5:55. We headed back to Kaili for dinner. The roads were very mountainous and curvy. As we took a left hand turn, my left arm rest popped off and I kind of fell into Craig's lap. I held it up and said "Sorry!" and Mr. Zhou started laughing hysterically.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lijlke9ZnkNg9y4HIWnvPp7Yp3E7pftpt2482Xy6BBsfu6J1G2toNgtXAqbDlSjzA0kp0keHbu9ON75u7JKJ_zihzjjptgpYXfxaGAvcmU5BRhIZEwvR921KmcdStFnsg0zY/s1600/P5040569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Lijlke9ZnkNg9y4HIWnvPp7Yp3E7pftpt2482Xy6BBsfu6J1G2toNgtXAqbDlSjzA0kp0keHbu9ON75u7JKJ_zihzjjptgpYXfxaGAvcmU5BRhIZEwvR921KmcdStFnsg0zY/s400/P5040569.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Wang Jun, and Mr. Zhou at our farewell dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It took about an hour and a half to get back to Kaili. Wang Jun chose a nice restaurant for the 4 of us to celebrate our final night together after an amazing trip. Wang Jun bought me a bottle of Great Wall wine, and he and Craig drank beer (Mr. Zhou needed to drive, so he didn't partake). We needed to move to a bigger table in order to fit all of the dishes that would be coming. Every time Craig took a sip of beer, Wang Jun immediately replenished his glass. Mr. Zhou filled my wine, and I ended up drinking the entire bottle myself! <br />
<br />
Mr. Zhou started giggling hysterically, recalling me holding up the broken van armrest "like a chicken leg." He recreated the scene, and then Wang Jun did the same, holding up an empty beer bottle. We were having a wonderful last evening together, sharing so many laughs that the restaurant owner even came over to share a toast. When the last of my wine had been poured, I held up my empty wine bottle like a chicken leg and Mr. Zhou once again started to laugh and snapped a photo with his phone. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGzabzTQgsQCi9PftZVCWtifwxyom9dRHkzb0ztwb77PTrCXDzIvPg5d0iRaRNJKvT0M1HDPM-JKQLBcFw9vAAiHzbKOTTC_onWebMXp96ghIhbC9yfF7gYR9SBAVEPkTnVHs/s1600/P5040574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGzabzTQgsQCi9PftZVCWtifwxyom9dRHkzb0ztwb77PTrCXDzIvPg5d0iRaRNJKvT0M1HDPM-JKQLBcFw9vAAiHzbKOTTC_onWebMXp96ghIhbC9yfF7gYR9SBAVEPkTnVHs/s400/P5040574.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Zhou kept my wine flowing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIshjgZcd8avhyet28PqGmmPnbf4SQjFJXvZ_91IZTG7VUz50tA281OxkCjakOtfYky4A9Fwptb8cbHbo3HlvlnOrq4aP-LdupcaC57oKCI4FVzPvVk4AkxnzYttnECtuFvDgg/s1600/ChickenLegCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIshjgZcd8avhyet28PqGmmPnbf4SQjFJXvZ_91IZTG7VUz50tA281OxkCjakOtfYky4A9Fwptb8cbHbo3HlvlnOrq4aP-LdupcaC57oKCI4FVzPvVk4AkxnzYttnECtuFvDgg/s400/ChickenLegCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The broken armrest, and subsequent retellings of the tale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We would need to leave for Guiyang early in the morning, so we decided to call it a night. There was an inch of beer left in the bottle. Before Wang Jun could think to give it to Craig, I got up and poured it into Wang Jun's glass. He said he was laughing so hard that he his stomach hurt. When we got to the car, Mr. Zhou hopped into my seat and held up the armrest. It was so funny! Did we really have to leave tomorrow?<br />
<br />
The next morning, we skipped breakfast because we needed to leave at 7:40 for the drive back to the Guiyang Airport. We arrived at the airport at 10:20. We had to say bittersweet goodbyes to Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou. But it's not really goodbye...it's until next time. Hopefully we would see Wang Jun in a couple of months when he guides a group of Chinese students in the US, and will be stopping in Boston. And we will see Mr. Zhou the next time we come to China for the spring festival.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq1oNGjtoxoAVShuFCLbpf7Zgl96z8EyFCHM8R3jiHaD9XH9F5OVZzN1u54AtFLeSAb5mLpZfA7nXjTEOD53dwZAd7eCFoYaS5rI0jVeL2bmidxBGH8xnjJD1pWy1mI5BfQNT/s1600/P5050619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq1oNGjtoxoAVShuFCLbpf7Zgl96z8EyFCHM8R3jiHaD9XH9F5OVZzN1u54AtFLeSAb5mLpZfA7nXjTEOD53dwZAd7eCFoYaS5rI0jVeL2bmidxBGH8xnjJD1pWy1mI5BfQNT/s400/P5050619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying farewell to Mr. Zhou at the Guiyang Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbk9eyZfRrqGiMgSAJDPPWZ1a4yH9Qpjgw636a_lV1ccOmIzZQpe6F-asw4K4_kO8Zotv5wR9DKMS3vHi7cyeKTcLNpoeGG_a-9fDX7cW1XfgUXacohdRdVyKRqJP697iC6vh/s1600/P5050620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbk9eyZfRrqGiMgSAJDPPWZ1a4yH9Qpjgw636a_lV1ccOmIzZQpe6F-asw4K4_kO8Zotv5wR9DKMS3vHi7cyeKTcLNpoeGG_a-9fDX7cW1XfgUXacohdRdVyKRqJP697iC6vh/s400/P5050620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until next time, dear Wang Jun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We flew on Air China to Beijing, arriving at 2:30 p.m. Our itinerary had called for lunch and dinner. Since we were fed on the plane, we were thinking of skipping lunch. We picked up our bags and were met by Simon, an eager to please but nervous young man who said that his agency said that he should get us some fast food at the airport. We told him that we had thought of skipping lunch. He did not seem comfortable deviating from the itinerary. "Are you sure you don't want something? Burger King is right here..."<br />
<br />
I said "If we're having dinner, we don't need lunch..." He didn't seem to know anything about dinner. And he really wanted to get us some fast food. After telling him that we didn't want American fast food, we agreed to a bowl of noodles at MyMill. We each got a "spicy sirloin noodle bowl." Simon warned us that it would be spicy. Ummm...Simon...this is the American Chili King you are talking to.<br />
<br />
So Craig and I each got a huge bowl of local noodles with sirloin beef. It wasn't Guizhou spicy, but it was certainly spicier than most Beijing food. We enjoyed it, and when we were done, we went out to the car.<br />
<br />
Simon pointed across the street at one of two hotels which looked like bookends on either side of Terminal 2. We drove the short distance to the Langham Place, and were confused because our itinerary had said the Airport Hilton (the other hotel we had just seen). We didn't really care one way or another, but we thought he had brought us to the wrong place. But after calling his agency and then talking to the desk staff, Simon confirmed that our reservation was indeed here. It was a nice hotel - very modern decor and pretty fancy. We spent the rest of the day relaxing, watching TV, and packing for the long flight home tomorrow. Our room had a view of Terminal 2 with "Welcome to Beijing" written in flowers and 3 flags waving in the wind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEuQ886bw7F-HMmlDA2I5Xd_GZo_GxUwNk8ySLJMEhwRftHvCus2YxcMSUhlq-xr90An2h_2L9yYc3h1JYi69sYZQykRRxKuA_YtVEcOQCJplkNabZ1VuduNTYEgZCImhedin/s1600/P5050635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEuQ886bw7F-HMmlDA2I5Xd_GZo_GxUwNk8ySLJMEhwRftHvCus2YxcMSUhlq-xr90An2h_2L9yYc3h1JYi69sYZQykRRxKuA_YtVEcOQCJplkNabZ1VuduNTYEgZCImhedin/s400/P5050635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Terminal 2 from our hotel room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning we enjoyed a leisurely delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel. It was a great buffet featuring bacon quiche, homemade donuts, muffins, pastries, bacon, Beijing pancake (folded omelet with eggs, veggies, and a tomato-ish sauce), fresh pineapple juice, French toast with strawberry jam, "India curry puff" (a.k.a samosa), hash browns, chicken sausage, pork sausage, cheese, and good coffee. This would be our last real meal in China, so we enjoyed it to the fullest.<br />
<br />
As we left the restaurant, we passed some small statues of a man doing tai chi by artist <a href="http://www.xieaige.nl/xie-aige/" target="_blank">Xie Aige</a>. I was missing my 4-5 times a week yoga practice, so I decided to pose for a photo doing a little tai chi with "Frank".<br />
<br />
After we checked out, Simon picked us up and drove us to Terminal 3. We got out of the car, unloaded the luggage onto a cart, rode in a crowded elevator, and a people mover to get to check in only to find that it was the wrong terminal (as Craig had suspected)...it was domestic. We needed to be in Terminal 2. So we backtracked, reloaded the car, drove 10 minutes, and did it all over again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYNuIJ4EGv0DwIJ92_dfa0qls-T6Ryh39Ju2GttvfYgv_tPY_ISDmq8T7wE0moaJyXU_B0w6KRpGW2ql6oonbVOBZfrlhyrPqRUPk0MEdbQW5bdBfMb2Xz74-i-hzMrs5FSw1/s1600/P5060662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYNuIJ4EGv0DwIJ92_dfa0qls-T6Ryh39Ju2GttvfYgv_tPY_ISDmq8T7wE0moaJyXU_B0w6KRpGW2ql6oonbVOBZfrlhyrPqRUPk0MEdbQW5bdBfMb2Xz74-i-hzMrs5FSw1/s400/P5060662.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing some tai chi with Xie Aige's "Frank and Tai Chi III"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We checked in, did some shopping at our favorite gift shop, and then went to our boarding gate. We got on a bus that seemed almost full to capacity when we boarded, but the amount of passengers doubled before it took the long journey to where our Hainan Airlines Dreamliner was waiting.<br />
<br />
We boarded and got settled in our seats. A toddler in the front row of economy seating projectile vomited into first class after crying for 15 minutes at the top of her lungs. It was going to be a long flight. We took off at 2:32 p.m. We listened to Led Zeppelin and I typed up my notes from the trip. The lady next to Craig seemed to spend the entire 13 hours removing then applying beauty product. At one point, Craig came back from the bathroom to find her wearing a facial mask, and it startled the crap out of him. Vomit baby walked by and stopped in the aisle next to me, then hit my delete key while I was typing. Her overly indulgent grandparents just laughed. Ok, I'm ready to be home.<br />
<br />
We landed at 3:10 p.m., technically not even an hour after we had left Beijing. Time zones can really mess with you! After an overly long unpleasant but uneventful immigration experience, we picked up our luggage. Craig's brother Steve picked us up at the airport, and another trip is in the books!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5hFH9SbhV46xD9CuPPbI9m1wP-A7N36vgdiQR22JdWzpQHHuHjRnqmIZme__z_2S3C-jokbnb4982bI5tlJ0o6CqWrMLwGrTrDSCwOQJFDOPxSQR2eFtnYUwItetnl8hQdD3/s1600/P5060685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5hFH9SbhV46xD9CuPPbI9m1wP-A7N36vgdiQR22JdWzpQHHuHjRnqmIZme__z_2S3C-jokbnb4982bI5tlJ0o6CqWrMLwGrTrDSCwOQJFDOPxSQR2eFtnYUwItetnl8hQdD3/s400/P5060685.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hainan Airlines 787 Dreamliner from Beijing direct to Boston</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-61861538752311772992015-06-14T13:56:00.002-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.670-04:00Barefoot Yoga Shala's Retreat at Stowe Mountain Ranch<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVvnrZE4zqGtKIbOwUhCi9OT-zWJ9TIiFACMcJ8qHE6nTczKXB09RDhUmM_jY-jh_fZKzhEEQR4syUVroJHO5Jy-qj2FbrLfsBIekV5Khhxm2zPGTqgby3dz9N3xCXUp9sFx6/s1600/BYS_Stowe_Retreat_2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVvnrZE4zqGtKIbOwUhCi9OT-zWJ9TIiFACMcJ8qHE6nTczKXB09RDhUmM_jY-jh_fZKzhEEQR4syUVroJHO5Jy-qj2FbrLfsBIekV5Khhxm2zPGTqgby3dz9N3xCXUp9sFx6/s640/BYS_Stowe_Retreat_2015.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph, Chef Tess, Kendra, Craig, Ellen, Matt, Sam, Joyce, Gerry<br />
Steve, Jenny, Molly, Lydia, Meghan, Shannon, Lisa, Chanelle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When our yoga instructor <a href="http://www.jennyravikumar.com/">Jenny Ravikumar</a> announced that she was going to lead a 4-day yoga retreat at <a href="http://www.stoweretreats.com/">Stowe Mountain Ranch</a> in Vermont, we initially thought that it sounded fun, but we didn't know if it was for us.<br />
<br />
Craig and I have been practicing yoga since November. I used to take dance in high school and a little yoga in college, but that was 20 years ago, and I came back to yoga very out of shape. Craig had never done yoga before, but decided to try it as a way of helping his balance, strength, and fatigue issues brought about by MS.<br />
<br />
We started taking beginner classes at <a href="http://www.barefootyogashala.com/">Barefoot Yoga Shala</a>, with a goal of attending 2 classes per week. We soon fell in love with the studio, the teachers, and our fellow students. We now regularly attend 4 classes per week - sometimes even 5! We take beginner classes as well as kundalini and prana flow. Craig has difficulty with balance poses, but he uses the wall for support when necessary. Craig's balance has improved, and my strength and flexibility are better than they have been in 20 years! <br />
<br />
Still, we wondered if the yoga would be too intense for our ability levels. We wondered how physical the other activities would be. We wondered if it was more a girls' weekend retreat, and if Craig and Steve would feel awkward. Jenny allayed all of our fears: she and Chanelle would be teaching the yoga and would gear it toward all ability levels. Outdoor activities are varied and optional. The owner of the ranch is a man who also practices yoga. It's all good. And the food is to die for. And look at these pictures of Jenny doing yoga on horseback.<br />
<br />
Sign us up!<br />
<br />
Craig, Steve, and I decided to go, hoping for a relaxing weekend away, spending time with our friends from the studio in a beautiful setting, and doing some yoga postures on horses, which seemed like a bit of a cool novelty. What we got out of the retreat was so much more than that.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was a weekend of bonding with humans, animals, and nature, using teamwork to help one another to conquer our fears and obstacles. We would go again in a heartbeat. It was a profound experience and although words and photos alone can’t even begin to do it justice, here’s my modest attempt.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtW6_8HjFWPjypJzBL_UR0tCHr-MC-KQISiHNTVICSBdNfufmYruDYRXe5wd3TBA1oVRJkdVfIqXF4l4PrpEDGRyrQNXzVzodCZZLmo-t02AMF-dW4BEVL6HaZit0ppl1hrqw/s1600/P6050758.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtW6_8HjFWPjypJzBL_UR0tCHr-MC-KQISiHNTVICSBdNfufmYruDYRXe5wd3TBA1oVRJkdVfIqXF4l4PrpEDGRyrQNXzVzodCZZLmo-t02AMF-dW4BEVL6HaZit0ppl1hrqw/s400/P6050758.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stowe Mountain Ranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The BYS gang all arrived at Stowe Mountain Ranch on Thursday afternoon: Craig, Steve, myself, Jenny, Chanelle, Joyce, Ellen and her daughter Lydia, Matt, Shannon, Lisa, Samantha, and Meghan. We were welcomed by the proprietor Gerry Scott, a.k.a. The Stowe Cowboy. Gerry is a complex and multi-faceted guy, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, who created a cavalry unit for the Massachusetts National Guard. He is the only American ever to ride with the Queen's Guard in England (there is a photo of him doing so, dressed as George Washington, in the kitchen). He studied natural horsemanship, which stresses treating horses with respect rather than dominating them. In addition to his military service and interest in equestrianism, Gerry was a financial advisor on Wall Street and is also a business professor.<br />
<br />
He combined his love of horses and yoga by opening the Stowe Mountain Ranch, where he provides a luxury environment where yoga studios can come for a few days of R&R, including his amazing Yoga with Horses program. When Jenny decided to lead a retreat for the studio, she immediately hired Gerry’s on-staff chef Tess to prepare all of the meals. (This is an optional add-on to the retreat - if the retreat leader wants, they can bring their own food and use the kitchen to prepare it. But I don't know why anyone would do that. The cost including Tess's services is still quite reasonable, and all the work is done for you - deliciously!)<br />
<br />
Chef Tess was already hard at work when we arrived. We also met retreat assistant Kendra, who joined in all of the retreat activities but also helped with food prep, cleanup, and many other jobs. (Gerry hires retreat assistants to help when a retreat books Tess's services).<br />
<br />
Jenny gave us a tour of the house, which contains a large yoga studio with cathedral ceilings and large windows overlooking the barn. There is a nice kitchen, and guest rooms on four levels. There are around 30 beds, but they are spread out in various guest rooms and lofts over four levels, so the place in no way feels like a bunkhouse. There are plenty of shared bathrooms scattered throughout the building. The decor gave the place a charming lodgy B&B feel.<br />
<br />
Craig, Steve, and I decided to share the Bingham Falls Suite on the lowest level. Although it was partially underground, so it did not have some of the gorgeous views that the upper bedrooms had, the temperature was cooler down here. Heat can exacerbate Craig's MS, so having a room that was not apt to get as warm is beneficial for him. It was a comfortable room, and we only intended to spend time in there when we were asleep. There was a small window that we could open for fresh air while we slept. There was actually a sauna across from our room. That might be nice in the wintertime, but we would pass on using it on this trip.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBUOhdpLVxiz_5XVEMEdHPoa8AYMgmVr9SMEA03NsZcm-5qRj76Qg1JicdJG5qY4LeeVnVrlHqtOl_Ca7Zr73LrnZpQI3o7nTK6GS9zOMmT6bQTBNch01mEjRyPOu_hiaw2qQ/s1600/P6050795.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBUOhdpLVxiz_5XVEMEdHPoa8AYMgmVr9SMEA03NsZcm-5qRj76Qg1JicdJG5qY4LeeVnVrlHqtOl_Ca7Zr73LrnZpQI3o7nTK6GS9zOMmT6bQTBNch01mEjRyPOu_hiaw2qQ/s400/P6050795.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve gazes at Black Jack & Pegasus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_AkGULt9POCvdWgP3ZDYx-8PIIiasZhjlfVnNLIqx7JXApvg-DWFoGr__kBAL1H38eQeTTMNmQ5xsottm3vsSsshawWzCzsHTjmVQ_P6a-pf91IDmuwh33U7J27Tu08AyGZd/s1600/P6050819.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_AkGULt9POCvdWgP3ZDYx-8PIIiasZhjlfVnNLIqx7JXApvg-DWFoGr__kBAL1H38eQeTTMNmQ5xsottm3vsSsshawWzCzsHTjmVQ_P6a-pf91IDmuwh33U7J27Tu08AyGZd/s400/P6050819.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savasana on the deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After enjoying some organic snacks (nachos, heavenly cheese with crackers, fruit) and meeting and greeting (including meeting all of the animals: Gerry’s four horses Black Jack, Cherie, Annie Oakley, and Pegasus, two labs : 14-year-old Chrissie and 11-month-old Molly, and black bunny Thumper), Jenny led us in a sunset yoga practice outside on the beautiful wooden deck. Craig and I had never practiced outdoors before, and feeling the late afternoon sun on our shoulders in the cool mountain air was wonderful. The horses grazed nearby, and at one point when Jenny told us to let out a deep breath through our mouths, we could hear one of the horses exhale loudly. It was quite surreal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YqKmVEYgmcCbVwYfq2oq_gWRx8SBWHlhwEjlhk9fho4ObWjAu-E-z8ADeMTMn4ujOv6bUYYGsXvxvgSLkMpTNSBnFsWZBWfttouk0p1yeH2TZp-WtEoi1uA8oik_Jppuu4cS/s1600/P6050826.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YqKmVEYgmcCbVwYfq2oq_gWRx8SBWHlhwEjlhk9fho4ObWjAu-E-z8ADeMTMn4ujOv6bUYYGsXvxvgSLkMpTNSBnFsWZBWfttouk0p1yeH2TZp-WtEoi1uA8oik_Jppuu4cS/s400/P6050826.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerry Scott, The Stowe Cowboy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then Gerry explained a bit of the philosophy behind the Yoga with Horses program, and about how it is so much more than just yoga postures on top of horses, though that aspect gets the most press (because it is so photogenic). It is about gaining the horses’ trust and sharing an experience with them – bonding with them on and off the mat, so to speak. He is one of only a handful of instructors who provide this type of program, and he has had many high profile clients. But he also gives back. Several times a year he hosts inner city kids from Boston at the ranch, and teaches them how to care for the animals, appreciate nature, etc.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8FMh06KfAiJ8xM4fZfNdTRSWOMA2co7VVOtvOmlRtcQ_3DrGSveu1hn140UlmC7HgJmpkNk15zOmsT7JQ6fbExRQxRgZ4l2Gi3YdcoNbAuoIiyw-3LzwONN-0QsA133npZUJ/s1600/Barefoot+Yoga+Shala+2015+Retreat+-+11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8FMh06KfAiJ8xM4fZfNdTRSWOMA2co7VVOtvOmlRtcQ_3DrGSveu1hn140UlmC7HgJmpkNk15zOmsT7JQ6fbExRQxRgZ4l2Gi3YdcoNbAuoIiyw-3LzwONN-0QsA133npZUJ/s400/Barefoot+Yoga+Shala+2015+Retreat+-+11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner (photo courtesy of Matt)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tess and Kendra had finished preparing dinner, and a lovely spread was served to us at the picnic tables on the deck. Tess cooks with locally sourced ingredients, and he is a true master. He cooked three homemade soups this evening: hearty chicken vegetable, lentil and garlic, and tomato artichoke with green olives. And there was an enormous loaf of warm homemade whole grain bread served with brie in birch bark, plus a nice salad. For dessert there were warm fresh baked peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Everything was delicious. We all brought our own wine and enjoyed our first meal together, full of anticipation for what tomorrow would bring. As it grew dark, we headed inside. We relaxed at the dining tables, chatting while petting the dogs, watching folks play Bananagrams.<br />
<br />
<br />
The next morning we woke up for a delightfully chilly yoga practice on the deck with Jenny. Gerry fed the horses as we practiced, and delicious smells emanated from the kitchen as Tess and Kendra prepared breakfast. We enjoyed delicious scrambled eggs topped with copious amounts of melted cheddar cheese, a pomegranate kale blueberry banana smoothie, raisin French toast, yogurt, fruit, and oatmeal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN8iiqUz02zqb9kdBS7lr7hfE2FZCnbXOu5ve27zQE0aRNyVu6nAeyjDzBLCQmMIyeZtFVoRfN-QDqTaNp9X5edR7MfspxPb6TtWEPPn907ieJH9R2Ls8QeBSesZNtiA8zb-w/s1600/JennyYoga.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN8iiqUz02zqb9kdBS7lr7hfE2FZCnbXOu5ve27zQE0aRNyVu6nAeyjDzBLCQmMIyeZtFVoRfN-QDqTaNp9X5edR7MfspxPb6TtWEPPn907ieJH9R2Ls8QeBSesZNtiA8zb-w/s400/JennyYoga.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree pose on the deck (photo courtesy of Jenny)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we got into our trail gear (jeans and hiking boots) and headed out to the horse corral. We brushed the horses: 18 year old black Hanoverian stallion Black Jack, whom Gerry refers to as the “perfect gentleman” and who was trained by US Olympic equestrian Michael Plumb, Black Jack’s girlfriend Cherie, a lovely brown half-Clydesdale half-thoroughbred with a white line down her forehead, Annie Oakley, who has similar lineage to Cherie and looks very similar except for the large white blaze on her forehead, and relative newcomer Pegasus, a white Hanoverian male. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz3cDE42F6kpItUpmMB3eRgISH5QtfclHR7AcElz5-QvCUE5PLgDRu0MsZPQTwmsKiZETgdeRyNlXURV5GuIbdUj02fp4lfffPrhlFKQssno6GT9YflZ-bd8F6ZlBucPLSU0x/s1600/P6050917.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXz3cDE42F6kpItUpmMB3eRgISH5QtfclHR7AcElz5-QvCUE5PLgDRu0MsZPQTwmsKiZETgdeRyNlXURV5GuIbdUj02fp4lfffPrhlFKQssno6GT9YflZ-bd8F6ZlBucPLSU0x/s400/P6050917.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig meets Pegasus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gerry taught us the international standard of approaching and mounting horses from their left side, and taught us to brush them starting at the front and working our way back. He gets very emotional about his horses, and told a story of how he used to always daydream of riding the mythical Pegasus when he was a grown man. He would ride Black Jack around Stowe with no reins, and once a passing motorist who was keeping up with him shouted out that they were going 32 miles per hour. Gerry said that he realized that he was living his dream of riding Pegasus, and never daydreamed about it again. He teared up when relaying this tale, which was quite moving for all of us. Six months ago when he acquired his second Hanoverian stallion, he named him Pegasus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGhQkKu7-vz5VAjjzlF5W23VxJXBfG4DVL_6sgWjJaoKLJEpIxEwW0X7o4sZ7l5e5-61HG6ESDz3LlDAVzOfkWrkRn1gxD4htTtaNyV2XCgPMSjvsWUrs8DVpXIawmI4GGQiP/s1600/P6050902.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGhQkKu7-vz5VAjjzlF5W23VxJXBfG4DVL_6sgWjJaoKLJEpIxEwW0X7o4sZ7l5e5-61HG6ESDz3LlDAVzOfkWrkRn1gxD4htTtaNyV2XCgPMSjvsWUrs8DVpXIawmI4GGQiP/s400/P6050902.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerry shows his appreciation to Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a precursor to tomorrow’s yoga postures on horses, Gerry asked Craig to get up onto Cherie. Craig was a bit nervous...depending what he was going to be asked to do, he felt like he might not be the best demonstration subject due to his MS. But he stepped up and climbed up onto Cherie's bare back. Gerry coached him to lay back while grabbing his ankles into a nice modification of supported bridge poses. Gerry then had Craig lay on his stomach in with his hands under his chin in what Gerry called the Cosmo pose (as that pose had been photographed for the magazine). “Don’t you feel more feminine than you ever have in your life?” Gerry quipped. He thanked Craig for being a good sport, as Brokeback Mountain jokes were cracked. Gerry has a great sense of humor and kept us all in stitches.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHwNvXP_VrswnSDNP7xfJ8K9cVwgtC_BznBrfx9e7kHfhPnuceM4e0Iqu1tjFxBGx11rSOeEXe83ybdSn7O8GpM782-US3Dq1P9zdsuTo6YMG5i5pJRw3dzUUApwXvC5McKNb/s1600/P6050940+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHwNvXP_VrswnSDNP7xfJ8K9cVwgtC_BznBrfx9e7kHfhPnuceM4e0Iqu1tjFxBGx11rSOeEXe83ybdSn7O8GpM782-US3Dq1P9zdsuTo6YMG5i5pJRw3dzUUApwXvC5McKNb/s400/P6050940+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerry is amused by Craig's Cosmo pose on Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gerry put halters and leads on all four horses, and put a saddle onto Black Jack. He taught us how to lead the horses, getting them to walk by calling “Walk on!” and to stop by saying “Whoa!” One person led each horse as we left his property, crossed the street, and entered the Von Trapp Family trails (Gerry broke out into a Sound of Music singalong when we passed the sign). Molly, the 11 month old lab, also joined us. Lisa was riding Black Jack, and when we got across the street, Gerry asked me to ride Cherie bareback. I had never ridden bareback before but was eager to try this exciting new experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj15_C5FeAxRheWpgD7K37TZubII4s3q1xgRkTlMxsMGeGpwFk4PPk7b7hy30yI7hxHJfUrQUWB1wvNiTBA5CJlREzUwecDdhZ_eA2aw7ASH8uNrmFFCIWY9h9NqBjjd-KAyf/s1600/P6050945.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj15_C5FeAxRheWpgD7K37TZubII4s3q1xgRkTlMxsMGeGpwFk4PPk7b7hy30yI7hxHJfUrQUWB1wvNiTBA5CJlREzUwecDdhZ_eA2aw7ASH8uNrmFFCIWY9h9NqBjjd-KAyf/s400/P6050945.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kendra leads Cherie while Steph rides bareback</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We wore helmets while on the moving horses, as safety is always Gerry's top priority. Gerry gave me a leg up and Kendra led Cherie while I rode. Cherie was very distracted by all of the available grass and foliage after a long winter of eating dry hay, and she gave Kendra a run for her money, even accidentally stepping on her foot. But Kendra did a great job and I felt very safe. I hadn’t ridden a horse in a while, and I had no saddle, so I kept my hands on Cherie’s neck to stabilize my balance.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvl4EoxI28CxNSW-dFG5ggSCfO1eBI3n4YhR4XoMMwgES3Db-fFo92GPQFXbcw7QJ_mq9l7ZkemB-lRgqeFNsLVtELtGAwMo-VEX2XsARa6CxSjUZWXLLXCjnXYD6XnHMJ8tq/s1600/P6050973.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvl4EoxI28CxNSW-dFG5ggSCfO1eBI3n4YhR4XoMMwgES3Db-fFo92GPQFXbcw7QJ_mq9l7ZkemB-lRgqeFNsLVtELtGAwMo-VEX2XsARa6CxSjUZWXLLXCjnXYD6XnHMJ8tq/s400/P6050973.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny communes with the trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We all took turns hiking, riding (on Black Jack and Cherie), and leading the horses. The trails were beautiful. As people switched on and off horses, Gerry would guide them into a yoga pose or two. Kendra had a bad experience with a horse as a teenager and hasn’t ridden since. But she cowgirled up and faced her fears head-on, so that was a huge success! I took two turns leading Pegasus. He was very well behaved and I really enjoyed our time together. He walked at a fast pace and I felt like I was getting a good workout.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABxE9ftvpkEiEwxBCMNSqAqrIaAeA4hQ7yYCBwrrb6O9iYniWsgIqM0Ix5s7tjQKBy01QTSUviRn6GPulmeIVt3kDUe0EdAn097kSZud4ejCwz9jiCTP8KpyYrGk_slha9qH-/s1600/P6060988.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABxE9ftvpkEiEwxBCMNSqAqrIaAeA4hQ7yYCBwrrb6O9iYniWsgIqM0Ix5s7tjQKBy01QTSUviRn6GPulmeIVt3kDUe0EdAn097kSZud4ejCwz9jiCTP8KpyYrGk_slha9qH-/s400/P6060988.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph leads Pegasus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f67_86mQGfRfICBnOSKlKerv6JoFETWz0yWV3B-mTW4i3cLh6s-iWxhkOBjE9JsK4BrZmj6-cZprwCNrRrBKfMtMMOfwhrzoiLs609VcszJ_XogOwbqr21gdNbpV2wR50ak_/s1600/P6061016.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f67_86mQGfRfICBnOSKlKerv6JoFETWz0yWV3B-mTW4i3cLh6s-iWxhkOBjE9JsK4BrZmj6-cZprwCNrRrBKfMtMMOfwhrzoiLs609VcszJ_XogOwbqr21gdNbpV2wR50ak_/s400/P6061016.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig rides Black Jack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Craig and Steve each got a turn to ride Black Jack. After turning around to head back to the ranch, Gerry decided to let people ride Pegasus bareback for the first time in a trail ride situation, since we were now more comfortable and he was behaving so well. Shannon was the first one on, and she rocked it. I was thinking that I would ride Black Jack as we drew closer to the ranch, but Gerry said that since I was comfortable without a saddle, would I mind riding Pegasus. Not at all – he was my buddy! So I climbed up onto his back and Gerry coached me into 5-pointed-star pose. Sam led Pegasus down the trails, and she did a great job. My confidence was much higher now, so I didn’t need to hold on, and for a while I put my hands in reverse prayer pose behind my back while I rode. It turned out to be the final ride as we emerged from the forest back at the ranch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOlnF5ltO7PdLS8UMS2mEvs4SFM2OwC54Y0RQpjw1Ba4-cBbpn-Uo4sDA_TBny279f2sd0Z-5mfqCBfj3HN_dcKn4J1-spqWmILusenn8NLmFbmaJ6WXNSo5BQ48HS9pRSoE2/s1600/P6061051.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOlnF5ltO7PdLS8UMS2mEvs4SFM2OwC54Y0RQpjw1Ba4-cBbpn-Uo4sDA_TBny279f2sd0Z-5mfqCBfj3HN_dcKn4J1-spqWmILusenn8NLmFbmaJ6WXNSo5BQ48HS9pRSoE2/s400/P6061051.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph does 5-pointed star on Pegasus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It had been an amazing morning. Gerry said that he could see that all of our confidence levels had soared in just a couple of hours. We were all much more comfortable around the horses and we were looking forward to our yoga postures on horseback the next morning.<br />
<br />
Tess prepared a lovely lunch. He repurposed the tomato artichoke soup from dinner last night as a pasta sauce. He added pecans and served it with lentil gluten free penne pasta. It was delicious.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHru2XcTXblGokJAOdkoXmvaxhxrOILZrYZrMm-kx1hyphenhyphenFTBuXl9TGHN_WH4Nu-KKGEtYwBS2smlJ5GRwATBQkp7_ibhAnXqDFH3dANMMm2i3MpsxDlZcVTMbgdu2vpGT0jzKd/s1600/P6061204.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHru2XcTXblGokJAOdkoXmvaxhxrOILZrYZrMm-kx1hyphenhyphenFTBuXl9TGHN_WH4Nu-KKGEtYwBS2smlJ5GRwATBQkp7_ibhAnXqDFH3dANMMm2i3MpsxDlZcVTMbgdu2vpGT0jzKd/s400/P6061204.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerry driving the tractor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After lunch, Gerry took us on a hay ride down the street to the trailhead for Bingham Falls. We piled into his John Deere trailer along with Molly. Gerry distributed cowbells and cowboy hats, and pulled us using his red vintage 1948 Farmall H tractor. It was the archetypal American family farm tractor.<br />
<br />
We hiked to a scenic vista overlooking a gorge carved out by the water at the conclusion of the ice age. The footing was uneven and there were roots sticking up. Joyce lost her footing and ended up falling and twisting her ankle. Luckily, we had some nursing students among our ranks, and a whole group of compassionate people. She couldn’t put weight on it, so she decided to wait here while we continued the short distance to the waterfall. We all felt horrible that this had happened to Joyce.<br />
<br />
Chanelle offered to stay with Joyce while the rest of the group hiked down some steep and slippery stone “steps” to the waterfall. Craig was having a difficult time. This type of hiking used to be second nature to him, and he did it all the time in his younger days. But since the onset of his MS, he finds uneven footing much more challenging. We arrived at the stunning waterfall and all prepared for a swim. Molly jumped in right away. Gerry crossed the river at a narrow point, climbed up on a rock ledge, and dove in, showing all of us where the deep water was and exactly where to jump.<br />
<br />
Craig and Steve really wanted to jump in. They grew up doing this stuff. Craig was a bit scared about crossing the river and climbing up the slippery rocks to the jump off point, but he was very careful and he and Steve made their way up to the ledge. They jumped off the ledge into the icy mountain water. It was obvious that this was very energizing for Craig and brought him back to his youth.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NjkYMgZCX3KsPxT7ZhDO9I5jR_R0xb8-1RxvgNstumWuV43rb6KLF9RDyMvZD4LG3gpbCsGbqpAkAFTf-EZjRCCiIS8QVdounKjugc1gTATfuuEECFsF0HtWafyv1kNybCON/s1600/Craig_Bingham_Falls.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NjkYMgZCX3KsPxT7ZhDO9I5jR_R0xb8-1RxvgNstumWuV43rb6KLF9RDyMvZD4LG3gpbCsGbqpAkAFTf-EZjRCCiIS8QVdounKjugc1gTATfuuEECFsF0HtWafyv1kNybCON/s400/Craig_Bingham_Falls.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig jumps into Bingham Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have always been afraid to do things like this. I am an adequate swimmer, but am not fond of jumping into water. Part of me wanted to do it after seeing Craig's triumph, but I was scared. I resigned myself to simply swimming. Jenny couldn’t jump because she was pregnant, and Sam said she didn’t plan on jumping either. Others in the group took the plunge and I photographed them. Molly kept jumping into the water, trying to make sure that everyone was safe. She’s such a sweet dog.<br />
<br />
Then Sam told me that she would jump if I would. That extra motivation gave me the courage to try it, and the two of us crossed the river and climbed the rocks to the platform. I definitely noticed a difference with my balance and confidence in my footing since starting my yoga practice 7 months ago. I am more fit and in control of my body.<br />
<br />
Sam jumped in without hesitation, and then I got into position. I hesitated, and needed to build up the nerve. But everyone was cheering me on and it gave me the confidence to take the plunge! I knew that the water would be frigid, and that I had to avoid gasping from the cold and getting a mouthful of water. In theory. But when I hit the water, the cold shot through me and I involuntarily opened my mouth and inhaled some water. I had to fight the cold and the current while coughing to get back to the other side. But I did it! I have so much appreciation for Sam – without her motivation, I never would have done this. It was a great bonding experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKfuRBsaqS0c9m_zEiAoT2qpv3V4ZIOmFAdNoNygL88POdiiw6fevtw4IJz7Sdd2CaIPPb-k7Q_ofARybWpv8-ixxqrVU-TFlITcta7KdFUEZMeWG3caMA6Lm71LxUw5SI_B/s1600/Steph_Bingham_Falls_Kendra.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnKfuRBsaqS0c9m_zEiAoT2qpv3V4ZIOmFAdNoNygL88POdiiw6fevtw4IJz7Sdd2CaIPPb-k7Q_ofARybWpv8-ixxqrVU-TFlITcta7KdFUEZMeWG3caMA6Lm71LxUw5SI_B/s400/Steph_Bingham_Falls_Kendra.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Steph jumps into Bingham Falls (photo courtesy of Kendra)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaEZPXdthWSm42UQhEnFzbaXEAzARMeHvPS1ep5dt7a-DkFinN_OruvRybkMlN3qI3g2vyW71GgBdeB0Gb_LPSNb5XWFzwdao_P9S2nIqniuJ5YlvFg9zebDF1WGCP9UtKU-X/s1600/P6061178+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaEZPXdthWSm42UQhEnFzbaXEAzARMeHvPS1ep5dt7a-DkFinN_OruvRybkMlN3qI3g2vyW71GgBdeB0Gb_LPSNb5XWFzwdao_P9S2nIqniuJ5YlvFg9zebDF1WGCP9UtKU-X/s400/P6061178+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it! Steph & Sam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Joyce insisted that Chanelle join us at the waterfall, so toward the end of our swim she appeared. She has a fear of heights which she desperately wanted to conquer, so she climbed up to the ledge. She was very hesitant, and wanted to try to jump from a lower point. But the water wasn't deep enough there - in order to do it, you needed to go from the high ledge. We all shouted words of encouragement and love to her, and after a few moments, she did it. And, being Chanelle, she jumped in the most graceful way possible. <br />
<br />
Many others overcame fears at this waterfall as well…Kendra had a lingering fear of heights from the horse fall during her adolescence, but she was one of the first to jump in today. Those who didn’t jump swam…and Gerry said that it didn’t "count" unless they submerged their heads. Gerry was proud that every one of us who went to the waterfall got fully submerged in the cold water. We all felt like we could do anything!<br />
<br />
Gerry and his guests are so lucky to have such a beautiful natural feature so close to the ranch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaysFF_nxm3ldH0AurZ_odqb_ZRTrIt9eVOsgDppBIB3RgOHobDHEB9lx83okIadqd8guWW8PCNqcq8MURayRGZJ7nGAsf354gPfSbnT5p3u3itM2X6-Cmis8_7Yag6q2FQwx/s1600/P6061184+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaysFF_nxm3ldH0AurZ_odqb_ZRTrIt9eVOsgDppBIB3RgOHobDHEB9lx83okIadqd8guWW8PCNqcq8MURayRGZJ7nGAsf354gPfSbnT5p3u3itM2X6-Cmis8_7Yag6q2FQwx/s400/P6061184+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chanelle <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">jumps into Bingham Falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv38gU1cuYXZVFF56pIo90Hh8zFcy_QKerj0RtxCgHSpWCABCA5M7FAuGw3q1gDbJmMXsQP017j3WE5pHyyvy_7evnbqZE6MczmY1pSfhFF23h-ruL0U9EaSQiYoe6FS0zfoS/s1600/shannon_rocks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv38gU1cuYXZVFF56pIo90Hh8zFcy_QKerj0RtxCgHSpWCABCA5M7FAuGw3q1gDbJmMXsQP017j3WE5pHyyvy_7evnbqZE6MczmY1pSfhFF23h-ruL0U9EaSQiYoe6FS0zfoS/s400/shannon_rocks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drying off after our swims at Bingham Falls (photo courtesy of Shannon)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We got back to Joyce and found that she still couldn’t put weight on her ankle, and we had a short but rather steep hike to get back to the road. The team really came together and Kendra, Matt, Steve, and Sam acted as a human stretcher and physically carried her out of the woods while Meghan supported her head. Now this is real-world team building!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvp6e-TJs2_cTbw_RZfVsET69bSaeCqGtisyI_ahx8c7ugzIXrpzkBTkeL_jlL3zcDDICLnFGk1CeRFT7KiDo9tpNVYRLSthkobbLKDPP6MmohY_6f9g0Ey5m2DR7S3qUxOwB/s1600/P6061200.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvp6e-TJs2_cTbw_RZfVsET69bSaeCqGtisyI_ahx8c7ugzIXrpzkBTkeL_jlL3zcDDICLnFGk1CeRFT7KiDo9tpNVYRLSthkobbLKDPP6MmohY_6f9g0Ey5m2DR7S3qUxOwB/s400/P6061200.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team comes together to carry an injured Joyce out of the forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we got back to the hay ride, the tractor wouldn’t start. It is such an antique that Gerry wasn’t sure what was wrong, and after several failed attempts to get it going, Kendra, Lydia, Matt, Sam, and Chanelle literally ran back to the ranch (a 7 minute run) to get cars to shuttle us back.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_yp5sjgrsTXSqOXc7-otRY2DEmnZYM4vSqbYy-8YYtTT5oxubD5zfbjHJQgCJEdQ24l0hf78vcS9in2CH352Ow4UkhllyYTDnWpIxxKXD2fC7lsrYkwFb4DPB1TRQ9iMs3nn/s1600/P6061224+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_yp5sjgrsTXSqOXc7-otRY2DEmnZYM4vSqbYy-8YYtTT5oxubD5zfbjHJQgCJEdQ24l0hf78vcS9in2CH352Ow4UkhllyYTDnWpIxxKXD2fC7lsrYkwFb4DPB1TRQ9iMs3nn/s400/P6061224+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherie and Black Jack stick out their tongues</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubRBHnkQtG77SG5ewOuqCxSf1UP0D41YhLaQZALxv_qTk7HfpVOhlJ0q143n94HHRCiBdeX4aEv9ag9Fngx8YBZ4FvC8YqHXZW1cYo_I0oyDMtmZyCUYMdY9Y9lODR2CmgXPI/s1600/P6061244.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubRBHnkQtG77SG5ewOuqCxSf1UP0D41YhLaQZALxv_qTk7HfpVOhlJ0q143n94HHRCiBdeX4aEv9ag9Fngx8YBZ4FvC8YqHXZW1cYo_I0oyDMtmZyCUYMdY9Y9lODR2CmgXPI/s400/P6061244.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kendra and Chef Tess prepare dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PrVqtr2zyGQio_WQF8pblwWqzhIxFmJR2rtMwe8Tp9t6rGquaPUA-n-2WfwKqWiGGeH3StnjCdfo4yONE2mMrTf0M-L5-b1NoyBGe3x8ih_SVYX2C6gCKANXhqdNFidZWCYA/s1600/Chrissy_Yoga_Kendra.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PrVqtr2zyGQio_WQF8pblwWqzhIxFmJR2rtMwe8Tp9t6rGquaPUA-n-2WfwKqWiGGeH3StnjCdfo4yONE2mMrTf0M-L5-b1NoyBGe3x8ih_SVYX2C6gCKANXhqdNFidZWCYA/s400/Chrissy_Yoga_Kendra.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chrissie watches yoga practice (photo courtesy of Kendra)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we got back to the ranch, Jenny led us in a low-key yoga practice on the deck after a very busy and physically active day. <br />
<br />
While we practiced, Tess grilled swordfish kabobs (featuring peppers, onions, and plantains) on the grill next to us. He had asked us to leave a little path between our mats so that he could tend to dinner without disturbing us. Are you kidding? It just added to the relaxation to hear the gentle hissing of the kabobs on the grill and smell the onions and peppers cooking...<br />
<br />
We enjoyed a delicious dinner out at the picnic tables. The kebabs were amazing (there was a vegetarian version as well) , and were served with coconut mashed potatoes, bok choi, an amazingly beautiful fruit salad, more fresh warm homemade bread, and mussels. I have never eaten a mussel before, as I am iffy about most shellfish, but once again my girl Samantha motivated me to try. It was very tasty, and reminded me of scallops, which I love. It was a weekend of firsts!</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1Bz4UNzno7SXHJ9iCTu5KNDfZfoQfJNwi46OoOVzfDX3iHxNLKsCIwrECYnnBBDa9vhtblNrS1vHVj7NfF_QF1AeKIv7ho9Pk7Kbk3f0G0myrFyqU8dnNB5eVsCW6DmJYA1g/s1600/P6061266.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1Bz4UNzno7SXHJ9iCTu5KNDfZfoQfJNwi46OoOVzfDX3iHxNLKsCIwrECYnnBBDa9vhtblNrS1vHVj7NfF_QF1AeKIv7ho9Pk7Kbk3f0G0myrFyqU8dnNB5eVsCW6DmJYA1g/s400/P6061266.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chanelle with Chrissie and Molly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the tail end of dinner, it started to rain, and we moved inside. This was the only rain we would get over the whole weekend, and it was after all of our activities, so that was great. We enjoyed fresh apple crisp with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for dessert.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVMZJgrMd9RxgZGQlBwaQZsXY3nyQqs_usJmYX1oquIZS7C36xUC19zPffFrC1bN3FceFvl2pUhmc7XH6-toLQiZ37gBnhjTlEZNgZ1ZOucu4JunWQ2E6eHjS8TD2B_qt8i9Y/s1600/P6061279.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVMZJgrMd9RxgZGQlBwaQZsXY3nyQqs_usJmYX1oquIZS7C36xUC19zPffFrC1bN3FceFvl2pUhmc7XH6-toLQiZ37gBnhjTlEZNgZ1ZOucu4JunWQ2E6eHjS8TD2B_qt8i9Y/s400/P6061279.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny does Tarot card readings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent the evening sitting in a big circle on bolsters and backjacks, chatting while Jenny practiced reading Tarot cards for anyone who was interested. She had received a deck for Christmas, and was eager to read for people. We went around the circle, and when it was your turn, you picked 3 cards from the deck: one for past, one for present, and one for future. Jenny then read the interpretation of each card.<br />
<br />
I’m not usually a Tarot card type of person, except for entertainment. I feel that, like horoscopes, they are generic enough to really apply to any situation, and are more a tool of self-reflection than anything else. That being said, my reading seemed spot-on. My first card was the World, which I guess is a rare and good card.<br />
<br />
After my reading, Jenny shuffled the cards and fanned them out in front of Craig. I thought to myself “The World card applies to both of us. It would be really impressive if Craig drew the same card.” And wouldn’t you know, he did? Out of 78 cards, Craig picked the same very relevant one as me...coincidence…fate…who knows? But it sure was damn entertaining!<br />
<br />
It was really nice to just hang out with everyone. We don't often take group trips any more. With Craig's MS, we like to have flexibility, and not negatively impact other people's plans if he happens to get sick or need extra rest. So being able to just hang out with a group of people with whom we are completely comfortable, in a beautiful relaxing setting was therapy for the soul!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggue55oJzwbe9EZvSC8BvHNNH-6Zh5xfFnx9IlJp0wvXkwDoL1-EhtlfpEcIZJAGqYiSlDsIuovbfZwgWm5oFZeIbT_LXaNIF6M1pfMYlRfH-S9Ev2se_FofjrSxwfrkKGLGX1/s1600/P6061298.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggue55oJzwbe9EZvSC8BvHNNH-6Zh5xfFnx9IlJp0wvXkwDoL1-EhtlfpEcIZJAGqYiSlDsIuovbfZwgWm5oFZeIbT_LXaNIF6M1pfMYlRfH-S9Ev2se_FofjrSxwfrkKGLGX1/s400/P6061298.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning yoga practice with Jenny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next morning, we did our yoga practice inside, as things were still a bit damp and chilly after the overnight rain. Breakfast was buckwheat blueberry pancakes with local maple syrup, kale cucumber avocado banana smoothie, oatmeal, scrambled eggs with cheese, a delicious vegetarian Mexican casserole, apple cider, and coffee. Yum!! Tess outdid himself yet again!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinYdN8HysJ3kBm4ZxVVPNe2Z1vfVFofWMe8YOY5fWMRsR8syraDksEM1OptIjtDEOXzAx_rZ0jmzLgruTZ7aA0FwqSxeRzONWTRaR03TrjOciosSK3TGYsJ7OaGnkxQq9Yejc/s1600/P6061311.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinYdN8HysJ3kBm4ZxVVPNe2Z1vfVFofWMe8YOY5fWMRsR8syraDksEM1OptIjtDEOXzAx_rZ0jmzLgruTZ7aA0FwqSxeRzONWTRaR03TrjOciosSK3TGYsJ7OaGnkxQq9Yejc/s400/P6061311.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly plays with Gerry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, Joyce was still unable to bear weight on her ankle, so neither she nor the pregnant Jenny could participate in the yoga postures on horses. The air was chilly but the sun was out, so they got comfortable under yoga blankets on the deck to watch us from a distance.<br />
<br />
The rest of us entered the horse paddock and headed over to the tipi. Molly joined us, and Gerry put a halter and lead onto Cherie. We brushed the horses and said good morning to them. Gerry explained a little more about the philosophy behind Yoga with Horses. Horses feel more, and think less. When working with them, we humans need to try to do the same. He said that once we are on horseback, we should try to feel…to move from one pose to the next, do what feels natural and don’t overthink. He evoked how Native American girls were taught by their fathers how to become comfortable riding bareback on their horses, and said that we should keep that in mind while we practiced, as if we are the learners and Gerry is our “father". He also mentioned that most of us probably have a family history of owning horses if we go back to our great-grandparents' generation, so this was a way to reconnect with our own history.<br />
<br />
Gerry held on to Cherie’s lead, and there was a spotter on either side of her in case of trouble. Once again, safety is Gerry’s main concern. We didn't wear helmets because Cherie is very well trained to stand still.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphzEMEPMzp2WzS3t4wo6EYE-_8sdT7XvCBTlNVC5fo4xkyTnFWz3H7piBq5ESUJm08WwQO3mfl4dJ9nM0VahphAEH6u_nWR4OlCNRWoxPrzAujYkMZzeDGwVXjIc6jJbPr9ds/s1600/YogaPostures.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphzEMEPMzp2WzS3t4wo6EYE-_8sdT7XvCBTlNVC5fo4xkyTnFWz3H7piBq5ESUJm08WwQO3mfl4dJ9nM0VahphAEH6u_nWR4OlCNRWoxPrzAujYkMZzeDGwVXjIc6jJbPr9ds/s640/YogaPostures.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoga postures on Cherie:<br />
Kendra, Shannon, Meghan, Sam, Ellen, Chanelle, Lydia, Lisa, Matt, Steve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chanelle was the first to do postures on top of Cherie. As a yoga instructor herself, she was a natural. Gerry coached her into certain poses which work well on horses, and she took it from there. Gerry remarked that although she is of Korean heritage, she looked Native American when perched on horseback with her long straight dark hair blowing in the wind. “50,000 Montana cowboys are on their way here to find you right now!”<br />
<br />
Kendra asked if she could go next before she lost her nerve. As I mentioned before, she fell from a horse when she was a teenager and yesterday’s trail ride was her first time back on a horse in over 25 years. She is also a yoga instructor, and her form was incredible. Toward the end of her practice, she slowly and gently stood up on Cherie’s back in tadasana (mountain pose). It was amazing! When she had safely made it back down onto Cherie’s back, she laid down, buried her head in Cherie’s mane, and sobbed. It was so moving. She had clearly made a major life breakthrough here, and we were all so honored to witness it! This is what the weekend was all about. There wasn’t a dry eye in the group. We all gave her a group hug. She apologized for breaking down, but we would have none of it. It was beautiful, and this is what the Yoga with Horses experience is all about! Clearly so much more than just photogenic poses!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojtltLqo8O2xM3xJm0YwmKWIXeut3dTpOoUoBTyh4CJLO_SaIumZXDkZA5Lg1txQgHcZDEX_4Y2f1ooYAeqNu1TXSsppkJYEzBfoofsyry2WyEle_OaRJ892htcYh7FiU3PaD/s1600/CraigYogaCollage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojtltLqo8O2xM3xJm0YwmKWIXeut3dTpOoUoBTyh4CJLO_SaIumZXDkZA5Lg1txQgHcZDEX_4Y2f1ooYAeqNu1TXSsppkJYEzBfoofsyry2WyEle_OaRJ892htcYh7FiU3PaD/s640/CraigYogaCollage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig practicing yoga postures on Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Craig went next. Getting a boost onto Cherie’s back has the hardest part. She is a tall animal! Gerry and Kendra coached him into various positions, and he looked great! Craig kept his center of gravity low since his MS affects his balance, and he didn't want to do anything dangerous for him. His arrow pose was especially well aligned, straight as an arrow, just like the cliché. He felt very comfortable on Cherie’s back, and he didn’t feel like he was losing his balance or that he was in danger of falling until he tried to do bow pose perpendicular to Cherie’s back. He felt that he was either too far forward or too far backwards, and that he might topple off. The spotters did their job well and helped him back to a more comfortable and secure position. Gerry asked Craig to reprise the Cosmo pose from yesterday. He put his cowboy hat on Craig’s head, and Craig laid on his belly with his hands under his chin. To play it up, Craig said “I’ve never felt so feminine in my whole life” and Gerry started cracking up, wisecracking “50,000 Montana cowboys are on their way here to kick your ass!” We all had a good laugh. As with all of our travels, we fully immerse ourselves in the experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQl3JYwqhrfasnXbWg3D8RcnWOoR1gI-b5tXZmlxW4lnFfQPX-FB4QAqtgSIhJps4XeP3A4Brwdo9QG2tUfch2i_JB3zR_jvqG-b3J3mmZIegiWPYYU2V935LfYYcJnF2RKpf/s1600/P6061443.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQl3JYwqhrfasnXbWg3D8RcnWOoR1gI-b5tXZmlxW4lnFfQPX-FB4QAqtgSIhJps4XeP3A4Brwdo9QG2tUfch2i_JB3zR_jvqG-b3J3mmZIegiWPYYU2V935LfYYcJnF2RKpf/s400/P6061443.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig practices arrow pose on Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gerry’s friends came over and borrowed Pegasus and Annie to go on a ride. Shannon, Lydia, and Steve all took their turns doing postures on top of Cherie, and I acted as the unofficial group photographer. Gerry explained that we needed to limit the number of people who did standing poses, out of respect for Cherie. This made a lot of sense, and we of course understood and respected his wishes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAAblpzllnGHCKhY3QDVCygpdRl5yoZTjPl3tr1UJKJT5L2dFMspufldZDNNWQ3gL54rPcHLvuGKwooJleR2Giw2ehzK2diqylBzzAQcnuT6qMt2oaWWwDpjB6pGEIwKROCOF/s1600/P6071539.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAAblpzllnGHCKhY3QDVCygpdRl5yoZTjPl3tr1UJKJT5L2dFMspufldZDNNWQ3gL54rPcHLvuGKwooJleR2Giw2ehzK2diqylBzzAQcnuT6qMt2oaWWwDpjB6pGEIwKROCOF/s400/P6071539.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerry with Black Jack and Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cherie was getting restless by the time it was Matt’s turn. Or, more precisely, her boyfriend Black Jack was getting restless. He kept sniffing Cherie’s hind quarters, nudging her with his nose, and causing her to move, which made it difficult for Matt to hold a pose for very long. But Matt was a trooper! He is a trained yoga instructor as well, so he took it all in stride.<br />
<br />
We still had several more people to go, and Cherie was no longer standing as still. So we took a 45 minute break to allow the horses to rest. Black Jack was obviously troubled that some of his herd was missing, and as the alpha male, he whinnied for them.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgw2IvMcF6H0OsGiuu7ZMjtkkmJ3Mt3uQYpyrH2Rgj-O6eGylyB7ueHnpRTCVBiPmX2ug_0peFnabFZXjLLCSAQcdteuSdGINy-TSXuZXGTSJ74DrZ1Uo3XGlSsr0t_UOYbAFG/s1600/P6071638.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgw2IvMcF6H0OsGiuu7ZMjtkkmJ3Mt3uQYpyrH2Rgj-O6eGylyB7ueHnpRTCVBiPmX2ug_0peFnabFZXjLLCSAQcdteuSdGINy-TSXuZXGTSJ74DrZ1Uo3XGlSsr0t_UOYbAFG/s400/P6071638.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph practices half pigeon on Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgte0ttGe29M9FkmtaeF0oRsg1RN25M0fRMg9BQ8fPQtl8L9mXGuA2YDGF8NK7ipCinWN0ENAn8TKT0mhsrDdT92ANOg_65a_jEuZKik33mN0j9q1dcNvpwS2fb-41Yvs3EIoTo/s1600/StephYogaCollage2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgte0ttGe29M9FkmtaeF0oRsg1RN25M0fRMg9BQ8fPQtl8L9mXGuA2YDGF8NK7ipCinWN0ENAn8TKT0mhsrDdT92ANOg_65a_jEuZKik33mN0j9q1dcNvpwS2fb-41Yvs3EIoTo/s640/StephYogaCollage2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph practicing yoga postures on Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went back out to the tipi, and I was the next one up. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and Cherie’s back was expansive. Her shiny brown fur was warm in the sunlight, and she felt very sturdy. Gerry coached me, and was always saying encouraging and amusing things, which meant that I was always smiling. I wanted to try plow pose, but didn’t feel comfortable tipping that far back, so I settled for just extending my legs up into the air. I got into half pigeon, one of my favorite poses. I felt like a rock star! I did reverse prayer pose, and Gerry put his cowboy hat onto my head. I got into bow pose, and Black Jack photobombed the picture. It was an amazingly humbling experience. Cherie is a very trusting horse, and we were very grateful to her for allowing us to bond with her like this.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLGvytkXs4eSByagMmhTBVRQ-Rn70ZUwBTU39zqwPLemQJIGrBV1aR4zppq_MdYYQV4GelrR75wmg6te59-tvlwse5evLuijYsG2Szxr375L9ZaYj_Y2mmq4cCe44ZmBv6ggr/s1600/P6061363+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLGvytkXs4eSByagMmhTBVRQ-Rn70ZUwBTU39zqwPLemQJIGrBV1aR4zppq_MdYYQV4GelrR75wmg6te59-tvlwse5evLuijYsG2Szxr375L9ZaYj_Y2mmq4cCe44ZmBv6ggr/s400/P6061363+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving Black Jack a smooch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lisa, Ellen, Meghan, and Sam took their turns. As Sam was the last to go, Gerry gave her special permission to stand up, and she performed a textbook utkatasana (chair pose) and then tadasana (mountain pose). You go, girl!<br />
<br />
We were all flying high after this experience. Tess and Kendra served lunch: homemade pesto focaccia along with the leftover soups from the first night and fruit salad.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKSfSOI-qF5OtaXuxljkK8b37O5ZK3HIGstUotDBRBPfRwQq0RxSjah2uT-EWyf7jwIykKJkIzbpclOJ_phTSxrGCuYE2MKe9jBjY4eV5AXyoSpXzYyPxy4pOHy8g8lYRu0pB/s1600/P6071873.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKSfSOI-qF5OtaXuxljkK8b37O5ZK3HIGstUotDBRBPfRwQq0RxSjah2uT-EWyf7jwIykKJkIzbpclOJ_phTSxrGCuYE2MKe9jBjY4eV5AXyoSpXzYyPxy4pOHy8g8lYRu0pB/s400/P6071873.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jenny had left this afternoon open, so that we could all do whatever we wanted before reconvening for evening yoga practice. Most folks explored Stowe – driving downtown or to the Von Trapp Family Lodge. Though this sounded fun, Craig, Steve, and I decided to stay close to the ranch. We haven't had the opportunity to spend much time in New England nature in the past few years. Busy schedules and international travel have meant that we don't really get to go camping any more, something we always enjoyed in the past. So we decided to take this opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings rather than spend time in civilization.<br />
<br />
We decided to return to the trails where we had hiked and ridden the horses on Friday morning. Molly followed us, which was very sweet, but we were a little bit nervous about her following us off property. We needed to cross the busy street to get to the trails. I tried to lead her back to the house, but she would have none of it. She wanted to hang out with us and making sure we were safe and didn't get lost. So we accepted her offering and Steve held her collar as we crossed the road to get to and from the trails, just in case. Couldn’t have anything happen to her on our watch! (Probably the same thing she was thinking about us!)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynRGvv9wOZxUdw5XCIkqdA7epPjQwm6P377tt3PqcyIUoglIbjutfPW8qrDS-JvjxuhCGgmDBPojX3QJmvw4INgnmq2TF4w_qRXDy5bM4chyphenhyphen5eoBL17jmKSRuP-0QO-jH39dO/s1600/P6071911.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynRGvv9wOZxUdw5XCIkqdA7epPjQwm6P377tt3PqcyIUoglIbjutfPW8qrDS-JvjxuhCGgmDBPojX3QJmvw4INgnmq2TF4w_qRXDy5bM4chyphenhyphen5eoBL17jmKSRuP-0QO-jH39dO/s400/P6071911.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside yoga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOeBFiaKPo7pnGs7TCMNoNXDh5uRvpO_0H7aP87mQXwYsg9Kq1nHOm7kMRFem7RZNyCsYJa7a4y2ezQz5NSWoKWKm-sbSoSENf64n734UtsVftM8Jrs1Kor7TbT-gVxY4EIy-/s1600/P6071923.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOeBFiaKPo7pnGs7TCMNoNXDh5uRvpO_0H7aP87mQXwYsg9Kq1nHOm7kMRFem7RZNyCsYJa7a4y2ezQz5NSWoKWKm-sbSoSENf64n734UtsVftM8Jrs1Kor7TbT-gVxY4EIy-/s400/P6071923.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunking my feet with Molly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked to a gorgeous spot next to the river, where the rocks and water were sun dappled as the light filtered through the trees. The area reminded us of Lothlorien in the Lord of the Rings movies. We did some yoga poses there and just enjoyed the serenity. Molly brought us sticks (really big ones!), but didn’t really seem interested in chasing them. <br />
<br />
I dunked my toes in the cold water (had we really jumped in yesterday?!) and then dried my feet on a patch of luxurious moss. I walked around the forest barefoot, thinking of the survivalists we watch on TV who do this regularly. I felt particularly grounded through my root chakra. Molly stayed with us the whole time, and if she started to wander a little far, a quick call brought her right back. At one point, I needed to heed nature’s call, and found a secluded spot to do so. Molly crouched down about 20 feet from me and did the same thing. I guess girls do always visit the restroom in groups!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnjMtoafGwfrIMNk_ckbPk7SkO0ZIKttX5-cqHqprI02ebPsgzY0FDznFBzRnbMZFXGr3UOiWgMoXQmVUDIkhD65IxQ-OXX9cp9KXx7G5SXFxsLXdklXZp3Kx85mQjW0XtMI2/s1600/P6071935.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnjMtoafGwfrIMNk_ckbPk7SkO0ZIKttX5-cqHqprI02ebPsgzY0FDznFBzRnbMZFXGr3UOiWgMoXQmVUDIkhD65IxQ-OXX9cp9KXx7G5SXFxsLXdklXZp3Kx85mQjW0XtMI2/s400/P6071935.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZuDWo5vafDhu8TxCT46-1KMJoAtsMgVqTVWzq9MNyCoIbZDYZVIP4m65-DpGSluMhRNz997TKSXi60y4JuOU-oUNgLN83rONXWPpFNOjRpM2xI0b5VPWKeoP7toC4n32-lMI/s1600/P6071947.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZuDWo5vafDhu8TxCT46-1KMJoAtsMgVqTVWzq9MNyCoIbZDYZVIP4m65-DpGSluMhRNz997TKSXi60y4JuOU-oUNgLN83rONXWPpFNOjRpM2xI0b5VPWKeoP7toC4n32-lMI/s400/P6071947.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the hot tub!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we returned to the ranch. Nobody else was back yet, and we took quick rinsing showers, changed into our bathing suits, and got into the hot tub. We had a gorgeous view of the horses, the tipi, and the surrounding mountains as the sun sank low in the sky. Craig needs to be careful not to overheat due to his MS, and just as he was thinking it was probably time for him to get out, the jets stopped, completing a full cycle. I guess it was the universe agreeing that it was time to get out!<br />
<br />
Folks trickled in from their afternoon adventures, and we all congregated inside for Chanelle’s deep stretch yin yoga class at 6 o’clock. After all of the physical activity over the last couple of days, it felt really good to do such a gentle practice. In fact, everyone was so into it, that Chanelle taught for 90 minutes. She applied essential oils to our skin. When we were in savasana, she did some really great assists to help us get deeper into relaxation, and she even placed my hand on top of Craig’s, which was very sweet.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHNnN32hARZIPGsGqg5mmz81-wl8l8To98WTn-P7qwxe1zC8UzCqebY0BxsX22cshd6JRYoBtuV0BBtChyphenhyphenG17rRg6VJFthj_oJ4TAPy53AbJpKA5rHlE0I_6BSJxTzqnwnU7t/s1600/P6071955.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHNnN32hARZIPGsGqg5mmz81-wl8l8To98WTn-P7qwxe1zC8UzCqebY0BxsX22cshd6JRYoBtuV0BBtChyphenhyphenG17rRg6VJFthj_oJ4TAPy53AbJpKA5rHlE0I_6BSJxTzqnwnU7t/s400/P6071955.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chanelle preparing to teach a deep stretch yin class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our farewell dinner was eaten indoors. Tess had prepared salad, and while we enjoyed that, he prepared fajitas. We went up to the island where he was cooking, and he warmed up a tortilla of our choice (flour or corn). We could choose between chicken or vegetarian filling, and then top it off with shredded cheese, salsa, and hot sauce. This was supplemented by rice and black beans. It was delicious and abundant, and we enjoyed several helpings. We drank wine and chatted, drinking toasts to Gerry, the ranch, and especially the horses.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70cTzpbuTcagAXItVa5s5D6V5FHMdsNckqSgzjruSaeuXaRvu8_Jf-7xss4v8o_nb-HDze5s-1cV8Fb-os2oIFNqN2OEMaxZrtp0yTbyudAkQwM2GOB9Q9TgsqwE9uIq4CBGT/s1600/JennyJerry.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70cTzpbuTcagAXItVa5s5D6V5FHMdsNckqSgzjruSaeuXaRvu8_Jf-7xss4v8o_nb-HDze5s-1cV8Fb-os2oIFNqN2OEMaxZrtp0yTbyudAkQwM2GOB9Q9TgsqwE9uIq4CBGT/s400/JennyJerry.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerry presenting Jenny with some beautiful thank you gifts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of the meal Gerry presented Jenny with two gifts. The first was an actual horseshoe worn by Black Jack. Jenny said that she would hang it in the baby's room, and Lydia said that would ensure that the baby would be a perfect gentleman, just like Black Jack.<br />
<br />
The second was a gift for the studio: a heart made from horseshoes which Gerry produces with assistance from a local blacksmith. Seeing it hanging in the studio will always remind us of this fabulous weekend.<br />
<br />
After dinner was our surprise (Lydia does not like surprises, so Jenny playfully tormented her with it for the whole retreat)– a cowboy campfire out by the tipi. Lydia was happy to finally know what it was, and volunteered to help Gerry start the fire.<br />
<br />
Gerry asked the guys to bring hay bales from the barn for seating. Several people, myself included, asked Craig if he was comfortable carrying the heavy bales with his MS. But Gerry had asked him specifically, and he wanted to try to help. If he couldn't do it, he would stop. He really appreciated everyone looking out for him. And he was able to do it.<br />
<br />
Joyce was unable to walk from the house out to the tipi on her own. Craig and Steve supported her, one on each side, but as the terrain got more uneven, it was obvious that this wouldn't work. Joyce said she should turn around and go back to the house. Steve offered her a piggy-back ride. At first she politely declined. She didn't want to inconvenience anyone. But what was the alternative? To stay in the house alone while the rest of us were having fun sharing our final night together just a hundred yards away? There were already a few activities that Joyce had been unable to enjoy due to her injury. This was something she could do, and Steve was determined to get her there. So he carried her on his back while Craig spotted.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMZaHRW8JrZAkXca34gUfPJD8uhxq-vH9uYsds1Rh0di-fXkdqzHWhxwJKfThyKlN6gZnlhR3djuov4-ZiLMTiAWXgUnL3OXvHZtLjryAo_CEH8TjJZYQ_jrrmyv37IoAvOLQ/s1600/P6071975+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMZaHRW8JrZAkXca34gUfPJD8uhxq-vH9uYsds1Rh0di-fXkdqzHWhxwJKfThyKlN6gZnlhR3djuov4-ZiLMTiAWXgUnL3OXvHZtLjryAo_CEH8TjJZYQ_jrrmyv37IoAvOLQ/s400/P6071975+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toasting s'mores at the campfire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We sat on the hay bales and toasted s’mores. Gerry led us in some songs as Molly sat on his lap. All four horses joined us of their own accord. This was very humbling. All weekend we had been doing our best to bond with the horses, and it was obvious that it was not a one-way street. The way the horses behaved around us showed that they were very comfortable, and that they enjoyed our company as well. We had built true relationships with these animals, and it was heartwarming.<br />
<br />
While we ate our s'mores, the horses munched on the hay bales beneath us. Joyce and Lisa actually took a tumble off of their bales when the horses snatched them out from under them. This led to much laughter.<br />
<br />
At the end of the evening, the guys brought all but one of the hay bales (one had been totally sacrificed for the horses) back to the barn, and Steve piggy-backed Joyce back to the house.<br />
<br />
Ellen, Lydia, Sam, and Kendra got up early the next morning to run with Gerry and the horses. This is another facet of the Yoga with Horses program. They were paired up with the horses, held onto the lead, and ran with them along the trails. They had an amazing time. We are not runners at all, let alone being able to keep up with a galloping horse. Craig found it challenging just to keep up with the horses when they are walking. But we found ourselves wishing that we could, because it sounded like such a phenomenal experience.<br />
<br />
Gerry has always wanted to try offering yoga alongside the horses, and he was able to beta test the concept with these four ladies at the end of their run. Kendra led them in a short practice, and it was very successful.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmg2jGUYmdVCgdiXBs523wMd9D2gMNikFtzmmbHXdMA7E2dCQIqLrded-r0S2kyypFPX0Y3Jy03jg9968gd0INoMn8Z7pvueliBCa9M9qjS7tglSHzKlHJt8EglZyEdY9AfbT/s1600/P6072002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmg2jGUYmdVCgdiXBs523wMd9D2gMNikFtzmmbHXdMA7E2dCQIqLrded-r0S2kyypFPX0Y3Jy03jg9968gd0INoMn8Z7pvueliBCa9M9qjS7tglSHzKlHJt8EglZyEdY9AfbT/s400/P6072002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny greets the horses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When they returned to the ranch, we were ready for our final yoga practice. Jenny was dunking her feet in the hot tub, and at Steve’s suggestion, was thinking of teaching the class from there. (The hot tub is situated right "at the head of the class" on the deck where we practice). But Gerry threw her a bit of a curve ball. He wanted to take us all across the street to a nice field to practice with the horses. This was the first Jenny had heard of it, so she had to spontaneously adapt to this new plan, but we were all very enthusiastic about having one more interaction with the horses.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgghL76oKIcGRoQ-3OwD1vBsIWl2nsQ9n7gSmxNc82zfC4eKyrC-tLgLoeevEDw0dYZ-7Wqs9B_7M_dBGQwPv_uaZkuKeHkl9Cw-bpmu4sojhCHfiuhw7X7qBOqV8FSwSojx8/s1600/P6072020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgghL76oKIcGRoQ-3OwD1vBsIWl2nsQ9n7gSmxNc82zfC4eKyrC-tLgLoeevEDw0dYZ-7Wqs9B_7M_dBGQwPv_uaZkuKeHkl9Cw-bpmu4sojhCHfiuhw7X7qBOqV8FSwSojx8/s400/P6072020.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning yoga with horses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMj_hAWZmLf7-WDT2eZ_HRNf6wqzvjapIi8TJ1yOmlXDOm-IBM_A44hKEHNoUNhl2AyTL0OyStNzohPkMuxu-j5L-upmXPoG5Nkw6IDByJjbZWi1PcN2waeUJMVYJE5die2TS/s1600/airplane.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMj_hAWZmLf7-WDT2eZ_HRNf6wqzvjapIi8TJ1yOmlXDOm-IBM_A44hKEHNoUNhl2AyTL0OyStNzohPkMuxu-j5L-upmXPoG5Nkw6IDByJjbZWi1PcN2waeUJMVYJE5die2TS/s640/airplane.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airplane poses with Annie Oakley<br />
(second photo courtesy of Kendra)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gerry’s friend Heather joined us for practice. We left our mats at the ranch and each took a yoga blanket. Gerry put halters and leads on the horses and we walked across the street (accompanied by Molly) to a gorgeous green field with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The grass was damp and we ended up not really needing the blankets because we concentrated on standing poses. We got into small groups centered around a horse (Craig, Steve, and I were with Annie Oakley). I held Annie’s lead while we practiced, which meant that my form wasn’t always conventional, but that wasn’t the point. Annie ate grass while we practiced, holding on to her to help with our balance. It was so much fun! At the end of class, instead of a traditional savasana, we stood with our foreheads (third eye) touching Annie’s flanks, feeling her warm fur on our skin, feeling her body rise and fall with each breath, feeling every stretch of her toned muscles. It was so humbling!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcShU-iCPD-1XreN6F8NioPHovdpwjaUW60PZNmmVtzLxJKVoPSEF13yQL_6VRdVK5NYOD6zN94GRLwZMWMfPedn5-UpUv3y4IfipmNNxbMvLaQgLiHicY3N8Y7ZAXTgEMBb73/s1600/HorseYoga.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcShU-iCPD-1XreN6F8NioPHovdpwjaUW60PZNmmVtzLxJKVoPSEF13yQL_6VRdVK5NYOD6zN94GRLwZMWMfPedn5-UpUv3y4IfipmNNxbMvLaQgLiHicY3N8Y7ZAXTgEMBb73/s400/HorseYoga.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side body stretch and savasana with Annie<br />
(photos courtesy of Kendra)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After practice, we posed for some pictures with the horses, doing various poses standing next to them. I put my foot in the air and at one point Annie nuzzled me with her head, her strength almost knocking me down. It was so cute! Once again, she was seeking out interaction, and wanted to cuddle!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM3IlFNIRw7gNtEzF0fCr-K_Jnh_5B-600iIWZ3_T2iGM8RV3wNyy2egKBpgVVLOK6K6DP-ZouA5tKo0LgRT_8Y5swkV71MpvQb6AAsKxsnfOJE_7aLFg7E4Ya9P259i9ECQV/s1600/P6072024.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM3IlFNIRw7gNtEzF0fCr-K_Jnh_5B-600iIWZ3_T2iGM8RV3wNyy2egKBpgVVLOK6K6DP-ZouA5tKo0LgRT_8Y5swkV71MpvQb6AAsKxsnfOJE_7aLFg7E4Ya9P259i9ECQV/s400/P6072024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig practicing with Annie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0kCy0_yLzUdN03EO2ff3hTAzhuHOKxQk28YFZ-1izcsOoUxD_R2wVnLU184dSmZp85aYWwS4uiLBdSiyyde6hkAgJfmojaA9_rcbExKwC6Mnhb-uaxEkNAP0ftKmriNM-Sj7/s1600/P6072025.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0kCy0_yLzUdN03EO2ff3hTAzhuHOKxQk28YFZ-1izcsOoUxD_R2wVnLU184dSmZp85aYWwS4uiLBdSiyyde6hkAgJfmojaA9_rcbExKwC6Mnhb-uaxEkNAP0ftKmriNM-Sj7/s400/P6072025.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie snuggles with Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH65ihobKjFimSaFH2I1nC3QHePZHrhJBWY3elSWn_7kLzjUI2wEBEZC-xWpYnfYMolQE0DX05FES05c7B1NjtqYeqhAQsTBU5mewR6oVlcm1NjnxUiJAjNK-d-UfCxzPPitC/s1600/P6072037+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH65ihobKjFimSaFH2I1nC3QHePZHrhJBWY3elSWn_7kLzjUI2wEBEZC-xWpYnfYMolQE0DX05FES05c7B1NjtqYeqhAQsTBU5mewR6oVlcm1NjnxUiJAjNK-d-UfCxzPPitC/s400/P6072037+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny practices with Cherie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I walked Annie back to the ranch, and Craig walked Black Jack. For our final meal, Tess outdid himself yet again with an amazing brunch. We had egg and veggie frittata, an amazing curry dish which contained apples (who would have thought? It was unbelievable!), homefries, watermelon, and another delicious purple pomegranate and kale-based smoothie. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnkyBAw_fs8isb8Tz-FhFn8vFL12Tncd3TDTAz1RkQPBUCrfwfI5iDlL8B3eNm2imYncDNZ5KY5cAC6BK8y7kgQ82l81bObkfYERnAyQIlylBsV7gwU1syenWDZvIAtG2o4Ho/s1600/P6072096+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnkyBAw_fs8isb8Tz-FhFn8vFL12Tncd3TDTAz1RkQPBUCrfwfI5iDlL8B3eNm2imYncDNZ5KY5cAC6BK8y7kgQ82l81bObkfYERnAyQIlylBsV7gwU1syenWDZvIAtG2o4Ho/s400/P6072096+-+Copy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Oakley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As with all the meals, there was an abundance of food. As soon as we polished off a blender full of smoothie, another one was immediately made. If we finished off the food in a serving dish, it was replenished. We really don't see why any group wouldn't take advantage of Gerry's culinary option. The food is delicious and nutritious, and you don't have to do any work! We were grateful to Jenny for selecting this option. We often felt a bit guilty as Kendra cleared our plates and did the dishes, because she was such a part of the group. But she reminded us that this was her job, and that we were the guests. We are so lucky that she ended up being the retreat assistant for our retreat, as she is a fabulous person and a great new friend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEoDUS1GhUrv8Jp9qlW8P8omq8KxCxyHF2ql_EOC7ttJ-oxUrIJLj_AxsNQ-bJylyYgHDAGo2VcO4OiKVJ3bsbZogucp_JlR_LiRVZcbyF0H-rR5BdWKV029wBbCfHFhXN6Mn/s1600/RetreatFood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEoDUS1GhUrv8Jp9qlW8P8omq8KxCxyHF2ql_EOC7ttJ-oxUrIJLj_AxsNQ-bJylyYgHDAGo2VcO4OiKVJ3bsbZogucp_JlR_LiRVZcbyF0H-rR5BdWKV029wBbCfHFhXN6Mn/s400/RetreatFood.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious food prepared by Chef Tess with assistance from Kendra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We chatted with Gerry while we ate. After breakfast, we packed up and took some group photos. Kendra suggested using the timer on my camera. We did a group hug and put the camera on the ground in the center of the circle. Molly wanted in on the action and jumped in just before the photo was snapped (unfortunately blocking Lydia).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXkxIH4WRJTlfXQscsWY57Cw61ADltpOgQKUmGk9D4wIZ8MRVFwvyWjSNMfIWLCnhLvuuG_6jmXoqBrDyxn7U9s6nEUyZrndKy6sy8Vw5iYtp94_aib21vEqsu3zc4V7gx8vG/s1600/GroupHugHiRes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXkxIH4WRJTlfXQscsWY57Cw61ADltpOgQKUmGk9D4wIZ8MRVFwvyWjSNMfIWLCnhLvuuG_6jmXoqBrDyxn7U9s6nEUyZrndKy6sy8Vw5iYtp94_aib21vEqsu3zc4V7gx8vG/s400/GroupHugHiRes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group hug<br />
(thanks to Matt for lightening the color in this photo!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We all said our goodbyes to humans and animals, and left at noon. On the way home, we stopped at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury. We bought fresh, hot apple cider donuts, hot mulled apple cider, fresh fudge, and hot pepper jelly. I also bought a tie-dyed Peace Love Cider T-shirt which will be perfect for yoga.<br />
<br />
It felt wrong to drive by Ben & Jerry's without stopping in, but at least we had enjoyed some vanilla and Cherry Garcia with our fresh homemade apple crisp on Friday night!<br />
<br />
It was a phenomenal weekend that surpassed our expectations in every possible way. We bonded with a great group of people and animals, and we all felt like family by the time we returned home. We look forward to next year’s retreat. Gerry can bet his last silver dollar on THAT!<br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.8266677856445px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
</div>
</div>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-81943449806665421712015-05-31T12:23:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.708-04:00China 2015 Installment #6: Guiyang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
China 2015 with Myths and Mountains<br />
Installment #6: Guiyang<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4bEIVD_sd2K67g3Efkh7eeFOIu6Tc9SDAYu7TTGg_sw6NDSqQ0gqwSQKYdW1ecOL7vYcqWcDgL0ZRCOJWbNhRo4ReFSvPI_wMIhabAETIEaJnRtVW9qyekzZBkxMgJ-QQtDZ/s1600/P4302748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4bEIVD_sd2K67g3Efkh7eeFOIu6Tc9SDAYu7TTGg_sw6NDSqQ0gqwSQKYdW1ecOL7vYcqWcDgL0ZRCOJWbNhRo4ReFSvPI_wMIhabAETIEaJnRtVW9qyekzZBkxMgJ-QQtDZ/s400/P4302748.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited with Wang Jun at the Guiyang airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This morning we got up at 4:30 a.m. to prepare for our flight to Guiyang to see our dear friend Wang Jun and his family. We said goodbye to our new friend Keely at the Chengdu airport, and took an Air China flight which arrived in Guiyang at 9:50. After picking up our luggage, we saw Wang Jun immediately and he gave us a big hug. He said that he'd call our driver. We were secretly hoping that it was Mr. Zhou, our driver from last October. We waited on the curb and as the van approached, Wang Jun said, "Look who it is!" Mr. Zhou had a huge smile on his face and was waving at us happily from behind the wheel! We were so excited. He got out of the van to greet us and gave us big hugs. We were so happy to be together again as a foursome!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEd4wzSwy4KZXaMHcNAJk5Uc26_FQAWD7gRPofpelIjLOq6CXJwKtomMlDi6oGWnvgN8C_79s4fuf_bRGDwD4KzyRXhYAhrLIz_D4QVFyWp3MrOlguAG8An6Ik0ov14e0xm_v/s1600/P4302750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEd4wzSwy4KZXaMHcNAJk5Uc26_FQAWD7gRPofpelIjLOq6CXJwKtomMlDi6oGWnvgN8C_79s4fuf_bRGDwD4KzyRXhYAhrLIz_D4QVFyWp3MrOlguAG8An6Ik0ov14e0xm_v/s400/P4302750.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Mr. Zhou at lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We drove to a satellite district of Guiyang called Guanshanhu District. They are building many highrise apartments and moving government agencies here, as a way to relieve congestion in the city proper. We ate lunch and were surprised and delighted that we all ate together. Typical China guide protocol is that the guide eats with the driver, separate from the guests. Wang Jun said he was breaking his own rules, but we came up with a loophole - we are friends now,. not clients!<br />
We enjoyed our lunch of spicy dishes and it was as though we had never left. I showed them some photos of us with the pandas and dressed up for the opera on my tablet.<br />
<br />
After lunch, we went for a walk in the nice new Guanshanhu Park. The four of us enjoyed the park together. It was hot today, and the park was beautifully landscaped. There was a nice lake and you could see the modern architecture of the new city in the distance. There were playgrounds and statues depicting the ethnic minorities of the province. Signage encouraged environmental responsibility. We saw lotus blossoms and small turtles in a pond, and we noticed many birds. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2HG8d0WyMOPhoSVEN2tGeseniBQ1NT1a0OACczXKmLCG7UH8jJBB6b9W2Q6ofWN2ANkpPa5vL9Fo-GSpIEQPWX8wccqkqC1NwugaR3Ystd-yJs5FdpUQAO9V783lPNCGv2Wo/s1600/P4300032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2HG8d0WyMOPhoSVEN2tGeseniBQ1NT1a0OACczXKmLCG7UH8jJBB6b9W2Q6ofWN2ANkpPa5vL9Fo-GSpIEQPWX8wccqkqC1NwugaR3Ystd-yJs5FdpUQAO9V783lPNCGv2Wo/s400/P4300032.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guanshanhu Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIdO8Ejt9V7RSewPO4CxTxLd4O-OZaunVBjVaS5pMupWnWunAUW3vkhX-rgFv0px9Hv0UCpsTCzvENFyaF6-Kba6-wTxsOCC94h7J5wsMYSlWhbbF7G_8Mp9lhaKMcIyF1pPZ/s1600/P4300044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIdO8Ejt9V7RSewPO4CxTxLd4O-OZaunVBjVaS5pMupWnWunAUW3vkhX-rgFv0px9Hv0UCpsTCzvENFyaF6-Kba6-wTxsOCC94h7J5wsMYSlWhbbF7G_8Mp9lhaKMcIyF1pPZ/s400/P4300044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus and turtles, <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Guanshanhu Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After our walk, we drove back to Guiyang, to the community where Wang Jun and his wife Xiao Yi live. It is a very nice residential community comprised of highrise condos, gardens, swimming pool, supermarket, hot springs, a hotel, shops, and a large movie theater under construction. Mr. Zhou went to park the car and Wang Jun took us up to their 18th floor condo. We met Xiao Yi, who was quite lovely. We learned that 5-month-old Ziting, born a month after our last visit, was napping.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyeaMRfTaYOqxyKot0y8TotQ-_elfdusAZCgZKzyHjsEMhJf6qYvgS3KKgHwpFJCtuz9s54dST0poNmwC40X2RXqQwABc61GX3d9ATLVOUT-FunggRZwhaTKcojM5o-FSBgyh/s1600/P4300075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyeaMRfTaYOqxyKot0y8TotQ-_elfdusAZCgZKzyHjsEMhJf6qYvgS3KKgHwpFJCtuz9s54dST0poNmwC40X2RXqQwABc61GX3d9ATLVOUT-FunggRZwhaTKcojM5o-FSBgyh/s400/P4300075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wang Jun and Xiao Yi's beautiful engagement photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We took a tour of their beautiful condo (or "nest", as Wang Jun likes to call it), which overlooked a pond and nearby mountains. We looked through their gorgeous engagement photo albums and the two of them looked like models. So lovely! Xiao Yi put some baby photos on slideshow on the TV so we got a sneak peek at the lovely Ziting. It was amazing what a happy baby she seemed to be. We couldn't wait to meet her. Wang Jun and Xiao Yi went to the kitchen to prepare an elaborate dinner. We watched some TV with Mr. Zhou and showed him some panda photos.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejG0gTmWEHt9c-ea16OFRlH2kyz_N7kQZC0ja4Mg0lDZoNYFKLj30eLAKJ_1VQ2jLr4TLS4MYE6iVks5zUP8u7UiZJi3A4qrVoJUBfphZ72AJZRgjwetX72GE-dEhuW8lUpwW/s1600/P4300169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejG0gTmWEHt9c-ea16OFRlH2kyz_N7kQZC0ja4Mg0lDZoNYFKLj30eLAKJ_1VQ2jLr4TLS4MYE6iVks5zUP8u7UiZJi3A4qrVoJUBfphZ72AJZRgjwetX72GE-dEhuW8lUpwW/s400/P4300169.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wang Jun and Xiao Yi hard at work cooking an elaborate dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then Ziting woke up from her nap and Xiao Yi's mom, Zhu Yongli, brought her out to meet us. She was so cute and smiley! I held her and she was very happy. Xiao Yi's mom kept taking photos with her phone. They laid Ziting into her lady bug carriage, and we kept seeing her little feet kick up into happy baby pose. Her name translates to Graceful Purple, which suits her perfectly! We are so happy for Wang Jun and Xiao Yi on this wonderful addition to their family.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg861jNqfCX6eBW-CY7_pb-grBEJY7nBHeLp4dGbdcNxa0k2RwC2KRGZPlWcQQzjosaqlEXigxgqmJp9QFeFijbiw4KK6-8QewfxV-UiX1cnAEXU3zqazLhwvnLOLPTMU4XqVpa/s1600/P4300093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg861jNqfCX6eBW-CY7_pb-grBEJY7nBHeLp4dGbdcNxa0k2RwC2KRGZPlWcQQzjosaqlEXigxgqmJp9QFeFijbiw4KK6-8QewfxV-UiX1cnAEXU3zqazLhwvnLOLPTMU4XqVpa/s400/P4300093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wang Jun and his "little thing", daughter Ziting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfRI_Rsqb1t_hSvuWOjabT-JqHzFN89_0QRtuC1gDb9AyAlE5-lYMELC3VKRz8e6LKwlS-zbv84au3Mv5C3NkviipyvYhaaNSJTJe2cx2RkSwY6J2SDQtCGA2_0oiqIvobXDz/s1600/P4300149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfRI_Rsqb1t_hSvuWOjabT-JqHzFN89_0QRtuC1gDb9AyAlE5-lYMELC3VKRz8e6LKwlS-zbv84au3Mv5C3NkviipyvYhaaNSJTJe2cx2RkSwY6J2SDQtCGA2_0oiqIvobXDz/s400/P4300149.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darling Ziting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76WQX2R0NDL4wfdL6IrJyhDNj6VQLHrHIgJpi-NaLI5KR94Pw7gwdLJcvaqvXrVdscdIAaD32r-Im0P_qiXeebNfs-WmbCguT9HG-STFT5_QoVGyinE5Hkg6xYd5fZcv5JaGa/s1600/P4300110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76WQX2R0NDL4wfdL6IrJyhDNj6VQLHrHIgJpi-NaLI5KR94Pw7gwdLJcvaqvXrVdscdIAaD32r-Im0P_qiXeebNfs-WmbCguT9HG-STFT5_QoVGyinE5Hkg6xYd5fZcv5JaGa/s400/P4300110.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ziting with Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wang Jun's mother Chen Rulan arrived and was quite friendly. Despite the language barrier, a warm friendly smile goes a long way and everyone was soon at ease. Then it was time for dinner - 11 dishes! Xiao Yi had cooked her specialty - a pork dish, and there were also crabs, shrimp, salad, prawn cakes, salmon sashimi with wasabi, sugary rice pudding, and more! Craig and Wang Jun drank beer. The grandmothers and I drank Bordeaux. It was a delicious meal and we both ate to bursting because it was all so good and we couldn't stop. Xiao Yi had been a little bit nervous about cooking for us, but she needn't have been. Everything was delicious and their hospitality was fabulous. We kept thanking them and Wang Jun told us it was not necessary.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xw3U7XgMWBFL-SmlfNYvSHfzmrZIlptGlFXv1MpR_GC7RZZCWBYagwIXWBAS5c96X17IC2Zq1UzUSrHY0sLmW1WhQAYD9bOFS9NHiPbY59dNBXks94Sh1GjalEUypv_h_mW2/s1600/P4300182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xw3U7XgMWBFL-SmlfNYvSHfzmrZIlptGlFXv1MpR_GC7RZZCWBYagwIXWBAS5c96X17IC2Zq1UzUSrHY0sLmW1WhQAYD9bOFS9NHiPbY59dNBXks94Sh1GjalEUypv_h_mW2/s400/P4300182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner: Mr. Zhou, Wang Jun's mother, Xiao Yi's mother holding Ziting, Xiao Yi, Wang Jun, and Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBszJoDnkvrhEW5r4A7t53raG4es0VL6o26-UjiBQjF7UVuHHKnAPX8KfcsMCQnT8-hqTZFCDVuobON6N1uAY7sKJxq3VNUen5MvdYkwzkMdlPtJsW9Ya_vPnXthMZa66Japs/s1600/P4300189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBszJoDnkvrhEW5r4A7t53raG4es0VL6o26-UjiBQjF7UVuHHKnAPX8KfcsMCQnT8-hqTZFCDVuobON6N1uAY7sKJxq3VNUen5MvdYkwzkMdlPtJsW9Ya_vPnXthMZa66Japs/s400/P4300189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Ziting and Xiao Yi's mother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After dinner we chatted. The grandmothers asked about our godchildren and travels. Wang Jun asked if we liked Ziting. What kind of question is that? Of course we loved her immediately! Then he asked us to be her honorary godparents. Although they are not Christian, Chinese culture does have a similar concept. He sees it as destiny that we met and became such good friends, and wants us to be a part of the family. He thought that it was telling that Ziting took to us right away even though she often exhibits stranger anxiety. We were delighted to be her honorary Gan Die and Gan Ma! All they asked is that we come to visit again within the next 5 to 10 years. Even though it's the other side of the world, we can certainly do that! And she will always have family in Boston!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVXm2uINlyaX-D_U-EDPJjlFJj6xey45Qkzsy-6dmxd2_K1rTY6d-FJPOPUi42b0EPPp4qQ-Tl0qJPkJhxBEqcOOm5nKOWQRZt-X5_pHhYSL_D6xq6nNoiVKCBAefQogksuiq/s1600/P4300195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVXm2uINlyaX-D_U-EDPJjlFJj6xey45Qkzsy-6dmxd2_K1rTY6d-FJPOPUi42b0EPPp4qQ-Tl0qJPkJhxBEqcOOm5nKOWQRZt-X5_pHhYSL_D6xq6nNoiVKCBAefQogksuiq/s400/P4300195.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig says goodnight to Ziting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a lovely evening with our new family, we said goodnight with plans to meet again in two nights for dinner at Wang Jun's sister's house. (His sister and her husband were supposed to join us for dinner tonight, but had to work late in preparation for tomorrow's Labor Day holiday). We were so happy, and so were they. Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou drove us back downtown, and along the way we passed some really prettily lit new buildings and bridges. Everything looks so pretty at night!<br />
<br />
We arrived at the Sheraton, where we had stayed in October. It is a very nice hotel and we felt immediately at home. We check in, unwound, and went to sleep.<br />
<br />
The next morning, May 1, after a nice breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and met Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou at 9:30. There was traffic getting out of town. It was a national holiday (Labor Day), and everyone had the day off. Highway tolls were free, which encouraged many people to travel by car.<br />
<br />
We arrived at the town where the Huangguoshu Waterfall is located. The town was closed to traffic due to the influx of holiday tourists, so Mr. Zhou found a parking spot and we went to a nearby restaurant for lunch. As usual, locals at the restaurant were trying to sneak photos fo us, but we happily posed with their children, etc.<br />
<br />
Afterwards we walked to a shuttle bus stop and took the shuttle bus to the entrance to the smaller "thundering" waterfall (Doupotang). We got off the bus and walked on some nice walkways to the waterfall. Lots of families were visiting the waterfalls today. It was a sunny, hot day. The waterfall was very beautiful, and though "small" in relation to the main attraction, it was nonetheless impressive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_bfXoqBg9ni2JjxZf4ymrfj8-0HlgID2asXtbGcOUT_92D5RESaWB7TtSLp_4KLqSojVHocJks6rqCWIYFzhjpv7AONwgyp0zamx4kxDicc7VxMVj86TgLHMJqiCNZXlrP9Q/s1600/P5010267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_bfXoqBg9ni2JjxZf4ymrfj8-0HlgID2asXtbGcOUT_92D5RESaWB7TtSLp_4KLqSojVHocJks6rqCWIYFzhjpv7AONwgyp0zamx4kxDicc7VxMVj86TgLHMJqiCNZXlrP9Q/s400/P5010267.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duopotang Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyupqZT96ytfgSvmdQiZ8awat8wLM9oleCpNtQK1Bk0Mx7aLpptuHAg2JfmaYA7a2tye9yrSyd2LSZKojTFeKglbjoBhwlJL7oRYXhVGCTaY1VcgiX1ZpReHMEcnbBLAD-JJUA/s1600/P5010262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyupqZT96ytfgSvmdQiZ8awat8wLM9oleCpNtQK1Bk0Mx7aLpptuHAg2JfmaYA7a2tye9yrSyd2LSZKojTFeKglbjoBhwlJL7oRYXhVGCTaY1VcgiX1ZpReHMEcnbBLAD-JJUA/s400/P5010262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Duopotang Falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we walked to the large Great Waterfall, Huangguoshu. It is 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, one of the largest in Asia. We passed a statue of a Chinese geologist Xu Xiake who first "discovered" the waterfall in 1638. As we walked along the path, we got a glimpse of it. Absolutely stunning! There were a lot of tourists here, and it was quite sunny and hot. Wang Jun seemed concerned about Craig's ability to walk further in the hot sun, and gave us the option of viewing the waterfall from the observation areas, or actually walking behind the curtain of water, which would require braving the crowds and walking much further,<br />
<br />
Craig was feeling good, and we couldn't resist the chance to walk behind a waterfall. But we really appreciated Wang Jun's concern for his well-being. So we continued down the path until we got a to a point where we could no longer pass. We had encountered the queue to the waterfall. It was not single-file. People were crammed in the width of the walkway, shoulder to shoulder, as close to one another as possible. Nobody seemed bothered by this. The sun was very hot and people were doing what they could to shade themselves while they waited. People held up umbrellas, which were just at the right height to poke us in the eye, so we had to be vigilant. Fathers could be seen wearing their wives' frilly hats or their children's animal-shaped hats, just to get the sun off of their heads.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbD1sYF0V_K_R_IhmeN9oKMCi-pFYi0t-NGbPKHu5vKmUs8FSYuKygTu4DfeABtGsTEmFGl94c_qJe9Wsbd137UGqKcyTew_x5fc4wtG4J4kdS9KiZ_iJhSj4iL4SRG4dFlK0c/s1600/P5010308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbD1sYF0V_K_R_IhmeN9oKMCi-pFYi0t-NGbPKHu5vKmUs8FSYuKygTu4DfeABtGsTEmFGl94c_qJe9Wsbd137UGqKcyTew_x5fc4wtG4J4kdS9KiZ_iJhSj4iL4SRG4dFlK0c/s400/P5010308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Huangguoshu Falls </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsxB4aSqfFr1-Nv-OiN8ph2aCytnkWzpflMoQxtWUn8vEfWyDrLOuBJXWYg2Xl0xyo50a6eXL244c34WB12Z27PkkW77qRj7GzsYHb5QCE4fuYCRouIWjvO2qUF8oc507OHDC/s1600/P5010353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsxB4aSqfFr1-Nv-OiN8ph2aCytnkWzpflMoQxtWUn8vEfWyDrLOuBJXWYg2Xl0xyo50a6eXL244c34WB12Z27PkkW77qRj7GzsYHb5QCE4fuYCRouIWjvO2qUF8oc507OHDC/s400/P5010353.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queue to walk behind the water of <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Huangguoshu Falls </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The ebb and flow of the crowd caused Craig to get a bit separated from us, and there was no way of regrouping, so we all just went with it. We drank our water and hoped not to get dehydrated as we sweated just standing still. Some people weren't able to take it any more, and security guards helped them up out of the line onto the hillside so that they could go back to the entrance (there was no "swimming upstream" in this queue!) At times, we had a very nice view of the falls with a rainbow shining brightly in its spray.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggT1T3drHVfDqROyLBawy1uRoguikIka5GpzrSXWhKKlUozmOpzAJc6GVE1zobhmlr2sAk37S85DH3FLBUmbagtNU-ryp1qRB0iVSQBAk9-Dj_tBGX1f2lEsiUgfQ2wVc82Mm/s1600/P5010365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggT1T3drHVfDqROyLBawy1uRoguikIka5GpzrSXWhKKlUozmOpzAJc6GVE1zobhmlr2sAk37S85DH3FLBUmbagtNU-ryp1qRB0iVSQBAk9-Dj_tBGX1f2lEsiUgfQ2wVc82Mm/s400/P5010365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huangguoshu Falls with a rainbow in its mist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UJt66GdPUQjAzpdhdxkp6GNcKE5NtPDdxL0bc1o5YpuQW-GGx2y-hKGN-GD1eNps88Z-e3IwvctBCE6Tmwkh7JvyR2j8Qmg18dgL4YwXWIrLRCGsCP6cgMBY0WK9iJAO9Itj/s1600/P5010405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UJt66GdPUQjAzpdhdxkp6GNcKE5NtPDdxL0bc1o5YpuQW-GGx2y-hKGN-GD1eNps88Z-e3IwvctBCE6Tmwkh7JvyR2j8Qmg18dgL4YwXWIrLRCGsCP6cgMBY0WK9iJAO9Itj/s400/P5010405.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Huangguoshu Falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After an hour packed in like sardines, we got to a spot where the path narrowed and they controlled how many people could pass at one time. We felt like we could finally breathe when we got to this point, and we regrouped. Wang Jun told us to enjoy, and that he would meet us at the other side. We walked behind the limestone into a cave which was lit with colorful lights. The water thundered over the falls, and we could see curtains of water rushing past holes in the rock face to our right. We were so overheated that it felt great to feel the cold spray of water (except that I worried a bit about my bag getting wet). We could look back across the ravine at the queue, and it was only getting longer and stretched as far as the eye could see. Wang Jun would see later on the news that there were 43,000 visitors here today, and he said that the numbers double on National Day in October. Wow! He said that he normally wouldn't take guests to a place like this on a national holiday because of the large crowds, but it was the only day that he could fit it into our itinerary. We didn't mind; in fact, it was kind of exciting. Despite the crowds, we felt very safe and everyone was very friendly and well-mannered. And out of all of those guests, we never saw any other western tourists.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJwDV6fKTabBw_4GeXcP00cAWI_3SsgRpylsSlbcbRmvf7_bhAHnp2sguVPbHUyCveolyOntI-nRenRFPAszVRRgptLMewV1nSIyePIl8n7PV7uHGtKbThMzCp9_-7ROZ40vA/s1600/P5010443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJwDV6fKTabBw_4GeXcP00cAWI_3SsgRpylsSlbcbRmvf7_bhAHnp2sguVPbHUyCveolyOntI-nRenRFPAszVRRgptLMewV1nSIyePIl8n7PV7uHGtKbThMzCp9_-7ROZ40vA/s400/P5010443.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Steph behind </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Huangguoshu Falls (note the long queue for the waterfall in the background)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQm07rEUYITEnQTBu7akWepcM45RZ6yJXC16e6mgp5NmyspTGG2aZhVjvWDGCt2wX-DmyqlJaXBk33hTJSGAmlOgC3d-1Ivgt2Ywd-bJG9qpYFPBDDBf-EQv9W3ifS_c0kQYj/s1600/P5010470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQm07rEUYITEnQTBu7akWepcM45RZ6yJXC16e6mgp5NmyspTGG2aZhVjvWDGCt2wX-DmyqlJaXBk33hTJSGAmlOgC3d-1Ivgt2Ywd-bJG9qpYFPBDDBf-EQv9W3ifS_c0kQYj/s400/P5010470.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and his new friends <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">behind </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Huangguoshu Falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Because of this, we found that many people wanted photos with us in the spray of the waterfall. We obliged and they kept switching out, one after the next. We felt like rock stars and we wanted to give back to our public.<br />
<br />
It was a great experience all around. We reunited with Wang Jun, who seemed relieved that we were ok, since we had taken so long to emerge from the cave. We explained that we had just been making new friends, and he shook his head, saying that only we would extract something so positive out of a very crowded destination.<br />
<br />
We walked down to rejoin the main path. We were all tired after waiting so long in the hot sun, so we didn't want to walk all the way back out. Instead we took the "Grand Escalator", a 350 meter long escalator which is the longest sightseeing escalator in the world. It was billed as a site unto itself, and required purchasing a ticket to ride it.<br />
<br />
There were beautiful bonsai gardens and hawker stalls on the way to the bus stop. The late afternoon light was beautiful on the plants and flowers. We took a crowded shuttle bus back. There were no seats available, so we were prepared to stand. The very courteous Chinese tourists made a seat available. Craig graciously sat down, as his MS makes it difficult for him to stand on a moving vehicle. I was perfectly happy to stand, but a nice lady and her young daughter insisted that I perch on the end of their seats. Everyone was so friendly and kind to us!<br />
<br />
We met up with Mr. Zhou and drove the short drive to the Tunpu Hotel. We checked in at 6 o'clock. This was a new resort complex with many small chalets with a few guest rooms in each, along with a common TV room. It had a lodge/camp feel to the architecture, and there were various restaurants, a pool, and a bar on the premises. Wang Jun said that he would make a dinner reservation for 7 o'clock. With all of the tourists who were staying here for the holiday, we wondered if that was even possible.<br />
<br />
We took quick showers to freshen up after our day in the sun, and I washed some waterfall dirt off of our pants and shirts. Wang Jun stopped in at our room at 7 o'clock, and we met up with Mr. Zhou and walked to one of the on-site restaurants (The Homely Dish Diner). Although they had taken Wang Jun's reservation, they did not actually have a table for us (that Seinfeld rental car episode comes to mind). It was smoky and crowded inside, but there was an outdoor deck. We preferred sitting outdoors, so we could either wait for a fancy outdoor table, or we could barbecue at one of the round wrought iron tables which had a hibachi in the middle. When presented with this choice, we opted for the barbecue, as it was a new experience. The whole atmosphere was kind of like camping anyway (though the rooms were quite nice), so it seemed appropriate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dCugOqI5nRql89snmQ7w7wz7zaOvWjdr8qA8xS6zEnD_WwRFrHHYJloeayt6p4S1rvyRstSBU4lRX-u0QqZPHBykLlyYlON7Z0EwYSy6p_UyXQkppzBIDIDU3E706Y1Ntxfn/s1600/P5010572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dCugOqI5nRql89snmQ7w7wz7zaOvWjdr8qA8xS6zEnD_WwRFrHHYJloeayt6p4S1rvyRstSBU4lRX-u0QqZPHBykLlyYlON7Z0EwYSy6p_UyXQkppzBIDIDU3E706Y1Ntxfn/s400/P5010572.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Zhou and Wang Jun barbecue a delicious dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since Mr. Zhou didn't have to drive tonight, the three guys enjoyed some beers. Ganbe! We sat drinking while the staff prepared our barbecue by cleaning out the ashes, adding fresh charcoal, and lighting it. It was the first time Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou had barbecued with guests, and said that any guests other than us would have complained about such a thing. We can't imagine why. It was like sitting with friends around the campfire, which is one of life's treasured experiences. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDlRQpewpqoJlCkH1nqa1J8yBbfUqOEV5Q-K415uZALhBsDE7P2VPw12RNg59P9QtmdgCnL8Yd9UOOTOmHW_Ug47ZUh7q6UkoO-Vx2XD8f98oIBWf6qAAc4pbYlP4FgCeTf5D/s1600/P5010597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDlRQpewpqoJlCkH1nqa1J8yBbfUqOEV5Q-K415uZALhBsDE7P2VPw12RNg59P9QtmdgCnL8Yd9UOOTOmHW_Ug47ZUh7q6UkoO-Vx2XD8f98oIBWf6qAAc4pbYlP4FgCeTf5D/s400/P5010597.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Mr. Zhou, and Wang Jun after the barbecue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the fire was hot enough, the servers brought over plate after plate of food: tofu, lettuce, bacon, spare ribs, egg plant, potatoes, fish, and beef. Mr. Zhou coated the grill grate and the the food with a marinade, and he and Wang Jun cooked it. We each had a plate of chili powder to dip our food in. We lingered over the delicious meal, chatting and bonding. Mr. Zhou showed us photos of us that he has kept on his phone since our last visit.<br />
<br />
We thanked them for the experience, and Wang Jun told us not to say thank you. We are family now. He had been saying this last night as well, when we had thanked his family for the lovely dinner. But we feel so sincerely thankful, that we automatically want to express it. Wang Jun explained that saying thanks among family and close friends seemed fake; people do things for one another because they want to, and as long as it makes the other person happy, no thanks is required. We said it would be hard for us not to thank them, but we would try, as we wanted to respect their cultural norms. We asked them not to be offended if we relapsed, and any time we would normally say thank you, we ended up saying "Good!" with a big smile. It became an in-joke.<br />
<br />
We were feeling full but there were still entire plates of food which had not yet been cooked. And it was so good we just kept eating until it was gone. We kept refilling our plate with chili powder, covering every bit of our food with it and devouring it. Everything was delicious and we had a lovely evening enjoying one another's company over a leisurely dinner.<br />
<br />
At 9 o'clock, we said our goodnights. We could hear Chinese rock music coming from nearby, so Craig and I walked over to the pool / bar area where a band was playing. As I took photos, and man and his young daughter approached Craig. She was carrying a small lantern. They said hello and offered Craig a cigarette, which he politely refused. The man then mimed having a drink and gestured for us to follow him. As much as we would have loved to have had a drink and chatted with him, we explained via sign language that we really should get to bed. It had been a long day in the sun and we should play it safe. It also seemed like they were on their way back to their room to put the little girl to bed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdRUh3dq2j0KLcrjIoxjdwgEXn8FW9Pc0zzLKYuRRiP2MFCjEytvawjm3XRjFF8_eNV3sqcZjx1PYxlNHm7OqFsyQH_fu8JGgQ3XUYwbH6jxIjyG8hnPnTTjOnoFFKW5eINo2/s1600/P5010603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdRUh3dq2j0KLcrjIoxjdwgEXn8FW9Pc0zzLKYuRRiP2MFCjEytvawjm3XRjFF8_eNV3sqcZjx1PYxlNHm7OqFsyQH_fu8JGgQ3XUYwbH6jxIjyG8hnPnTTjOnoFFKW5eINo2/s400/P5010603.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friendly tourist and his young daughter at the resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Many people were out and about as we walked back to the room, and they all said nihao and smiled. When we went into the common room, a young man was watching basketball. We wondered if it would be noisy overnight. Luckily that wasn't a problem, and we went to bed at 10:30.<br />
<br />
The next morning we walked to one of the restaurants on the premises for breakfast at around 8 o'clock. It was a Chinese buffet, and there was a narrow balcony outside the dining room. I was looking for a table out there and the hotel photographer got a waitress to clear a table for me. As we ate, he came over to photograph us. Maybe we were the first Americans who ever stayed there? We tried to pose for a photo, but he wouldn't bite. He waited until we shoved noodles and dumplings into our face with our chopsticks, and then took close-ups. So be on the lookout for unflattering shots of us in their next brochure!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5lcO0TSKoUnVO90XHLxtAYIILECHwld24fLpytmsd1I9sEVpdfvbCe950BMs14NARApDVCMrPwqetPf0UL6XiwQvp3LACDL2ONjyOZcBOOp6OBkNq_NzDcEW07RzFy_qq8eo/s1600/P5020655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5lcO0TSKoUnVO90XHLxtAYIILECHwld24fLpytmsd1I9sEVpdfvbCe950BMs14NARApDVCMrPwqetPf0UL6XiwQvp3LACDL2ONjyOZcBOOp6OBkNq_NzDcEW07RzFy_qq8eo/s400/P5020655.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall at the Dragon Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After breakfast, we checked out shortly before 9 o'clock. We were worried that the Dragon Palace, our next stop, might be as crowded as the waterfall was yesterday. But when we got there, it was no comparison. We walked along bridges and saw a cool waterfall inside a cave. We got photos with several people but we tried to keep moving so we could beat the crowds and make it back to Guiyang in time for dinner with the family. We got to the entrance to the boat ride and the corrals were empty. We got right onto a small boat and Wang Jun waved to us from the dock.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyQ57f91hlYV1tMJ3wa9GvuVk0a2emmxSj6Ii6oNWete_AEv17a8o49w7PvvvY3aoh6p4Vkekwo9CFOxsESJX4N1QbHRPnQ7O0PFKP4gdQXZspbu79F8rRQJA3emo5ln0yKdb/s1600/P5020676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyQ57f91hlYV1tMJ3wa9GvuVk0a2emmxSj6Ii6oNWete_AEv17a8o49w7PvvvY3aoh6p4Vkekwo9CFOxsESJX4N1QbHRPnQ7O0PFKP4gdQXZspbu79F8rRQJA3emo5ln0yKdb/s400/P5020676.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats about to enter the Dragon Palace water caves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI_yr5qXQPg8sUpAMjVT7PSczkUtgmxQE7dorDxqVt5WqJEIqukFeBwb-euOpypg25-sLYS4IFUjc1fHbQDjswQK7OJq5pRizIN1o_NBsTA-R6bOnhPcoXjyKlxIlMiVRpVf6/s1600/P5020713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI_yr5qXQPg8sUpAMjVT7PSczkUtgmxQE7dorDxqVt5WqJEIqukFeBwb-euOpypg25-sLYS4IFUjc1fHbQDjswQK7OJq5pRizIN1o_NBsTA-R6bOnhPcoXjyKlxIlMiVRpVf6/s400/P5020713.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalactites lit up and reflecting in the water in the Dragon Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a sunny day and we crossed a stretch of greenish water to the entrance of a limestone cave. We were instructed to keep our hands in the boat and to watch our heads. We entered the cave, where brightly colored lights illuminated the stalactites and reflected in the water. The passage was narrow in most spots and we had some minor collisions with boats coming in the other direction (this is why we needed to keep our hands inside the boat!) All part of the fun! Once again, this was no Disney ride on a track. The cave opened up to a large misty cavern, and was very impressive. Once again I was so glad to have the good camera back! The low-light photos came out great, because a flash would have ruined the ambiance. We got to the other end of the cave, and then rode the boat back to the start. We met up with Wang Jun, who said that they are still expanding the cave tour, and that the portion of the cave that we explored was only 1/6 of the total length. Wow!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfYO09rG5jSipzy5_1NGtEV4kYF-p1PUOfLogZcgvMCDCF8EyzfAt6NNMrHvmIl93y8iE4DquC70KqZnz5Jaw9QOcsGpHmKGc6S4Fy0PkTWcMurf7Ar4g_BKXISraDr1XQbyl/s1600/P5020717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfYO09rG5jSipzy5_1NGtEV4kYF-p1PUOfLogZcgvMCDCF8EyzfAt6NNMrHvmIl93y8iE4DquC70KqZnz5Jaw9QOcsGpHmKGc6S4Fy0PkTWcMurf7Ar4g_BKXISraDr1XQbyl/s400/P5020717.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Stalactites lit up and reflecting in the water in the Dragon Palace</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxngiRhhffCrRFT1TEsKTCtdMsXt9o_fMXXbSue23gyUY0dqlPqt-X8Or3h8cXrgqYKD8mdPoR1-lDhd394ob6etWEtg4b5HErv71yMV_rb1SxgCl4KeTGQ2InkKY2fErI4YM/s1600/P5020753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxngiRhhffCrRFT1TEsKTCtdMsXt9o_fMXXbSue23gyUY0dqlPqt-X8Or3h8cXrgqYKD8mdPoR1-lDhd394ob6etWEtg4b5HErv71yMV_rb1SxgCl4KeTGQ2InkKY2fErI4YM/s400/P5020753.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Wang Jun leaving the Dragon Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We drove back to Giuyang, where we ate lunch at a restaurant nearby Wang Jun's office. He sometimes walks here at lunch to eat with colleagues. We sat at a table out on the sidewalk and enjoyed our lunch.<br />
<br />
We drove past his office building and went to the Flower and Bird Market. They dropped us off in the parking lot next to a statue of Chairman Mao, and Wang Jun gave us from 2:30-4 to wander by ourselves. Though the name calls out flowers and birds, you can buy just about anything in the narrow meandering alleys of this market. Fish, turtles, tadpoles, birds, rabbits, mice, incense, kitchen goods, tea, traditional Chinese medicine, porcelain, etc. None of the salespeople in the market were pushy at all. It almost seemed weird not to be accosted. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfr2CNHj1TBy79TsUcDDLGILT-S_bvaz3TbqiznTJglHQuhh24e_Iq8gg66XABA1Qtr8zTkAMTM1akBktxAAae2gZljlSYEkCym20GU6Rxn2pCTeLb6AaWnRjWBwdY9XNiEim/s1600/P5020829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfr2CNHj1TBy79TsUcDDLGILT-S_bvaz3TbqiznTJglHQuhh24e_Iq8gg66XABA1Qtr8zTkAMTM1akBktxAAae2gZljlSYEkCym20GU6Rxn2pCTeLb6AaWnRjWBwdY9XNiEim/s400/P5020829.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig at the Guiyang bird and flower market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went into a store called Two Little Fishies that sold the most amazing home salt water aquariums we had ever seen, containing vibrant, thriving coral, tube worms, and tropical fish. The tanks were crystal clear and healthy. The area was crowded with families because of the holiday - especially the dog and cat alleyway. Some of the dogs were huge! Many were very well-groomed. Alleyways were narrow and at one point we heard a mortorcycle approaching. We looked up and saw a motorcycle with a large tree on the back making its way down the alley. It was so wide that it could barely fit. We had to duck down an adjacent alley to get out of his way. He somehow managed to navigate his way through.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2z0kAgBYhKjrtCyrLjwc6ccoH9fIzKMNjdJC0wum7D7tVueKWZ2Mk8hit1pmk21Ktb9FX9FFZqiLUYc4KzJCOSyghQD4f_rQcHjQ7ofgCREYmpzDxOhPV6xG6f4ndTGHWfPM/s1600/P5020832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2z0kAgBYhKjrtCyrLjwc6ccoH9fIzKMNjdJC0wum7D7tVueKWZ2Mk8hit1pmk21Ktb9FX9FFZqiLUYc4KzJCOSyghQD4f_rQcHjQ7ofgCREYmpzDxOhPV6xG6f4ndTGHWfPM/s400/P5020832.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide load coming down a narrow alley at the Guiyang bird and flower market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We ran into Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou at 3:45 in the market, and by then we were all ready to go. Mr. Zhou drove us to the Sheraton to check in. Wang Jun had a long talk with the clerk and when he handed us the key cards he said, "Don't say anything about your room." We looked confused. "You will know what I mean when you see it." It turned out to be a large corner room with a walk-in closet, king bed, desk, love seat, and a comfortable chair. There was a spectacular view of the First Scholar's Pavilion (Jiaxiu Tower) out one window (we had seen the Sheraton from the pavilion in October, but not the other way around) and the parks containing the large Chairman Mao statue and the Lusheng Flute Stage out the other window. WOW!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEini03tjLAp08pJBtSsMKvGTGqTPtBJiXEqT7qW77l5UzITutyM6yxTEzTNWuhHqc50xXUp5VAQGyNfpl30HF7avk8RyIt55o-gc9Pv159VcQOqgklxPZmIWTRuneL0cuy1AZ/s1600/P5020853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEini03tjLAp08pJBtSsMKvGTGqTPtBJiXEqT7qW77l5UzITutyM6yxTEzTNWuhHqc50xXUp5VAQGyNfpl30HF7avk8RyIt55o-gc9Pv159VcQOqgklxPZmIWTRuneL0cuy1AZ/s400/P5020853.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the First Scholar's Pavilion (Jiaxiu Tower) <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">from our room at the Sheraton Guiyang</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had just under an hour to freshen up and then we met Wang Jun at 5 o'clock in the lobby. We said, "You told us not to say anything about the room, but...good." It was very difficult not to say thank you for arranging this room upgrade! We drove back to Wang Jun's neighborhood, and went to his sister's building this time, another condo in the same complex. We rode the elevator up to the 23rd floor, where were greeted by his sister Chen Xiaohong and her husband Yuan Huizhong, as well as Wang Jun's mom, Chen Rulan. We got the tour of the condo. Wang Jun's sister speaks some English, and apologized that her daughter Yuan Siyuan was not home for the holiday (she had an exam at university this weekend).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAwlMHZDyugIQqCPnGq6lqLGIDOAe6tjB38inUOGiXbEEnND25yHJZwGV3xPgYhTBYlX5or9wpseoy3XWOG2pUczdGwzLEdnknvZib0xuoAr_A6wmf-ukawoW3PzNGNn4dr3V/s1600/P5020892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAwlMHZDyugIQqCPnGq6lqLGIDOAe6tjB38inUOGiXbEEnND25yHJZwGV3xPgYhTBYlX5or9wpseoy3XWOG2pUczdGwzLEdnknvZib0xuoAr_A6wmf-ukawoW3PzNGNn4dr3V/s400/P5020892.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph, Ziting, and Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiXBpopcRqUS_mOi7utj6LOTP8ICdQMJEDoa_RvtbFYYhsM04RC9PlFZ9urDEflELA6Yfyljc7ZogwPGeFBge5P0g4xKh9zZj1rL_3ZxiAIkQuwqO0VdK2Myxipvo8y37k0wA/s1600/P5020902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiXBpopcRqUS_mOi7utj6LOTP8ICdQMJEDoa_RvtbFYYhsM04RC9PlFZ9urDEflELA6Yfyljc7ZogwPGeFBge5P0g4xKh9zZj1rL_3ZxiAIkQuwqO0VdK2Myxipvo8y37k0wA/s400/P5020902.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xiao Yi and Ziting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDPKVkJrjbh6yq9ER2uSLaszssdxjcdBSHwVIqUL3qLSwe8WKAZ6D2K-VHKT1HwvIoun_omJ0oTrfqKTdhwnUIyZN-C6TJJO_Z9RpysiH6mXECYk8cBkFfrHA_F98aGad7iCf/s1600/P5020909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDPKVkJrjbh6yq9ER2uSLaszssdxjcdBSHwVIqUL3qLSwe8WKAZ6D2K-VHKT1HwvIoun_omJ0oTrfqKTdhwnUIyZN-C6TJJO_Z9RpysiH6mXECYk8cBkFfrHA_F98aGad7iCf/s400/P5020909.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ziting with Wang Jun's mother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yuan Huizhong served us fancy tea, small bananas, and pears. We showed them our photo album. Then Xiao Yi and baby Ziting arrived. They handed the baby to me and she sat contentedly for a few minutes. Even when she fussed it was so minor and quiet. We took a few more photos with her and then it was time for dinner. Wang Jun's sister had prepared her specialty: Chinese cabbage in a tasty sauce. We also had Chinese mandarin fish, corn, soya, chicken dipped in chili paste, salmon sashimi with wasabi, shredded carrots. Wang Jun, his brother-in-law, and Craig drank lots of beer, and they sereved another bottle of the delicious Bordeaux from the other night. I ended up drinking the majority of the bottle myself, as Wang Jun's sister was the only other person to have some.But it was so good! I am definitely becoming a big fan of red wine! Birgit would be proud. Mr, Zhou did not drink as he would be driving later. He is a very responsible driver, and we respected and appreciated that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWrNHWMyhQXu41AuItLaqItnZQZxx6AVTx4-YdOUeATZT5pQpaSSaQZGilIsrBCHqNITELCQiBhvDh0HUY5Sn5Yp0QSPnL9RkSEr60o0wu3jb93MmT9e6ckd5JnlXlOjHU6SW/s1600/P5020914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWrNHWMyhQXu41AuItLaqItnZQZxx6AVTx4-YdOUeATZT5pQpaSSaQZGilIsrBCHqNITELCQiBhvDh0HUY5Sn5Yp0QSPnL9RkSEr60o0wu3jb93MmT9e6ckd5JnlXlOjHU6SW/s400/P5020914.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wang Jun's mother, Wang Jun's sister, Xiao Yi, and Ziting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFDzVrpKWG5OZ_CPbVVjbAlcXMBcbSUT_CDJZ-HdCgiCXG4Knjzdp4-Jt1dYpqMA9CkIJseoUhkWKOQLgmCmaQUagw94y5yAd9td0o-MIgCoQgCEz8W1zuTOxujoD1iF1KE37/s1600/P5020922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFDzVrpKWG5OZ_CPbVVjbAlcXMBcbSUT_CDJZ-HdCgiCXG4Knjzdp4-Jt1dYpqMA9CkIJseoUhkWKOQLgmCmaQUagw94y5yAd9td0o-MIgCoQgCEz8W1zuTOxujoD1iF1KE37/s400/P5020922.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wang Jun's brother-in-law and Mr. Zhou</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The spiciest dish was mushrooms with chilies, and they hadn't believed Wang Jun that Craig would be able to eat this. They watched him intently and gave him a big thumbs-up. Craig wasn't putting on a show - he didn't just eat it to prove that he could. He genuinely loved it! Wang Jun's sister immediately ran into the kitchen and added some more chilis to some dipping sauce. She had gone easy at first in case we couldn't take it, but when she realized how much we were enjoying it, she spiced it up eve more. When the sashimi was running low. she insisted on preparing more. They wanted to make sure we had plenty of food.We had difficulty not thanking everyone profusely for their generous hospitality, but we hoped that our smiles and full bellies conveyed our appreciation!<br />
<br />
The family told us that this is nothing compared to their spring festival feasts, where they often serve more than 20 dishes in a single meal! They invited us to visit for the spring festival within the next couple of years, so that we could spend time together, enjoy the celebration, meet the extended family, etc. It sounded fantastic and we will definitely make it a priority to come back and see our Chinese family! Wang Jun started to list off other things we could do in the area, and that he would like to take us to the hot springs and also karaoke (Lost in Translation sprang to mind again...What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding?)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJWU1QXpXLYZO_oLiFUq4ITQZGPTnj38raSeOGIkgz3OF0f3q7Nn-c8k0_DF9sIDiujq2Q79NHD7KHpXz2YaiTwCKruNFltI3Ibc9xAEBymXvq4SM6EXyJzQF_NE6pef6dfPS/s1600/P5020928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJWU1QXpXLYZO_oLiFUq4ITQZGPTnj38raSeOGIkgz3OF0f3q7Nn-c8k0_DF9sIDiujq2Q79NHD7KHpXz2YaiTwCKruNFltI3Ibc9xAEBymXvq4SM6EXyJzQF_NE6pef6dfPS/s400/P5020928.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ziting and Wang Jun's sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ziting had fallen asleep during dinner but she woke up just before we said goodnight. She is such a good baby! At 9:15, Mr. Zhou drove us back to the hotel. There was a sobriety checkpoint during the ride, so it was very good that Mr. Zhou had been self-disciplined about not drinking, even though the rest of us had gotten a little tipsy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Xbe2D1c-QyOcteOCV5sRCzihVyn0J2OdtQs45uUNJka-D5uq4mghmKnwuP_asFzk6n3EpjgFSx8LAlXQ_WcwJA1Yy7MCgNpjX-c2zXg2Ece_ijdgETaKj3Z8Diyo8bJHyFjR/s1600/P5020926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Xbe2D1c-QyOcteOCV5sRCzihVyn0J2OdtQs45uUNJka-D5uq4mghmKnwuP_asFzk6n3EpjgFSx8LAlXQ_WcwJA1Yy7MCgNpjX-c2zXg2Ece_ijdgETaKj3Z8Diyo8bJHyFjR/s400/P5020926.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wang Jun, Ziting, and Xiao Yi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning we would head to Kaili together for the Miao people's annual Sister's Meal courtship festival!Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-33731584047879309162015-05-30T13:32:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.652-04:00Video of our day volunteering at Dujiangyan Panda Center in Chengdu<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwOw61MEI90YuzYBmBRvkSZkogAW_sSboJl4wbeI8E5cGAtv9Os3Bh95pdCEDHglEHfl04EilcpgkE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">We created a video montage of our experiences volunteering at Dujiangyan Giant Panda Rescue and Disease Control Center on April 29, 2015.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">For those who have asked, there are no photos or video footage of our work at the panda facility because we were busy working! :) Also, yes the pandas have freedom to go outside or inside at will, but they come inside for the feeding and to avoid the very hot and sunny day. It was so hot that we were also “hiding” inside when we didn’t have to work! So yes, they have far more freedom than it might appear! The ‘cages’ and ‘bars’ are protecting humans while feeding them. They could be running around on the hillside, splashing in a water feature, or climbing a tree, but in their spare time they are looking to keep cool and for the easy meal that we were offering inside!</span>Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-13603828612087690782015-05-25T16:16:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.634-04:00China 2015 Installment #5: Chengdu<br />
After whetting our appetite for pandas at the Chongqing Zoo, it was now time to go to Chengdu, where we would volunteer at a panda center! We were so grateful to Mia for her help with getting a new battery charger, so we would be able to use our good camera for the panda visit!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QaYpL5Xet-NE7PEMefvzwP3TtE_U3Qw6qh9pz1oIBpxY8eDM0xMBScznvHncHy-j9bKmg9MUgcC6-65wPCs1Zp0LSG1tT7LZLpZZN1w5mIi3d8Rh5Kq9lWtPhx92WwmiiW7y/s1600/P4281874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QaYpL5Xet-NE7PEMefvzwP3TtE_U3Qw6qh9pz1oIBpxY8eDM0xMBScznvHncHy-j9bKmg9MUgcC6-65wPCs1Zp0LSG1tT7LZLpZZN1w5mIi3d8Rh5Kq9lWtPhx92WwmiiW7y/s400/P4281874.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chongqingbei train station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mia and the driver took us to the brand new Chongqingbei bullet train station. We said our goodbyes to Mia and boarded the train. It was a non-stop which traveled at just under 200 km/hr and arrived in Chengdudong at noon after a very comfortable 2 hour ride.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81DBZqDlQ5aQ8Qwr2tXlMVv4Mc7rXGYOZfmw6T0zDSI3F7YK96iMc7rAMn3xG6ncF2TI9o-QhPLh0i62hvt7eE7YOi9D1SViMUWZC2JkRrKXul3OCGG17EyxPpJ-knz7xdHJ2/s1600/P4281898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81DBZqDlQ5aQ8Qwr2tXlMVv4Mc7rXGYOZfmw6T0zDSI3F7YK96iMc7rAMn3xG6ncF2TI9o-QhPLh0i62hvt7eE7YOi9D1SViMUWZC2JkRrKXul3OCGG17EyxPpJ-knz7xdHJ2/s400/P4281898.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keely, our lovely Chengdu guide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There we met Keely, our very friendly, personable, and knowledgeable Chengdu guide. After stopping for a spicy Sichuan lunch, we checked in to the St. Regis Hotel. Now, we have stayed in some amazing hotels (India and Vietnam come to mind) but this was mind-blowing. We've never seen anything like it! The room was enormous, with a foyer, bathroom, walk-in closet, and bedroom/office. The toilet lid opened automatically when you entered the bathroom, and it had a whole control panel to control its features. The brand of the toilet was Toto, which caused Craig to remark "We're not in Kansas any more!" There was an iPad for our use, several iPod docks, and Bose speakers. The room had more amenities than we had ever even imagined. While we were exploring everything, there was a knock at our door. It was our butler (?!) asking if we needed anything, and then subsequently bringing us coffee. This was too much!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
After a couple of hours' rest, we met Keely downstairs. Mr. Liao drove us a short way to People's Park. It was the first public park in the city, established in 1911. It was a lovely, green park. People were dancing, as they always do in Chinese parks. Families were punting on a picturesque small lake. Keely led us to the Heming Tea House, established in the 1920's. There are tables for enjoying tea next to the river, and then there is another section with mah jong tables.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j8qhpLtYAD9alCwnC-ejUOABnmjNYy35cKT3yH6uRdPdTYnm8Y96f_GhUNIYwBSaYJhsb3hLpc84axaPL8ugkbQ9kseHPMBjg_9a5s2MFBBvJcdQz5HmQRS1ZiZXSmXtzXz6/s1600/P4281950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j8qhpLtYAD9alCwnC-ejUOABnmjNYy35cKT3yH6uRdPdTYnm8Y96f_GhUNIYwBSaYJhsb3hLpc84axaPL8ugkbQ9kseHPMBjg_9a5s2MFBBvJcdQz5HmQRS1ZiZXSmXtzXz6/s400/P4281950.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake at People's Park, Chengdu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Keely offered to buy us a cup of tea and teach us to play mah jong. We had been very curious about mah jong, after watching so many people playing on the Yangtze River Cruise. It would be nice to get a chance to learn to play ourselves. Keely bought us tea, and we sat at a table. We shuffled the tiles and then laid them out in a square line two tiles high. Keeley led us through a game with all of our tiles showing. It is basically like rummy, using tiles instead of cards. The gist of it is that there are 3 suits (coins, sticks, and numbers) and you need to collect 3-tile numeric sequences or 3-of-a-kind in a given suit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBdGIRtqrTtdC4E6WA9OtbcINBl-6UL5hqi-cXWwYfSGqZZqAOt8P_m1-SBpgBii7EEbV9sudGV9O7lI7LLzcQI9K1DGulXyVJfxAYvXoAt0yVPfVDTvJjiGPlsfKIfw71mLN/s1600/P4281969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBdGIRtqrTtdC4E6WA9OtbcINBl-6UL5hqi-cXWwYfSGqZZqAOt8P_m1-SBpgBii7EEbV9sudGV9O7lI7LLzcQI9K1DGulXyVJfxAYvXoAt0yVPfVDTvJjiGPlsfKIfw71mLN/s400/P4281969.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to play mah jong at Heming Tea House at People's Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9euPMhqnQ8jbvg8KEkcb0bp4VRX-xPOC83fF6CfwCb_j4k30cHIvLWx4snaGE8QUlZ1URIBjd2TEu_UegKouO4aaoNB6dAKZsJvSrZJOuUnIE4tRpnwmGX4lE_QyWZvZNxlH/s1600/P4281971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9euPMhqnQ8jbvg8KEkcb0bp4VRX-xPOC83fF6CfwCb_j4k30cHIvLWx4snaGE8QUlZ1URIBjd2TEu_UegKouO4aaoNB6dAKZsJvSrZJOuUnIE4tRpnwmGX4lE_QyWZvZNxlH/s400/P4281971.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Learning to play mah jong at Heming Tea House at People's Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Two Americans being taught mah jong by a young Chinese woman was indeed a spectacle for the locals, and many people snapped our photos and gave us a thumbs-up. Craig won the first game, and a silver-haired Chinese man asked Keely if he could join the next game. We played another round with our new friend, as another man stood beside Craig and coached him. Our new friend won the second game, and I won the third. It was a lot of fun. This was a very nice, impromptu activity, and we were very grateful to Keely for suggesting it. We got to feel like a local, playing mah jong and sipping tea in a beautiful, relaxing urban oasis, and meet some nice people along the way.<br />
<br />
After exploring the rest of the park, we walked down Upper Changshun Street. This area was very tourist friendly, and contained many murals and displays depicting the history of the area. One set of old wooden doors had carvings of opera characters, and you could spin the faces around to show different makeup. It called to mind the Sichuan Opera face changing shows that we had seen on TV and briefly on the cruise, but that we would see here in Chengdu tomorrow night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEonjjn1oRt7lDUiS-rCdy_MuNQJEviepM0UU7D7qWlVGbC2QdbS3zZthSdziGUHSCJ1cCbhVi38zNWtgcEXro2_Ob0TAPbyJW6tB-5wiDjz6qICsedCjrvj_ORGf0b4vXoIX/s1600/P4282002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEonjjn1oRt7lDUiS-rCdy_MuNQJEviepM0UU7D7qWlVGbC2QdbS3zZthSdziGUHSCJ1cCbhVi38zNWtgcEXro2_Ob0TAPbyJW6tB-5wiDjz6qICsedCjrvj_ORGf0b4vXoIX/s400/P4282002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Changing the faces on the opera characters, Upper Changshun Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeSiEP1Z9sXIm1HGtkVJeEgWx95btUilkikPywpoxGNRVywkKBaFzoVLNglBrxV4mjyzeuY_b5OKGIMltbXbSG6KZxynZzwBltCX3IUeZT3g-QOwVw88SCg_5YGmoa245bfNf/s1600/P4282013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeSiEP1Z9sXIm1HGtkVJeEgWx95btUilkikPywpoxGNRVywkKBaFzoVLNglBrxV4mjyzeuY_b5OKGIMltbXbSG6KZxynZzwBltCX3IUeZT3g-QOwVw88SCg_5YGmoa245bfNf/s400/P4282013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a ride from a stereotypical "hen-pecked husband" in Chengdu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then we arrived at our destination, Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley (wide and narrow alleys). This area has the largest concentration of ancient buildings in the city, and is viewed as Chengdu in miniature. Built in 1718, the alleys were originally part of hutongs (small neighborhoods) built for quartering soldiers and their families.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, there are lots of shops and restaurants here, as well as a few private residences, whose owners had held out and refused to sell when the government bought out the area for tourism around 2008. The late afternoon sun was very pretty, and we enjoyed strolling down first the Wide Alley, then the Narrow Alley, and then the Well Alley. The architecture was very traditional, and there were statues evoking various professions from history which are still practiced in the alleys today: cigar sellers, waiters, and silversmiths. There were hawker stalls and sit-down restaurants, candy makers, tea houses, and stores selling panda paraphernalia.People sat on chairs on the sidewalks having their ears cleaned, as a man or woman wearing a headlamp peered into their ears and cleaned them with metal tools. This is fairly commonplace in China, but seems a bit unusual by American standards, where we would go to a doctor and pay a premium for such a service rather than getting it done for cheap on the street. We ate dinner at a restaurants in one of the alleys. Having seen how much spicy food we had enjoyed at lunch, Keely ordered us even more. It was delicious<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEkTqw0hfvMAyYHXeM2edgAo1smY3ig7SEe7QjyTGKWWDKJ9yUuimy_9qa2RVX5cTnGXMFds5KgMh1gR6e5fjTXagFcHiJFsM2VRtvijblvQ4nPUbwLYfesdBhc0JHbE4agNl/s1600/P4282036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEkTqw0hfvMAyYHXeM2edgAo1smY3ig7SEe7QjyTGKWWDKJ9yUuimy_9qa2RVX5cTnGXMFds5KgMh1gR6e5fjTXagFcHiJFsM2VRtvijblvQ4nPUbwLYfesdBhc0JHbE4agNl/s400/P4282036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUlsIMYudrYt6m_1Bh4-klXV30OIEgJJR4Lemi2HdL5LcPnHUdpTFjF6HD1VTCpmipy8dpxd-BVV31nXg5dEdoyb6m5oj5GscNbuPDuHgi2R9WKe3ASekPIJxD9gcpU-hzTuy/s1600/P4282040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUlsIMYudrYt6m_1Bh4-klXV30OIEgJJR4Lemi2HdL5LcPnHUdpTFjF6HD1VTCpmipy8dpxd-BVV31nXg5dEdoyb6m5oj5GscNbuPDuHgi2R9WKe3ASekPIJxD9gcpU-hzTuy/s400/P4282040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kuanzhaixiangzi Alley</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got back to the hotel at 8 o'clock. The room had been turned down and a gift was waiting for us on the bed...a porcelain bell decorated with a Beijing Opera mask. Wow! It was now dark outside and our view overlooked the beautifully lit city. Lost in Translation came to mind again, as it was reminiscent of the view from Scarlett Johansson's hotel room. Craig went into the mini bar and perused all of the complimentary coffee, tea, and espresso options. He decided to make tea. I filled the tub with hot water and bath salts and took a relaxing bath. While soaking, I wrote in the journal, sipped tea, and watched the World Table Tennis Championships Suzhou on the TV embedded within the bathroom wall. This place was over the top, and we were determined to enjoy every amenity!<br />
<br />
The next morning we needed to get an early start in order to get breakfast prior to volunteering at the panda health center. We woke up at 4:45 a.m., took nice showers, and got ready for the day. We arrived at the Social Restaurant on the 4th floor as it opened at 6 a.m. We had had some great breakfasts on this trip, but this blew them all out of the water. Decadent fresh homemade donuts/muffins/pastries, cheese, fresh yogurt, fresh juice, and even green tea gelato, never mind all of the standard eggs, sausage, bacon, and Chinese offerings! This hotel sure was amazing.<br />
<br />
We met Keely in the lobby at 7:10. She talked excitedly about pandas on the ride, giving us lots of background information. It is one of the highlights of her job to get to see pandas sometimes several times per week.<br />
<br />
Chengdu is known as the laid-back city, and it is said that this is why the pandas "chose"" it. Pandas have been around for at least 8 million years. There are 1826 pandas left in the world, and 70% live in the wild. They used to eat meat. Now it is very rare, but females sometimes do it after giving birth. They eat 30-40 kg of bamboo per day but only absorb 20%. It seems from very current research that over millions of years, their bodies never adapted to eating a vegetarian diet, so they are very inefficient at digesting it.<br />
<br />
Pandas have a lifespan of 20 years in the wild. In captivity, the oldest panda has lived to 38 years. Every year, the strongest teenage panda is released back into the wild wearing a GPS.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-IMGPABhdyARW4AeBRHSGDkvDv0Q7EyRqz4-mL3zdME5GacqIwRDeXhgdVwEUK95YcRyCUKmoXnlSSXs4HjzN6JmnfS4U-TRG47YpS_Qfg3f16THcinyXgOSsVf9cFHtetOh/s1600/P4292148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-IMGPABhdyARW4AeBRHSGDkvDv0Q7EyRqz4-mL3zdME5GacqIwRDeXhgdVwEUK95YcRyCUKmoXnlSSXs4HjzN6JmnfS4U-TRG47YpS_Qfg3f16THcinyXgOSsVf9cFHtetOh/s400/P4292148.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">Craig suited up in his overalls, ready to volunteer at the Dujiangyan Panda Base</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We drove to the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Rescue and Disease Control Center, run by the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda. It is a brand new facility, having been built after the Wolong Research Center was devastated by an earthquake in 2008. This new facility is not entirely open to the public yet, but it does take tour groups from certain agencies, and runs a volunteer program. We were very excited and didn't quite know what to expect. <br />
<br />
We were led upstairs by an employee named Jenny, who has worked as a guide at panda centers for two years. She handed us each a set of blue coveralls with a patch on them that said "Panda Husbandry Learner". She also gave us each a volunteer card on a lanyard to wear around our necks. The card was adorable and had an extremely stylized cartoon image of a very happy and excited panda. After we were suited up, Jenny returned and said that it was supposed to be very hot today, and she thought we would be more comfortable in short sleeves. We breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that we would roast in the coveralls. So instead she gave us lime green polo shirts with panda faces and the logo of the Center. She said that we would get to keep them.<br />
<br />
There was a pile of coveralls and shirts, so it looked like we weren't the only volunteers, But nobody else had shown up yet. We had to read and sign some paperwork which stipulated that we had to listen to the panda keepers, perform our assigned tasks to completion, and follow the rules. We should not take photos except when instructed that it is ok to do so, etc. We were given a pair of gloves to protect our hands from the sharp bamboo. I stuck my camera and a spare battery in my pocket, grabbed our water bottles, and we were ready to go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQirNy-lxTiGFieWF7YOSLoMRxtD49eLd2N4xJqWmqBeeGUQFnlTBSOIYfRw5wfyJqlxAMS8NxDw0By6ytRqPskJUuUPq3ZTShD1XBUslLyY63-pJgKfIQf36gOb0-MKYIteH/s1600/P4292153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQirNy-lxTiGFieWF7YOSLoMRxtD49eLd2N4xJqWmqBeeGUQFnlTBSOIYfRw5wfyJqlxAMS8NxDw0By6ytRqPskJUuUPq3ZTShD1XBUslLyY63-pJgKfIQf36gOb0-MKYIteH/s400/P4292153.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We don't have to wear coveralls after all! <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: start;">Ready to volunteer at the Dujiangyan Panda Base</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A few minutes later we got onto a golf cart and were taken to a small group of panda enclosures. The enclosures have indoor and outdoor areas. The indoor areas have bars to protect the keepers while feeding, and they stay cooler in temperature than the outdoors. They have cement floors, and windows so that the pandas can see outside. There is a little gate which the keepers can close when they want to keep the panda indoors or outdoors, but otherwise they can move freely between the two.<br />
<br />
We met Qu, a panda keeper for the past 16 years. She handed us brooms and dust pans, and instructed us to clean the outdoor part of 2.5 year old male Ha Ha's enclosure. Ha Ha was indoors while we cleaned up his yard. Craig used his twig broom to sweep up bamboo detritus, leftover from prior feedings. I used my synthetic broom to sweep up the "poopoo", as Qu called it. Actually, it was not much more than bamboo detritus itself. It consisted of large chunks that were shaped like a seed pod. Some were wet but most were dry. They did not have an odor, and looked like punky wood. It really just seemed to be the ~80% of the bamboo that the panda couldn't digest. <br />
<br />
It was early in the morning, but the sun was hot and we were thankful that we weren't wearing the coveralls. We disposed of the bamboo and the poopoo in separate plastic buckets. The outdoor area was hilly and covered with grass, and had a little ditch around the perimeter for drainage.<br />
<br />
While we did this, Qu was taking fresh long green stalks of bamboo and slamming them on the pavement to break them up and make them easier for the pandas to eat. When we were done cleaning, we carried armloads of bamboo into the outdoor enclosure for Ha Ha. Qu coaxed Ha Ha to go outside, and when he was safely out with the gate closed behind him, we entered the indoor enclosure to clean it out. We swept out the bamboo detritus and poopoo from indoors as well. Then Qu handed Craig a hose and he sprayed down the floor while I scrubbed it with my broom and pushed the excess water into the drainage trench. While we were doing this, Ha Ha was a bit curious, and sat on the other side of the gate watching us. Qu instructed us to keep a meter's distance between ourselves and the gate, in case he tried to reach in. Pandas are friendly by nature, but they are large bears with sharp claws, and sometimes they do not know their own strength. As cuddly as they look, you should not turn your back on one because they could hurt you without intending to. We were working very hard. and Qu seemed impressed by the thorough job that we were doing.<br />
<br />
Qu squeegeed the floor to dry it, and then we went next door to a 20 year old female panda's enclosure. We cleaned the inside of her enclosure while she waited outside. It was really hot and sweat was dripping from our faces. But we felt strongly about doing the best job we could, and we were grateful for the opportunity to help this endangered species in our small way.<br />
<br />
When we finished sweeping, spraying, and wiping down the enclosure, we went outside and there were about a dozen Chinese teenagers dressed in our same polo shirts, gloves, and badges. They were sweeping bamboo leaves and sticks from the pavement walkway in a very half-assed fashion. Most of the girls just huddled in the shade. The boys used one hand to sweep, very slowly. Craig swept circles around the kids, and I came through with my dustpan and disposed of everything as fast as the kids would sweep it, having perfected his technique with the twig broom. Despite the heat and danger of dehydration, we had a real work ethic today and wanted to actually make Qu's job easier rather than complicating it. She was very grateful to us and kept thanking us for our hard work.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YRjrA2ebqcE8dd5_808ywL_a7Xp05HZoT03clm1uLq6PAzFlWX-QhLpQEiu6pAmx2jWhU8ISwLlB0l1q7XfSb_VJNxoFHXJ6mk7qNRD4O7jPPdvO-9DUrb1LawjApf3PLPL3/s1600/P4292162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YRjrA2ebqcE8dd5_808ywL_a7Xp05HZoT03clm1uLq6PAzFlWX-QhLpQEiu6pAmx2jWhU8ISwLlB0l1q7XfSb_VJNxoFHXJ6mk7qNRD4O7jPPdvO-9DUrb1LawjApf3PLPL3/s400/P4292162.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yi Chnag: 2.5 year old female giant panda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYkhCCWC7J18Ey-OTaLBFrIIFR-Uk0qZr05IzJHJYA1L7t62iHTSMl164y_pe0R6INrJA78OimE_frzUgnfgqA_DyEj58xc5qRK8YuUfQKb_rYFxPMEXZNWPUpOxEROJaypzi/s1600/P4292180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYkhCCWC7J18Ey-OTaLBFrIIFR-Uk0qZr05IzJHJYA1L7t62iHTSMl164y_pe0R6INrJA78OimE_frzUgnfgqA_DyEj58xc5qRK8YuUfQKb_rYFxPMEXZNWPUpOxEROJaypzi/s400/P4292180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Yi Chang cools down in her water feature</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Once the walkway was clear of leaves, we were given a few moments to observe and photograph Yi Chang outside. She is about to turn 3 years old in July. Yi Chang was obviously hot outside in the sun. She was panting. There was a little water feature in her enclosure, and she lay down in it, trying to get cool. She was adorable and fluffy, with bright eyes and a pink tongue that she occasionally stuck out. By this time, a small group of Chinese tourists had arrived. Though there was plenty of signage asking people to please be quiet and respectful around the pandas, these people were so loud! They were making all kinds of loud noise (including barking like a dog) to get her to look at their cameras. It was very frustrating for us, who had been silently watching or talking very quietly to the pandas in a voice we usually reserve for babies or cats.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-j80ZZdTZexX27vEkYDwsHqf9FUiK9zVROHH1xeAgjtnCWj2EDTDr2HBqbfgV23_r_88eJ_DeaVMQSjpEb_-8bFtqnp55aBxZTSgFCXDJqfaloI29InNAgiJ9uVQxSxfcTeD/s1600/P4292203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-j80ZZdTZexX27vEkYDwsHqf9FUiK9zVROHH1xeAgjtnCWj2EDTDr2HBqbfgV23_r_88eJ_DeaVMQSjpEb_-8bFtqnp55aBxZTSgFCXDJqfaloI29InNAgiJ9uVQxSxfcTeD/s400/P4292203.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two 1.5 year old pandas eating bamboo at the panda kindergarten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next we went for a walk around the area with Jenny. We saw a red panda (who promptly went right back inside). Most of the other giant pandas seemed to be inside keeping cool in the late morning heat, so we walked past their empty outdoor enclosures. The grounds were beautiful, with lots of flowers in bloom (some of the biggest clovers I have ever seen). Workers were laying concrete for new footpaths. The grounds were beautiful and peaceful. Everything was very clean and the employees obviously took pride in their work and had a sincere love for the pandas in their care,<br />
<br />
We climbed a hill overlooking the panda kindergarten, where we could observe two 1.5 year old pandas eating bamboo from a distance. We could only see one at first, but when we looked closer, we saw the other reflected in the window. It was sitting on steps which were out of view, but we could see it perfectly in the reflection. A man was recording the sound of them eating, which carried a long distance - we could hear them chomping from the hill above. We were thrilled by these opportunities to observe these rare and precious creatures. The teenagers acted disinterested, and preferred sitting in the shade checking their phones.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoMt9OFvGo4Rv64OKYEDGsynf4g0ryjZ2ZApga9cQUqGrBNFeXgvqsZrMeWT1mvPnGa3MT-aeeUc1E8606OMktEx8WhEvFf4YZRtRDdHuEuFOIjmOKEZvr8ruCHni_u7EwA0F/s1600/P4292256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoMt9OFvGo4Rv64OKYEDGsynf4g0ryjZ2ZApga9cQUqGrBNFeXgvqsZrMeWT1mvPnGa3MT-aeeUc1E8606OMktEx8WhEvFf4YZRtRDdHuEuFOIjmOKEZvr8ruCHni_u7EwA0F/s400/P4292256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yi Chang sticks out her tongue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzXA5t2X7dA8brjhfNUNVc8TQCnOsi_GMShBDhr9GINoW5Q9mojWgae-1wof6ThJnFBlyIuYOfjnLhTUycpPCUenvSq1HHLHk1YmdpX4Nsw02MoOES1TmYPhhGNh_J4MORYYA/s1600/P4292270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzXA5t2X7dA8brjhfNUNVc8TQCnOsi_GMShBDhr9GINoW5Q9mojWgae-1wof6ThJnFBlyIuYOfjnLhTUycpPCUenvSq1HHLHk1YmdpX4Nsw02MoOES1TmYPhhGNh_J4MORYYA/s400/P4292270.JPG" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yi Chang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were brought back to Ha Ha and Yi Chang's area. The very photogenic Yi Chang was still sitting on top of her water feature. More noisy tourists arrived, and Yi Chang abandoned her cool spot to go to the other side of the enclosure, ostensibly to get away from them. We were frustrated with their behavior and walked over to where she went. We were quiet and she stood right on the other side of the glass, looking at us contentedly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XxZgT06aUvyiLy2c_dYwH2N9rxyWF8gtiZg0HTFKxdP2Gs4jIxVXead3w9Y-ebJVxGASysX_HMycTOO9fng7o3DqzYPrhw40pQKOHRLfjODh5_qfB29BIEuDjqnVEDlE1wKL/s1600/P4292303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XxZgT06aUvyiLy2c_dYwH2N9rxyWF8gtiZg0HTFKxdP2Gs4jIxVXead3w9Y-ebJVxGASysX_HMycTOO9fng7o3DqzYPrhw40pQKOHRLfjODh5_qfB29BIEuDjqnVEDlE1wKL/s400/P4292303.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph feeding Ha Ha, 2.5 year old male giant panda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now it was time to feed the pandas! Qu invited us and three other women into Ha Ha's indoor enclosure. This panda was trained to sit with one paw grasping a stainless steel handle, to immobilize that paw for safety as the keepers feed him. As we all entered, Ha Ha sat right down and expectantly grabbed the handle with his right paw. Qu demonstrated putting a piece of food (bamboo shoot, carrot, bread) up to Ha Ha's mouth. He gently opened his mouth and took the food with his left paw. We then each got the chance to feed him several items. He was very calm and looked us right in the eyes before we handed him the food. He took it from us very gently, and at one point I could feel his lips gently grazing my fingers. I was actually putting food into a bear's mouth! It was surreal!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYegUSla1b_7x-KCht-6cK1YVijj0mUF8nQD0FE2JlvxfLztxe1lMcMr6N9w2C8PBQDmsopDMyf0BvHSA81ELO0ms4Xu0dJKP6nVKNqD7LyPa1_WKhmWi7ilRopvM4Uezk9GB/s1600/P4292308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYegUSla1b_7x-KCht-6cK1YVijj0mUF8nQD0FE2JlvxfLztxe1lMcMr6N9w2C8PBQDmsopDMyf0BvHSA81ELO0ms4Xu0dJKP6nVKNqD7LyPa1_WKhmWi7ilRopvM4Uezk9GB/s400/P4292308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">feeding Ha Ha, 2.5 year old male giant panda</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Qu stepped outside for a moment, and as soon as she left, a third woman tried to feed Ha Ha a carrot without permission. We were dumbstruck. The two other volunteer girls told her not to, and thankfully she put the carrot back on the tray.<br />
<br />
Then we went next door to feed the 20-year-old female panda next door. Qu explained that she was rescued from the wild, so she doesn't like the nutritious panda cakes that the staff prepares for the captive pandas. She will only eat raw food.. So they need to feed her extra bamboo shoots and veggies. This afternoon they will prepare corn for her. Even though she is a senior citizen by panda standards, wild pandas are smaller than those bred in captivity, and she was no exception.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm-UBhz8H-IAWVx3lxwdBRRy9_na16O-dvJdL9HvCO2971H8j5-27gzzsyJZIEApq838VEvm_ZjLX7vaItTrMFcyxuIJiKmFiwWBtvPTdR4uWu8XNWW08S53JUy0UhC60zbwB/s1600/P4292368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm-UBhz8H-IAWVx3lxwdBRRy9_na16O-dvJdL9HvCO2971H8j5-27gzzsyJZIEApq838VEvm_ZjLX7vaItTrMFcyxuIJiKmFiwWBtvPTdR4uWu8XNWW08S53JUy0UhC60zbwB/s400/P4292368.JPG" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qu, who has loved being a panda keeper for 16 years</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
She was standing up on her hind legs, holding on to the bars like she was being searched by the police. She did not follow the protocol of holding onto the handle (also probably because she was not raised in captivity). She held on to one of the bars most of the time, but sometimes she got excited and grabbed for the food with both paws, When given a nice plump bamboo shoot, she sprawled out on her back and ate it, and all kinds of bamboo debris accumulated on her tummy. She looked like she was smiling. We noticed that the fur on her underbelly was not as white as the rest of her fur, and had more of a brownish tone. Her toes were sticking through the bars, and we could notice the length of her claws. She would do a sit-up when she needed to replenish her food supply, wiping the crumbs from her belly. It was adorable! We were enthralled, and felt so lucky to be able to witness this,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMwwTLs44xOpWRnzuqaytC4auQvzUFADV3k9HeIZ4zEWQoUcB6jNtivG6O86nOHZePpyAgJM40kqk2LMD7t-gJFMv37e9jNFe73Yv9pZv9c2BpGfCrt5xpUMXAm6IeaK3F1SH/s1600/P4292362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMwwTLs44xOpWRnzuqaytC4auQvzUFADV3k9HeIZ4zEWQoUcB6jNtivG6O86nOHZePpyAgJM40kqk2LMD7t-gJFMv37e9jNFe73Yv9pZv9c2BpGfCrt5xpUMXAm6IeaK3F1SH/s400/P4292362.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding a 20-year-old female panda rescued from the wild</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After feeding the pandas their lunch, it was time for our lunch. We all took the golf cart back to the staff cafeteria, where we ate the same lunch that is provided to the panda keepers and other employees. We were each handed a metal segmented cafeteria tray loaded up with stewed carrots, stinky tofu, and a cold dish which seemed to include cucumber and bacon. We served ourselves a helping of rice, and I bought a water for Craig and a Sprite for myself. They also sold cigarettes called Pride which had cartoon pandas on the packaging. What's cuter than a Camel? Panda Pride! It seemed wrong to be using an endangered species as marketing for cigarettes.<br />
<br />
Keely and Mr. Liang were also eating here, and we told Keely what an amazing time we were having. We ate our lunches, and we usually like to eat what is presented to us. But we just didn't like the stinky tofu. We had heard about it before, and had even eaten it in small amounts. But this big pile of tofu in its pungent-smelling broth was just unappetizing. I spilled a drop onto my jeans, and deemed that between that and the panda poopoo, these jeans were probably ready to be retired until I got home to my washing machine.The rest of the food was tasty and enjoyable, but we think stinky tofu must be an acquired taste!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGtFlYHRs_-lRPEhjBGitJSRVgBDEou0YRM6BDCSp3gXrRT1_I0X_Aw9LVK5q-uUCZxPu6i4nItam-jyp6ZgpEgYjjDkb0S551pPWN2NuRqUEGWHzoYI682nhsVxwqf3y3LtH/s1600/P4292374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGtFlYHRs_-lRPEhjBGitJSRVgBDEou0YRM6BDCSp3gXrRT1_I0X_Aw9LVK5q-uUCZxPu6i4nItam-jyp6ZgpEgYjjDkb0S551pPWN2NuRqUEGWHzoYI682nhsVxwqf3y3LtH/s400/P4292374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in the staff cafeteria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After lunch, we had about an hour to relax. We had been so hot and sweaty this morning that we just sat in the cool stairwell relaxing, getting ready for our afternoon shift. At 1 o'clock, we and the teenagers reconvened for a film that explained a lot about the panda program. <br />
<br />
The movie, which turned out to be an early cut of National Geographic's <a href="http://movies.nationalgeographic.com/movies/pandas/" target="_blank">"Pandas: The Journey Home,"</a> follows Dr. Zhang and his team from the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (which runs this base and program), as they breed, raise, and release pandas back into the wild. Historically, people have had trouble breeding pandas in captivity. Much resulting research taught them that females are only fertile two days per year! Now they can pinpoint fertility via blood tests and offer them multiple opportunities to mate during that time period. This has greatly increased pregnancy rates.<br />
<br />
Also, infants used to have a high mortality rate. They observed the mothers patting the tummies of the babies, which they discovered prompted the babies to poopoo. They found out the babies didn't have the muscle strength to do so on their own. So researchers started patting the tummies as well, and then the babies started to thrive. <br />
<br />
Both of these discoveries have increased panda numbers. It was very informative and heartwarming.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJyf3QdM121Q62VbbHnIDDGnGqL3X0_aYRRLVBtAOVcas2qDow23hGUAMoYFGP6ZXlt24pC2CHdiFiLvCE84bcoVT8zqPeVkfnq4-cvqc7gdE7JRWFTalPYJRco5BQhEPX6rX/s1600/P4292414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJyf3QdM121Q62VbbHnIDDGnGqL3X0_aYRRLVBtAOVcas2qDow23hGUAMoYFGP6ZXlt24pC2CHdiFiLvCE84bcoVT8zqPeVkfnq4-cvqc7gdE7JRWFTalPYJRco5BQhEPX6rX/s400/P4292414.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha Ha is ready to be fed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At 2 o'clock, we headed back out to the enclosures for our afternoon shift. The first thing to do was to feed Ha Ha again. It was such a thrill to feed the pandas. Qu went into Ha Ha's enclosure. She called his name and he came right in from outside. He stood up and Qu made a gentle hand gesture. He immediately sat down and held on to his handle, ready to be fed. He seemed to nod his head "yes" as each of us approached him with food. He was so gentle and well-behaved. We didn't feed him as much as we did earlier. The pandas needed to have blood drawn, and food keeps them calm during the process. They wanted the pandas to still be hungry when it was time for their blood test. When Qu stepped outside for a moment,we followed her out. The two other girls who were feeding Ha Ha stayed inside, and posed for a selfie in front of him. But they were too close to the bars and turned their back on him. When Qu saw them, she quickly asked them to step away for their own safety.<br />
<br />
As Qu put her gloves on and opened the enclosures for cleaning, Craig put his gloves on and followed her. She stopped him, and said that we had done enough hard work all morning, and that we should relax and enjoy observing Ha Ha. She said she would make the teenagers do their share of the work. I think that she was appreciative of how mindful we were of the rules, and that she didn't need to worry about us doing anything unsafe. We stood just outside the door, where we were still very close to Ha Ha and could watch him, but were out of harm's way.<br />
<br />
She directed the teenagers to clean out Yi Chang's indoor enclosure, and sweep out Ha Ha's outdoor enclosure.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT1ZZdGmwcc7A2sH8C3UX33dtQeHwnBxMFIH9hMv648l8jiMIDfKbnaRBOD9rvZRbBbp-WB9zX31tEotPlLNXRs7HTCjWr8BHrg2RAkF5U25Ms1tlr7nUqMiy_09aWarDILyr/s1600/P4292416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT1ZZdGmwcc7A2sH8C3UX33dtQeHwnBxMFIH9hMv648l8jiMIDfKbnaRBOD9rvZRbBbp-WB9zX31tEotPlLNXRs7HTCjWr8BHrg2RAkF5U25Ms1tlr7nUqMiy_09aWarDILyr/s400/P4292416.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha Ha stands up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ha Ha obviously had not eaten his fill. He assumed the feeding position, holding on to his handle, and looking at us expectantly. He even stood on his hind legs, looking like a Grateful Dead dancing bear. He became very playful, tumbling and rolling around on the floor. Qu was outside smashing bamboo stalks on the ground. Like Pavlov's dog, Ha Ha's mouth started to visibly water as he thought about that delicious bamboo. He really seemed to enjoy our company as we spoke softly to him. He looked right at us and we felt a connection with this gentle creature.<br />
<br />
The door to the neighboring enclosure was open, and I walked over to get some photos of the 20 year old panda rescued from the wild. She was sitting up, eating bamboo with both hands. When I was out of Ha Ha's sight, Craig said that he stopped playing and went and sat in the corner, looking in the direction I had walked, as if waiting for me to come back. Craig called me back to explain, and Ha Ha immediately started playing again. To test Craig's theory, he asked me to walk away again. Same thing happened. I guess Ha Ha really likes me!<br />
<br />
Qu went into his cage and said "<span style="color: #000066; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">xièxie"</span> (thank you) to him, and told him to go outside. He went right through his gate to his outdoor area, and started eating some of the fresh bamboo that the teenagers had placed there for him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
It was now time to leave, after a very enjoyable and rewarding day with the pandas. We took the golf cart back to the base, where we met up with Keely. She gave us our panda schwag for volunteering and making a donation to the panda center: T-shirts, volunteer certificates, donation certificates, buttons, and a newsletter in a nice cloth bag. On our way out, because we gave a donation to the center, we stopped in to get a short private viewing of Wu Wen. She was a 1.5 year old female who was much smaller than Ha Ha, even though he was only a year her senior. Wu Wen was very cute and laid back, enjoying her afternoon bamboo.<br />
<br />
This had been a once in a lifetime experience, and we know we will cherish the memories for the rest of our lives.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFqfnOVuTi1Lu0Jr8yDRoHzGBJnChHsM0zhDhBvc40HdtJD7MBxOrZziuee1YxIzLvsfLbKFP2HZGrSG0Tsp8WhRj6BUUm-Op3AB04jgVC95Rms9bqBZev4IvEywEqEu23a1x/s1600/P4292525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFqfnOVuTi1Lu0Jr8yDRoHzGBJnChHsM0zhDhBvc40HdtJD7MBxOrZziuee1YxIzLvsfLbKFP2HZGrSG0Tsp8WhRj6BUUm-Op3AB04jgVC95Rms9bqBZev4IvEywEqEu23a1x/s400/P4292525.JPG" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wu Wen, 1,5 year old female giant panda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Update: See our panda video montage <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2015/05/video-of-our-day-volunteering-at.html" target="_blank">here!</a></b><br />
<br />
Thoroughly satisfied, we left at around 3:30 to drive back to Chengdu. We hit rush hour traffic so we didn't get back to the hotel until 5 o'clock. We had 45 minutes to shower and get ready for the Sichuan Opera. We met Keely at 5:45 and walked to another ancient street for dinner at Pan Sun Shi, established in 1925. Keely ordered us more deliciously spicy Sichuan food, and even brought us a dragonfruit for dessert. What a sweetie!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJah3vIR6QjzE6ktDajNO8oVv3778fuFlO9Chk3XS3tWzIycClOiN8fXTLu4MpvfxglHm_QOQoo7_g1g1q_uQ8DSjGbnWrNRNWaITQ4E4paCJqP9cE-jae_A0EAGMJSjAGGqKV/s1600/P4292595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJah3vIR6QjzE6ktDajNO8oVv3778fuFlO9Chk3XS3tWzIycClOiN8fXTLu4MpvfxglHm_QOQoo7_g1g1q_uQ8DSjGbnWrNRNWaITQ4E4paCJqP9cE-jae_A0EAGMJSjAGGqKV/s400/P4292595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shu Feng Ya Yun Opera House, Chengdu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At 6:40, we met Mr. Liang and he drove us to the Shu Feng Ya Yun opera house. Sichuan Opera ia very different from Beijing Opera, and we looked forward to observing the differences. We went to a museum across the street from the opera house, where an avid collector of opera memorabilia had costumes, props, instruments, and makeup boxes on display for the public. There was an opportunity to dress up in opera costumes and makeup at the theater, and seeing all of these beautiful costumes really convinced me that I wanted to do it!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBzCBtcLRqZN39rYRG4z9UFycMpFnhwQ1uZMCjI7y7lo9M9dEQIwRQAdW3f59Ts6_XiLP7e_ZizQLTJd9rPHds7x4anRo9gE12rRYOww8wRkoCVKsDIQeM4RrUr2Dm3oCZr88/s1600/P4292603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBzCBtcLRqZN39rYRG4z9UFycMpFnhwQ1uZMCjI7y7lo9M9dEQIwRQAdW3f59Ts6_XiLP7e_ZizQLTJd9rPHds7x4anRo9gE12rRYOww8wRkoCVKsDIQeM4RrUr2Dm3oCZr88/s400/P4292603.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph gets Sichuan opera makeup applied</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So we went to the opera house, and went straight to the makeup area. Actors and actresses were getting their makeup done for the performance. You could watch or participate. We had half an hour before the opera started, so that was plenty of time. I had fully anticipated doing it alone, but Craig said that since I seemed so excited about it, he would participate as well. I was delighted! We chose our costumes, and for $50 total, they did our makeup, hair, and costumes. A young woman did my makeup, first putting pale pancake makeup on my face, followed by a deep shade of pink eye shadow around my eyes. She then used black eye liner on my eyebrows and eyelids, and black eye shadow on my upper lids. Next she used a brush to apply bright red shiny lipstick. Meanwhile, a young man in similar eye makeup applied the same treatment to Craig (minus the lipstick).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgarjQontkzDP-cs8iZyQnDcFpFdmoBKdU8Z9oT1C67DHP8JPtZTt1hSz_8uWq8bqqGcEPz9H-wOjXSgOM2HvsDPk2i3j821Wb-MHGR65P7kphLJzGbZH7TKfVK0ExdPL11Uz/s1600/P4292601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgarjQontkzDP-cs8iZyQnDcFpFdmoBKdU8Z9oT1C67DHP8JPtZTt1hSz_8uWq8bqqGcEPz9H-wOjXSgOM2HvsDPk2i3j821Wb-MHGR65P7kphLJzGbZH7TKfVK0ExdPL11Uz/s400/P4292601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig gets Sichuan opera makeup applied</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They dressed Craig up in an elaborate costume similar to what we had seen at the Beijing Opera. They padded his stomach and then put on a blue and white embroidered gown, and attached four flags to his back. They finished him off with a silver headdress with pink pom poms, and handed him a sword. When my makeup was done, I came over to get my hair done. Craig looked at me and didn't recognize me at first! They clipped black extensions onto the front of my hair. A young Chinese woman who had also dressed up wanted to get her photo taken with Craig. She asked Keely, who told her that Craig was very nice and that she should ask him herself. She shyly asked and the two posed together for a photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVkVMTcWxVrB1MborJXs7j-Nf0rdV5SuoQH7G7LEmRf-WHdeSHGLTH-6CcPnFCCdfzpKs5y4YD9kdgMLClvdGchySDow_V5NWz2wTyLXgeaGr5Aez9rJg14_EiloKKfyLXzt8/s1600/P4292606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVkVMTcWxVrB1MborJXs7j-Nf0rdV5SuoQH7G7LEmRf-WHdeSHGLTH-6CcPnFCCdfzpKs5y4YD9kdgMLClvdGchySDow_V5NWz2wTyLXgeaGr5Aez9rJg14_EiloKKfyLXzt8/s400/P4292606.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and a young lady who also got an opera makeover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzny_vmTkfevkF8-vjrMtbJjoCyzBu0k9m0uDyHkpSbnRpKB4UsKAw63B3PxVGezDR8sbHID48M1Z2dfA-uMu2Bog6YcDx0EBypb2khudUWs4_sbZ5JeZ5aEiqukYB4ccfV8v/s1600/P4292622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzny_vmTkfevkF8-vjrMtbJjoCyzBu0k9m0uDyHkpSbnRpKB4UsKAw63B3PxVGezDR8sbHID48M1Z2dfA-uMu2Bog6YcDx0EBypb2khudUWs4_sbZ5JeZ5aEiqukYB4ccfV8v/s400/P4292622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph dressed up for the Sichuan Opera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some Chinese women and their children watched with amusement as I was dressed. They padded my chest (first time that has EVER happened!) and dressed me in a costume very similar to Craig's but with a red and blue color scheme. I had a silver headdress with pink and yellow pompoms and long feathers protruding from the sides. They handed me a spear and I was ready to go! They had a stage area with a nice backdrop for photos, and Craig's makeup artist came over and showed up how to pose with the weapons. It was a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQBXaK-3YQpToWSfODkVLmNEBbcuu786Xm3qWK_eavuqQienLC6-T2NgyzKYhNjqo2eABfAbrmHjmcwAz3F66mTt6b7Zv0V-CG3EU39O0GepDUemCaTESdHy5hV8Z9eGxwPrp/s1600/P4292613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQBXaK-3YQpToWSfODkVLmNEBbcuu786Xm3qWK_eavuqQienLC6-T2NgyzKYhNjqo2eABfAbrmHjmcwAz3F66mTt6b7Zv0V-CG3EU39O0GepDUemCaTESdHy5hV8Z9eGxwPrp/s400/P4292613.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Steph dressed up for the Sichuan Opera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqae-VmVVfcDJNaHzf58aMKAUaTlEDTIcavgMZCaHm56hyqcpCcXMekx1agj-KJFWTvNdsfR-3_YZ4NKO9bmw5CSI1NwVWL3ZeEC1zsA0y2Xv09L7wfg5fNpqWz8pDbwSBPGu/s1600/P4292615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqae-VmVVfcDJNaHzf58aMKAUaTlEDTIcavgMZCaHm56hyqcpCcXMekx1agj-KJFWTvNdsfR-3_YZ4NKO9bmw5CSI1NwVWL3ZeEC1zsA0y2Xv09L7wfg5fNpqWz8pDbwSBPGu/s400/P4292615.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Craig and Steph dressed up for the Sichuan Opera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After our photo shoot, we took off the costumes. They asked if we wanted them to remove the makeup or if we wanted to continue to wear it. We decided to leave it on, just for fun. We went to our seats, which were in a courtyard with a tent-like roof overhead. It was cabaret-style seating, and they gave you complimentary tea and snacks. Two young ladies dressed in yellow were on stage pouring tea from the long, elegant teapots. They poured it in a very choreographed way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeTCnBoS75FDdeqw-IwPPFRU-2J8UN-2yWpORdnvmFnS-oAwRaYw4etvMl68oVXnY535igL3RNFgFPnh81XR1owIVYfNpavrCMUkH6BFinqqN2mK_3nXuaShaKqizh4M32oNt/s1600/P4292639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeTCnBoS75FDdeqw-IwPPFRU-2J8UN-2yWpORdnvmFnS-oAwRaYw4etvMl68oVXnY535igL3RNFgFPnh81XR1owIVYfNpavrCMUkH6BFinqqN2mK_3nXuaShaKqizh4M32oNt/s400/P4292639.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We left our makeup on while watching the performance, just for fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeY4Jkac9uY5eAKTCvmnkyPCBi_c2dCuDsTaTRqjxk-B8dURQDxfMcjHizs0a9ZWStdTKi1DXHJiCIKDTdLGdwhVvX3bI5ipeG3rzBMkYA8Ivu5ZVU4xO3KG-OBdS_-idoDkL/s1600/P4292659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeY4Jkac9uY5eAKTCvmnkyPCBi_c2dCuDsTaTRqjxk-B8dURQDxfMcjHizs0a9ZWStdTKi1DXHJiCIKDTdLGdwhVvX3bI5ipeG3rzBMkYA8Ivu5ZVU4xO3KG-OBdS_-idoDkL/s400/P4292659.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sichuan opera performer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The show started shortly after 8 o'clock. The stage was well-lit, and non-flash photography was allowed. Once again, I was glad to have my good camera. Musicians came onstage, and then actors in elaborate costumes. While the show was going on, you could get chair massages or ear cleaning. It was a very casual atmosphere which befitted the laid-back style of Chengdu.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrQKOr4oCJmmBrrKUOIkVz5UXbVq20JwgvuSxI5pNMQqmKxUR4QLq6fUquzkn1mzMGz0qJdsN4aYtWK99KX4ltg_1gHf7uaaL8SfvRNFczBPPBJBPMM4AWxdVhV0vbwNrcrg6/s1600/P4292677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrQKOr4oCJmmBrrKUOIkVz5UXbVq20JwgvuSxI5pNMQqmKxUR4QLq6fUquzkn1mzMGz0qJdsN4aYtWK99KX4ltg_1gHf7uaaL8SfvRNFczBPPBJBPMM4AWxdVhV0vbwNrcrg6/s400/P4292677.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puppeteer and fairy stick puppet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then a man played a stringed instrument with a bow, making it sound like a horse galloping and whinnying. This was followed by a woman with a stick puppet. The puppet had an elaborate costume, and its movements were so life-like that sometimes we forgot it was a puppet. When I think of stick puppets, I think of Muppets, which have a limited range of motion. This puppeteer could make the fairy puppet do very elaborate gestures. It spun a silk kerchief and moved it from hand to hand, and even picked a flower. The puppeteer made it look effortless.<br />
<br />
Then there was another opera scene, with colorful costumes, facial makeup, and long beards,<br />
Next, a woman performed hand shadow puppets. It was amazing. I think the most impressive was a rabbit, which she made run and blink its little eye. A man played a simple horn, and made it sound like two people having a conversation. Then there was a comedic skit called "Rolling Light". A hen-pecked husband (a common theme in Chengdu) was yelled at by his wife, and placed a burning oil lamp on his head. He went through a variety of contortions with the lamp still balanced and lit on his head to try to impress his wife. This skit dates back to the Han dynasty, yet it is timeless and still gets laughs from modern audiences.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinxdurdeLqtW-aPjctXxcV18Am0G-ejb5FhXbZ8LkwYp8BEXvkSOn6fpx-bv7SX_9AWekHjoh3s2khpkfXi7_PycUZE0WrjMBhheaWnSY6JkdL4qDEaEC3G3Vy-lXfUwdU_a4/s1600/P4292711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinxdurdeLqtW-aPjctXxcV18Am0G-ejb5FhXbZ8LkwYp8BEXvkSOn6fpx-bv7SX_9AWekHjoh3s2khpkfXi7_PycUZE0WrjMBhheaWnSY6JkdL4qDEaEC3G3Vy-lXfUwdU_a4/s400/P4292711.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling light hen-pecked husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The grand finale of the show was the face changing (bian lian) performance, which dates back to approximately the 17th century. It is a form of quick-change magic. Actors came out onstage with colorful masks covering their faces. They waved a flag in front of them, and suddenly their costume was a different color. He did this several times and it was an amazing illusion. Another actor breathed fire. Then, all of the actors wearing masks (there were around 6 of them) paraded around the stage. They would wave their sleeve, a fan, or a flag in front of their faces, and immediately the mask would be a totally different color and pattern. It was amazing. They were so skilled! At the end, an actor in a elaborate black costume merely kicked his leg up in the air, and when he came down he had a different face. He then rapidly passed a fan in front of his face, changing into two masks in quick succession and finally revealing his face. It was amazing!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoJr-LP1ARuQf0djUMcSY0f5DCaklnU2r09_kFhZB6RKHkhDC7igt9bRENQU3qw2UybvasTuVO3JcRGuC-8nmm3KltzhiuaAMLoPF4MNw4yiWR5W_P_b07tOYdFQsH6JXBmia/s1600/FaceChange1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoJr-LP1ARuQf0djUMcSY0f5DCaklnU2r09_kFhZB6RKHkhDC7igt9bRENQU3qw2UybvasTuVO3JcRGuC-8nmm3KltzhiuaAMLoPF4MNw4yiWR5W_P_b07tOYdFQsH6JXBmia/s640/FaceChange1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face changing show: yellow mask</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYPzeAubfLxIVY6owE0vqUeW5Uxj2f66urXrEJRWsjBxxP3V2kMVcErpXFuCClJ0nXIwu15FX2EEVxf-Fmn2ynR18Vg92A01FhVMVIbgHccxdqrq5Bwc58R17BlSOa8OSSfGC/s1600/FaceChange2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYPzeAubfLxIVY6owE0vqUeW5Uxj2f66urXrEJRWsjBxxP3V2kMVcErpXFuCClJ0nXIwu15FX2EEVxf-Fmn2ynR18Vg92A01FhVMVIbgHccxdqrq5Bwc58R17BlSOa8OSSfGC/s640/FaceChange2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Face changing show: pink mask</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Keely came to collect us and we walked out to the car Mr, Liang opened the door for me and when he saw my face n the makeup he did a double-take, He gave me a big smile and told Keely that I looked very beautiful. <br />
<br />
When we got back to the hotel, two employees said that although the majority of their guests attend the Sichuan opera, they have never seen them return in full makeup. We showed them our photos and they were quite amused. We went and scrubbed the makeup off of our faces. It was very difficult and took 15-20 minutes. I used the complimentary loofah, and had loofah burns on my cheeks for the next few days. The black eyeliner was very difficult to remove, but it was a small price to pay for the experience! I had felt like a movie star (though I looked more like a German cabaret performer once I took off the costume).<br />
<br />
We enjoyed our final night at the luxurious St. Regis. We had had an amazing time with Keely in Chengdu.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we would be reuniting with our dear friend Wang Jun, and getting to meet his family!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyqVD2L7bbX821gf6alFRMxj0H1Nif28hrzL4Ops9kMAcpTwfvoN2cMfRV8vW7pEr86nLjFWB63hhvmn2JZdFkvZ2RSJeES81-dBnuhBL1taxcn8tpknVg75QoV1OQ5odHoaT/s1600/P4302747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyqVD2L7bbX821gf6alFRMxj0H1Nif28hrzL4Ops9kMAcpTwfvoN2cMfRV8vW7pEr86nLjFWB63hhvmn2JZdFkvZ2RSJeES81-dBnuhBL1taxcn8tpknVg75QoV1OQ5odHoaT/s400/P4302747.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying farewell to Keely at the Chengdu Airport </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-25443350248746896212015-05-23T16:06:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.643-04:00China 2015 Installment #4: Chongqing After eating one final breakfast on the Victoria Jenna and saying goodbye to all of our new friends, we checked out of our cabin. Our guide, the lovely young Mia, met us in the lobby. She hired a porter to carry our bags up the long flights of stairs which led from the Yangtze River up to the streets of Chongqing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg985pKPBixCrH1IrVWgrEZpO_lkkup5Re-t_E1w9qCOTWyWKOX2MwQ0JF6EoaZ71udUx9t9lRpz_Q1ZSD0UcNj693DZTt1V0T855tlRDI7Yqv9j1hz0hX7MhKOVglQS7vMV3fk/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg985pKPBixCrH1IrVWgrEZpO_lkkup5Re-t_E1w9qCOTWyWKOX2MwQ0JF6EoaZ71udUx9t9lRpz_Q1ZSD0UcNj693DZTt1V0T855tlRDI7Yqv9j1hz0hX7MhKOVglQS7vMV3fk/s400/IMG_1151.JPG" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser (red) panda at Chongqing Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We got into our nice big clean comfy van, and our driver braved rush hour traffic to get us to the <a href="http://www.cqzoo.com/">Chongqing Zoo</a>, where we would get our first glimpse at some real live pandas! Pandas are active in the early morning and early evening, so this was the perfect time to visit. The zoo has 8 giant pandas, as well as some lesser (red) pandas. We encountered the red pandas first. They look like a cross between an American raccoon and a red fox, and are quite cute. We know that they live in the wild in Bhutan, but they are very rare and we never got the chance to see them when we were there. Here there were several in an enclosure. One came right to the front of the enclosure and looked up at us hopefully, as if he thought that we had food for him.<br />
<br />
Next, we arrived at the giant panda enclosures in time to observe little Sishun, a lovely juvenile female who made her public debut on May 1, 2014. She was lying back on a raised platform, and enjoying her bamboo breakfast, double fisting at times. She was very content as bamboo detritus accumulated on her belly. She was so cute! Her mom Ya Ya was in the next pen over and we could see her walking by in the background.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSVauVD9R4xtCYMNgQbP3-RsAy7QX5c4OtT9bLsQLoU4uBJ3YKK_YVFi49M2zBONvPsTfu91NHFfUCyJxu6_uTH15xs4U3F18EoZeFf8jsVVKLEyJWWuCPSA_GOLtcczmcghf/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSVauVD9R4xtCYMNgQbP3-RsAy7QX5c4OtT9bLsQLoU4uBJ3YKK_YVFi49M2zBONvPsTfu91NHFfUCyJxu6_uTH15xs4U3F18EoZeFf8jsVVKLEyJWWuCPSA_GOLtcczmcghf/s400/IMG_1169.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sishun eating bamboo while her mom Ya Ya walks by at the Chongqing Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56MxzwwLaHH36MiCdM3GF1_iNLaqZg0jYjSGXLDKuWOVuqFGt8SGSufDRu3lGIM3zb2ZGY47zmRU9puZM4qBDzkCSJK2Za4vC7vOpVyIWrgYNs67Yl_UrP4MIHBD5VPbLP4Tb/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56MxzwwLaHH36MiCdM3GF1_iNLaqZg0jYjSGXLDKuWOVuqFGt8SGSufDRu3lGIM3zb2ZGY47zmRU9puZM4qBDzkCSJK2Za4vC7vOpVyIWrgYNs67Yl_UrP4MIHBD5VPbLP4Tb/s400/IMG_1186.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Sishun, and Steph at the Chongqing Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF-jFz8HOWfRe-R7cO_AEBdnSmd06VTSjA1b8lgad8lvcTYB5nzbZm7rYHM0kXCeNXOVPux7b_SQuwGeBEuqL3S-TA7mHGessZ94DqySKduliPEL7C73Qndrv0pwhclxtWKMN/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF-jFz8HOWfRe-R7cO_AEBdnSmd06VTSjA1b8lgad8lvcTYB5nzbZm7rYHM0kXCeNXOVPux7b_SQuwGeBEuqL3S-TA7mHGessZ94DqySKduliPEL7C73Qndrv0pwhclxtWKMN/s400/IMG_1227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panda yoga with Liang Liang at the Chongqing Zoo (supported forward fold)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The zoo was really beautiful. It was an oasis in the middle of the city. There were lots of plants and trees that were very well manicured. Everything was very clean, and the animals had indoor as well as outdoor enclosures. People were practicing tai chi and it was all very peaceful. There were many families there. As it was a school day, the only children there were very young. A few parents asked us to pose for pictures with their kids, which we gladly did. The kids were adorable, if sometimes terrified of us.<br />
<br />
We moved on to the enclosures of the other giant pandas, and saw Sishun's father Ling Ling. It was a very hot day, and Ling Ling was more interested in trying to get inside to air conditioned comfort than playing on his jungle gym and slide. Another panda (Liang Liang) did a forward fold onto a cool stone and just sat there contentedly. So Craig joined in on the panda yoga and did a supported forward fold of his own. We had to get a picture for Jenny, our yoga instructor back home.<br />
<br />
We really enjoyed getting to see the pandas, and it really whet our appetite for our upcoming volunteer work at a panda health center in Chengdu. We tore ourselves away from the pandas to enjoy the other exhibits.<br />
<br />
There were enormous hippos, rhinos, pigs, and porcupines. Then we reached the primate area. There were so many different types of monkeys, each species in their own enclosure (though a handful of species shared space).<br />
<br />
The zookeeper went into the squirrel monkey enclosure to fetch their food bowls. When he left, they were trying to figure out how to open the door to follow him. They held on to the little window in the door and peered through. <br />
<br />
There was a mandrill who looked like a Beijing opera star, who stuck out his tongue at us. The colorful markings on his face and chest were gorgeous. The glare from the glass (and my substitute camera) made photographing these monkeys very difficult.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoLhRurSXnVeGTBOWly6nkgz_zggHM0McE0dRd0VDtm9H-Aiw7myicWmqm0T0F4ReT17FBWb41hAEGL3BliBkzQ547eAvZSTgTyqyBUmCq1yaeDIl5hhyphenhyphen5C8KWGqvIAjy9bpN/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoLhRurSXnVeGTBOWly6nkgz_zggHM0McE0dRd0VDtm9H-Aiw7myicWmqm0T0F4ReT17FBWb41hAEGL3BliBkzQ547eAvZSTgTyqyBUmCq1yaeDIl5hhyphenhyphen5C8KWGqvIAjy9bpN/s400/IMG_1309.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandrill at the Chongqing Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We went to one glassed-in monkey enclosure which had various tire swings and ropes hanging from the ceiling. It was dark inside and the enclosure appeared to be empty. Then some kids went over and were obviously looking at something. We went to the front of the enclosure and were surprised to find a large ape with a furrowed brow, sitting at the very front of the enclosure, with his face very close to the glass. The placard said that he was an orangutan, but his fur was black rather than orange.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuH7ELJUsdZVEika1Od4puYj21hIsYOpQ3Zz5E3at7wWuLZGYeKbCMewvogTutpEZ0UHJhRPsbEKWJxnGsTOEK_DXKrSrvg8LoIPBqdRIMCul0kJnVb8SP-NS3_ACpihlxYHPY/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuH7ELJUsdZVEika1Od4puYj21hIsYOpQ3Zz5E3at7wWuLZGYeKbCMewvogTutpEZ0UHJhRPsbEKWJxnGsTOEK_DXKrSrvg8LoIPBqdRIMCul0kJnVb8SP-NS3_ACpihlxYHPY/s400/IMG_1265.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph's buddy the orangutan at the Chongqing Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kids tapped on the window at him, but we just stood quietly looking at him. When the kids went away, I was able to get face-to-face with him. He had a contented look and he stared right into my eyes. He seemed so empathic and intelligent. And human. After a few minutes, when my attention wandered, he pounded the glass lightly with his fist and then put his palm up to the glass as if to get my attention. It was very humbling. I repeated his gesture, and we stared into one another's eyes once again. We shared a very special moment. It was amazing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The zookeeper came back to feed the squirrel monkeys and they went crazy. There were many choices (apples, oranges, and nuts) but, as is the cliche, they preferred the bananas. A rat ran across the enclosure and tried to scavenge from them, but they chased him away. We also saw birds, pigs, porcupines, tigers (the white tigers were absolutely gorgeous), and lions.<br />
<br />
After spending several very enjoyable hours at the zoo, we had a lovely lunch at the Paradise Club restaurant overlooking the Yangtze River.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tvgua2wBl7AxDzLiacMuyFbLFUD7eYZcLkNtigFze0giHvAIcec89kdVDFTqnzGZtMJ3RmYFBZYq5mR7OgDT2PdvB-ZEd-NoYLngIjL1a27b9_YN6MPqgmaROsbQU4bnyCz-/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tvgua2wBl7AxDzLiacMuyFbLFUD7eYZcLkNtigFze0giHvAIcec89kdVDFTqnzGZtMJ3RmYFBZYq5mR7OgDT2PdvB-ZEd-NoYLngIjL1a27b9_YN6MPqgmaROsbQU4bnyCz-/s400/IMG_1377.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lovely guide Mia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknpiUFx2MS3q3F1pgqkMgkdk3y55L0XnlSDDL_VhqCXcc7XcjtO-mARTOR0RSvpjaprtcnWmCQcPV02ufP-xYbsmlfNjqt033Ykc4J_czkkDhUNw8W80a1lxkuj-lVX_eHSi4/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknpiUFx2MS3q3F1pgqkMgkdk3y55L0XnlSDDL_VhqCXcc7XcjtO-mARTOR0RSvpjaprtcnWmCQcPV02ufP-xYbsmlfNjqt033Ykc4J_czkkDhUNw8W80a1lxkuj-lVX_eHSi4/s400/IMG_1374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huguang Guild Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Then we went to Huguang Guild Hall, a former family association complex in Chongqing. During a time of plague and famine, only 100 families survived in all of Chongqing. Immigration from other provinces was encouraged to increase the population. The first building of this complex was built in 1759. The complex was used as a gathering place for villagers who had moved to Chongqing. They lived communally, helping one another through difficult periods.<br />
<br />
Mia bought our tickets and we went up a flight of stairs to see a beautiful ancient style building.We met Bella, who would be our guide at the site.<br />
<br />
We went into a room called Emperor Yu's Palace. Da Yu was the "Hero of Water Control." The families built a shrine to him here, to pray for good weather so that the Yangtze would not flood. The large bronze statue of Da Yu was a reproduction of the original, which was damaged. As prayers/wishes, people tied colorful strings around the shrine, and also hung little red wooden plaques with tassels and Chinese knots. On one side of the plaque was a Chinese character which symbolized the wish: prosperity, longevity, etc. On the back, the person would write their name (and sometimes even their address, since many Chinese people share the same names and they want to ensure that their good luck is delivered to the proper person).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2hMl7-DrTJNkdRrSG_X7HS_LNHiTO0I60dIlvD2YErAwat5o8Gkp36RCd9nknFgs_z8SAGwr-RN4iyzttD3Up8PraretEtFLXWp_9JGmtdq5mLfJVHEERpOA2hXosH-rU8Wi/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2hMl7-DrTJNkdRrSG_X7HS_LNHiTO0I60dIlvD2YErAwat5o8Gkp36RCd9nknFgs_z8SAGwr-RN4iyzttD3Up8PraretEtFLXWp_9JGmtdq5mLfJVHEERpOA2hXosH-rU8Wi/s400/IMG_1427.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional roof, featuring dragon fish and "constipated dragons" at Huguang Guild Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vzuhufemQkJdOxrr2szZ7qu2i-BDb_kut5mbzH2t0KLknvX9rGC-XpnN3DrkvDNUGIt2Kji0z0-kcPLwZlDwosbn_CPnC8GkTomxpBM_n8RxDWZqE2Lx03iyjAhy6ERAWBHD/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vzuhufemQkJdOxrr2szZ7qu2i-BDb_kut5mbzH2t0KLknvX9rGC-XpnN3DrkvDNUGIt2Kji0z0-kcPLwZlDwosbn_CPnC8GkTomxpBM_n8RxDWZqE2Lx03iyjAhy6ERAWBHD/s400/IMG_1426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opera stage, Huguang Guild Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bella explained all of the architectural elements of the building complex, including the fact that dragonfish on the end of roof beams meant that the person living there had earned a Ph.D., and that so-called "constipated dragons" were placed facing outwards on roofs for prosperity (the dragon ingests money and "holds onto it" because he is "constipated"). Some buildings were decorated with gold leaf. If you used gold leaf without the Emperor's permission, you would be killed.<br />
<br />
There were two opera stages here, an outdoor one for the masses, and an indoor one for the elite.We saw several tableaux depicting life at the Guild Hall, including celebrations, arranged marriages, and charity works.<br />
<br />
We had Bella all to ourselves, and she said that it was smart to come around lunchtime. In the early mornings they can have up to 3500 visitors. After leading us through the various buildings, she brought us to the immigration museum and gallery / gift shop.<br />
<br />
Many other ancient neighborhoods which bordered this complex are in the process of being torn down to make room for the modern. The contrast is stark. From here we could see the brand new Dongshuimen Yangtze River Bridge, a beautiful partially cable-supported girder bridge which supports automobile traffic as well as a monorail.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E6OWOtVQkyUmAYet0aCVYO72rk90hvvKmsQQUzevmnrxdtVhxUL4rCsXdRpHnhn5a4EwSfj12CH5KxfrO6UAUeISp_xYPjDsgRMstVbKbg9KH4-potcZF0Tmq1X2kkzQMAsW/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E6OWOtVQkyUmAYet0aCVYO72rk90hvvKmsQQUzevmnrxdtVhxUL4rCsXdRpHnhn5a4EwSfj12CH5KxfrO6UAUeISp_xYPjDsgRMstVbKbg9KH4-potcZF0Tmq1X2kkzQMAsW/s400/IMG_1542.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig with Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault at the Flying Tigers Exhibition Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-9TBr3rbikGkd7UNFAk0PokRpZhno5xcZxPBAaiF2FuqA4UazgtjEaNrUPhb7B_N_37uwAjNrTXootnp54DDGai29vj2-zlseZmpXzgR1ubMl8Nb0hkxRwvmJ5BQl1mK1Aou/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-9TBr3rbikGkd7UNFAk0PokRpZhno5xcZxPBAaiF2FuqA4UazgtjEaNrUPhb7B_N_37uwAjNrTXootnp54DDGai29vj2-zlseZmpXzgR1ubMl8Nb0hkxRwvmJ5BQl1mK1Aou/s400/IMG_1505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting of Chongqing during WWII, and painting of Flying Tiger planes, <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Flying Tigers Exhibition Hall<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After that, we ventured just outside of the city on hilly streets to the Flying Tigers Exhibition Hall. It is a very low-key, unassuming museum, but very interesting. A woman gave us an introductory lecture about the history of the Flying Tigers and the cooperation between the Americans and the Chinese which ultimately saved Chonqing from Japanese control in World War II. We don't usually have much interest in war and military history, but this was fascinating. It brought tears to our eyes as we saw photographs and read placards about Claire Lee Chennault and his band of American volunteer pilots who helped the Chinese, and the resulting admiration that the Chinese had for them (which is still evident in their attitude toward Americans to this day). Lt. Gen. Chennault married a Chinese woman named Anna Chang, 30 years his junior. Chennault passed away in 1958, but Madame Anna Chennault just celebrated her 90th birthday and lives in Washington, D.C.<br />
<br />
One of the more heart-tugging moments for us was seeing photos of a three and a half year old Chinese boy who was adopted by the Flying Tigers. He was ceremonially inducted into the Air Force and was known as Little Tiger Joe. He was pictured in uniform next to the airmen, and it made us emotional.<br />
<br />
It was obviously a low-budget museum, but it was very informative. We bought a nice book about the Flying Tigers and a commemorative postage stamp set honoring the Chennaults as a way of showing our support. As we left the museum, the employees locked up. We think they had been open only for us. Now we were even more glad that we bought something!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ELnkhOVxQJ-anetamTiMbqq0EWaWtJDdbWWnoUqcBlqjbTYYciHBwi092czds4SAAYlyr50v3I_y0Ix-oiLSroUE9pD6CAhDPjJuyoZF5hytbQbmsQ1yZnSVj0WOkIyrrsce/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ELnkhOVxQJ-anetamTiMbqq0EWaWtJDdbWWnoUqcBlqjbTYYciHBwi092czds4SAAYlyr50v3I_y0Ix-oiLSroUE9pD6CAhDPjJuyoZF5hytbQbmsQ1yZnSVj0WOkIyrrsce/s400/IMG_1502.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banner expressing Chinese gratitude to the Flying Tigers </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wang Jun called Mia while we were visiting the museum. We spoke to him and he asked if we had spoken to Mia about our need to purchase a camera battery charger. We hadn't, as we had been on the go all day and didn't want to interrupt the itinerary. Wang Jun spoke to Mia and explained our predicament. Mia said that the only other thing on our agenda was dinner, and she kindly offered to take us shopping to try to find a charger before dinner. We were so grateful!<br />
<br />
We drove to the hotel, the Chongqing Hilton, and checked into room 2719. It was a very nice room. We met Mia in the lobby. She asked if we would mind taking the subway, as it was rush hour and she didn't want the driver to get stuck in traffic. We had never taken the subway in China before, so we were eager for the new experience. Like most other things in China that are not thousands of years old, the station was very new, modern, and clean. We took Line #1, which had opened within the past year (Mia and her friends had taken an inaugural ride). We took the immaculately clean subway train for three stops. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKTGt1xEWqhF8hyBnczX62m4fzQ8u5k4c5rJoRsKxXbaH41cwF0iZgkqax2AyQgb5qSwiK3mNC9iz7ipD5QhNUbwTAv7XD4mxYVYHxNmaqbXi-9VRhLrcGJyVNWhQNPXTtwmf/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKTGt1xEWqhF8hyBnczX62m4fzQ8u5k4c5rJoRsKxXbaH41cwF0iZgkqax2AyQgb5qSwiK3mNC9iz7ipD5QhNUbwTAv7XD4mxYVYHxNmaqbXi-9VRhLrcGJyVNWhQNPXTtwmf/s400/IMG_1559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia and Craig on Line #1, Chongqing Subway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We emerged in Jiefangbei Square, a shopping district filled with high rise buildings. We saw the People's Liberation Monument, a clock tower built in 1945 to commemorate the victory over the Japanese in WWII. Sixty years ago, it was the tallest building in Chongqing. Now it is dwarfed by all of the skyscrapers and luxury stores surrounding it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoizd2WaXAUZ2aumyTZ4hQ8cdlBZYJsMAY3R7STJFl2bIqlRAJutbrvanahyiJ7Oo964kxcxYO-m19QHsWr63gXKKPl_EvTYsw_8Nxa7gDbzSTLLBriKw95ma8cD-Ofnke_Ey/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoizd2WaXAUZ2aumyTZ4hQ8cdlBZYJsMAY3R7STJFl2bIqlRAJutbrvanahyiJ7Oo964kxcxYO-m19QHsWr63gXKKPl_EvTYsw_8Nxa7gDbzSTLLBriKw95ma8cD-Ofnke_Ey/s400/IMG_1581.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People's Liberation Monument is dwarfed by skyscrapers, Jeifangbei Square, Chongqing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPp4ps0Pz1NfM9IQpxzkHShDJSHyDToCxoXnglQwn36JWhOWhR6LTKXBIUkcHnLFbJC7hP4aPzfqvmj-r58qvHEF00vck2Ki9M4vE8ZHGFpPmvwL-yYcV3zodBKNs3SXBXU-1/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPp4ps0Pz1NfM9IQpxzkHShDJSHyDToCxoXnglQwn36JWhOWhR6LTKXBIUkcHnLFbJC7hP4aPzfqvmj-r58qvHEF00vck2Ki9M4vE8ZHGFpPmvwL-yYcV3zodBKNs3SXBXU-1/s400/IMG_1585.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art museum<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">, Jeifangbei Square, Chongqing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went into <a href="http://www.suning.cn/snsite_en/index/index.html">Suning</a>, a large appliance and electronics chain store. As we ascended the escalator, I could see the Olympus logo on the wall. I held my breath and hoped that they might be able to help us. Mia talked to some employees, and we showed them our broken charger. They made a few calls, and said that they didn't have one in stock, but they could have one sent to the store. Since we were leaving the following morning at 8:30 a.m., this seemed impossible, and our hearts sank. But then they asked if we could come back in a couple of hours to pick it up, and we were thrilled! Mia said that we could do a little more sightseeing and then eat dinner in the area while we waited.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJrKPIiPKJpYArgcMqmwTRB9WrZPHBOAGMFFJXuX-oOG3S1YXZafT5F7Ko9qIqRMFntzGsxz7AnyT0AR7kwfNKsUbSneWLx2fqLskm-eshvVsnF3F0VzEB8Z-bFbM0mCfGubQ/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJrKPIiPKJpYArgcMqmwTRB9WrZPHBOAGMFFJXuX-oOG3S1YXZafT5F7Ko9qIqRMFntzGsxz7AnyT0AR7kwfNKsUbSneWLx2fqLskm-eshvVsnF3F0VzEB8Z-bFbM0mCfGubQ/s400/IMG_1606.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hongya Dong, Chongqing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxISCTWELCdEGYadX5QHFr9QpNQ485OEjUeiYqD92CesOYgnT_uXrwbDXYWNhc7408GjqxL3O52-nPWkMab9iboRKICNDzphGC_BGeNEiBjrigj5vrHcYWvEMBOcpm-aajsFZb/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxISCTWELCdEGYadX5QHFr9QpNQ485OEjUeiYqD92CesOYgnT_uXrwbDXYWNhc7408GjqxL3O52-nPWkMab9iboRKICNDzphGC_BGeNEiBjrigj5vrHcYWvEMBOcpm-aajsFZb/s400/IMG_1604.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig at Hongya Dong, Chongqing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So with a spring in our step, we walked over to Hongya Dong, an eclectic shopping / dining / tourism / park complex built into the side of a cliff. The building is built in Ba Yu architectural style, as an 11-story stilt building. We started off on the ground floor, where there was a nice water feature in the park. Then we took an elevator to the 4th floor, which housed hawkers of savory snacks. We watched a man make potato noodles from scratch. He mixed the potato up into a slurry, then put it through a strainer to shape the noodles, which oozed out of the holes looking like lavender worms. He then fried them in oil and tossed them high into the air to dry them. They looked delicious. Another man pounding rice into rice cakes. There were lots of chilis everywhere, and the fragrances made our mouths water. Another level of the complex housed many bars. There were Irish pubs, a Tex Mex bar, etc. It all looked rather incongruous. (Though we did take a quick look around for Birgit and Stephan, since they always seek out bar culture and this would certainly be an experience!) We then took the elevator to the 11th floor roof deck, which is actually at street level on the next parallel street. There is a nice view of the brand new Qianximen Jialing River Bridge, the twin of the Dongshuimen Yangtze River Bridge which we had seen earlier in the day. There were some interesting statues here, including a huge pirate ship with pirates.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAJ8Vqi4ENBvspP_9aRAF8sAZ6mjLsBBfOcg_YcgIu6Fxl5nA4Ogi1n7lxLrf0UIhKeVm3VkCnahBNy6K5Nuv_DMhaqho26LZfprbAVwl2G0-DirFynWGZey2cusojt386HBq/s1600/IMG_1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAJ8Vqi4ENBvspP_9aRAF8sAZ6mjLsBBfOcg_YcgIu6Fxl5nA4Ogi1n7lxLrf0UIhKeVm3VkCnahBNy6K5Nuv_DMhaqho26LZfprbAVwl2G0-DirFynWGZey2cusojt386HBq/s400/IMG_1590.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qianximen Jialing River Bridge viewed from Hongya Dong, Chongqing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next we walked to the Wan Yue restaurant for dinner. While Craig was in the restroom, a large group entered the restaurant, and I was thrilled to discover that it was the Singaporean group from our Yangtze River cruise! In a city of 30 million, what are the chances that we would run into them? And if we hadn't been in the area waiting for the battery charger to be delivered, we would have eaten somewhere else entirely! We were happy to see them and to compare notes about how we had spent the day. After enjoying our dinner, we stopped at their table to get a group photo and wish them a happy journey. They were so sweet!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5n7fSzcNAETg4gKNce_yO9cMF_QI_ZlD66B6PNszZhOyc0l6iEG_OfB_Ki8VchQW0FbW_ZIlx_Ij7aoSouKQ0oEjD9mv_JyylLQi0YjTqz8QbcSl2qVrHHXCGjvkb04VSbyR/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5n7fSzcNAETg4gKNce_yO9cMF_QI_ZlD66B6PNszZhOyc0l6iEG_OfB_Ki8VchQW0FbW_ZIlx_Ij7aoSouKQ0oEjD9mv_JyylLQi0YjTqz8QbcSl2qVrHHXCGjvkb04VSbyR/s400/IMG_1649.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited with our Singaporean friends from the Yangtze River Cruise, Wan Yue Rsstaurant, Chongqing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We left at around 6:45 p.m. for the store. We were afraid to be hopeful. If we tried something like this at a store at home, we would probably go back to find that the employee we talked to went on break and nobody else knew what we were talking about. But fear not, as we walked into the camera department, the employee nodded at us and went into the back and emerged with a brand new charger. It looked right, but he didn't want to take chances. He opened the package, inserted my battery, and told us to wait a few minutes while he plugged it in to make sure that it worked. We were so happy! We waited patiently and after a few minutes I tried the battery in the camera and it had indeed charged. It was the best 130 yuan ($21) we ever spent! Now we would be able to use our good camera for the remainder of the trip, including the pandas! We were walking on air on our way back to the subway. We are so grateful for Mia's willingness to help us. She really went above and beyond to help us out!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen9PI9SNsMSl2Flk0IE3SMSw0lAaGViD4WnkfnYqfNLDPdYTqN-1OWmeyyZR-Sd6rbakT2A6TbwZWXJ32nyHJPJObAZd1CZOy6qy4Vs_Iz0W9h_i4uYNv-ir7ddPgE1LxS66b/s1600/P4271838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen9PI9SNsMSl2Flk0IE3SMSw0lAaGViD4WnkfnYqfNLDPdYTqN-1OWmeyyZR-Sd6rbakT2A6TbwZWXJ32nyHJPJObAZd1CZOy6qy4Vs_Iz0W9h_i4uYNv-ir7ddPgE1LxS66b/s400/P4271838.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hero! Suning employee who procured our battery charger!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfPq9a4KD9dlfScU-Vv7dpUUpvP8MXnZ0MTc7iMSCH4qKCqc49wMBzIPUgp0JgBSvgtiykjtI2bUDG8v7L6rUkkBGTV4JQVaIs6KiWXHT0La7KeOnvFlNqg3-Vqptzfa7ZwWP/s1600/P4271841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfPq9a4KD9dlfScU-Vv7dpUUpvP8MXnZ0MTc7iMSCH4qKCqc49wMBzIPUgp0JgBSvgtiykjtI2bUDG8v7L6rUkkBGTV4JQVaIs6KiWXHT0La7KeOnvFlNqg3-Vqptzfa7ZwWP/s400/P4271841.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Jeifangbei Square, Chongqing - it's nice to have the good camera back!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We took the subway back to the hotel, arriving shortly before 8 o'clock. We had managed to do all of our sightseeing, get the charger replaced, and we were still home at a reasonable time! We got three batteries charged overnight, so we were well-prepared for the next leg of our trip. On to Chengdu and volunteering with the pandas!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ340dCrZw44-SEvzzKp69fGLl8MmC3vRIquU_f0ZOwpDJcsrdihGB8MixZEGbXQJwBpFZZk69QNno1jEdKSIxR7FjgV9QRknY4P8PAs7mDV8Ft42kq74ScnnPeSRcsA4wOO_/s1600/P4281869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ340dCrZw44-SEvzzKp69fGLl8MmC3vRIquU_f0ZOwpDJcsrdihGB8MixZEGbXQJwBpFZZk69QNno1jEdKSIxR7FjgV9QRknY4P8PAs7mDV8Ft42kq74ScnnPeSRcsA4wOO_/s400/P4281869.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying farewell to Mia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-55868344170428820062015-05-17T16:46:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.661-04:00China 2015 Installment #3: Three Gorges Yangtze River Cruise from Yi Chang to Chonqing on the Victoria Jenna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi0yo8Qn5-Cs2i2qJGWKPvLHh6jwwBmM4CsCnjWrdHrBmhByF0vxKxDaLP6tbE3Sd-4eJ9yESaSQ3zxxJ4f6-4RnG1nKievIieuqav6oGVbX6svGsattrwUEfLdtkfPJyT5n5/s1600/P4231345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPi0yo8Qn5-Cs2i2qJGWKPvLHh6jwwBmM4CsCnjWrdHrBmhByF0vxKxDaLP6tbE3Sd-4eJ9yESaSQ3zxxJ4f6-4RnG1nKievIieuqav6oGVbX6svGsattrwUEfLdtkfPJyT5n5/s400/P4231345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air China from Xi'an to Wuhan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next portion of the trip was a river cruise on the Yangtze. This started with a travel day involving planes, trains, and automobiles (and of course the boat itself). We woke up at 5 a.m. to enjoy the hotel breakfast before leaving for the Xi'an airport at 7:30. Our Air China flight to Wuhan took off on time at 10:10, arriving at 11:40.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04fhTrww73BRanMSEEtK_dxLrE1pVHW6u-hzIG8FNOirdLUedHn0OWCfaIHU5qJB65eX5VgkTvRdRErt4VCdMBGYchCMBiLcUObx10yfeOLWMMQJz-53GahGNmFsKzrTBx6_W/s1600/P4231353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04fhTrww73BRanMSEEtK_dxLrE1pVHW6u-hzIG8FNOirdLUedHn0OWCfaIHU5qJB65eX5VgkTvRdRErt4VCdMBGYchCMBiLcUObx10yfeOLWMMQJz-53GahGNmFsKzrTBx6_W/s400/P4231353.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharp at the Tibetan Restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were met by Sharp, a very personable guide and driver who drove us from the airport into Wuhan city for lunch at a Tibetan restaurant. We enjoyed chatting with him and getting to know him on the ride and at lunch. After we were finished eating, he drove us to the train station to catch our bullet train to Yi Chang. The station was enormous and immaculately clean.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkv8oGgkFF76vDnbXjLPo-GHb-ZUpyGByf6_vfDyXrho3FxJpF148W1hGkspf9uJbffqCk5dZ0o27YI0dpfHO_J1C5EfMUzny6eAdiu-DbjlmOfdi0X9dWUHHNgoD94hQldlQ/s1600/P4231368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkv8oGgkFF76vDnbXjLPo-GHb-ZUpyGByf6_vfDyXrho3FxJpF148W1hGkspf9uJbffqCk5dZ0o27YI0dpfHO_J1C5EfMUzny6eAdiu-DbjlmOfdi0X9dWUHHNgoD94hQldlQ/s400/P4231368.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wuhan railway station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQXmkRWJkT3zqIzuCkjsnQP1OhaYe7N2LTDe4Y0irj0o90uxUxTs3DMZaHfCKlWIdw91LTkKMFCY4h3w9tWshR2_X1inhUx2juf4ovHFMy6fs_s7yfYM_kHfAUEcABYynPA6R/s1600/P4231377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQXmkRWJkT3zqIzuCkjsnQP1OhaYe7N2LTDe4Y0irj0o90uxUxTs3DMZaHfCKlWIdw91LTkKMFCY4h3w9tWshR2_X1inhUx2juf4ovHFMy6fs_s7yfYM_kHfAUEcABYynPA6R/s400/P4231377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullet train from Wuhan to Yi Chang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sharp waited with us until it was time to board the train, and he helped us to get seated in our very comfortable 2nd class seats in car 11. The train was very clean and modern. We left on time at 3:16. The train reached a maximum speed of 199 km/hr (though we hear it makes 450 on other routes), and the ride was very smooth and quiet. I had ridden the commuter rail in Boston a week prior, and the difference was astounding. As we got further away from the city, we enjoyed the rural scenery - rice paddies and farmland. Every station was announced several times in English and Chinese, and there was a sign which told speed, indoor and outdoor temperature, and the next station.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHS9njF0J2lKnJRXAdElGblVZ75BTtY7-DGnBhD5VbsiJkEgpJs6Sk6LPKJGUtH8ZfXYWy3Co2W4txfmsor1dftwZ0gKqM4LpUf_eGJRoQDPQrCP2WEtzOioXDU4PfeQH8oth/s1600/P4231398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHS9njF0J2lKnJRXAdElGblVZ75BTtY7-DGnBhD5VbsiJkEgpJs6Sk6LPKJGUtH8ZfXYWy3Co2W4txfmsor1dftwZ0gKqM4LpUf_eGJRoQDPQrCP2WEtzOioXDU4PfeQH8oth/s400/P4231398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wen and Craig in Yi Chang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We arrived at Yi Chang at 5:17 p.m. We were picked up by Wen, a cheerful guide who had spent 5 years working in tourism in Taiwan, but came home to Yi Chang a year ago. He was very friendly. We drove about 25 minutes to a restaurant, where we enjoyed a nice dinner in a small private dining room.<br />
<br />
After dinner, we drove around 30 minutes to the boat: <a href="http://www.victoriacruises.com/fleet/specs/victoria_jenna" target="_blank">Victoria Jenna</a>. It was getting dark and we saw the lights of a 6-deck river cruise ship with capacity for just under 400 guests. We embarked through the lobby on deck 2. The lobby was quite stylish, and we could tell that this was going to be a very comfortable few days.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkcpANa54FEiQS0dRrctEkD8S3knKkqFa-Xb6riazKgTF-y1KJdBpO5-n2FCJ-jz1-fGBr512ZcoA4oHZI7RVaD-psG-Nh_te56xnt_x95oGuhRMQXwL_dDrVhsNW0a1fwBPe/s1600/P4231403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkcpANa54FEiQS0dRrctEkD8S3knKkqFa-Xb6riazKgTF-y1KJdBpO5-n2FCJ-jz1-fGBr512ZcoA4oHZI7RVaD-psG-Nh_te56xnt_x95oGuhRMQXwL_dDrVhsNW0a1fwBPe/s400/P4231403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embarking on a Yangtze River cruise on the Victoria Jenna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we checked in, the cheerful staff offered us an upgrade from our standard cabin to a junior suite. We are always wary of the upsell, but we decided to take a look at the two cabins and then decide. We took the glass elevators to each cabin. Both had twin beds, a balcony, and an en suite bathroom, and would have fit our needs fine. But the junior suite was amazing. It had high ceilings, 2 beds, a love seat, desk and chair, large flat screen TV, and plenty of closet / storage space for luggage. It was the same size as a normal hotel room, and even had a full-sized bathtub in the bathroom. Not what I would normally expect on a ship! We decided to upgrade, as the price was very reasonable, especially given that we would be spending four nights on the boat. We were on the 5th deck (only one deck above us)), down the hall from the bar and lounge. We were quite happy with our new space, and it was nice that we would be in one place long enough to spread out a bit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC27xkV7djRCeU_sTFhSLiCsxXX8h-8c1lyd83krzZ53sY4GFz38byJJz5PwhT71i6XGni-2IGhv4swLk9T7swnRTQjemyrLR5RvVkp-5Wedu6zIqMEKIdPciaBUWDkq9S6ti/s1600/Cabin504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyC27xkV7djRCeU_sTFhSLiCsxXX8h-8c1lyd83krzZ53sY4GFz38byJJz5PwhT71i6XGni-2IGhv4swLk9T7swnRTQjemyrLR5RvVkp-5Wedu6zIqMEKIdPciaBUWDkq9S6ti/s400/Cabin504.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our junior suite, #504, as taken in 2 photographs from out balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had expected the cruise to be mainly comprised of western tourists, but it was actually a majority of Chinese tourists. This was nice to see. The boat was not setting sail until the next morning, so we got settled into the room and went to sleep.<br />
<br />
We woke up before our alarm at 6 a.m. The boat started to move at 6:45, and we went out onto our balcony in our ship-supplied terry cloth robes to watch as the boat glided through limestone karst-lined gorges, past miniature lighthouses to keep ships at a safe distance. The air was pleasantly crisp and cool with a little breeze. It was very comfortable.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsLH1KtQsHkL_f2SIiPtJT2P5V19dUNW9DFxboGnAsQuirwnhsHk56juSdW2EvlnwdqzEL-iHp8h6xyfrJNPftdfAMUtPHdFfilsZnN0ooQ4E-cRNZq6EvTZ25h2nzXcjXO7v/s1600/P4241438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsLH1KtQsHkL_f2SIiPtJT2P5V19dUNW9DFxboGnAsQuirwnhsHk56juSdW2EvlnwdqzEL-iHp8h6xyfrJNPftdfAMUtPHdFfilsZnN0ooQ4E-cRNZq6EvTZ25h2nzXcjXO7v/s400/P4241438.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our balcony, Qiling Gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went to breakfast at 7:30, in the dining room on the top deck. We had table assignments, and we really liked our tablemates immediately: Birgit and Stephan from Norway, and Korean-American couple Jang and Yung and their adult son Brian. Jang had lived in Massachusetts for a while, and Brian had studied in Oslo. And yet we all met in China. What a small world!<br />
<br />
After enjoying our buffet breakfast while getting to know our new friends, we all went to the English cruise orientation. The American cruise director was quite funny, and obviously adored his Chinese crew. He clearly is a good mentor for teaching the younger employees good hospitality skills. He explained everything and was quite entertaining. Afterwards, we wandered the decks and went up to the observation deck. There were lots of Chinese tourists sitting up there, and it was like a middle school dance. Men on one side of the boat and women on the other. A man was playing a 3-stringed instrument while his friends sang and tapped their feet. On deck 5, women played mah jong and men played poker.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKHLArKvi5p79xrT35CHSgNhbJ-59R95AqK4Ob7Zq4bXzOgRJ8dPRPvB6WONkLVhRmnSaqyWu1kyAhiMhE2pwWo7qeIXpmhWeXVWb1zac5Dhwno2Qw2UJ0PRZXHN7gzQwGJ1L/s1600/P4241472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKHLArKvi5p79xrT35CHSgNhbJ-59R95AqK4Ob7Zq4bXzOgRJ8dPRPvB6WONkLVhRmnSaqyWu1kyAhiMhE2pwWo7qeIXpmhWeXVWb1zac5Dhwno2Qw2UJ0PRZXHN7gzQwGJ1L/s400/P4241472.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese tourists provide musical entertainment on the observation deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was an optional shore excursion this morning, but we decided not to participate. We would be going to the Three Gorges Dam this afternoon and through the locks tonight. Part of the point of this cruise was to relax and unwind a bit, so we didn't want to overschedule ourselves. Instead, we went to something much more low-key: a Chinese medicine lecture with the ship's doctor, Dr. Lee. He gave a lecture focusing on acupuncture / acupressure as well as touching on other treatments. This was to be his last voyage on the ship after 5 years of service, and he was offering free treatments for 10 passengers per day, first come first served.<br />
<br />
After the lecture we were the first to sign up. Since Craig's MS diagnosis, he has been very open-minded about treatments, and is willing to try anything that is offered to him. He had never tried acupuncture before, and was eager to give it a try. Dr. Lee saw us immediately. We discussed Craig's MS. He said that although the Chinese don't have this disease, he can try to treat the symptoms. After about 20 minutes of interview about Craig's current condition, he said that he thought that Craig's liver and kidneys were weak, so he did acupuncture mainly on Craig's liver and kidney lines (top of feet, inner calf, inner forearm, chest, etc.) He left Craig with the needles in for a while, then removed them and added a few more for shorter time. Craig could barely feel the needles, and they weren't uncomfortable at all until Dr. Lee tweaked the needles a bit, and it caused some brief minor pain. He then gave him some herbal pills and gave him instruction to take them before every meal. He said to book a follow up appointment tomorrow; he wants to know how Craig feels. He likes challenges and learning about conditions that are unknown to him.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjociVto-1y5DzBgEJjatOEhaOi3Notj78Nv2z1pFEWScqxk-yY8YgS5cOIaPIDYxPIz2cGyoXx8MTeBT7jXyI0xHMECPcpi9XuUOSwA43L7b6Qg0r8RBhUY4Xa8tVEPdiAEuQy/s1600/P4241480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjociVto-1y5DzBgEJjatOEhaOi3Notj78Nv2z1pFEWScqxk-yY8YgS5cOIaPIDYxPIz2cGyoXx8MTeBT7jXyI0xHMECPcpi9XuUOSwA43L7b6Qg0r8RBhUY4Xa8tVEPdiAEuQy/s400/P4241480.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Lee performs acupuncture on Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we got back to our cabin, the front desk called to say that we had a phone call. A phone call? For us? We hope everything is ok. We went down to the lobby and took the call. It was Wang Jun! It was so nice to hear his voice! He was checking up on how the trip was going so far, and telling us that he and his whole family were looking forward to our arrival in Guiyang in 2 weeks. We were just as excited!<br />
<br />
After a lunch buffet with our tablemates (we found out that Birgit and Stephan were in the cabin next to ours), we met on Deck 2 for our excursion to the Three Gorges Dam. We were split into small groups, and ours included Birgit and Stephan, as well as a group of Singaporean tourists who were very friendly. We got off of the boat and took a bus for a short ride to the visitor's center via the Xiling Yangtze Suspension Bridge. At the visitor's center, both the tourists and the bus itself were screened before letting us through to the dam site. First we saw a scale model of the whole project, complete with flowing water. It really gave us a sense of the overall scope of the project. Despite all of the pros and cons of dams, there was no denying that this was a very impressive feat of engineering!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiud5a30A3iBVlUIJ89KZoHry063RtlxJ8z3ZfLHXAhtMnZ99JzEAmC3bxTg54i8xwrvLbcefJVsgNenzabhNIHdjVJQdXY8SAg0j0L9KfQSG46FqYRMI6b-HfOY4c4hqwzG7/s1600/P4241575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiud5a30A3iBVlUIJ89KZoHry063RtlxJ8z3ZfLHXAhtMnZ99JzEAmC3bxTg54i8xwrvLbcefJVsgNenzabhNIHdjVJQdXY8SAg0j0L9KfQSG46FqYRMI6b-HfOY4c4hqwzG7/s400/P4241575.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Gorges Dam viewed from Jar Hill Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The idea of the dam was first proposed by Sun Yat-sen in 1919. John Louis Savage of the Hoover Dam came in the 1940's to help to realize the project, but WWII halted progress. In the 1950's, 30,000 people were killed in a single flood season. Not only would a dam be capable of generating power, it would also save lives by lessening flood impact, and just generally evening out the seasonal fluctuations of the river. (Before the dam, when water was low, men would physically pull boats along rocky areas of the river to prtovide passage). The Gezhouba Dam was constructed in Yi Chang in the 1970's, and its success gave the Chinese the confidence to embark on the massive Three Gorges Dam project.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0l_XacHtvVz9H5ZOuwMldAuKKHrtww7VsZcb_XTJjUM4KzqdBAJvhnrFIC8KbepFN1Ft7u86t8D8nxqWLKIu-tLlIIAIPJh_1OiBH5AA1ySTUVlY3o2bdEWTilxd4wKy9o0P/s1600/P4241550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0l_XacHtvVz9H5ZOuwMldAuKKHrtww7VsZcb_XTJjUM4KzqdBAJvhnrFIC8KbepFN1Ft7u86t8D8nxqWLKIu-tLlIIAIPJh_1OiBH5AA1ySTUVlY3o2bdEWTilxd4wKy9o0P/s400/P4241550.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two five-stage ship locks viewed from Jar Hill Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Xiling Gorge was chosen as the site because it is the widest of the three gorges. The exact location was selected because of the stability provided by granite bedrock there, and also the presence of an island to aid in construction (the island is now submerged). The dam was built between 1993 and 2008. It took 28 million cubic meters of concrete to build the project - the largest concrete dam in the world.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i6wqwSruOT3k5oaHnc0cnDCIMRQRZJYabyiHi3QumZpIDJwldck2sXBDRbtLH8irQf9CXaTWepS7deWrJmqYQvP9IdXizDwrVsyXS76JyZ7Q-Fv9YeCfq8I32wWDODJNu8hw/s1600/P4241599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i6wqwSruOT3k5oaHnc0cnDCIMRQRZJYabyiHi3QumZpIDJwldck2sXBDRbtLH8irQf9CXaTWepS7deWrJmqYQvP9IdXizDwrVsyXS76JyZ7Q-Fv9YeCfq8I32wWDODJNu8hw/s400/P4241599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final ship lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There were 40,000 workers involved the project in 1993 (a whole boom city sprung up to support them and their families), and 2000 still remain. <br />
The only part of the project that is still under construction is the ship elevator, with an estimated completion date of 2018. Although our ship would be too large to utilize it, the elevator would lift a container full of water, so that small boats could avoid the locks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We went to Jar Hill Mountain for a nice view of the dam. We took 4 separate escalators to get to the top. There was a great view of the dam on one side (it is low water season, so there was no overflow of water as you sometimes see in footage of the dam) and the pair of 5-stage ship locks on the other. One set of locks is for passenger boats, and the other is for cargo ships. They took 9 years to construct. Unlike the Panama Canal, it does not cost anything to utilize the locks. The government owns the project and wants to facilitate trade along the Yangtze. We then walked down to an observation area where we got a good view of the ship elevator. It was all very interesting and the sheer magnitude of the scale of the project was mindblowing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfuo89fkJLj8hg-RTa4fHRQ8q5aQYzgs82yuo3VYXL16TrsGc1UJ0WCwcyoCktZkRhX5HThDXRt6A10hmtKUtP1KCyIIC5GISTBHybaWuWza0vmW-cggZZzrjnWG3Oeto5ofg/s1600/P4241624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfuo89fkJLj8hg-RTa4fHRQ8q5aQYzgs82yuo3VYXL16TrsGc1UJ0WCwcyoCktZkRhX5HThDXRt6A10hmtKUtP1KCyIIC5GISTBHybaWuWza0vmW-cggZZzrjnWG3Oeto5ofg/s400/P4241624.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Gorges ship elevator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOALhc15QFTAwZUJAvJOWXhIED5xUNDhPpzyVXuxDAOsRXz_qRjljC1cAW1BCJQGeLfmyLV1Me2vgZms7wTC7icQnVvn0SiQPQ0pgivTl_DwSFKDHllLHtUnlw39bnezeJ85Pa/s1600/P4241641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOALhc15QFTAwZUJAvJOWXhIED5xUNDhPpzyVXuxDAOsRXz_qRjljC1cAW1BCJQGeLfmyLV1Me2vgZms7wTC7icQnVvn0SiQPQ0pgivTl_DwSFKDHllLHtUnlw39bnezeJ85Pa/s400/P4241641.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Getting back onto the boat after the Three Gorges Dam excursion<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we got back to the boat, we took nice hot showers to freshen up and then headed to the captain's welcome reception. We sat at the bar with Birgit and Stephan. We sipped tasty sparkling white wine while Captain Li, who has 43 years of experience despite his youthful appearance, welcomed the passengers. We enjoyed some appetizers and then headed to dinner together. Once again, there was a nice buffet which served a variety of Western and Chinese fare.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur7nae8aWp55ppGY8lvC-CjHi2Qb9Za8uELCuPDBR8sOGnf6Kb9DEJGhxXeqBvqfpMHHv-0FSlSGRRpwGaJxoZArC3CVnipl8uBcjU6VDLT4SX7gquEtssUb50WNTqeGVdqrs/s1600/P4241646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur7nae8aWp55ppGY8lvC-CjHi2Qb9Za8uELCuPDBR8sOGnf6Kb9DEJGhxXeqBvqfpMHHv-0FSlSGRRpwGaJxoZArC3CVnipl8uBcjU6VDLT4SX7gquEtssUb50WNTqeGVdqrs/s400/P4241646.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruise director Dick Carpentier, Captain Li Long Hai, and river guide Steven Xu at the Captain's Welcome Reception</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went to the lounge to prepare for the evening's entertainment, a fashion show where crew members dressed up in a variety of costumes representing the various ethnicities of China. We had drinks with Birgit and Stephan and enjoyed the show. We were seated near a door to the deck, and<br />
at around 8 o'clock, Birgit noticed that we were parked in front of two large doors waiting to enter the first of the five locks. We headed out on deck with all of the other passengers to watch. It was so amazing! As we watched, the doors opened ("like the gates of Mordor," as Stephan would later say). It took about 2.5 minutes to silently open. Then we passed through the doors into the lock and stopped right before the second set of doors.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLRVj-4Tp1BfEqmPmger5H4MSZGTxyw_KMsvlNoIgWSqW10mXAU5pQ2RIObQRljz_hVL5Z7t-Xb0A_kvLEmIxyv__EfiS3LbWCz8y_Vy6Th-0OY07IdfoyCNgduj-MKtUjtrU/s1600/P4241715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLRVj-4Tp1BfEqmPmger5H4MSZGTxyw_KMsvlNoIgWSqW10mXAU5pQ2RIObQRljz_hVL5Z7t-Xb0A_kvLEmIxyv__EfiS3LbWCz8y_Vy6Th-0OY07IdfoyCNgduj-MKtUjtrU/s400/P4241715.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Jenna crew fashion show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went back inside as the fashion show was starting, but we continued to be distracted by what was going on outside. Looking out the door we could tell that the ship was rising, and quickly! I went out on deck and could see the depth markers on the walls, and I looked down below us at the 95 meter marker. We watched the rest of the light-hearted fashion show, and then the four of us went up to deck 6 and watched the whole process as we passed through the next three locks. We could reach out and touch the slimy walls of the lock; there was not much extra clearance on the side of the ship. It was so cool; we were fascinated by the mechanics of it all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXVd2SmQUY-4Q_dku0bC1v6eNLDVMZBwWbp0Wjjh68d8aPnsMArzVEWGurxhVJ-JTkdxcLd0wyfZ2uDa3HBEEw_hDvyvdwJTyRuMKTb7N9dwpUUkrNsxMyc9438aAaCq7Rc2f/s1600/P4241760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXVd2SmQUY-4Q_dku0bC1v6eNLDVMZBwWbp0Wjjh68d8aPnsMArzVEWGurxhVJ-JTkdxcLd0wyfZ2uDa3HBEEw_hDvyvdwJTyRuMKTb7N9dwpUUkrNsxMyc9438aAaCq7Rc2f/s400/P4241760.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touching the wall of the lock...not much clearance!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As the locks filled with water, the weights on the sides made a very eerie ghostly noise. Bats were circling, eating insects in the ship's spotlights. And a red moon was visible overhead. The evening was a magical blend of nature and engineering. We entered the last lock at around 11 o'clock. Birgit and Stephan decided to go back to their room. We went to our room as well, thinking that we should probably get some rest before tomorrow morning's excursion. But once we got to the room, all we could see from our balcony was the concrete wall of the lock a foot in front of our balcony. The whole experience was so exciting...and this was the last lock before reaching the open river. There was no way we could go to sleep. So we grabbed our jackets and went to the bow of the ship on our deck. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTBFoBH9aVV1_S1-fgiGyWa-bzncHCZ0dnKK9n5bPEoO-wHMHDZ2sR9JkLn89-WZj7qR-EWIRI3Jz02TR8U8ikV5_je2Eb19QsjXxr6-_mrjxbIOE74_6mzjUUl4FilrQmUW7/s1600/P4241759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTBFoBH9aVV1_S1-fgiGyWa-bzncHCZ0dnKK9n5bPEoO-wHMHDZ2sR9JkLn89-WZj7qR-EWIRI3Jz02TR8U8ikV5_je2Eb19QsjXxr6-_mrjxbIOE74_6mzjUUl4FilrQmUW7/s400/P4241759.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephan and Craig as the locks open</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The final lock was not as tall as the others. We went through the final gates and there was the river in front of us. We were done with the whole process at midnight. What an adventure! And the passenger locks had been closed up until 2 weeks ago, so our timing was impeccable. We wouldn't have wanted to miss this!! (They had bused passengers around the locks, where they had boarded a different ship on the other side).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD40zR6VVcohdC7_v68fWex8z5nQi7bce0Ca_Yq_IIejTJVfLzN7l1Du0BNv8h4A2womCDumOQXQ8FVb1QMUNK_IZ2Ju4nHfjv6lZzg5eafzK3HY885WO4F7KWpiJ9iz00UqM/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD40zR6VVcohdC7_v68fWex8z5nQi7bce0Ca_Yq_IIejTJVfLzN7l1Du0BNv8h4A2womCDumOQXQ8FVb1QMUNK_IZ2Ju4nHfjv6lZzg5eafzK3HY885WO4F7KWpiJ9iz00UqM/s400/IMG_0131.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small boat ride down the Goddess Stream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next morning after breakfast, we disembarked in Qing Shi (in Wu Gorge) for an excursion. Small boats took us through the scenic gorges of the Goddess Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze. The scenery was quite beautiful, but the weather was hazy. I had realized last night that my battery charger for my good camera was broken (and had been for a while, apparently, as the batteries I had been recharging were all dead), so today I needed to resort to my inferior backup camera. Unfortunately, the weather made the lighting very unfavorable for this lesser camera, and the photos don't really do the scenery justice. But we were very thankful that we had brought the old camera, so we were still able to capture our adventures. The scenery was amazing, and we enjoyed visiting with Birgit and Stephan while taking in the beauty of it all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hyvSE4UY1Mo3e2je4w1M94yp5acK6P2A1fciJa7xdGMaeQKwQ7DRx2EH9r-C4M8YNeoyRYnftZsVAG3TA06N9q4of9ek-AyKlluwnOfK4SY5Mu7mh4rDZfFXmDVgPAaEagIL/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hyvSE4UY1Mo3e2je4w1M94yp5acK6P2A1fciJa7xdGMaeQKwQ7DRx2EH9r-C4M8YNeoyRYnftZsVAG3TA06N9q4of9ek-AyKlluwnOfK4SY5Mu7mh4rDZfFXmDVgPAaEagIL/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephan and Birgit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpgsQcsnsqWxFaagVE1zrnqc5OR80v73fsZ7KHVmIdQ9TRXhuKwTrE8mk9QCs8ZTHK27kOVQfmwUiu4D8wirGUazkEbk4taLrAhwiM4f6z_c_I9GA0KSAODj0CxwVRISgUIIV/s1600/IMG_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpgsQcsnsqWxFaagVE1zrnqc5OR80v73fsZ7KHVmIdQ9TRXhuKwTrE8mk9QCs8ZTHK27kOVQfmwUiu4D8wirGUazkEbk4taLrAhwiM4f6z_c_I9GA0KSAODj0CxwVRISgUIIV/s400/IMG_0110.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Small boat ride down the Goddess Stream</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ3IIHUoUIc4Bk9GlGb_PVJfpBG1wVTvsgYNw1uZ4KJz7u64A0rlX_nzm7WVFhUAsBV0H4mesqNmHRP-bpim16ONjUxd9HfA_eOH9kHZRMjVsBQx6P47ForcVD_A3Lt731Pv8/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ3IIHUoUIc4Bk9GlGb_PVJfpBG1wVTvsgYNw1uZ4KJz7u64A0rlX_nzm7WVFhUAsBV0H4mesqNmHRP-bpim16ONjUxd9HfA_eOH9kHZRMjVsBQx6P47ForcVD_A3Lt731Pv8/s400/IMG_0204.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Small boat ride down the Goddess Stream</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We passed through narrow limestone gorges. You could tell the maximum water level by the height at which the vegetation grew. We saw a cave high up on Shangsheng Peak. This was a tomb of the Ba people, which contained a hanging coffin which was 2-3,000 years old. The boat ride felt like a Disney ride, as our adorable little yellow-tile-roofed boats made up a little convoy through the picturesque gorge. But it wasn't a ride, the boats were not on a track (as was evidenced when our motor briefly stalled).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4vRfbdJNP_wwF4GGmGZrBWTNuhZvweR9a64feLo5SS9lapghSp9OoDNs0PYK-rAIjPgpUuA3vyVnVY4o45CdFgOxolTACQJbXZqS6Fi4U8vOoQ0d_hsPtqIJ1gibMWqKwSpL/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4vRfbdJNP_wwF4GGmGZrBWTNuhZvweR9a64feLo5SS9lapghSp9OoDNs0PYK-rAIjPgpUuA3vyVnVY4o45CdFgOxolTACQJbXZqS6Fi4U8vOoQ0d_hsPtqIJ1gibMWqKwSpL/s400/IMG_0248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craggy peaks of the Wu Gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back on the Victoria Jenna, we sailed through Wu Gorge, the second of the three. Once again, the weather was hazy and photos came out disappointingly. But the weather was warm and we enjoyed being on the observation deck with the other passengers, listening to the commentary of the river guide and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The water was a pretty shade of turquoise. We passed farms with terraced rice fields on the steep mountain slopes. Silhouettes of monasteries could be seen up on the peaks. As we emerged from the gorge, we passed under a modern bridge and approached a "village" where some of the people displaced by the flooding of the gorge for the dam project had been relocated. Only in China would a city of a million people be referred to as a village!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ycjHqzDuD3HwzKe6DC5rTsrJcrAnizXSRgVoSBXryG46ArREsKykzJaxdkied_C32WEklpPX8Z-ePzbtPiy9GfgUmdAVMUeLNR-TDBCbn9OdRxASWC-SHOeHtGsD0Y6i6Tuf/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ycjHqzDuD3HwzKe6DC5rTsrJcrAnizXSRgVoSBXryG46ArREsKykzJaxdkied_C32WEklpPX8Z-ePzbtPiy9GfgUmdAVMUeLNR-TDBCbn9OdRxASWC-SHOeHtGsD0Y6i6Tuf/s400/IMG_0522.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kui Gate of Qutang Gorge, and its image on the 10 yuan note</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then had lunch, followed by a lecture about the Three Gorges area. Next, we sat at the bow of the boat to watch the scenery as we passed through Qutang Gorge (the final of the three gorges). The wind was really howling through the gorge, and it took about 30 minutes to pass through. It was one of the most picturesque, and reminded us a lot of Yosemite valley. Looking back as we passed out of the gorge, we could see the view of the so-called Kui Gate that is pictured on the back of the Chinese 10 yuan note. The thing that surprised us most about the Three Gorges area was that the gorges are much more narrow than we had envisioned.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKL2brxZHvvnj8D_SU9cbOB14dviiycP5SlKdeT-Li1Nk8J4eg0xfYSL7N4SfbnQ-PsrDdG_XD3o4n5mj46EqiifKllmk2exqqQ8JDf8QzmkyCT_u3RxnlvjaH4_5Y5rmk8iE/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKL2brxZHvvnj8D_SU9cbOB14dviiycP5SlKdeT-Li1Nk8J4eg0xfYSL7N4SfbnQ-PsrDdG_XD3o4n5mj46EqiifKllmk2exqqQ8JDf8QzmkyCT_u3RxnlvjaH4_5Y5rmk8iE/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City wall and white pagoda at Fengjie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHo0Uahfwk4Jf9e66Q7TylMff0w7CG7W6A73sZ3bpLyEtX6MqPuJUBMSeQwGBEUdYXTFdhY3Pvaz9v3_H6HkRLAMsn7aN6TycZQz43RXMSIRnOF_9QSL68lP6Q5-KKbfRfj3u/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHo0Uahfwk4Jf9e66Q7TylMff0w7CG7W6A73sZ3bpLyEtX6MqPuJUBMSeQwGBEUdYXTFdhY3Pvaz9v3_H6HkRLAMsn7aN6TycZQz43RXMSIRnOF_9QSL68lP6Q5-KKbfRfj3u/s400/IMG_0608.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple at Fengjie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOIkHMcjsXieXaJAm07rFsCZls-EzvhEXcXNXM53lGXAdtoD_6mBdV-BFd1ppEvqkJEPFHeSG5QUmeukVeqqFPwqSCFAo-qqt1XCeOSqQplQaFw93lrKyFYPdA68B9u6gaiK1/s1600/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOIkHMcjsXieXaJAm07rFsCZls-EzvhEXcXNXM53lGXAdtoD_6mBdV-BFd1ppEvqkJEPFHeSG5QUmeukVeqqFPwqSCFAo-qqt1XCeOSqQplQaFw93lrKyFYPdA68B9u6gaiK1/s400/IMG_0612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking on the city wall toward the White Pagoda at Fengjie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Craig had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Lee, who thinks that the acupunture was not effective for Craig's symptoms, but that the herbal pills had been, so Craig should continue to take them. Then we enjoyed tea and cookies in the lounge. We had once again decided to skip the optional formal shore excursion to Baidicheng, but we did go ashore on our own in Fengjie, to explore for a little while. The late-afternoon sun was now shining and the sky was blue. We walked along a crenolated city wall towards the White Pagoda. The octagonal pagoda is 7 stories tall, and is quite beautiful. There was also a colorful building which appeared to be a temple, and a series of statues of what appeared to be Chinese philosophers next to it. The long rays of the sun cast playful shadows on the wall, and colorful flags flew in the breeze. We chatted with some locals and made friends with some of their little children. Our self-guided personal shore excursion was quite enjoyable.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bc6E2eW80fwF-gentICn5ud4ygtwkrPne8lap6WHvf6wnW5OC9VPnUXZ2IrISxGJN1WAe7aJVVt7bBLik51b0Yhp9bFP2twHN8ZhJZaMNlCHZEezD44VXvB1r6yBESKfSdAF/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bc6E2eW80fwF-gentICn5ud4ygtwkrPne8lap6WHvf6wnW5OC9VPnUXZ2IrISxGJN1WAe7aJVVt7bBLik51b0Yhp9bFP2twHN8ZhJZaMNlCHZEezD44VXvB1r6yBESKfSdAF/s400/IMG_0657.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock dance, crew cabaret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had dinner onboard the ship and enjoyed the crew cabaret. Steven the river guide did a performance of Sichuan opera face-changing, which was very impressive, and got us excited for the Sichuan Opera which we would see in Chengdu in a few days. It ended with audience members being brought onstage to dance. I was one of them, and we did the macarena and YMCA. If only Sonam Tshering could see me now! (No Electric Slide though.) We had drinks with Birgit and Stephan on the observation deck. There were very few passengers up there, and we enjoyed looking up at the stars as we sailed along the mighty river.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVykqsv4F6StI2_oSqbUExaq5-FLqESa-dgEsdQBfMUKK7dxkS_s5ctyhIR20ylZ0k-Id7cKKGHI1GlqsbVH68PuxwYAlebTeDMI8daj0Xa4cPrOpYF2oNDWsPI5Gd30bHFjin/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVykqsv4F6StI2_oSqbUExaq5-FLqESa-dgEsdQBfMUKK7dxkS_s5ctyhIR20ylZ0k-Id7cKKGHI1GlqsbVH68PuxwYAlebTeDMI8daj0Xa4cPrOpYF2oNDWsPI5Gd30bHFjin/s400/IMG_0691.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun rising over the Yangtze River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning, we woke up to a gorgeous golden sunrise over the Yangtze. After breakfast, we went ashore for our final excursion: Shi Bao Zhai, which is an island that we could see from our balcony. It houses a Buddhist temple and an architecturally stunning wooden pagoda. The actual ancient city is submerged as a result of the dam project, but the temple sat atop a 120-foot cliff, so it remained unsubmerged. A retaining wall was built surrounding the island to keep the seasonal high water away from consuming the lower levels of the pagoda.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRmRjlkD18DvIJN72hmfwdP8xhAkeuNS_BPWXYCz8zi97S5ROf6rD2HiTxFdIGT5VhlL-w7AjuEMjd8EJv8hFAEa6k1Xu3eKmETE5QPewsidgzKtyZRwiz8-bJOjd_x34KtwJ/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRmRjlkD18DvIJN72hmfwdP8xhAkeuNS_BPWXYCz8zi97S5ROf6rD2HiTxFdIGT5VhlL-w7AjuEMjd8EJv8hFAEa6k1Xu3eKmETE5QPewsidgzKtyZRwiz8-bJOjd_x34KtwJ/s400/IMG_0932.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shi Bao Zhai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The temple was built in the 18th century under Emperor Qianlong. At the time, monks could only climb to the temple via chains attached to the cliff face. In 1819, a 9-story pagoda was built with 11 steps per story (99 steps total, since 9 is a lucky number in Buddhism) to make the ascent easier and less dangerous for the monks who worshipped there. It was built out of mulberry wood for its resistance to insects (it is poisonous to them). No nails were used in its construction. In 1956, 3 more stories were added. The topmost one just has a metal ladder for access. In 2008 following the earthquake, nails were added as reinforcement to strengthen the pagoda.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQ_gWTEOfq71afHLJWyiqhoXXH6xveLXIlFXejuuKMlCCBIfg9r0g068eq-7k2nVdv12FBhCrp-f1C-P6NZto0USOogie1ODpU3qjiErrXIPAr67s-cEm0LVIg0Ec7vGsDm-M/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQ_gWTEOfq71afHLJWyiqhoXXH6xveLXIlFXejuuKMlCCBIfg9r0g068eq-7k2nVdv12FBhCrp-f1C-P6NZto0USOogie1ODpU3qjiErrXIPAr67s-cEm0LVIg0Ec7vGsDm-M/s400/IMG_0767.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 story mulberry wood pagoda at Shi Bao Zhai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyUgljet6sfuHUAd__Gh5KFu7gxjuD2K9ZNJeb0sUaYY78eFHoMwdeP0qjaxJZyLLbkXtHKzg7LYBluP-ZzfKYk-_EHKpxiYVAu_o1nlYBuh7R4iHOLgEYTg33bEdtemQIyAO/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyUgljet6sfuHUAd__Gh5KFu7gxjuD2K9ZNJeb0sUaYY78eFHoMwdeP0qjaxJZyLLbkXtHKzg7LYBluP-ZzfKYk-_EHKpxiYVAu_o1nlYBuh7R4iHOLgEYTg33bEdtemQIyAO/s400/IMG_0801.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down at the gate and retaining wall from inside of the pagoda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked up a hill past shops and through a nice courtyard area to get to the "drunken bridge", with a floor of wooden planks which undulate up and down like a fun house attraction when you cross it. When we reached the island, we had the option to climb the pagoda or not, and we decided to do so. We passed through a fancy yellow gate and entered the pagoda. Inside were statues and altars. We climbed the steep wooden steps, and each story was narrower than the last. Each story contained large round window openings which faced the river. We climbed to the very top, (up a metal ladder through a narrow trapdoor) and had great views back at the ship. Then we walked through the temple which held some interesting statues. We walked down the steps on the back side of the hill, back over the drunken bridge, and back to the ship.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PG5iMRkI8GR11FtHsCrNhrrDXYuuX0cMw4g2OL9jp85Dre936lF5HpClLZzTE46Zcfdb1PZcp7oU0D9JiqcOKRPf-73qSq0CgMw5SNLEnjS-ldqyb805K_pz2Ub4xgqu932T/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PG5iMRkI8GR11FtHsCrNhrrDXYuuX0cMw4g2OL9jp85Dre936lF5HpClLZzTE46Zcfdb1PZcp7oU0D9JiqcOKRPf-73qSq0CgMw5SNLEnjS-ldqyb805K_pz2Ub4xgqu932T/s400/IMG_0959.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig enjoying a beer on the observation deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYk_6M4pNzgRMU-aCWtT8cbrROiKgXCFBewauRoNuP74ihUgjeia6ynB0tlbWDZgtxTmd_o9BEKiO03GlCcsssAt-B4M5FzesD1aiE_N7pwf1699oHCHMM4AF5JW0iuTs-7aG/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYk_6M4pNzgRMU-aCWtT8cbrROiKgXCFBewauRoNuP74ihUgjeia6ynB0tlbWDZgtxTmd_o9BEKiO03GlCcsssAt-B4M5FzesD1aiE_N7pwf1699oHCHMM4AF5JW0iuTs-7aG/s400/IMG_0961.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birgit and Stephan kicking back on the observation deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was very hot, so when we got back to the ship, Craig enjoyed a cold beer and I took a bubble bath. We went to lunch, and then spent a couple of hours with Birgit and Stephan up on the observation deck. We had the whole deck to ourselves. The sun was blazing down on us. The hot sun is exactly what Craig should be avoiding with his MS sensitivity to heat, but when we were here in the moment, we couldn't resist the fresh air and beautiful views that the observation deck afforded. But by 3 o'clock, none of us could take the heat for a moment longer, and we retired to our cabins.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TWO32QuNNFl8Z7eG2As14NKsYPAy3UBWeH0STLYhPJVosKF7CMMmB66BKtLfzZJ_WgFAz4X3hopd8lSzgfal-ERiZuJA7cb65PBTDWMvQ2FcrrU9GeuWZo02wrmgKkXT6zj_/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TWO32QuNNFl8Z7eG2As14NKsYPAy3UBWeH0STLYhPJVosKF7CMMmB66BKtLfzZJ_WgFAz4X3hopd8lSzgfal-ERiZuJA7cb65PBTDWMvQ2FcrrU9GeuWZo02wrmgKkXT6zj_/s400/IMG_1076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian, Yung, and Jang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We rested in our room for the remainder of the afternoon, and then went to the Captain's Farewell Dinner. It was the only non-buffet meal of the cruise, and it was quite nice to share delicious family-style food with our table full of friends. Birgit had even convinced the head chef to provide our table with some specially-pepared hot chili sauce to add to the food. Our table was one of the last to leave the dining room, as usual, because we always have so much fun chatting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRPH2KyhkefqGeX6YN1eFEacIwc-l4ol7Vhc0Jcd_tjh227x-Ezwe4zmfmgjeh1hIoubRy51G2B_UUavflj23zgasxdy4UzlSQtw4YjS2NCugP0orkSLGHVm_TzKEyA03I5PN/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRPH2KyhkefqGeX6YN1eFEacIwc-l4ol7Vhc0Jcd_tjh227x-Ezwe4zmfmgjeh1hIoubRy51G2B_UUavflj23zgasxdy4UzlSQtw4YjS2NCugP0orkSLGHVm_TzKEyA03I5PN/s400/IMG_1091.JPG" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed up as Empress and Emperor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Craig and I bought one last drink at the bar, and got our photos taken while wearing Emperor and Empress dress. Then we met Birgit and Stephan on the observation deck to enjoy one last evening together. Tomorrow we would arrive in Chongqing. We would continue on to Chengdu the following day, and they would return home to Norway.<br />
<br />
The next morning, we enjoyed a final breakfast with our tablemates, and then disembarked for Chonqing, ready for our next adventure after a very enjoyable river cruise!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFHo67JC5_o1OiqsxFtxBZm0Znt3A50MB-eI3rwBDC9HO7LO-2UVonEKU9O2XFJQ4HJKax4Dov3-5zzlnXeNGkNPzanglPpRnasS2cPYii6B8J5brTQ9QKASbgSiFOazDXUkX/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFHo67JC5_o1OiqsxFtxBZm0Znt3A50MB-eI3rwBDC9HO7LO-2UVonEKU9O2XFJQ4HJKax4Dov3-5zzlnXeNGkNPzanglPpRnasS2cPYii6B8J5brTQ9QKASbgSiFOazDXUkX/s400/IMG_1142.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disembarkation in Chongqing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-72339087960083272592015-05-10T14:34:00.002-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.701-04:00China 2015 Installment #2: Xi'an<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We caught an early flight from Beijing to Xi'an. When we arrived, we were met by our guide Mary. Most foreigners' knowledge of Xi'an stems from the fact that an army of terra cotta warriors was discovered here as part of the massive tomb complex of the first Chinese Emperor.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
The warriors were discovered in 1974 when a local farmer named Yang Zhifa dug a well and discovered some terra cotta shards. After further excavation, 8,000 warriors have been found. There were also weapons, including chromium plated swords which could still cut through 20 pieces of paper when discovered. Chromium plating technology was only discovered by the west in the 1940's in Germany. The warriors were commissioned in 221 B.C. by the 1st emperor of the Qin dynasty (Qin Shi Huang) who unified China (the word China comes from Qin). Xi'an was the original capital and the start of the silk road during the Han Dynasty. 720,000 people made the first emperor's tomb 2200 years ago. His tomb is the largest in the world and he started construction when he was only 13 years old. It took 38 years to complete.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
After a stop for lunch at a tourist complex where we saw demonstrations of how replicas of the terra cotta warriors are made as souvenirs using the same clay and original techniques, we drove to the location where the warriors were discovered.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br />
On our drive to the warrior site, we passed the emperor's burial mound which looks like a small mountain. It is still unexcavated, partially due to superstition and fear of boobytraps like a mercury lake (the surrounding soil does have high amounts of mercury) and partially due to the desire for better archaeological techniques to be developed before disturbing the site. It is 1.5 miles from the warriors. The emperor chose the spot due to good feng shui with the Mount Li behind it and a river in front.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Mary said that the beautiful sunny clear weather was very rare here. She hadn't seen the mountains this clearly since she can remember. Yesterday there had been a lot of rain. We were very lucky with the weather once again. (the next day she would tell us that today's air quality in Xi'an was the best in all of China! How does this keep happening to us?!)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4AiBT_KkoxsIwneKTWbZiFG4-vRJZpQYx3nSd3S981VGLpGjqT_nEXY8ofbiqDfQc993nuiudN6DncUwzi2xPduxndXU92cLM-8tQskbRoNmn6WMjdR6K22eOmBGs6AZCQWU/s1600/P4210411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4AiBT_KkoxsIwneKTWbZiFG4-vRJZpQYx3nSd3S981VGLpGjqT_nEXY8ofbiqDfQc993nuiudN6DncUwzi2xPduxndXU92cLM-8tQskbRoNmn6WMjdR6K22eOmBGs6AZCQWU/s400/P4210411.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pit #1, Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveroOzCgZkIaOl40mnSRgjwDE3uk8VfRpAkatZJC7sXfHy22uz8qhbA8tkGJFdXon7nTRXlrjI_Tc-4R45LURISh-RF5jPEdA0HHZ6pQbsi4yc65Zsguwg6KSN7LfPP0NGR_6/s1600/P4210432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveroOzCgZkIaOl40mnSRgjwDE3uk8VfRpAkatZJC7sXfHy22uz8qhbA8tkGJFdXon7nTRXlrjI_Tc-4R45LURISh-RF5jPEdA0HHZ6pQbsi4yc65Zsguwg6KSN7LfPP0NGR_6/s400/P4210432.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fallen warriors waiting to be restored</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We arrived at the <a href="http://www.bmy.com.cn/" target="_blank">warrior complex</a> and Mary bought our tickets. We walked through a gauntlet of shops and then took a golf cart to Pit 1, the first and largest to have been discovered. There is a large hangar over the pit, but it has many windows which give sufficient natural light to view them. When you enter, you are in the front of the pit and it is overwhelming in its impressiveness. Everyone is crowding at the front to get the best photos, and Mary helped us get to a very good spot. You could see countless restored warriors and horses. Each of them is unique with individual facial features, expressions, and uniforms based on their rank. The vanguard of footsoldiers were in the front along with their horses. The soldiers were larger than the Chinese at the time in order to provide super-human protection.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6DfWMiOiPN5BxmOSyHB2yS9h8gNXffXiJWrXZV30Bv4Ee5W6Eciwowh38d_m9jqfDEyPyQeap3YRsoaty4JIwMAGIlOUR1Afvg6PCeDtjCj91f67DbICdQb0UKv7C_k99Lit/s1600/P4210470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6DfWMiOiPN5BxmOSyHB2yS9h8gNXffXiJWrXZV30Bv4Ee5W6Eciwowh38d_m9jqfDEyPyQeap3YRsoaty4JIwMAGIlOUR1Afvg6PCeDtjCj91f67DbICdQb0UKv7C_k99Lit/s400/P4210470.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: left; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">A terra cotta warrior under restoration, wrapped in Saran wrap as his glue dries. Pit 1</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #9197a3;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
After enjoying the view from the front of the pit, we proceeded clockwise around the perimeter. We saw the location of the farmer's well in the front left corner. It is at the very edge of the pit, so if he had dug just a few inches further left, they might never have been discovered at all! The observation platform / walkways were surprisingly close to the warriors, and you could get a very good view. It is still an active archaeological site, and archaeologists were hard at work restoring warriors. Photos were not allowed in certain active areas, and we respected the signs though many tourists did not. Archaeologists were using computers, winches, ladders, etc.in their restoration efforts. Some of the warriors were wrapped in saran wrap as their glue dried, or were belted together. On these warriors, you could see the fractures where the pieces had been joined. When the warriors were first created, wooden beams draped with bamboo mats acted as a ceiling above them. Over the years, some of these collapsed, smashing the warriors into hundreds of pieces. It must be such painstaking work to figure out how to reassemble these pieces, but also very gratifying, as it is so historically significant!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsyWiYgYfXU3BuQitoeEf7ZRKabVwx4KM8mYo7UZjOfzOd37R8cQXBFyqqahtnENb-28bw9EVpxlPoYjpo2pawcowZhEq39-IB_57wgncPam-lpMmtGZ0Ok-j-ATon3Tzn_Ev/s1600/P4210475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsyWiYgYfXU3BuQitoeEf7ZRKabVwx4KM8mYo7UZjOfzOd37R8cQXBFyqqahtnENb-28bw9EVpxlPoYjpo2pawcowZhEq39-IB_57wgncPam-lpMmtGZ0Ok-j-ATon3Tzn_Ev/s400/P4210475.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">A terra cotta warrior under restoration. Notice how many separate fragments were put together for his head alone! Pit 1</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We spent the majority of time at Pit 1, since it is the most extensive. Then we went to Pit 3, which is the command center, discovered in 1976. It is located behind the soldiers in Pit 1, and the officers are facing one another, not in battle formation. No battle weapons were found here, only ceremonial ones. Animal bones discovered here indicate sacrifices for good battles had taken place. There was also a horse stable with fully restored horses, which even had terra cotta tails.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdms3JTevfrvFdebPrimB9u_5jOoXGLyvhgjD4WuX6q6qkp4_QAqEUeyV9qJGkmkzgRrZqQi6iS0hnn8Fn33BIKzsFA-ZyelORnpm4F4cQSRcU8jXKN0JuY7wLrQUh2y4rTlM/s1600/P4210570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdms3JTevfrvFdebPrimB9u_5jOoXGLyvhgjD4WuX6q6qkp4_QAqEUeyV9qJGkmkzgRrZqQi6iS0hnn8Fn33BIKzsFA-ZyelORnpm4F4cQSRcU8jXKN0JuY7wLrQUh2y4rTlM/s400/P4210570.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pit 3 - High ranking officers conferring on the left, horse stable on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Lastly, we went to Pit 2, which is not fully excavated. It was discovered in 1976. When the original Pit 1 warriors were excavated, they had been decorated with colorful paint. Upon exposure to the air, the coloration disappeared within minutes (luckily, it was photographed at the time). They are saving some of the rest of the excavation until better techniques are discovered. It looks like the ceiling is still intact, so perhaps the warriors underneath are in good shape. We are glad that they are holding off on some excavation until better technology exists.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4HcUebHL8ceG8vm1gv3JBNvrc9hatJkjCBY3eTFFlCm_Pkv0Zoh4bnWQI2lnqEvl8NnQpNHHXsbmN6nOGjCVY79UETssZz0SLs9bUHQ5ti7nyW6BEiAMz6Z_aCiZ0AqgcJR4/s1600/P4210642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4HcUebHL8ceG8vm1gv3JBNvrc9hatJkjCBY3eTFFlCm_Pkv0Zoh4bnWQI2lnqEvl8NnQpNHHXsbmN6nOGjCVY79UETssZz0SLs9bUHQ5ti7nyW6BEiAMz6Z_aCiZ0AqgcJR4/s400/P4210642.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pit 2 - logs and bamboo mats burying the warriors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
There were warriors in glass cases that were well lit and we were able to get up close to them from all angles. Mary suggested we spend most of our Pit 2 time here, and she was correct. One archer had a very precise hairstyle and very elaborate shoe treads. The amount of detail was amazing!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4Ezi5L2r4oV3ec-izLCh4DT8vv3arvFir69HbYoc0SNds9kttyemSfPXG6z4_oLOXcF38bmnxw1u2DmeGdbmKLQyLuB95H7eNS6FCj35NYbuOHuWAjjk0vwlz8OQcDIM1oOQ/s1600/P4210584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4Ezi5L2r4oV3ec-izLCh4DT8vv3arvFir69HbYoc0SNds9kttyemSfPXG6z4_oLOXcF38bmnxw1u2DmeGdbmKLQyLuB95H7eNS6FCj35NYbuOHuWAjjk0vwlz8OQcDIM1oOQ/s400/P4210584.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: left; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Kneeling archer terra cotta warrior in display case in Pit 2. Note the detail on the sole of his show! These archers operated crossbows.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iin9AZZs7yLdhJ2pB2yNrI3mpCwbd-IQp5Z6JTeLrLrL7uxoGsejNIzjC4POrl2JL0lCVTeV0PdxsWVU-O6NCZSV8x7QBu__UcWdyTClEiR8eyrqlTSf-T8ucSZMG4qWhZji/s1600/P4210612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iin9AZZs7yLdhJ2pB2yNrI3mpCwbd-IQp5Z6JTeLrLrL7uxoGsejNIzjC4POrl2JL0lCVTeV0PdxsWVU-O6NCZSV8x7QBu__UcWdyTClEiR8eyrqlTSf-T8ucSZMG4qWhZji/s400/P4210612.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Terra cotta horse and warrior in display case in Pit 2.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
In the gift shop, we bought a book and DVD combo pack.The farmer who had discovered the warriors back in 1974, had been nearly forgotten. When Bill Clinton visited the site in 1998, he asked what happened to the farmer, and asked to meet him. They tracked him down, and at that point he was illiterate. They taught him to sign his name, and now he works full time in the gift shop, signing books and meeting visitors who are grateful for his fortuitous discovery. He signed our book and shook our hands, and it was an honor to get to meet him.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurxOjXFXSZHZcfz2S0xRaTY8mvoKbMn3WwyQokxXiAiEcZK7GZqNNN5u0EqbcCvFw2miDTZ-zwj6yi4vtGuDd4Qyz9G3EnPvBsVh1Zu21KPhOKYfhFF6e0aT3fGESEjUUxAlE/s1600/P4210651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurxOjXFXSZHZcfz2S0xRaTY8mvoKbMn3WwyQokxXiAiEcZK7GZqNNN5u0EqbcCvFw2miDTZ-zwj6yi4vtGuDd4Qyz9G3EnPvBsVh1Zu21KPhOKYfhFF6e0aT3fGESEjUUxAlE/s400/P4210651.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting the farmer who discovered the warriors while digging a well in 1974</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Then we went into the museum where they have two bronze chariots on display. These were discovered in 1980 in Pit 3. The emperor planned to ride in this bronze chariot convoy to the underworld. These are smaller than life size as it was believed that the soul is smaller than a human. Chariot 1 was for the emperor's bodyguard, and featured an articulated parasol. Chariot 2 (a replica, because the original is on display elsewhere) was for the emperor himself. When it was discovered, it had a sliding window and hinged door which still functioned.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dPSDHVIDFt8_EYDUN5S7Iy16x3VhYXzSxg3kQHlupKENxxdscAFOAKM-jaI35Vhb-T_8OdNaGE98TtlEznkrZ-FGMTyeMjlheucjb1Ovf62Jjvs5bYh_36rTAa1XdAOj67Ag/s1600/P4210670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dPSDHVIDFt8_EYDUN5S7Iy16x3VhYXzSxg3kQHlupKENxxdscAFOAKM-jaI35Vhb-T_8OdNaGE98TtlEznkrZ-FGMTyeMjlheucjb1Ovf62Jjvs5bYh_36rTAa1XdAOj67Ag/s400/P4210670.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: left; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Replica of Chariot #2, the bronze chariot which would take Emperor Qin's soul to the underworld.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #9197a3;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Getting to see the terra cotta warriors was very humbling. The sheer scale and age of them (2200 years!) was hard to wrap our heads around.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxNGgBeutpe5RbvQmsGWE3TM9D4p6-aWf4b9cL0SCaQykinWqW9mi0qGEPT284bvdiECCF69zOx4K4mMnHE94keW4XAs8-UehTYpHDMrbMpOV81oH2ZJBL5V-6Q8hx3ZhFhP5/s1600/P4220734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxNGgBeutpe5RbvQmsGWE3TM9D4p6-aWf4b9cL0SCaQykinWqW9mi0qGEPT284bvdiECCF69zOx4K4mMnHE94keW4XAs8-UehTYpHDMrbMpOV81oH2ZJBL5V-6Q8hx3ZhFhP5/s400/P4220734.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Goose Pagoda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaUkPV32gD-pTBNLY8sV5lutvakyc9dwFZFyHRkYXNIarFfLFSe42no1A4lORZq541C_Yha7QR3u1q2cb2UdOUnejxcU3hsdVReXNQBGRCYAgheB1YI3bgsm_oSQZmpDRNc9t/s1600/P4220756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaUkPV32gD-pTBNLY8sV5lutvakyc9dwFZFyHRkYXNIarFfLFSe42no1A4lORZq541C_Yha7QR3u1q2cb2UdOUnejxcU3hsdVReXNQBGRCYAgheB1YI3bgsm_oSQZmpDRNc9t/s400/P4220756.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: left; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Jade carving depicting seven steps taken by S'âkyamuni (Buddha) immediately after his birth.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #9197a3;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
The next day, we visited the Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda built in 652 A.D. There were various buildings containing Buddhist shrines, and we were allowed to take photos here. There was a hall with three entire walls carved from jade. It depicted the life of the Buddha (known here as S'âkyamuni) - from his mother having a dream of a white elephant which impregnated her, to the baby Buddha taking 7 steps right after his birth, etc. It was beautiful, and had only been carved around 5 years ago. It is nice that this country which has such an historic tradition of art is still creating such magnificent masterpieces, and that it is not a dying art.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9iZE3CcJq89cBRM-VK_qJSCWESyet0FKr_-sayXvVdNDD6UoEIvByPL0Rj_RkbKO4-EIqLUP-g5qBRWO89NiyLdUi2hIV0ZpBb2OWm48wamkdtCRSDjTsjQaP4bvgvNciQVH/s1600/P4220743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9iZE3CcJq89cBRM-VK_qJSCWESyet0FKr_-sayXvVdNDD6UoEIvByPL0Rj_RkbKO4-EIqLUP-g5qBRWO89NiyLdUi2hIV0ZpBb2OWm48wamkdtCRSDjTsjQaP4bvgvNciQVH/s400/P4220743.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddhist shrine at Wild Goose Pagoda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGqGI-4UUvpA3EQ8syvM8-6RQ9u32SyETYShxFBWV_Vw-D-5QQ8o7YUd8_Y8vusRG0UuITOljEl5GgmT3DCLhDqU9SMroECWyHgnVr2RCe1XQJzXH7Llsj5_gGscrPDImywBr/s1600/P4220784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGqGI-4UUvpA3EQ8syvM8-6RQ9u32SyETYShxFBWV_Vw-D-5QQ8o7YUd8_Y8vusRG0UuITOljEl5GgmT3DCLhDqU9SMroECWyHgnVr2RCe1XQJzXH7Llsj5_gGscrPDImywBr/s400/P4220784.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Hall of the God of Wealth (note that the ceiling is adorned with oversized Chinese coins)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Next, we headed to the <a href="http://e.sxhm.com/museum" target="_blank">Shaanxi Provincial History Museum</a>, which traces the history of the province from pre-history (1.5 million B.C). through the Tang Dynasty. There were skull replicas of 2 ancient hominids found in the area, as well as replicas of their stone tools. We moved chronologically through the history of Shaanxi, through the Warring States period. (pre- Emperor Qin, who had unified China). Gallery 2 had some gold objects and culminated with some terra cotta warriors. The final gallery featured the Tang Dynasty (Silk Road) and reflected interactions with foreigners. The exhibit concluded with a Buddhist grotto carved from stone, It was beautiful.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zHXrBOss2h_vIUUkQQM05yJ0Yzs5JJT5HOwZVdC-qhP5f7KYGvG4X3XWOaU4yhs4ZkYs_4-j9ouJKGhMgN3kLBpOnQ3Ca31Cf2NlGzuLVzQ_2MhMZIhMo3R8voTYdZf38-jj/s1600/P4221049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zHXrBOss2h_vIUUkQQM05yJ0Yzs5JJT5HOwZVdC-qhP5f7KYGvG4X3XWOaU4yhs4ZkYs_4-j9ouJKGhMgN3kLBpOnQ3Ca31Cf2NlGzuLVzQ_2MhMZIhMo3R8voTYdZf38-jj/s400/P4221049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: left; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Buddhist Grotto carved from stone at the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #9197a3;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Next we visited the Muslim Quarter. As the easternmost point on the Silk Road, Xi'an hosted many traders and merchants from along the trade route. Islam arrived in China via the Silk Road in the mid 7th century.The Arabs intermarried with local women, and now, 1500 years later, Xi'an's Muslims are virtually indistinguishable from the Han Chinese except for their dress and customs.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We ate a delicious lunch at a restaurant in the Muslim Quarter. It was a very interesting hot pot, boiling away in a single-serve cast iron pot. It contained beef meatballs, boiled quail eggs, greens, and glass noodles. It was so piping hot that we couldn't eat it for a while, but it was absolutely delicious, with lots of Middle Eastern spices. It almost tasted like some Indian lamb dishes we have had. Craig ate way more than he should have, because of his love of spices and peppers.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ421_rw3cGr_6uCD4_j83DjfyBAjMH18iT16rHMPavDoSEMwBUyxsZsGdn9QJ8ytA-jHaQvGGj9pHKNcBmQokBtoM1giMVRmpbCLnb2wUWo7ZnUopj_RYjcbgDjIyH4qePjl/s1600/P4221080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ421_rw3cGr_6uCD4_j83DjfyBAjMH18iT16rHMPavDoSEMwBUyxsZsGdn9QJ8ytA-jHaQvGGj9pHKNcBmQokBtoM1giMVRmpbCLnb2wUWo7ZnUopj_RYjcbgDjIyH4qePjl/s400/P4221080.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">A delicious individual hot pot consisting of meatballs, quail eggs, greens, glass noodles, and delicious Middle Eastern spices.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Next we visited the Xi'an Great Mosque, which dates back to 742 A.D. Its architectural style is distinctly Chinese, but with Arabic lettering on the outside and Persian carpets on the floor. Despite being within the hustle and bustle of the Muslim Quarter, the mosque sits in a peaceful courtyard where you can hear birds singing and enjoy the beautiful gardens.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMf4KpQZ0ZpS9l0CN8_pm0EuOLODVuLzv3pCv3eCtnhF3uukQflKbdw1Nz-3KIPLeDcvXezSxQfpsC6HsVvRaaowtIJ40oXrzNKiBlS54DBsLePRTZQpm6A_JnVBuPYcG_6pP8/s1600/P4221136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMf4KpQZ0ZpS9l0CN8_pm0EuOLODVuLzv3pCv3eCtnhF3uukQflKbdw1Nz-3KIPLeDcvXezSxQfpsC6HsVvRaaowtIJ40oXrzNKiBlS54DBsLePRTZQpm6A_JnVBuPYcG_6pP8/s400/P4221136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Mosque of Xi'an</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Next we had a couple of hours to explore the Muslim Quarter on our own. The sights and smells were intoxicating. Men pounded sesame and honey into candy with large wooden mallets. A man pulled taffy by hand using a massive hook on one end. He pulled it out into the street while passersby watched in amazement. A young man stirred a huge pot of peppers and the aroma made our mouths water. Bouquets of wooden sticks sat next to a shish kebab vendor.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl-un3trAThhVlgk6ELw9jCt70gpRwKkieWQCJiHr1XskflO96F08oKsD1-5OdodG3GUDsvVnGQ8x95YHlSF2yxSQf_G3DBUNFwRa9bN11UL3U035QbdmSzLUvrfM3nMU_5wH/s1600/P4221082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUl-un3trAThhVlgk6ELw9jCt70gpRwKkieWQCJiHr1XskflO96F08oKsD1-5OdodG3GUDsvVnGQ8x95YHlSF2yxSQf_G3DBUNFwRa9bN11UL3U035QbdmSzLUvrfM3nMU_5wH/s400/P4221082.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shish kebab in the Muslim Quarter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT5PJ_KSBpV1mWtXOfJMGvL17IRr_k3I5KIoPcVDjL6rflPFYSMOhc4yX6ZrXDZ-hjHKSOlvLsKnuuLQmxe15O1VCsLhtMzsNjYb-BrXoJJSaItOLhwL8vegxCGQTOV-mtbtL/s1600/P4221171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT5PJ_KSBpV1mWtXOfJMGvL17IRr_k3I5KIoPcVDjL6rflPFYSMOhc4yX6ZrXDZ-hjHKSOlvLsKnuuLQmxe15O1VCsLhtMzsNjYb-BrXoJJSaItOLhwL8vegxCGQTOV-mtbtL/s400/P4221171.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbling vat of spices and peppers, cooking on the sidewalk in the Muslim Quarter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
On our way back to the car, we ran into several "ugly Americans", who were very disrespectful to the locals. A group of "frat boys" repeatedly shouted obscenities in English, thinking themselves to be very clever, and assuming that nobody else could understand what they are saying. We were disgusted, and Craig gave them such a dirty look that we heard them comment, "Man, those people were pissed!"<br />
We had also overheard a man telling his girlfriend that these people were "Taliban terrorists." She laughed, and he repeated himself. We don't understand why people who are closed-minded and prejudiced against Islam would even bother visiting the Muslim Quarter, if they only wanted to mock it and use it to reinforce their own ignorant stereotypes. Travel is about learning about other people and how despite our differences, we are all human beings. We were ashamed of these countrymen of ours. There weren't a lot of Western tourists, so it was sad that the majority of them were setting such a bad example. Regardless, all of the locals were very friendly towards us and we felt very comfortable and safe wandering around and exploring on our own.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKVxmC5oFJRVjMDhmgxd_6GfX95PhnVPtuS_H9pfvkNclnBhpQetnPccy_dVXG1pjSo5pPK3xBlnkFylqDOojotVG1MQHhRj7wRBDJvqI7dm3kRDU2hWOrPzQY_0DMUKB6-Ex/s1600/P4221238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKVxmC5oFJRVjMDhmgxd_6GfX95PhnVPtuS_H9pfvkNclnBhpQetnPccy_dVXG1pjSo5pPK3xBlnkFylqDOojotVG1MQHhRj7wRBDJvqI7dm3kRDU2hWOrPzQY_0DMUKB6-Ex/s400/P4221238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xi'an Bell Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Next we went to the <a href="http://www.xiantangdynasty.com/" target="_blank">Tang Dynasty Show</a>. The show has been running since 1988, and is a must-see experience. We had seen it featured on Samantha Brown's Passport to China, which aired around the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We started off in the dining room, and enjoyed a "Dumpling Banquet". We were served dumplings shaped like animals and flowers, and they were delicious and incredibly cute as well - I mean, dumplings shaped like hedgehogs?!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRVFeE-QyEhe87iQgDk6oPx7TinrK8QzC5QSNYNOpi2W9vUMN8hc09K_C5UCdAY1-W_wbREDIIBAfGVYJMxEv0PErw254ZJGVA4INIkFJ1klZ9YHuqALdSxwKReQsQj75rE9/s1600/P4221250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRVFeE-QyEhe87iQgDk6oPx7TinrK8QzC5QSNYNOpi2W9vUMN8hc09K_C5UCdAY1-W_wbREDIIBAfGVYJMxEv0PErw254ZJGVA4INIkFJ1klZ9YHuqALdSxwKReQsQj75rE9/s400/P4221250.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumpling banquet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Then we headed into the theater for the show. The show was extensively researched and the costumes, choreography, music, and instruments are authentic to those used during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 A.D.) It was breathtaking.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lvUNWV01HX7b7VP0J0C4QEF41s6r8R0tJiN3wVd9H3cFike3is_0p-uEPPr-8maosFR_cdrp9MSrfPXZC2iHp7dMW3Js-qU7DX10tF7S_u8NciJmwamN4DbzzfI7Hgv5NPCD/s1600/P4221264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lvUNWV01HX7b7VP0J0C4QEF41s6r8R0tJiN3wVd9H3cFike3is_0p-uEPPr-8maosFR_cdrp9MSrfPXZC2iHp7dMW3Js-qU7DX10tF7S_u8NciJmwamN4DbzzfI7Hgv5NPCD/s400/P4221264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musicians perform on period Tang Dynasty instruments</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
There was an instrumental number followed by some dances. The first featured women in dresses with ribbon-like sleeves of ramie cloth which made intricate flowing patterns as they danced. It was so elegant and mesmerizing! <span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Then there was a wizard dance that reminded us of Bhutan. Next was a dance choreographed by Yang Yuhuan, one of the four most beautiful women in ancient China and the favorite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong. It featured cascading waterfalls.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcrBBmhp5wDa7lc7mz8Me2nAmtDhMdEVRajVm9KIvlJvrV3Fq4xX9Xk-VAH0M45nVEXtmDKwciulI0WJIkoOh-7afSF3SMorqJnukgFYNxHsnpob-e98Os2HsYkVa_Hos3TxA/s1600/P4221300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcrBBmhp5wDa7lc7mz8Me2nAmtDhMdEVRajVm9KIvlJvrV3Fq4xX9Xk-VAH0M45nVEXtmDKwciulI0WJIkoOh-7afSF3SMorqJnukgFYNxHsnpob-e98Os2HsYkVa_Hos3TxA/s400/P4221300.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Flutist and dancer at the beginning of "The Oriole Singing in Spring".</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYTV71IuZ0_H4rtBXievjHlHr2H1opAqPrzCZ7VO4UG0KJLxQHlldK2E5lIHph-qdOVD2sG00ylsRU27KuFT0cGeYLRuqASxoYeMCGwRR-86fW_K05kKE2gFpqQdEIY7d_8rl/s1600/P4221307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYTV71IuZ0_H4rtBXievjHlHr2H1opAqPrzCZ7VO4UG0KJLxQHlldK2E5lIHph-qdOVD2sG00ylsRU27KuFT0cGeYLRuqASxoYeMCGwRR-86fW_K05kKE2gFpqQdEIY7d_8rl/s400/P4221307.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">World famous panpipe master Gao Ming performed an amazing rendition of "The Oriole Singing in Spring."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Panpipe master Gao Ming performed an amazing rendition of "The Oriole Singing in Spring." It is said that an oriole had interrupted the emperor's speech one time, and its song was so beautiful that the emperor commissioned this song. There was a warrior dance which included kung fu and acrobatics. The grand finale was the spring festival, where the emperor walks among his people. It started with a very cool dragon dance, with people in dragon costumes as well as dragon stick puppets undulating to the music. The ladies dance and the emperor enters. A woman is carried in on a giant lotus blossom and dances with a sword (similar to the saber tai chi that we witnessed at the sports school). It was a grand finale.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBhoy5I8eTvCrrNFNur8pZDB7mAnsw-pleRPCOAIrmV0CBBvqGbkyOw_-5st0g5tsrQojLaiHqi-rRZBoMI1aBfyJEnYo5qVV7g966tMgsQefN4q6ZKFG8Ez8EAvjXBaZZBsL/s1600/P4221319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBhoy5I8eTvCrrNFNur8pZDB7mAnsw-pleRPCOAIrmV0CBBvqGbkyOw_-5st0g5tsrQojLaiHqi-rRZBoMI1aBfyJEnYo5qVV7g966tMgsQefN4q6ZKFG8Ez8EAvjXBaZZBsL/s400/P4221319.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: left; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Dancers perform for the emperor.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #9197a3;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1ecb13QtPT3xBQAlUv66zEuOHgmLOHXwqAGu4VAD3JdPwKFh8HCplQlBs2bj9TqtadKVTSB00ZclP0fAuBoKFWfVk4H8anlBgQKU2LwYsn-PmRsFNGPf6unucG5U-IQILEKX/s1600/TangLotus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1ecb13QtPT3xBQAlUv66zEuOHgmLOHXwqAGu4VAD3JdPwKFh8HCplQlBs2bj9TqtadKVTSB00ZclP0fAuBoKFWfVk4H8anlBgQKU2LwYsn-PmRsFNGPf6unucG5U-IQILEKX/s400/TangLotus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; outline: none; text-align: left; width: auto;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Dancer is brought onstage on a giant lotus, and gracefully dances with a saber for the emperor.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span class="fcg" style="color: #9197a3;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
We were absolutely blown away! The production values of the show were top-notch. The scale of the production (number of performers, costumes, lighting, sound quality, narration and explanation of the acts, beauty of the theater itself, and variety of performances) was staggering. It exceeded all expectations and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Xi'an!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-top: 6px;">
We went back to the lovely Shangri La Hotel Xi'an, and chatted with the lovely staff. We enjoyed our final night in our corner room with two walls of windows. We got a short night's sleep before rising early for our flight to Wuhan to begin our Three Gorges Yangtze River Cruise.</div>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-70351580994182042042015-05-09T17:26:00.003-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.693-04:00China 2015 Installment #1: BeijingAfter a fantastic trip to China last October with <a href="http://www.mythsandmountains.com/">Myths and Mountains</a>, we decided to return to see more of this fascinating country. Our visas were still valid, and very affordable non-stop flights from Boston to Beijing made it irresistable.
This trip would start off with some of the popular tourist destinations: Beijing, Xi'an (home of the terra cotta warriors), a Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges area, and Chengdu (famous for giant pandas). Then we would cap off the trip with a return visit to Guizhou, to visit our dear friend Wang Jun and his family. We would do some sightseeing in the area, as well as attend a courtship festival of the Miao ethnic minority.
I will post the trip in installments based on city.<br />
<br />
Here is <b>Installment #1:Beijing</b>.<br />
<br />
Our direct flight to Beijing from Boston was delayed by 4 hours, since the plane had been late arriving due to mechanical problems. The Hainan Airlines 787 Dreamliner has very comfortable economy seats. We watched the film "Lost in Translation", which would often come to mind fondly during the course of the trip.<br />
<br />
Waiting for us at the airport was our familiar driver from our last trip to Beijing. He greeted us and handed me his cell phone, to talk to our guide. It turned out to be the lovely Karen, who had accompanied us to the airport at the end of our last trip. We liked her very much, and we were excited that she would be showing us around tomorrow.
Instead of arriving in the early evening, we finally arrived at the lovely Red Wall Garden Hotel at around midnight. We got settled into our comfortable room and got a good night's sleep after our thirteen and a half hour flight.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh9FbhbdAZjoZewl6SUFDxMrm41bsblKIF4TGH9FQNN3vviC1mJd2VCzzKtns6gfeRVyhCQY64rLM-JkiEJOy49smsPusugkQAdeiN0QjTf33Jk9w4ip_kH1zBjNmitkYq8gy/s1600/P4200047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuh9FbhbdAZjoZewl6SUFDxMrm41bsblKIF4TGH9FQNN3vviC1mJd2VCzzKtns6gfeRVyhCQY64rLM-JkiEJOy49smsPusugkQAdeiN0QjTf33Jk9w4ip_kH1zBjNmitkYq8gy/s400/P4200047.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the Lama Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r8scijTuXvwdFgnC8xC6bue88eCNiUV8joXrAoOEO1TLAuetDm6IAj0wXPGfFBLTq1bdIodqD0Am30qrK3DTov3Rsri6Qnogj2IM_oR79IYzVsRkE9Mhn_WwvAjwbmwE0Kty/s1600/P4200052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r8scijTuXvwdFgnC8xC6bue88eCNiUV8joXrAoOEO1TLAuetDm6IAj0wXPGfFBLTq1bdIodqD0Am30qrK3DTov3Rsri6Qnogj2IM_oR79IYzVsRkE9Mhn_WwvAjwbmwE0Kty/s400/P4200052.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and Craig at the Lama Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning we enjoyed the hotel breakfast, and then Karen and the driver picked us up at 9 o'clock. Our streak of gorgeous weather in Beijing remained unbroken, as we had warm sun, blue skies, and clear air. It was the perfect day to explore parts of the city that we had missed last time.
We went to the Yonghegong Lama Temple. It was built in 1694 as the residence of Prince Yong of the Qing Dynasty. In 1744, it was converted into a Tibetan Buddhist temple. There are many halls which contain shrines and magnificent Buddha statues. People congregate in plazas in front of each hall to pray and light incense. Monks study in the halls in the early morning and late evening, after the temple closes to the public.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTkMJ7v6UR-RKnta8K_-BOqB4XKcEMe5hHv9rpXaYbzTTVALgX0uCa249WWL0LQxjMJuOrnfAqWedekFEtn8rwUWM0i08vz6z4XUS_dmO_T77SHJpI32t2xTJAhkaCOS3NboD/s1600/P4200074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTkMJ7v6UR-RKnta8K_-BOqB4XKcEMe5hHv9rpXaYbzTTVALgX0uCa249WWL0LQxjMJuOrnfAqWedekFEtn8rwUWM0i08vz6z4XUS_dmO_T77SHJpI32t2xTJAhkaCOS3NboD/s400/P4200074.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incense pot at the Lama Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnm5p5sTTvzfXzLNrQro4DNlOkJujBOp3_OAgH1xVwrMt47IASqaMYuIkoXd7Eo2Iokof7YvwH6LPV9M8C39QHtI4h_m9RTpbIOvhD-f4OYAhoNCxIXF3qjhxy2_AOcdbSyBw/s1600/P4200063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnm5p5sTTvzfXzLNrQro4DNlOkJujBOp3_OAgH1xVwrMt47IASqaMYuIkoXd7Eo2Iokof7YvwH6LPV9M8C39QHtI4h_m9RTpbIOvhD-f4OYAhoNCxIXF3qjhxy2_AOcdbSyBw/s400/P4200063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddhist pilgrims pray and light incense at the Lama Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The most awe-inspiring sight here was an 18 meter tall statue of Maitreya carved from a single piece of white sandalwood (in total it is 26 meters tall, as there are 8 meters underground for stability). The tree was cut from Tibet in the mid 18th century. It took 3 years to transport it to Beijing, and then it took an additional 3 years to carve. It was beautiful. Photos were not allowed inside, and although many other people took them anyway, it is important for us to respect the rules. Perhaps not having a photographic image of something so humbling is actually fitting, as Buddhists believe in non-attachment and the impermanence of the material world.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTje6-ARRUEDo-QovRtjfrJk4buotRWRNhFGj1KNFlIBf2TInv7IZzKNJWtGKFgHdHqIuDNS-S-Edsy5XyGhKLnTC0Z6Vs0IpGXKd-7-5uc17PAkhEyApx4RzX3dZxCqXA_rZY/s1600/P4200117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTje6-ARRUEDo-QovRtjfrJk4buotRWRNhFGj1KNFlIBf2TInv7IZzKNJWtGKFgHdHqIuDNS-S-Edsy5XyGhKLnTC0Z6Vs0IpGXKd-7-5uc17PAkhEyApx4RzX3dZxCqXA_rZY/s400/P4200117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig at the Lama Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After a thoroughly enjoyable visit to the Lama Temple, we went to Beihai Park. It is the earliest and best preserved imperial garden in the world, having been established in 1166 A.D. It is 690,000 square meters, including 390,000 square meters which comprise Taiye Lake. Flowers were blooming everywhere, and many families were enjoying strolling along the walkways or taking pedal boat rides on the lake. We crossed a bridge to Jade Flower Island, and climbed up to the White Pagoda, a 40-meter tall stupa built in honor of the 5th Dalai Lama's visit in 1651.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eUc9PA3s54_kZ5zqOzZ3TthkGLQ9okL6AbcZbrT2ZYK5FxHfMO4ZTZEMauCGr6K8521w9JRJ6xMqShZRPhnUtztOPJP8EEGAz3nDoGbU-P9yyE4fsUcmlrseKpnyQ3DuFEK4/s1600/P4200252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eUc9PA3s54_kZ5zqOzZ3TthkGLQ9okL6AbcZbrT2ZYK5FxHfMO4ZTZEMauCGr6K8521w9JRJ6xMqShZRPhnUtztOPJP8EEGAz3nDoGbU-P9yyE4fsUcmlrseKpnyQ3DuFEK4/s400/P4200252.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Pagoda on Jade Flower Island, Beihai Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6rUCVonOFTYI88kUIcdrrSr4yjmfwKLuf5VMCJ6Vx5nTBfYn4xh7MvLFEAE8hcc14JvVXidIgJZJAwfPmJPOYbuUwjBNsyq5a5sj80nyBu6oWC2hdbyL0pp8hTIszQKMxRzq/s1600/P4200248Crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6rUCVonOFTYI88kUIcdrrSr4yjmfwKLuf5VMCJ6Vx5nTBfYn4xh7MvLFEAE8hcc14JvVXidIgJZJAwfPmJPOYbuUwjBNsyq5a5sj80nyBu6oWC2hdbyL0pp8hTIszQKMxRzq/s400/P4200248Crop.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and Steph at Beihai Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7Hue3ixH7yqGhOWNu-AgyD4FvL54U04qmK46db7MGm3ViM86VRmwFbzhkZ9bcX2rEUwB0aJUb7uI7e4cXCb_5ThTonCF0tw0sHTgI6qIOM-vcxPVfmL4YF8bE8Uu6YKICMQx/s1600/P4200197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7Hue3ixH7yqGhOWNu-AgyD4FvL54U04qmK46db7MGm3ViM86VRmwFbzhkZ9bcX2rEUwB0aJUb7uI7e4cXCb_5ThTonCF0tw0sHTgI6qIOM-vcxPVfmL4YF8bE8Uu6YKICMQx/s400/P4200197.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beihai Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a nice dumpling lunch, we visited the Beijing Shi Cha Hai Sports School. No photos were allowed inside. Since this is where many of China's elite athletes train, we suppose that this is a matter of national security. Karen said that tourists generally don't visit here, and it was her first time. It was a very nice campus with many buildings and gardens. The gymnasiums were very modern. We first went into the badminton gym. Boys and girls were playing. They had so much power behind their serves and volleys. It was really impressive to watch them practice.<br />
<br />
The school takes mostly local Beijing students, as well as some students from other parts of China, and a small number of foreign students. Students must qualify to be accepted. They pay tuition until they get to a level where they win competitions, and at that point the government will give them scholarships and stipends. The youngest students are only 5 years old. They study academics in the mornings and athletics in the afternoons.<br />
<br />
Next we went to watch ping pong. The age range in this gym went from the very youngest (around 5) to teenagers. After a brief warm up of running, jumping, and arm exercises, they started to play...wow!! Even the little kids were amazing. They were so in the zone. Their focus was so intense. They stood close to the table and volleyed back and forth, and then after a while they stepped further away from the table and continued. They had multiple balls in reserve in their hands so that if one went awry, they just served another one without missing a beat. It was mesmerizing.<br />
<br />
Next we went into the boxing gym. There were 2 rings. Nobody was fighting. There were only older boys in this gym. Most of them were jumping rope (sometimes getting two jumps in for each swing of the rope). They punched large and small bags.<br />
<br />
Next was Tae Kwon Do, which we watched through windows overlooking the gym from a hallway. They were warming up, and then donned shin guards and arm guards and sparred - sometimes boys against girls. Most of these students were older as well. One boy kept kicking a girl in the face. It looked harsh, and Karen couldn't help giggling nervously.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW765Jh8pAG44iVwIWxDqgH-sy-Sz7mp5_nwQB9Co2BWtxxyyNDMlSfFuSe4z5pFof-AHeJlmETHloCjaOJ4MhIGMnUKBETxKTAPZN9MiWi57KwCPFgQhXxdM5pCgsPitRH45m/s1600/P4200270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW765Jh8pAG44iVwIWxDqgH-sy-Sz7mp5_nwQB9Co2BWtxxyyNDMlSfFuSe4z5pFof-AHeJlmETHloCjaOJ4MhIGMnUKBETxKTAPZN9MiWi57KwCPFgQhXxdM5pCgsPitRH45m/s400/P4200270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beijing Shi Cha Hai Sports School bus </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next we went to a larger gym where three separate sports were training simultaneously. A group of young children practiced Chinese Kung Fu, doing roundhouse kicks, etc. Despite the discipline required at the school, these were still little kids, and occasionally needed to be directed to stay on task by their coaches.<br />
<br />
In the center of the gym, gymnasts (all girls except for one boy, mostly teenagers but a couple of younger girls) practiced. They got into wheel pose and then traveled the whole width of the gym without breaking the pose. Wow! As beginner yoga students, this blew our minds. Then they stepped across the gym, high kicking their legs up to touch their ears. They went back and forth doing this.<br />
<br />
At the far end of the gym, a couple of teen girls were doing tai chi with sabers. They were very graceful and the movements were elegant.
As we walked through the campus, we saw students playing at outdoor tennis courts, and running laps on a track.
The Chinese flag hung in all gyms. It was a very special experience to see this and we are sure that these are future Chinese Olympians for sure!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOY3U0hM0kKQpbpBN9f0tQ7vI2LznBDUMK1Yh768DCSVgRMYrEEm4wmEB88QQPTMqutoizh5o9r0jv9bqz25Xdy83IZiI9RESlPfjeKU1SUURIqholBXK3d7b9NPzAkypMVnC/s1600/SilkStretch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOY3U0hM0kKQpbpBN9f0tQ7vI2LznBDUMK1Yh768DCSVgRMYrEEm4wmEB88QQPTMqutoizh5o9r0jv9bqz25Xdy83IZiI9RESlPfjeKU1SUURIqholBXK3d7b9NPzAkypMVnC/s400/SilkStretch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women hand-stretching silk batting as filling for comforters </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We visited a silk factory and learned about the production of silk thread and silk batting. Cocoons which contain a single silkworm can yield a mile of silk thread each. This thread can be extracted and wound by machine. Cocoons which contain 2 silkworms can yield silk batting, which must be hand-stretched.<br />
<br />
After an enjoyable dinner, we went to see the Beijing Opera at the Liyuan Theatre.
It is an art form that dates back to 1790. We found our table. in the front center of the VIP section. We had complimentary tea poured by a guy with a large watering can style teapot with a flourish, along with snacks.
An actor sat on the stage doing his makeup at a mirror box, and then a man helped him to get dressed in his opulent costume. We were allowed to photograph this preparation, though there is no photography allowed during the actual show. Once he was all dressed, he bowed to the audience and then walked offstage.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJb9j1sW3gK0HsAlBgVZ5wla7MqJVQPJBwUYywfeqWO22sT07pfTfGugUNDTNf-c06NAs__tG9w7J2aFmd7Sh7pSdFgJtON2SrSTBxNAxwGuhX-SstT0LzYHWjK_5yNLeyj8k/s1600/P4200340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJb9j1sW3gK0HsAlBgVZ5wla7MqJVQPJBwUYywfeqWO22sT07pfTfGugUNDTNf-c06NAs__tG9w7J2aFmd7Sh7pSdFgJtON2SrSTBxNAxwGuhX-SstT0LzYHWjK_5yNLeyj8k/s400/P4200340.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beijing Opera actor sits on stage to apply his make up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8KnVxzUd8RJ4sBrK5JC_QF5e3dteACl7xDP21JwSB118MJYYv2zt04igNXxP4Rsaxj8xXyR657AzA_VpIhtYvg2c_PyKAZggJi7C77-82M7HY1T18DUmiFAWPw7-gYrgxMcd/s1600/P4200353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8KnVxzUd8RJ4sBrK5JC_QF5e3dteACl7xDP21JwSB118MJYYv2zt04igNXxP4Rsaxj8xXyR657AzA_VpIhtYvg2c_PyKAZggJi7C77-82M7HY1T18DUmiFAWPw7-gYrgxMcd/s400/P4200353.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beijing Opera actor is dressed for a skit called Battling the Armored Vehicles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Karen had explained that there are a number of different skits that the opera performs, usually two or three per night. You never know what you will get. The band was visible barely offstage to our right. On either side of the stage was a screen which contained subtitles in both Chinese and English. Karen had explained that the singing style is old-fashioned and difficult even for Chinese speakers to understand.<br />
<br />
The first story was called Autumn River. It had just two characters: a nun named Chen Miaochang and a boatman. It was a very simple story without much complex choreography. The nun hired the elderly boatman to follow her scholar boyfriend Pan Bizheng's boat down the river. There were flutes and stringed instruments played with a bow. The music was also used as sound effects, as they walked or pantomimed being on an unsteady boat. The nun sang in a very shrill voice. The boatman teased her and tried to make her nervous with various delays. He flirted with her and when they finally caught the scholar's boat, the scene abruptly ended.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQqkqfpvoKm5WH2l8Uf4_e6oM1URhXqmXorvvJeZGdRwlngpmYRSlOfEvciyCaAoXMtNheat2awGap738VYj9G-t-jJqj_tqBplL0gXuhmp9KhnExnGSgEF1JW5y72UOcIzmy/s1600/P4200338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQqkqfpvoKm5WH2l8Uf4_e6oM1URhXqmXorvvJeZGdRwlngpmYRSlOfEvciyCaAoXMtNheat2awGap738VYj9G-t-jJqj_tqBplL0gXuhmp9KhnExnGSgEF1JW5y72UOcIzmy/s400/P4200338.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our table at the Beijing Opera at the Liyuan Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The second story was called Battling the Armored Vehicles. Military leaders in elaborate robes with flags on the back and platform shoes did high kicks like the gymnast girls. There was very little dialog. General Gao Biao's army fought General Wu Shu's army. There were elaborately choreographed fight scenes with acrobatics on the battlefield. The costumes looked really cool as they spun and twisted and fought with swords and staffs. General Gao pantomimed being on a horse, and jumped and landed (hard) in the splits around 5 times in a row. The skit ended with the dramatic death of General Gao.<br />
<br />
We enjoyed the opera very much. We went back to the hotel and got a short night's sleep before our early morning flight to Xi'an. Karen had arranged a breakfast-to-go from the hotel since we were leaving before they began serving breakfast.<br />
<br />
We said goodbye to Karen and wished her happy and safe travels for her upcoming trip to the United States, where she would be learning to guide Chinese tourists across the country.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9AgLSZ1RknMgbfjtzSXE2_wwf6CDWGUs88T5PDQoVLeY5tTjHabfayifzf1ettMhMkqPOP9ttaqLFf_TjBVXyaZ_GKGKR_Z8Axtfi0JxfTc8Wb4OVoR5D38QSwfgDnN611qE/s1600/P4210362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9AgLSZ1RknMgbfjtzSXE2_wwf6CDWGUs88T5PDQoVLeY5tTjHabfayifzf1ettMhMkqPOP9ttaqLFf_TjBVXyaZ_GKGKR_Z8Axtfi0JxfTc8Wb4OVoR5D38QSwfgDnN611qE/s400/P4210362.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to our dear Karen at the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-90934303402374727312015-02-14T17:49:00.000-05:002016-05-10T09:31:41.617-04:00Remembering Our Best Valentine's Day Gift: Meeting Frank Brown<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjunwMWcdM19pEtUwXuNMzHZulNdTMMTuAxuCBVCoJacdLT9DiYrkKMr1k4tuJ7Pvp31F35QCBjYtqAB-UHttATkEZgKrtSUWOA24AKwIF1LuUaIMsn7At5x07G1mZrz6xBN1/s1600/BB052105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjunwMWcdM19pEtUwXuNMzHZulNdTMMTuAxuCBVCoJacdLT9DiYrkKMr1k4tuJ7Pvp31F35QCBjYtqAB-UHttATkEZgKrtSUWOA24AKwIF1LuUaIMsn7At5x07G1mZrz6xBN1/s1600/BB052105.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Brown, Craig, Steph, B.B. King, and Kevin on B.B.'s bus<br />
North Shore Music Theatre 5/21/05</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was 11 years ago today that we met a dear friend who enriched our lives immensely in the year and a half that we knew him. We had our web site for travels but not our blog back then, so I never really got a chance to write much about our friendship online. I tried soon after he passed away in 2005, but it was too painful and fresh. But it seems that now is the perfect time…as it makes us smile thinking of him on Valentine's Day. So here is an edited compilation of our journals from the time we shared with Frank. Happy Valentine's Day!<br />
<br />
Craig and I are big fans of the blues as a musical genre. We have traveled to Memphis and Chicago on several occasions to explore the blues roots / culture there, and we have seen many blues performers in concert in the Boston area. In early 2004, our local newspaper ran a story called “Blues Traveler” about an elderly man named Frank Brown who was a retired bus driver for B.B. King and James Brown. Frank was originally from Mobile, AL, where his family still lives. But he had moved up north after retiring due to diabetes-related complications, and was currently a resident in a nursing home about 5 minutes up the highway from our house. It was a very interesting article, and since he had no family up in Massachusetts, we thought it might be fun to set up a visit with him, to get to know him and talk about our mutual interest in the blues. Having had two grandparents in nursing homes for an extended time, I knew how important visitors can be to someone’s morale.<br />
<br />
We sent a letter to Frank at the nursing home, introducing ourselves and requesting a visit. A few days later, on February 13, we got a phone call from Frank, who was eager for us to come for a visit. Craig and I have never really been into celebrating Valentine’s Day. It seems like a Hallmark holiday, and our relationship is no more special on Feb 14 than it is on any other day of the year. But we thought it might be a nice day to visit Frank, so we told Frank that we would come by the next day.<br />
<br />
As soon as we met Frank, he immediately won our hearts. He was chatty and clever and had a great sense of humor. At first we weren't sure when he was putting us on and when he was serious. As time went on, we grew more used to his sense of humor, but there were still times when we weren't quite sure. I think he liked that.<br />
<br />
Frank’s memory wasn’t what it used to be, and he was often confused, but we enjoyed chatting with him and hearing stories about the old days, when he drove James Brown’s tour bus, and subsequently drove B.B. King, first in a Cadillac and then in B.B.’s tour buses. He used a walker to get around these days, and he nicknamed it his Cadillac. Frank referred to B.B. simply as "B". Our visit flew by and Frank asked us when we would be coming again.<br />
<br />
From that day on, we were hooked. He got under our skin. Visiting Frank on Sunday afternoons became our weekly ritual. During the week he would call us on the phone just to say hello. When we talked to him on the phone, we could hear the smile in his voice.<br />
<br />
We would bust him out of the nursing home to take him out to eat when he was in the mood for some southern soul food (Redbones for fried catfish and hushpuppies, Bel Air Diner for liver and onions), and we would take him to blues concerts. Frank referred to us as his "ace boon coons". But he could never seem to remember our names. He called Craig "The Boss" and me "Mama." As time went on, he would start calling Craig "Sherlock" for his ability to locate items that Frank had misplaced. Then he started calling him "my lawyer, for reasons unknown to us. He had nicknames for his nurses, too. One he was especially fond of was called "Rolls Royce."<br />
<br />
Frank would always argue with us when we tried to pay for anything. “You ain’t got no grown up son named Frank Brown that you got to pay for.” Craig said “You’re the 80 year old black son we never had.” Frank thought that was hysterical, and it became our little inside joke.<br />
<br />
We asked Frank about his family in Mobile. He told us about his wife Beatrice and their daughter Bernice, a jazz singer. However, he only ever talked about them in the past, and sometimes the information he recounted was contradictory, so it was difficult to know whether he still maintained a relationship with them. He got us in touch with his sister Eloise in Mobile, and we corresponded with her via letters and phone calls about Frank's health. She was very sweet. We tried to locate Bernice, but we were unsuccessful.<br />
<br />
In addition to driving musicians, we were always finding out about other jobs Frank had held. He had worked on a banana boat, at a state mental hospital, at a funeral home, and at Mardi Gras selling roasted peanuts. We're sure the list goes on and on. When he was younger, he excelled at football and participated in boxing as well, but gave it up because driving was his passion and he couldn't train and drive at the same time.<br />
<br />
When we would visit him on Sunday afternoons, he was usually watching church services on TV. He would marvel at how much a particular preacher "walked the floor," delivering a particularly animated sermon. We told him that we had seen Al Green preach in Memphis. Frank couldn't believe that the same Al Green he used to know could ever be a preacher. We assured him that it was true. Frank also liked to watch Red Sox and Patriots games. Other times when we would visit, the TV would be off and he would be listening to blues CDs.<br />
<br />
B.B. King 4/30/04<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSiysXVYvb2cSmW0tnPb62HYa6KDBWyLVHlVzxx2f4IcSNAoTfPVpiHUXejUTO-MIeDr_D_FNHtwM1cTDFHSruitIWkRmQ2b8B39dORHy3oeI8Rm-dF7HIqHi7ZkYQwCYzgbI/s1600/P4300355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSiysXVYvb2cSmW0tnPb62HYa6KDBWyLVHlVzxx2f4IcSNAoTfPVpiHUXejUTO-MIeDr_D_FNHtwM1cTDFHSruitIWkRmQ2b8B39dORHy3oeI8Rm-dF7HIqHi7ZkYQwCYzgbI/s1600/P4300355.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B.B. King and Frank Brown<br />
Casino Ballroom, Hampton, NH 4/30/04</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">Frank was always in the loop about when B.B. King was playing in the area. We took him to Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom to see B.B. King on April 30. During the concert, Frank sat there and at times it was hard to tell if he was even paying attention. Then, once an old song started, Frank just looked at Craig and burst into song. His intonation was correct and he even had the little parts right where B.B. stops and says something in the middle of the song. Frank was so sweet and people around us were smiling at him as he sang. One stranger came up to Frank and shook his hand and said that he liked how Frank dressed and he looked good. Frank talked to some of the crew and told them that he wanted to talk to B.B. By this point Frank was very animated, dancing in his seat, shaking his hands around, etc. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">A bouncer came over and told us to wheel Frank to the side of the stage. We went behind the small barricade and waited near the exterior wall, near the elevator. B.B. did an encore, and we watched it from side-stage. Were we going to actually meet B.B. King? My knees were literally shaking. Then at the end of the show, B.B.’s entourage cleared the exit aisle (we were the only ones allowed to be there, even the backup band was cleared away) and they wheeled B.B. right towards us. One of B.B.’s guys shone the flashlight at Frank so that B.B. could see him. B.B. lit up immediately. In all of the commotion, Frank couldn’t tell where to look and even as B.B. grabbed his hand he was looking elsewhere. B.B. said “Frank, Hi Frank! I’m right here. Don’t you recognize my voice?” We turned Frank’s attention to B.B. and they shook and then held hands. I asked B.B. if I could get a picture of the two of them together. He said “If you like”. I took the photo and B.B. talked to Frank for a minute. B.B. called him "Big Brown." </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">Then it was obvious that B.B. had to go; fans were congregating near where we stood, hoping for autographs, and the entourage needed to get B.B. safely downstairs and out to his bus. As they wheeled him away, B.B. looked me right in the eye and said “Thank you.” He then looked Craig right in the eye and said the same. B.B. King was thanking us for something? We were the grateful ones...he had made Frank so happy! And it was such an honor for us to get to meet him as well. It was really nice to see that the love and respect that Frank has for his friend and former employer was mutual.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">They wheeled B.B. onto the elevator and as it was descending he looked at us and waved. We asked Frank about the nickname "Big Brown". He said that B.B. had called him that since their first meeting. Frank was on cloud nine for the rest of the evening!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">Buddy Guy 8/27/04</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZQr50DIYadGnGw8dSfR3TfGIHkWW_oML6hyu8LtPUFgx7Ivii8sGwl9AEICPNYwvNm_FAaNWq1iMHyjcenrt6pMFHhweYH-GjiNK0nZipYjgHRnz_ZX4DuonqHmrffqTWJYd/s1600/Buddy_and_Frank_crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZQr50DIYadGnGw8dSfR3TfGIHkWW_oML6hyu8LtPUFgx7Ivii8sGwl9AEICPNYwvNm_FAaNWq1iMHyjcenrt6pMFHhweYH-GjiNK0nZipYjgHRnz_ZX4DuonqHmrffqTWJYd/s1600/Buddy_and_Frank_crop.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Brown and Buddy Guy<br />
Backstage, Casino Ballroom Hampton, NH 8/27/04</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">On August 27 we drove Frank up to the Casino Ballroom in Hampton, NH once again, this time to see Buddy Guy. Buddy had befriended Frank back in the early years when Frank was driving B.B. When we got to the venue, I spoke to Buddy Guy's road manager and introduced Frank. The road manager went backstage, talked to Buddy Guy, and came back to tell us that we could go backstage before the show. As in right now. (The show was a double bill with Robert Cray, and Buddy Guy was on first).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">Once again, my knees started to knock. We followed him and a security guy behind the little barricade, past a rack of Buddy’s trademark polkadot Stratocaster guitars, and into a little tiny room. There was a purple velour chair, on which Buddy Guy was sitting. We walked in and there was barely room to maneuver the wheelchair. Buddy was stylin'. He was wearing a monochrome striped black suit, white and black wingtips, and a white hat. On one hand he had a large ring that spelled out “Blues” in diamonds. On the other hand was a ring with “BG” in diamonds. “Frank! What you doing in that chair? Ain’t you pimping no more? The last time I saw John Lee he was in a chair but on the stage he was dancing around. He said he couldn’t be seen in a chair in front of them ladies.” He asked Frank how he was, and Frank said fine. He said that he’s living in a hospital, and we explained that it was a nursing home. Buddy asked if they treat him well there and he kinda shrugged. Buddy continued “Well, we ain’t gotta talk about that." </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">They started talking about a lot of mutual friends who had passed away, and Buddy told Frank to be thankful that he’s still around. I asked if I could get a picture and Buddy posed with an arm around Frank. Buddy seemed genuinely happy to see Frank. He introduced Frank to some of his entourage, saying that Frank used to drive around B. when B. was “like this” (holds his hands up to indicate skinny figure). I asked when he started driving B.B. because Frank couldn’t remember. Buddy said it must have been around ’56 or ’57. . </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">Members of his entourage came in and said that we needed to leave so that Buddy could prepare for his set. But Buddy was very generous with his time, and continued talking to Frank, insisting that we could stay longer. Craig and I started to get a bit antsy, knowing that Buddy had to get on stage very soon. Buddy signed a CD for us, and we thanked him and said goodbye, wheeling Frank back out to our seats.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">A few minutes later, Buddy came on stage and played an awesome set. Partway through the set, he stopped and said “Throughout my life, ladies and gentlemen I’ve met some very great people who helped me with my career. And the first time I ever met B.B. King" (the audience applauds) "he had a bus driver and his name is Frank and they brought him in in a wheelchair tonight and he said 'I had to come and see you Buddy'." He had the audience give Frank a hand. He asked where Frank was sitting. I stood up and pointed to him, and Frank waved. Everyone around us was waving and cheering. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, Buddy Guy then asks for a hand for “the people that brought him here tonight”. And there was another big round of applause. "They rolled him in and I said Frank, you know when I met you there was a lot of blues players living that’s no longer with us and you still and you still here so let’s be thankful, Frank, alright?" He asked for another hand for Frank, which the audience heartily provided. "And I’m gonna do this for Frank anyway.” He launched into a great version of "Drivin' Wheel". From that point on, people were coming up to Frank, shaking his hand, patting him on the shoulder. A man that used to live in the same building, some other acquaintances, a girl who worked in the gas station 30 years ago and whom he brought to see B.B.. a guy who “plays bass”. (During Robert Cray’s set he was onstage and turned out to be Robert Cray’s bassist!) Frank was truly touched, and wanted to thank Buddy for such a nice tribute. I told the drummer to pass along his thanks. As we left and crossed the street to the car we heard someone say “There’s Frank!” and pointed in our direction. Frank was a rock star that night, and he talked about it frequently for the rest of his life.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">B.B. King 9/2/04</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MrmlvWsGa0n_tghqrBH7G-vXwr15zD0cF51r2yFoflHIvld7Km3eZ-aK5iZhjDhPX85_xThysWV_Rd9lLNZrJUq_pXl0tFF_8AzrCPPEsHSi9xe7blQwwW2BrGR-CQWKIc2Y/s1600/frank_bb_bus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MrmlvWsGa0n_tghqrBH7G-vXwr15zD0cF51r2yFoflHIvld7Km3eZ-aK5iZhjDhPX85_xThysWV_Rd9lLNZrJUq_pXl0tFF_8AzrCPPEsHSi9xe7blQwwW2BrGR-CQWKIc2Y/s1600/frank_bb_bus.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Brown and B.B. King on B.B.'s bus<br />
FleetBoston Pavilion 9/2/04</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
On September 2, we took Frank to the FleetBoston Pavilion to see B.B. again. This time Frank's contacts at B.B.'s management company had provided us with backstage passes, and we might get the opportunity to visit B.B. on his tour bus!<br />
<br />
As usual, all of the ushers fell in love with Frank and he always had someone to chat with. The Muddy Waters Blues Band played first, followed by Elvin Bishop. Next was Shemekia Copeland. Frank had known her late father, Johnny Clyde Copeland. Then Dr. John did a set. During one of the intermissions a man walked by, saw Frank, exclaimed "Mr. Brown!" and immediately went to get his mother. It turns out they were old friends of Frank's. They wound up sitting in the empty seats next to us for B.B.'s set. B.B. put on a great show. Frank sang along to "Key to the Highway" and "Rock Me."<br />
<br />
The show ended at around 11:15 and we headed over to the backstage access area (to the right of the stage).The guy in front of us got on the bus, and I followed, with shaky knees. I climbed the steps and then turned around. Craig and one of B.B.'s entourage were helping Frank out of the wheelchair. and onto the bus. I took Frank's hand and guided him back to where B. was sitting on a leather couch. I said, "This must bring back memories, being on the bus, huh, Frank?" He agreed.<br />
<br />
At this point we could see B.B. and I said "There he is, Frank!" B. said "Big Brown! How are you?" He asked Frank to sit down and Frank was a little confused and kind of tried to sit on the table. B said "Frank, man, you're grabbing my computer!" and told him to hold out his hand and feel where the seat was. B. shook both of our hands and said "Thanks for being kind to my old friend. We had lots of good times together." Frank took a seat right next to B.B.. Craig sat on the other side of Frank. I was still standing, but B.B. said "Please. Sit down." and I squeezed in. B.B. reached behind him and turned down the volume on the stereo. We said that Frank had a lot of stories about his days on the road and B said "And they're all true!"<br />
<br />
I asked if I could get a photo of the two of them together and B.B. said sure. He leaned in to Frank and put his arm around him and I got a nice closeup shot of the two of them. It was really great to see B.B. in his own element where he could be himself. Seeing him sitting in his own bus, calmly receiving everyone, being a gracious host and oh so friendly and low key...he was a joy. We were really happy with the way the whole evening turned out. Frank didn't talk much (he doesn't like to interrupt other people) but it seemed like he enjoyed just being there in such close proximity to his good friend. B.B. signed some photos and gave us a couple of B.B. King lapel pins. When we were leaving (with some encouragement from Craig) I asked B.B. if I could have a hug, and he said of course. I gave him a big hug and told him that Frank is our good friend and we love him. B.B. said "He's a good man. He's a good friend of mine. He took good care of me."<br />
<br />
One day we invited Frank to our house for dinner. At the time, Craig’s brother Steve and his kids lived upstairs in our house. Frank was a bit concerned and asked if Steve would mind him coming over to the house. Naive as we are, we didn’t understand what he was getting at. We asked what he meant, and he said, “Well, sometimes, neighbors have a problem with someone like me…” and he trailed off. Only then did we realize that he was talking about racism. Having always lived in this area, we hadn’t even considered this as a concern. It saddened us that his experiences growing up in the South had led to this kind of concern, and we assured him that our family and friends would welcome him with open arms.<br />
<br />
When he came over that day, he surprised us even more. I was flipping through a coffee table book of photographs of blues musicians. When we got to Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Frank said “I worked for him too!”<br />
<br />
On the subject of photographs, Steve had given us a coffee table book of Beale Street photos. In there, we found a photo of B.B. King with his first tour bus, in front of the King's Palace Cafe. The photo shows his entire entourage and 2 bus drivers. We wondered whether one was Frank. Then our friend Francis gave us a book of the music photographs of Ernest Withers, an acclaimed African American photographer who photographed the Civil Rights struggle, as well as the Memphis music scene and the Negro Baseball League. The credits listed the people in each photo, and there was his name: Frank Brown!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY0CSMpSgVASFxdltE0A4XbhemuvD5-f6PTnAmUeegAMbzC2dO3czrBgv8RdXCJe0Da5r5EDrBzV9WFP9X9I_d8SVxy6-bePVaVixcryK0C0qBz2A9MEy9DSVpowWY1iz5Dbe/s1600/PA020061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY0CSMpSgVASFxdltE0A4XbhemuvD5-f6PTnAmUeegAMbzC2dO3czrBgv8RdXCJe0Da5r5EDrBzV9WFP9X9I_d8SVxy6-bePVaVixcryK0C0qBz2A9MEy9DSVpowWY1iz5Dbe/s1600/PA020061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that The New England Patriots #80 Troy Brown?<br />
Nope - it's 80 year old Frank Brown!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
October 2 was Frank's 80th birthday. We wanted to do something special. He had once admired my Patriots Super Bowl Champion shirt, and had asked why I hadn't bought him one. I told him that we hadn't even met him yet at the time of the last Super Bowl. (He always thought he had known us for much longer than he actually had.) But I had stored it in my head and thought about getting him some sort of Patriots clothing. It dawned on us that not only do the Patriots have a Brown on their team, but he is number 80! So we got Frank a Troy Brown replica jersey for his 80th birthday. I looked all over for a bakery that would sell sugar-free cakes, but came up empty. So I bought a sugar-free cake and frosting mix at the store and made a chocolate 2 layer cake. We went to visit Frank in the morning on his birthday, as we had a wedding to attend in the afternoon. Craig read Frank the card that we brought: “80 years and a million memories.” “And a million miles,” Frank replied. He was thrilled by the Patriots jersey, and we also gave him an alarm clock with large digits as he was having a hard time seeing his previous clock. We each had a piece of cake, and though it looked rather amateurish, Frank sang its praises and thought it was delicious.<br />
<br />
Frank wanted to go to the movies sometime. We asked what kind of movies he liked. "Oh, everything. Westerns..." Hollywood isn't putting out too many westerns these days, and we didn't want to take him to anything he might find offensive (he was a spiritual man), so we decided to sit back until the time was right. That time came when the Ray Charles biopic "Ray" was released. Perfect! He had known Ray Charles. Of course he had.<br />
<br />
So we took him to the movie theater. I asked Frank if he wanted anything and he deadpanned "tonic and gin". Then he asked for a diet coke and a hot dog. He was quite pleased. He couldn't believe the size of the theater even though it was a small one. At the end of the movie Frank seemed sad. He told Craig it was a shame Ray got into drugs because he could have had the world. I asked how he liked the movie and he said something to the effect of "more or less" He said he thought it was a little confusing (I think it had to do with the flashbacks).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZPt2ricpqYLYi_Xv2vmcI86e_x8yB9kPb9XHwau7ur2eSrJUHkFjupa5jLk_9yXW8SCvKmeuMDnstSf6TV5H6M8rQEP4VcqeOzFdO7xjXZkP7eIjU36dgb1Y8ylUcHDvch1m/s1600/PC250069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZPt2ricpqYLYi_Xv2vmcI86e_x8yB9kPb9XHwau7ur2eSrJUHkFjupa5jLk_9yXW8SCvKmeuMDnstSf6TV5H6M8rQEP4VcqeOzFdO7xjXZkP7eIjU36dgb1Y8ylUcHDvch1m/s1600/PC250069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas dinner 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">We invited him to Craig’s parents’ house for Christmas dinner. The whole family really enjoyed meeting him. Frank was just watching as everyone opened their presents, and occasionally, when Craig was free to watch, I would pass Frank a present. He was guessing all of the presents but wanted me to open them for him. He correctly guessed several boxes of handkerchiefs. I handed him a T-shirt and he said “What football player is this?” I said it wasn’t football but baseball. “Red Sox?” he asked. I said Red Sox World Series Champion with all the players’ names on it. He looked at it and smiled. I made him hold it up for a picture. He guessed that the next gift was a dress shirt. It was indeed - a pimpin' purple shirt. He said it was beautiful and he hoped that it would fit. We said that Sherlock Holmes had been on the case and had checked out his size. He said that he was surprised that Sherlock Holmes picked out a shirt like that. I said that Craig had determined the size, but I had picked out the shirt. He said that made more sense. We then gave him Craig's parents' present: fancy sugar-free chocolates. He was happy and asked me to pick one out for him to eat. I said “Do you want milk chocolate or dark chocolate?” He said “I want one like me.” I said “sweet dark chocolate, then.” </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">We enjoyed a nice roast beef dinner which Craig's mom had prepared. It was delicious, and Frank was so appreciative of a home-made meal. (He never enjoyed the food at the nursing home). Ever the generous spirit, Frank was genuinely saddened by the fact that he had no gifts to give to the family. We assured him that his presence was all the gift any of us needed.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">Frank was so happy when we brought him back to the nursing home that he was singing in the elevator</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">He laughed when he got to the nurses' desk. They asked what had gotten into him, and he said “I had some great scotch!’ We said “Oh no you didn’t! Don't get us in trouble!” and the nurses laughed and said they wouldn’t tell anyway.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">Shemekia Copeland 2/25/05</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwZfAmSBFp7uU0JK8edjrtjGVOR4gtfvP6adK3a05rbi8dQQEb4OPCKZCrqeFeubORLq1mY9uir6HAHbmW9hOmtRn9tz_mq656UNLkAbrgUT58jaSojVfgkjdMsgnuHIAkUOI/s1600/P2250229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwZfAmSBFp7uU0JK8edjrtjGVOR4gtfvP6adK3a05rbi8dQQEb4OPCKZCrqeFeubORLq1mY9uir6HAHbmW9hOmtRn9tz_mq656UNLkAbrgUT58jaSojVfgkjdMsgnuHIAkUOI/s1600/P2250229.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shemekia Copeland and Frank Brown<br />
RegattaBar Cambridge, MA 2/25/05</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
On February 25, we took Frank to see Shemekia Copeland at the RegattaBar. As she sang, she was about four feet directly in front of Frank. We could tell immediately that he was enjoying himself. He kept raising his right hand and he was practically dancing right out of his chair. At one point Shemekia introduced "Love Scene" by quoting a line from the song “Is anyone out there capable of giving me high romance on a foreign train?” Frank raised his hand and she saw him and burst into a smile saying “He wins. That’s what I’m talkin’ about.” It was obvious that he was having a blast. He couldn’t sit still. Near the end of the show he asked me if I shad seen her daddy [Johnny Clyde Copeland] perform. I said I had only heard him on records. Frank said that he used to do a little boogie. Shemekia sang "2 A.M." and asked everyone to sing along with the chorus at the end. Frank was singing away. “It’s 2 A.M.!” It was so cute.<br />
<br />
After the show, we bought Frank Shemekia's CD "Wicked" so that she could autograph it for him. Shemekia saw Frank and said, “Well hello. Thanks for coming.” He asked if she knew who he was. She said she thought she remembered seeing him before. He said that he knew her dad and that he used to drive B.B's bus. She said that she toured with B.B. in the summer and we said that we had seen her with him. She signed the CD’s and I asked if she could pose for a photo with Frank. She put her arm around him and I got a cute photo.<br />
<br />
B.B. King 5/21/05</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6kyW6BqLSDjBpDvizuzQYvifkS6FfHm-kHbCFwoOLeH78pmkBtsfXeiNxK64Ig3IF2USWsRlxJcUGU-6qYAW8EceC_EhvYhD_7zZHr7Fpk6QrSSRFbBlrvLiUr6E5noITU01/s1600/P5210102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6kyW6BqLSDjBpDvizuzQYvifkS6FfHm-kHbCFwoOLeH78pmkBtsfXeiNxK64Ig3IF2USWsRlxJcUGU-6qYAW8EceC_EhvYhD_7zZHr7Fpk6QrSSRFbBlrvLiUr6E5noITU01/s1600/P5210102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph and B.B. King on B.B.'s bus<br />
North Shore Music Theatre<br />
Beverly, MA 5/21/05</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTswii3aOjTCKCGO3tGhi920Ujc51CQJ2Wv9vgk04jI-6WYFJ_mJ2ahHy7GuRlGZa7wYJpUVWucZ0aJf2_PlPp5eET57kENHFmfdQbjyu6LVswx_lmdKNzdiDsz42l_1240J18/s1600/BB052105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTswii3aOjTCKCGO3tGhi920Ujc51CQJ2Wv9vgk04jI-6WYFJ_mJ2ahHy7GuRlGZa7wYJpUVWucZ0aJf2_PlPp5eET57kENHFmfdQbjyu6LVswx_lmdKNzdiDsz42l_1240J18/s1600/BB052105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Brown, Craig, Steph, B.B. King, and Kevin <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> on B.B.'s bus</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">North Shore Music Theatre</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Beverly, MA 5/21/05</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">On May 21, B.B. played at North Shore Music Theatre. We managed to get front row tickets because we were members of the theater. The theater is round and the stage rotates, so we didn't always have a front view of B.B., but we still had a great view of the entire band and their very entertaining performance.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">We all really enjoyed the show. When the opening notes of “Please Accept My Love” started up, I leaned over to Frank and said “I remember when he did this song last time, you really sang along!” Frank turned and laughed, and Craig jokingly looked at me like I was being an instigator. As soon as B started singing “I don’t even know your name, but I love you just the same” Frank was belting it out right along with him. And Frank knows all of the little intricacies, all of the little starts and stops, all of the interruptions. It was great. B.B. was facing the other way for pretty much the entire song, otherwise we have no doubt that he would have heard Frank singing along.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">The stage manager told us that B.B. was ill with a cold, so it was doubtful whether he would feel well enough to receive visitors after the show. We knew that Frank would be extremely disappointed if he didn't at least get a chance to say hello, so we kept our fingers crossed.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">After the show, it was pouring rain. We were told that we would be able to get on the bus, so we walked outside and boarded the bus. We were very grateful that despite not feeling well, B.B. was still being very generous with his time. Our friend Kevin worked for the North Shore Music Theatre at the time, and he was at the show as well. He knew all about our relationship with Frank, but had never met him. So we introduced them, and Kevin was able to accompany us onto the bus.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">The interior of the bus was very plush and comfortable. B.B. was seated at the back on a leather couch. He had a table with his laptop set up in front of him, and there was a stereo and X-Box behind him. Frank sat down on a couch on the left, perpendicular to where B.B. was sitting. We tried to convince him to scoot over next to B., but B. said to let the pretty lady sit next to him, so I said thank you and sat. Craig sat on the other side of Frank, and Kevin sat at the little booth opposite B. B kept saying “Big Brown, how’s Big Brown? You’re looking a lot better than you did the last time that I saw you.” Frank asked if B. heard him singing and B. said that he couldn’t hear anything from onstage. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">It was very cool because it was just the four of us and B. It was very hot on the bus, and B. apologized saying he didn’t want to melt the lady, but he wouldn’t apologize to the men. He called to someone up at the front of the bus and asked him to turn the thermostat down to 75. We are sure this was due to the fact that it was a rainy spring night and he was already sick with a cold,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">He has two drivers for each bus. He keeps the people closest to him on this bus, and there are two drivers for each so that they can go any time. But he looked at Frank fondly and said “But he used to do it all. That’s why I always take care of him and give him a present." Craig said that Frank really treasures those memories with B. B said that they had a lot of history together and have been friends for a long time. “But they weren’t only good times. They didn’t always treat us nicely.” </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">And he suddenly looked serious. I showed him the picture of the old bus. B. glanced at it very quickly, recognized it, and said “That’s it. That’s his bus.” He was obviously familiar with the picture. Craig pointed to the drivers and said “And Frank said one of those is him.” B. looked again quickly at the photo and confirmed it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">B. said that he doesn’t fly much any more because it is just too much of a hassle, having to take off your shoes, jacket, and cap, plus checking all the equipment etc. He said they strip you down until you’re wearing nothing but underwear. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">At this point a couple of other people had gotten on the bus. Kevin offered to give his seat to one of the guys who had just arrived, but BB said “no, first come first served.” I asked if we could get a picture. I snuggled up next to B and he linked arms with me. Kevin took a pic of me with B but the flash was off. I fixed it and one of the other guys who had just gotten on offered to take it. We got all of us in the picture, with Kevin sitting on the floor in front. I felt like I was practically sitting on B (it was very crowded to get us all in the picture) but Craig said that he didn’t think that B minded.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">B. mentioned that he wished we could sit and chat longer, but he needed to see other people. He joked that the bus was too cramped and maybe some day when he made some money, he’d be able to get one that had room for everyone. After the picture we were gathering our things to go. I got the letter and gave it to B.B. saying “I wrote this letter to you explaining Frank’s situation these days, so you can read it if you want to…” and he said he would. He then said “While you’re here Frank…” and he got a little sony digital camera out and said he wanted to take a picture of Frank. Craig and I tried to lean out of the way, but B said “it would be better with the pretty lady in it.” So Craig and I leaned in close to Frank and B took the picture. He was pleased with how it came out and showed it to us. Wow, B.B. King took a picture of us!! Frank mentioned that we were his best friends next to B. B said that was nice and it was good to have friends, and at that point Craig saw him take the letter, which had been sitting on the couch next to him, and put it on his table next to his computer.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">As we got Frank up and ready to go, B.B. thanked us for bringing Frank. He looked at me seriously and said to take care of him. I thanked him and he said it was a pleasure. It took a while to get Frank up to the front of the bus,. When we got to the front of the bus, the driver helped us to get Frank down the stairs.. Another arm appeared from outside, guiding Frank down. It turned out to be Evan Goodrow, the opening act. Craig thanked him, shook his hand, and told him he did a great set. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">This would be the last time that the two old friends and colleagues would see one another. Frank grew ill in the summer of 2005. He told us that he wanted to be buried in Mobile next to his mother, but he was worried that it wouldn’t happen. We promised him that we would see to it that he was buried with his mother one way or another. It was as if that thought gave him peace, and he passed away soon afterwards.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">On Wednesday August 10, we got the call from the nursing home that Frank had passed away peacefully in a chair in the TV room. We made a few phone calls and headed down there as soon as we got the message. The nurses had not let Frank leave yet; they had kept him in his room so that we could say goodbye. We were left alone with Frank and we said goodbye and told him that we would see him in Mobile. One way or another, we would make sure that he made it back to be buried with his mother. And we would travel down there for the services. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">After Frank's death, we were in touch with some of his other friends in the area. We met Bob and Angela, who had been really close friends with Frank for many years, and had helped to get him admitted to the nursing home when he had no longer been able to live by himself in his apartment. They decided that they would go to Mobile for the services too. We met up with them at their house for dinner prior to the trip. They were very nice people and we shared a lot of memories about how Frank had touched our lives. We were sure that Frank would have been happy that we got to know each other.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">We made all of the arrangements with the local funeral parlor: delivering Frank's clothes (including a B.B. King lapel pin we had gotten from B.B. himself), and arranging for them to transport Frank to Mobile, where he would be picked up by the funeral parlor down there.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">We were in touch with Eloise (Frank's sister), and we got an unexpected phone call from his daughter Bernice. They told us that the services would be on Saturday the 20. We made hotel reservations and booked flights for Friday the 19th with Bob and Angela. We stayed at the Marriott, and after running into Danny Glover in the lobby, Frank's daughter Bernice (also known as Karmilla Ali for her jazz singing career) and her partner Don arrived. We sat with them on couches in the lobby and enjoyed drinks. It was so nice to meet them.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt0y1ugjRGXjd0vAgbzx8kBiF19Y3ASAuDys0qEDtDGjx5rcgAb_VpuJQU3Fl-7a-U2eF0wAJR7tODTlhmn7mbJWcE8N68VGy4UIC8-iN2Yb_GhLh2r_9Ouu_4-Fbn4z7dMJG/s1600/P8190127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt0y1ugjRGXjd0vAgbzx8kBiF19Y3ASAuDys0qEDtDGjx5rcgAb_VpuJQU3Fl-7a-U2eF0wAJR7tODTlhmn7mbJWcE8N68VGy4UIC8-iN2Yb_GhLh2r_9Ouu_4-Fbn4z7dMJG/s1600/P8190127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela, Bob, Bernice (Karmilla Ali), Don, and Craig<br />
Marriott Mobile 8/19/05</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
I ran up to the room to get the photo album that we had made for Bernice. She looked through the pictures and we started to talk about Frank. She and Don were so nice, and it was obvious that they were happy that we had made the trip. We took some photos and enjoyed chatting. Bernice and Don had printed up memorial programs for the funeral. She had brought us a copy to show us. While looking at it, Craig noticed his name. This was Bernice's surprise: she wanted Craig and Bob to speak at the funeral. Craig was quite honored, though a little unprepared. But he was happy to be given the opportunity to give a tribute to Frank in front of Frank's friends and family.<br />
<br />
I didn't really sleep very well overnight. Seeing Frank for the last time today would be difficult, and the anticipation led to a restless night. We drove to Bernice's house and waited until the limo arrived to pick her and her daughter up. We then followed the limo to Eloise's house. All of the family started to assemble and cars were lining up ready to make their way to church. Everyone we met we extremely nice and welcoming to us. We went into Eloise's house. After talking to her on the phone and corresponding via letters, it was really nice to finally meet her. We also met Frank's brother David, who wouldn't be attending the funeral due to health and mobility issues. We went back outside and met Bernice's 14 year old daughter.<br />
<br />
All of the cars followed the limo in procession to the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. We parked the car, and everyone stood in line in front of the doors of the church. The immediate family went in first, and then the rest of the line followed. Frank was laid out in the front of the church.He looked very stylish in his suit and favorite pink shirt. He had his B.B. pin on his lapel, and we knew that there was also a backstage pass in his coat pocket. It was our little secret. <br />
<br />
We paid our respects and met Frank's 93-year-old wife Beatrice. We sat down in a pew a couple of rows back on the right-hand side of the church. There were several large flower arrangements, and from our seat we could see that one of the biggest ones (an arrangement of tropical flowers) was from B.B. King. A man came over and told Craig when he would be speaking. The funeral started at around 11 o'clock. There was a small choir. Bernice's friend sang some beautiful solos, including a very touching version of "I'll Fly Away.". It was a very moving ceremony, and it viewed Frank's passing as a "homegoing celebration." It was really quite inspiring. Craig and Bob spoke about their friendship with Frank, and Frank's nephew who had once visited him in Massachusetts several years ago also spoke. They read some sympathy cards aloud. The service ended at 12:30, and we joined the automobile procession to the cemetery.<br />
<br />
Frank was driven to the cemetery in a very styling white hearse. We smiled and knew that he would be pleased to be traveling in such style.There are two cemeteries across the street from one another on Virginia St. in Mobile. Frank was being buried in the smaller of the two; the black cemetery. There was a small tent over his gravesite, so that people could stand out of the stifling heat of the mid-day summer sun. We saw the headstones for Frank's father, Frank Brown Sr, and Frank's brother John Thomas. Frank is the eighth and final person in the family plot. It was very hot, and they were handing out bottles of water. The graveside service was very brief. We each took a silk flower from the heart-shaped arrangement as a memento. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQktNjjdaR9Iqitsojhy4dYWqtobKJCJ3tNEwn6GY2JslE5cd5okDbiIjHFxsZWhwT4KpWEe5Gr4IgiEBuTfy9xczHtmWLvIiAnjqdAJ3nriht_aEbgIWSe8oF04fxDry5rtDH/s1600/P8200137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQktNjjdaR9Iqitsojhy4dYWqtobKJCJ3tNEwn6GY2JslE5cd5okDbiIjHFxsZWhwT4KpWEe5Gr4IgiEBuTfy9xczHtmWLvIiAnjqdAJ3nriht_aEbgIWSe8oF04fxDry5rtDH/s1600/P8200137.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernice's son, Frank's widow Beatrice, and Bernice (Karmilla Ali)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSL9t4auVVBbCZOnmgFtRBvjeU-dHseMVQ0AV9V8WrP5kUPe38Hc-N-BYCIzjXYHy2TEmF0TgisFcTYQf1E0FXz0x7VvdgwY4ZZC-Vs0816j_nLLNScfoG0w-yLRfDZZli8wo/s1600/P8200138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSL9t4auVVBbCZOnmgFtRBvjeU-dHseMVQ0AV9V8WrP5kUPe38Hc-N-BYCIzjXYHy2TEmF0TgisFcTYQf1E0FXz0x7VvdgwY4ZZC-Vs0816j_nLLNScfoG0w-yLRfDZZli8wo/s1600/P8200138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank's brother-in-law Joe, Frank's sister Eloise, and Frank's nephew Jerome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">We went back to the church hall for lunch. There was a punch bowl full of lemonade which was very refreshing after being out in the heat. They were serving fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, green beans, potato salad, and rolls. It was delicious. We sat at a small table with Bob and Angela, Eloise, Joe (the widower of Frank's sister Rebecca), and nephew Jerome sat with us. We reminisced about Frank. Eloise and Joe told us that he used to deliver fish on a motorcycle, and we talked about how he used to sell peanuts at Mardi Gras. Eloise said that when Frank was younger and wanted to go somewhere, he would "hobo the train." Joe asked us what our plans were for the evening. He lives across the street from Eloise and was going to have a fish fry. He invited us. We were quite touched and accepted the invitation. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMy3AvKy8goMxk8mWfNMFqW2h3xNemnjhoIU2PaRvZHdkk9fBDTfF3U9waFVgq3BJ-78Yus7fCeClo1pVrgE2JW2BII8PiIr8_wEJxg7NYeO7ND-lDN4pwF8NzggygrnDSC1f/s1600/P8200150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMy3AvKy8goMxk8mWfNMFqW2h3xNemnjhoIU2PaRvZHdkk9fBDTfF3U9waFVgq3BJ-78Yus7fCeClo1pVrgE2JW2BII8PiIr8_wEJxg7NYeO7ND-lDN4pwF8NzggygrnDSC1f/s1600/P8200150.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday night fish fry at Joe's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRrMa_mgsikXTjTjKn6o_ubVbTkQgFAtavFWPlnDz9PGlg9fc6A6hGtXVRtpACrDzyr-yJwp3u_YJOwDBWCpSbZZa-iIJ2QBPp5lWYUeaz2TJGFHQGMdosbQZkK1JeiAKLtkd/s1600/P8200152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRrMa_mgsikXTjTjKn6o_ubVbTkQgFAtavFWPlnDz9PGlg9fc6A6hGtXVRtpACrDzyr-yJwp3u_YJOwDBWCpSbZZa-iIJ2QBPp5lWYUeaz2TJGFHQGMdosbQZkK1JeiAKLtkd/s1600/P8200152.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Saturday night fish fry at Joe's</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
We arrived at Eloise's house shortly before 7. Eloise and her daughter Patricia directed us across the street to Joe's house. We went inside and immediately recognized the house from a bunch of Frank's Christmas photos. It turned out that when he came to visit Mobile, Frank stayed with Joe. We saw Joe and he was genuinely happy that we had come by. We went out to the garage where some of the younger generation were frying catfish fillets in a turkey fryer. Charlie was battering and deep frying the fish. Another guy told us that he used to drive Frank an hour to the Florida border to buy lottery tickets. Both men raved about Mobile's Mardi Gras, and sincerely invited us to come down. Everyone treated us like family and the Southern hospitality was overwhelming. We were honored to be included in their family party.<br />
<br />
Back inside Joe's house, everyone gathered around the table to say grace. We all held hands. As guests, they insisted that we eat first. The food was delicious: the fried catfish fillets, decadent macaroni and cheese, rolls, potato salad, corn, cole slaw, and fried chicken. We washed it down with red Kool-Aid. They had a hodgepodge of chairs, but insisted that we sit on the leather couches on the back porch to eat, and they asked the younger kids who had been sitting there to vacate their seats. We protested, but they insisted.<br />
<br />
Frank's family served us some warm poundcake, and soon Bernice and Don arrived. I talked with Don, who had literally been up the entire night before printing out programs for the funeral. I also talked with Joe, who said they tried to get Frank to move to Mobile in '99, but Frank wouldn't do it because all of his friends were in Massachusetts. Joe said that meeting us and Bob and Angela, he understands why. We gave Bernice Frank's photo albums. She sat with us and flipped through all of them, and thanked us very much for getting them to her. We got ready to leave, and people came out of the woodwork to say goodbye to us. We got lots of handshakes and hugs, and they thanked us for taking care of Frank. Joe said that we would never understand how much it meant to them that we came down for the funeral. I think we understand; it means just as much to us that they all treated us like family. Don walked us to our car, and we left at 10:30.<br />
<br />
We stopped at Bernice's house on the way back. Her house was really nice, and historic too (it had slave quarters in the back). She said she had something funny to show us. Our sympathy card had arrived in the mail today. Bob and Angela gave her theirs in person today. It was the same card. And we had written almost identical messages inside. "It must be a white people thing," joked Bernice. We got a good laugh out of that.<br />
<br />
It was hard to believe Frank was gone. He had suggested car trips to Mobile in the past (he was no longer aware of how far away it was), and we wanted desperately to tell him that we had finally made it to his old home, that we had met his daughter and the rest of his family, that they had welcomed us with open arms, and that we had some massive southern feasts in his honor. Sunday afternoons would not be the same without visiting him.<br />
<br />
The following weekend., Hurricane Katrina hit Mobile. We had learned at the funeral from the family that Frank's nickname had been Stormie. We thought of the irony of the fact that a huge storm hit the city a week after Stormie returned home.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjODluomeUMPIyxrr4R6jDcovobY4QfKSNX0tnmJWxUp5WQbHg0NrIsb-3IFcON99wwBOEhn9a0jU-dvqT5-Kkx9DqQgIsKSDh3yETEnc0gPV1ab4HlEVxnv5AlCj-TUgH6Uu/s1600/P8050136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjODluomeUMPIyxrr4R6jDcovobY4QfKSNX0tnmJWxUp5WQbHg0NrIsb-3IFcON99wwBOEhn9a0jU-dvqT5-Kkx9DqQgIsKSDh3yETEnc0gPV1ab4HlEVxnv5AlCj-TUgH6Uu/s1600/P8050136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ernest Withers shows his photo of B.B. King's bus, featuring Frank<br />
at Ernest Withers' studio on Beale St., Memphis TN 8/5/06</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">A year later, in August of 2006, we traveled to Memphis. While there, <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Tennessee/Tennessee2006/Tennessee08052006.html" target="_blank">we arranged a meeting with Ernest Withers, the Civil Rights-era photographer who had taken the iconic photo of B.B.'s first bus</a>. We told him the story of our friendship with Frank, and how we would love to purchase a copy of the photo from him. Our friend Kevin, who had met B.B. with us at the North Shore Music Theatre, was with us. As a professional art director and an avid photographer, he found this meeting to be the highlight of the trip. "How does this stuff happen to you?" We told him that Frank was looking down on us, still working his magic. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">And we know he still is today.</span></span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20.8266677856445px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSaS5wW_Fn9ik8YbAj6IXSLPGmk9VbFi81qqMvMF4EhEoNiWBLZ5tqu1HmIQdjmFo2zHQ_qH0_l8VfDONL0v3lw4VP4mwC2b0x3kXSQ9pBCjtOrOqazviIfnLO2Fp5OSvanZs/s1600/FrankHeadstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSaS5wW_Fn9ik8YbAj6IXSLPGmk9VbFi81qqMvMF4EhEoNiWBLZ5tqu1HmIQdjmFo2zHQ_qH0_l8VfDONL0v3lw4VP4mwC2b0x3kXSQ9pBCjtOrOqazviIfnLO2Fp5OSvanZs/s1600/FrankHeadstone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank's headstone, photo courtesy of Bernice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-82135399408304263472014-12-07T15:56:00.001-05:002015-09-20T13:24:13.711-04:00Trading Turkey for Guinea Pig: Thanksgiving in EcuadorSince our dear friend Marty is not in St. Thomas this Thanksgiving, we decided to take a year off from our annual Thanksgiving trip to St. Thomas. We traded turkey at the beach for guinea pig in the mountains and visited our compadres in Morochos, Ecuador instead. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NZdE_QBpXs5i9JtiR-T0wauc6_9i4oZPvKYBAovyIEpQwHr03Yb-wi8jnnb_5FAxm6GcYZF727EDwIjPgVkE0xiaBzFBcnbrd6mhr6kTB1TLcKcb2K0nC5EYG49L5E6RYspo/s1600/PB270014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NZdE_QBpXs5i9JtiR-T0wauc6_9i4oZPvKYBAovyIEpQwHr03Yb-wi8jnnb_5FAxm6GcYZF727EDwIjPgVkE0xiaBzFBcnbrd6mhr6kTB1TLcKcb2K0nC5EYG49L5E6RYspo/s1600/PB270014.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole family met us at the airport with roses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMZoeLpajpW6xqeP3paMP02kOatSg2gGF4cywLQu8zNvp0r_37UM8imoOeZR83JnDiQXUmyRajV-vWyi80gb1BiiVwTQYqrIRxF2sHmszWhz_MI0GG5BG-oqVEOfeYouAru5v/s1600/PB270021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMZoeLpajpW6xqeP3paMP02kOatSg2gGF4cywLQu8zNvp0r_37UM8imoOeZR83JnDiQXUmyRajV-vWyi80gb1BiiVwTQYqrIRxF2sHmszWhz_MI0GG5BG-oqVEOfeYouAru5v/s1600/PB270021.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph and Sisa on the ride back to Morochos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p-Azg2MXABjF9aNfTH-YOiZ5kcX23lml4u961IytLzeoxchPM3HaIoZXRM9kiAWehDX7s_j8Iqco31nlNNT2Eaa232s9zX8M6yJJTU2C2QHBzEV7nzNvjBK7hiax4PhOx7XG/s1600/PB270031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p-Azg2MXABjF9aNfTH-YOiZ5kcX23lml4u961IytLzeoxchPM3HaIoZXRM9kiAWehDX7s_j8Iqco31nlNNT2Eaa232s9zX8M6yJJTU2C2QHBzEV7nzNvjBK7hiax4PhOx7XG/s1600/PB270031.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Tayanta on the ride back to Morochos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The whole family took the 2 hour ride from their village to the new Quito airport to pick us up on Thanksgiving afternoon. They always dress the kids in traditional clothes when they go into the city, so it was adorable to see 6-year-old Sisa, 4-year-old Yupanqui, and 2 1/2-year-old Tayanta dressed in their traditional outfits, waiting for us with 2 bouquets of roses. The kids' mom Aida was there, as well as her dad Antonio and his wife Rosa.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDdDva2lrskP4C6XMvEmBae8JyBUe5CU3NbiJUMu6Fpsx5ANFzawIRYkBSr99GDRkEnGLfal19x1WyAaDPoyMOY4dsH2xsBdrc9nymf7Hm-Yy41NcWDtyWw0oePdjz3geQK91/s1600/PB270057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDdDva2lrskP4C6XMvEmBae8JyBUe5CU3NbiJUMu6Fpsx5ANFzawIRYkBSr99GDRkEnGLfal19x1WyAaDPoyMOY4dsH2xsBdrc9nymf7Hm-Yy41NcWDtyWw0oePdjz3geQK91/s1600/PB270057.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antonio and Yupanqui provide music while Sisa and Tayanta dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We drove back to the house, where we immediately noticed the new addition: a 4-month-old baby cow. We were greeted by Max, their friendly old dog, as well as Chipi. the new kitten. We got settled into the adorable casita that they built for us (with a bedroom and a bathroom with a hot water heater - heavenly on chilly mountain mornings) and then joined the family in the main house. Antonio, who works professionally in a traditional Andean band called Chaski <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Ñan, got out his violin and played a tune while Yupanqui accompanied him on the recorder. Sisa and Tayanta joined hands and danced. Antonio then gave Yupanqui and Sisa a chance to try the violin.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Before we knew it, dinner was ready. The family knew that today was a holiday in the United States, so they prepared something very special: cuy (guinea pig). This is a traditional Andean food which is eaten on special occasions. We had eaten it at <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2011/07/our-new-goddaughter-in-morochos-ecuador.html" target="_blank">Sisa</a> and <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-ecuadorian-godsons-baptism.html" target="_blank">Yupanqui's baptisms</a>, and during <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Ecuador/2014/Ecuador05172014.html" target="_blank">the village's 76th anniversary celebration this past May</a>. This was a guinea pig that they had raised and prepared themselves, and we were very honored that they prepared something so special in our honor.</span></span><br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqawxrHZQTzuJoZWM8QfxQfMdSPb5dCcyFAI4zRpe5A5t4-u0EE8ETlxRad3pa9NWO2TDl57cuWwservN6CqLZTpjth_ztfynhvjJPDsSaQKKx-PS7TxAL1PM5jqdYzYmVLveC/s1600/PB280114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqawxrHZQTzuJoZWM8QfxQfMdSPb5dCcyFAI4zRpe5A5t4-u0EE8ETlxRad3pa9NWO2TDl57cuWwservN6CqLZTpjth_ztfynhvjJPDsSaQKKx-PS7TxAL1PM5jqdYzYmVLveC/s1600/PB280114.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig plays with Tayanta and Yupanqui while Rosa crotchets hats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqUyW4a6okZ5EsTYOMEbxIY-z8XI21KObZqXj4rCt6Mnb8vsGLgM0ZYQY5H7kCrGcpO9cURKwo8H0SBFYbmk2m95AU43qyyIh9z_7DVOAxbt9Sf-b7rdJBNFsoprdYhJFr9Dm/s1600/PB280125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqUyW4a6okZ5EsTYOMEbxIY-z8XI21KObZqXj4rCt6Mnb8vsGLgM0ZYQY5H7kCrGcpO9cURKwo8H0SBFYbmk2m95AU43qyyIh9z_7DVOAxbt9Sf-b7rdJBNFsoprdYhJFr9Dm/s1600/PB280125.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa with Chipi the kitten</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R-3ppwZKb9WRsQ_Oj2dVwxIuNP-IOlIz54cikPrMjAL80V__wviD_-Tc2istFrmmD4SxmT8qUOP-D1K-N7Po-eFZBO5s7SWp1yDLTBQXUGNrjyRmK_rwNX7YkulMUDTh44wt/s1600/PB290289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5R-3ppwZKb9WRsQ_Oj2dVwxIuNP-IOlIz54cikPrMjAL80V__wviD_-Tc2istFrmmD4SxmT8qUOP-D1K-N7Po-eFZBO5s7SWp1yDLTBQXUGNrjyRmK_rwNX7YkulMUDTh44wt/s1600/PB290289.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yupanqui, Sisa, and Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was the first time in which our visit did not coincide with a
special occasion within the family or the community. It was a peaceful,
relaxing few days in a very beautiful location. Most of the days were
sunny, and the sun was warm. It was cool when the sun was behind a cloud
or when it got dark for the evening. We enjoyed seeing how much the
kids had grown. Sisa, at only 6 years old, is the eldest child. She
helps the adults with chores and sets a good example for her younger
siblings. She enjoys school and is doing well.<br />
<br />
Yupanqui is now 4, and he is a little chatterbox. He is an active and sweet little boy. He has a good attention span for doing activities. He does not especially like preschool, but he is learning in spite of himself.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the greatest transformation we saw after 6 months away was in the youngest, 2 1/2 year old Tayanta. She prefers to be called "Mi Nena" ("My Baby", a nickname coined by Yupanqui when she was just an infant). She was completely blind from birth to 6 months, at which time she had her first surgery which restored her sight. Since then she has had a second surgery, and has a pair of thick glasses which, as a two year old, she seldom tolerates. But despite still being nearsighted, she obviously sees well enough to get around. She is at the age when babies sometimes have stranger anxiety. But not so with her. She literally welcomed us with open arms, giving hugs and kisses and sitting on our laps as often as our godchildren Sisa and Yupanqui. She talks often and sings happily. What a little miracle she is! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpgQ6FTikBldXp-7cc7ZZmH9qYmoZAxsCG8iRhTrvWlfMJBWF2y4dRMi-ZgKsJksEbDy6omTxl86jMWTm0ooQhBpFV3eYou5517b-YBfriXmxIBFlkxU-5Vk8qSfTOCGDDdVb/s1600/PB290340.JPG" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa prepares to dispatch the rooster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had purchased some baby chicks for the family back in May. They have since grown into 5 chickens and two roosters. Rosa dispatched of the two roosters during our stay. It is difficult to see an animal killed, but as meat-eaters we feel that it is our moral responsibilty to come to terms with it. We must acknowledge that an animal gives its life for our sustenance, and we are very grateful. The roosters provided some deliciously fresh chicken soup, as well as legs, thighs, breasts, and feet (which Tayanta especially enjoyed). Nothing was wasted, as entrails were fed to the kitten.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHO_S1PcV2V5Ox-h_IT5W5oCqDGLo9cBcW5NkR6Tirc4HcMIgF7TYzPHL_UjcRKaNLxRsZ5z7ekQAfByZyi9nLr_VHKUHWaP10nwf8WhsdTsfOHGqo3oHJ73Aq4zd3rM1oFrO/s1600/PB290322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHO_S1PcV2V5Ox-h_IT5W5oCqDGLo9cBcW5NkR6Tirc4HcMIgF7TYzPHL_UjcRKaNLxRsZ5z7ekQAfByZyi9nLr_VHKUHWaP10nwf8WhsdTsfOHGqo3oHJ73Aq4zd3rM1oFrO/s1600/PB290322.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view behind the homestead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZNDCcbzXDaXX0gLEP0dClt660lwQQgQVSiUwvK4a0F8nxloH-WCaqztQX3g2eV6UnlXUDVo4lL0ZaVJFUT56a9NM1Vb38euR2Msc63krJKanDLbxTElCPqYDUFLTkaorZU2g/s1600/PB300514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZNDCcbzXDaXX0gLEP0dClt660lwQQgQVSiUwvK4a0F8nxloH-WCaqztQX3g2eV6UnlXUDVo4lL0ZaVJFUT56a9NM1Vb38euR2Msc63krJKanDLbxTElCPqYDUFLTkaorZU2g/s1600/PB300514.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta, Steph, Sisa, and Yupanqui walking to church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XgDG8TLq7RhryCk-YA5PtbApUP0yhietwmNsZsaVqj_pK5hRQIWAgrl3I8KDKOr2MDBVKRWTtBCpdOsdMtMxgZmmXqXGmBHZrKk2J62v6EwA6v6KyUIoBdc_pXDcyULb0Wsa/s1600/PB300516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XgDG8TLq7RhryCk-YA5PtbApUP0yhietwmNsZsaVqj_pK5hRQIWAgrl3I8KDKOr2MDBVKRWTtBCpdOsdMtMxgZmmXqXGmBHZrKk2J62v6EwA6v6KyUIoBdc_pXDcyULb0Wsa/s1600/PB300516.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta and Aida walking to chirch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Antonio's mother, known as Abuelita, though she is actually the great-grandmother of the little ones, was always around, tending to the cows during the day, and cooking over her fire in the fireshed in the evenings. She only speaks Kichwa, so we are unable to communicate beyond smiles and waves, but she is always cheerful and makes us feel very welcome.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODNozYKGsljTwwvX8CI2lp0H7mm1Vg6nRBut7B9lgMV1ZhY9GL13woUsO1jhywciZCY0RdliO1wpmU8qpiMSV2tLW0SLbmJh9K7wtaIz77Y3LcIhdlhdK5jSbXp0n3eR-FeeU/s1600/PB300543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODNozYKGsljTwwvX8CI2lp0H7mm1Vg6nRBut7B9lgMV1ZhY9GL13woUsO1jhywciZCY0RdliO1wpmU8qpiMSV2tLW0SLbmJh9K7wtaIz77Y3LcIhdlhdK5jSbXp0n3eR-FeeU/s1600/PB300543.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abuelita tending the fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEima_lEtOAugek3XZ4N41qFdPxagFRbjZUhIJPbsE4mW1qMAhb_JshhU60T0k29SVoyltIFQn3ZKvCwjN52T0ND3pl8HB3tGTJj1FRkAhRRXMaBMBjSihU3vTnM4VLzVnCvAu7I/s1600/PB300619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEima_lEtOAugek3XZ4N41qFdPxagFRbjZUhIJPbsE4mW1qMAhb_JshhU60T0k29SVoyltIFQn3ZKvCwjN52T0ND3pl8HB3tGTJj1FRkAhRRXMaBMBjSihU3vTnM4VLzVnCvAu7I/s1600/PB300619.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antonio practices the sax</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnBmvxax65zxUiGz1t5KucwpkwQkiadNyeV358Xb8kgti8JNrdh3DbQox7hjohwvHsh0g5_MMdhgOJ47_5coehIEtuetxg-xqiEDHck7bNb1g194TzEMiUAAdRNB9E3DwVtlo/s1600/PB300687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnBmvxax65zxUiGz1t5KucwpkwQkiadNyeV358Xb8kgti8JNrdh3DbQox7hjohwvHsh0g5_MMdhgOJ47_5coehIEtuetxg-xqiEDHck7bNb1g194TzEMiUAAdRNB9E3DwVtlo/s1600/PB300687.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vaquita, the 4-month-old baby cow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM4poj7JtBfgiMh-f-193xRsJJorVgsGy9nIUAqPMIS3246_-O7LpfmY1tj7yUA9Wj11B7ykGaOXYhw7iZ34RP4gBKCoE62Lkuk1VNzc-dkA_f8zFey6K-AKIx1uJtXtD1t8U/s1600/PC010916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM4poj7JtBfgiMh-f-193xRsJJorVgsGy9nIUAqPMIS3246_-O7LpfmY1tj7yUA9Wj11B7ykGaOXYhw7iZ34RP4gBKCoE62Lkuk1VNzc-dkA_f8zFey6K-AKIx1uJtXtD1t8U/s1600/PC010916.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yupanqui and Sisa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevKgveoLayXiLQcL0mMkEEKxtwf_4r25E2sBG1NPU0aT-M-Tcw-jmZRO3nEO_8Qy8Vxlc77-ZHP3zYuWfH-t0vuM4dPdek39Gln-ye9N2VrZ5Yht4g6x9_aLuGAmkPuvTEIoH/s1600/PC010948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevKgveoLayXiLQcL0mMkEEKxtwf_4r25E2sBG1NPU0aT-M-Tcw-jmZRO3nEO_8Qy8Vxlc77-ZHP3zYuWfH-t0vuM4dPdek39Gln-ye9N2VrZ5Yht4g6x9_aLuGAmkPuvTEIoH/s1600/PC010948.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph and Tayanta selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One adorable anecdote about Tayanta: We were eating breakfast and Tayanta sneezed. I said, "Salud". the Spanish equivalent of "Bless you," literally "Health." This is the same expression used for "Cheers." Tayanta heard me say this and immediately held her glass of juice up in the air, and repeated "Salud!"<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBbYdHAcUcmeshR0WYSJMqiwHheObxAogpu1yapas1BJLUr3rwgIkSm8s72os5XnHneV8-nlDalwSJusFiYoPjxhMHTKbfd3SkwML55WnnngZajp4nnCdaEI6Qk68TJ51VdMP/s1600/PC010978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBbYdHAcUcmeshR0WYSJMqiwHheObxAogpu1yapas1BJLUr3rwgIkSm8s72os5XnHneV8-nlDalwSJusFiYoPjxhMHTKbfd3SkwML55WnnngZajp4nnCdaEI6Qk68TJ51VdMP/s1600/PC010978.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig plays with Sisa and Yupanqui</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Knowing that Craig has Multiple Sclerosis, the family used traditional natural medicine to try to improve his condition. They applied a natural balm to his left knee and massaged it. They said that the knee felt "cold". Then for three nights in a row, they wrapped his left knee with aliso leaves while he slept, with instructions to wash it in hot water in the morning. Then the discarded leaves were to be burned in the fire. On the final night, they put boiling water into a plastic tub which contained leaves. They had Craig sit with his feet above the water on a little stool. They then wrapped his legs in a blanket and he sat there in his mini-sauna for 6 minutes. They then removed the blanket, stirred up the leaves, replaced the blanket , and had him sit there for a few more minutes before bathing his knee in the water. That night, they wrapped his knee with different leaves. His knee felt great by the end of the trip! They also provided him with medicinal tea when they noticed that his right hand was a little bit unstable. They are always looking out for us!<br />
<br />
When Yupaqui was having stomach troubles, they prepared a medicinal tea for him and Antonio gently rubbed a smooth volcanic stone over his stomach to take away the bad energy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx8xpAdCXB3I_mvf5sj-oOCBDJRcQnHMIOq-mG3gBdTCsiijpr8_dPvKYdkOlSVjrbRTiKQIPstgfeRNP0Wi1rXL94ZzmCwFJhTOORxRWpxyTdLCjZ5RFOkhDbIpg6jc2naIn/s1600/PC021089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx8xpAdCXB3I_mvf5sj-oOCBDJRcQnHMIOq-mG3gBdTCsiijpr8_dPvKYdkOlSVjrbRTiKQIPstgfeRNP0Wi1rXL94ZzmCwFJhTOORxRWpxyTdLCjZ5RFOkhDbIpg6jc2naIn/s1600/PC021089.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to Rosa, Sisa, Abuelita, and Yupanqui</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the day that we left, Tayanta had an appointment with an eye doctor in Quito for a check-up, and to schedule her third and final surgery within the next few months. Because of this, Aida, Tayanta, and Antonio rode with us in the van. Sisa ran home from school at 10 o'clock to say goodbye to us. It was difficult to say goodbye to Rosa, Sisa, Yupanqui, and Abuelita at the house. Sisa and Yupanqui were a bit standoffish as they were upset that we were leaving.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7ApnXt3OYlm3nzonuswX9eP6YkoW1aAsSR_ZHDe1tj3w3Mh2MPJSBoLD-kTDF1eJdD8dQq0htk0QOJZF5sH_m_ONL2iVSc31VRdbPHATwfaAGYdWVCTXqeie6rEAoz45M7D9/s1600/PC021118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7ApnXt3OYlm3nzonuswX9eP6YkoW1aAsSR_ZHDe1tj3w3Mh2MPJSBoLD-kTDF1eJdD8dQq0htk0QOJZF5sH_m_ONL2iVSc31VRdbPHATwfaAGYdWVCTXqeie6rEAoz45M7D9/s1600/PC021118.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to Tayanta, Aida, and Antonio at the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We really enjoyed getting to spend quality time with the family, playing with the kids, soaking up the beautiful pastoral mountain scenery, eating the delicious food that Rosa and Aida prepared, and sleeping soundly in our comfortable little casita. It was an excellent Thanksgiving, and we give thanks for our extended "family" in Morochos!Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-69426887771418074212014-12-06T16:41:00.000-05:002015-09-20T13:24:13.680-04:00China 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10511606_10152553222804372_5269806504785677932_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
We had an awesome trip to China in October!<br />
<br />
Since Blogger sites are not available in China, and we want our new Chinese friends to be able to see our photos and journal entries, I am not going to spend a whole lot of time writing this trip up on the blog. I will focus on getting the <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/asia.html" target="_blank">web site</a> updated, since it can be accessed in China.<br />
<br />
So here are some of the photos and descriptions that we have posted on Facebook, and be on the lookout for updates to our main site soon!<br />
<br />
<br />
Back from an amazing trip to China with <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=65875373755" href="https://www.facebook.com/mythsandmountains">Myths and Mountains, Inc.</a>
We had an unheard of 4 straight days of blue skies and sun in Beijing!
The people were absolutely wonderful, the sights were fascinating, the
food was delicious, and we loved our city guide Alice!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10623793_10152513706229372_8215407326086220045_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10623793_10152513706229372_8215407326086220045_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple of Heaven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10703879_10152513699269372_3427865239574558857_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10703879_10152513699269372_3427865239574558857_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Tienanmen Square, decorated with a giant flower basket to celebrate National Day</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10694488_10152513708459372_7148091007809218036_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10694488_10152513708459372_7148091007809218036_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Beiguanfang Hutong, Beijing<br /> An historical neighborhood featuring narrow alleyways and traditional houses with shared courtyard space</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10633419_10152513697979372_6453954838529883482_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10633419_10152513697979372_6453954838529883482_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the Forbidden City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10626174_10152513714024372_2597808556279282682_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10626174_10152513714024372_2597808556279282682_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forbidden City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10714374_10152513698424372_8402811068485439773_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10714374_10152513698424372_8402811068485439773_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Enjoying
the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China. We took a ski lift up
to the Wall, hiked from tower 4 to 24 and back, and then took a
toboggan (alpine slide) back down.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1956695_10152513717069372_2326436064774176237_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1956695_10152513717069372_2326436064774176237_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Palace</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/1911268_10152513721024372_8143952546875376417_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/1911268_10152513721024372_8143952546875376417_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Cool
graffiti art at funky, industrial art enclave 798 in Beijing, The whole
place felt rather subversive, and wasn't what we expected to find in
China. Really fun pop art installations and interesting gallery space in
decommissioned factories.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10750484_10152513723104372_642259152419656456_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10750484_10152513723104372_642259152419656456_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Sunset through the Bird's Nest (Beijing National Stadium)</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/1957706_10152513725444372_4720851970996185514_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/1957706_10152513725444372_4720851970996185514_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Wangfujing Snack Street in Beijing, where we sampled deep fried starfish and scorpions,</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/1957925_10152514444484372_2505534657633611444_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/1957925_10152514444484372_2505534657633611444_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scorpions were a yummy fried treat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/l/t31.0-8/1957941_10152514446019372_2374246282885349833_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/l/t31.0-8/1957941_10152514446019372_2374246282885349833_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The starfish not so much. <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Like Samantha Brown said in one of her China travel shows when she tried this, I felt like a demented fairy godmother.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10379777_10152513726684372_3086678335474941279_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10379777_10152513726684372_3086678335474941279_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Sunrise over the Shijia Hutong in Beijing, taken from our hotel room at the charming and lovely Red Wall Garden.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10750115_10152513726864372_5349572425150499655_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10750115_10152513726864372_5349572425150499655_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Saying goodbye to our awesome friend and city guide Alice before flying south to Guizhou.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Leg two of our China trip brought us to the southern province of Guizhou. We flew from Beijing to
Guiyang., where we met our phenomenal guide Wang Jun and our friendly
driver Mr. Zhou. We spent two nights at the lovely Hotel Sheraton
Guiyang.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/1502291_10152553194174372_7216426308609561709_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/1502291_10152553194174372_7216426308609561709_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Jiaxiu
Tower was originally built during the Ming Dynasty in 1598. No
intellectuals from Guizhou had ever ranked first in the scholarly
examinations which took place in China. The tower was built as a place
for the intellectuals to get together and study. After its
construction, Guizhou produced two number one scholars.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/1040422_10152553200274372_3015332673890126308_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/1040422_10152553200274372_3015332673890126308_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">In
front of the huge Mao Tse Tung statue in the People's Park in Guiyang.
It's one of the few Mao statues left standing in China.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10511606_10152553222804372_5269806504785677932_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10511606_10152553222804372_5269806504785677932_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Stage shaped like lusheng flutes in he public square in Guiyang (across the street from the Mao statue)</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/905836_10152553210064372_4740751385449927652_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/905836_10152553210064372_4740751385449927652_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Qingyan
Ancient Village is a walled city originally built in 1378. At one point
it was a garrison where 300,000 troops were stationed to squash a
minority rebellion. Now it has been restored for tourism, and contains
many interesting shops and restaurants. The architecture was quite
beautiful, and we enjoyed exploring, shopping, and eating lunch.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10272735_10152553211769372_6436737790670932238_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10272735_10152553211769372_6436737790670932238_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Shrine at Qingyan Ancient Village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/1404765_10152553214124372_4628844947160367666_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/1404765_10152553214124372_4628844947160367666_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Wang
Jun was able to arrange a visit to a local family's home, so that we
could learn more about how modern Chinese people live in Guiyang. Seven
and a half year old Sara and her mother and grandparents were lovely
hosts, and were quite hospitable to us. Sara even played the piano for
us! We are very grateful to them for opening up their home and family to
us. We really enjoyed meeting them</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our next stop in China was Kaili, also in the southern province of Guizhou. This is an area where many ethnic minority tribes live. There are 56
ethnicities in China. The Han Chinese make up 93% of the population, and
the other 55 ethnicities make up the remaining 7%. A lot of the tribes
in this area specialize in various very detailed embroidery techniques.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10733868_10152554307409372_44773245436995855_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10733868_10152554307409372_44773245436995855_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Our driver Mr. Zhou and our guide Wang Jun eating lunch in Kaili</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/1780199_10152554420379372_7947680247236793650_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/1780199_10152554420379372_7947680247236793650_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Burial mound and traditional house in Shiqing Village, where the Small Horn Miao practice silk felt (applique) embroidery.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10750441_10152554401544372_6220260393066275141_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10750441_10152554401544372_6220260393066275141_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />The
square next to our hotel in Kaili. There are lots of activities set up
for children here, They can drive around in little motorized cars and
bikes, play in sandboxes and bouncy houses, and ride small amusement
rides. And at night lots of people get together to do group exercises
and ballroom dancing. We spent a lot of time here and everyone was very
friendly and curious about us, as this province doesn't get many
American visitors.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=109285885765150" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaili-Guizhou/109285885765150?ref=stream"> </a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10620246_10152554390054372_275819369537218822_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10620246_10152554390054372_275819369537218822_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Miao
couple in Weng Xiang Village who demonstrated their amazingly intricate
folded embroidery techniques. The lady showed us the festival clothes
she had made for herself, which was made of 800,000 folded silk
triangles! They also showed us the yellow silk cocoons that they use to
make the silk.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/1495402_10152554392169372_6289927148236393606_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/1495402_10152554392169372_6289927148236393606_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Folded embroidery, Weng Xiang Village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"> </span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/1496510_10152554384244372_8466889509434133966_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/1496510_10152554384244372_8466889509434133966_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Kaili Sunday Market</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=109285885765150" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaili-Guizhou/109285885765150"> </a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10264157_10152554335849372_3532805472593633919_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10264157_10152554335849372_3532805472593633919_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Hiking to Matang village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=109285885765150" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaili-Guizhou/109285885765150?ref=stream"> </a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1553121_10152554321864372_7928190396666966978_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1553121_10152554321864372_7928190396666966978_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />A
Geija woman demonstrates wax-resist batik. She melts a mixture of
paraffin and bees wax, and then uses a tool made of copper and bamboo to
draw intricate freehand designs on cloth. She will then dip the cloth
into indigo dye. When it is done, she will melt off the wax, and the
fabric under where the wax had been will show through as white. She gave
me a lesson and let me try, and it was very difficult!</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=109285885765150" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaili-Guizhou/109285885765150?ref=stream"> </a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10498074_10152554330654372_1308945873328934846_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10498074_10152554330654372_1308945873328934846_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Langde
Village was the first minority village to open to western tourism in
1980. They maintain their traditional building style, with houses made
of fir trees. The village was founded in the 14th century. The oldest
house standing today is 200 years old. This village was one of 2 places
in Guizhou to host the Olympic torch relay in 2008</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/1512163_10152554324404372_2171452748321202766_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/1512163_10152554324404372_2171452748321202766_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Yang
Da Lu's residence in Langde Village. He was a leader in the Miao
rebellion (the uprising at the Incense Pot mountain) and is revered by
the people of the village.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10714190_10152554338269372_1418316184154726591_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10714190_10152554338269372_1418316184154726591_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Here
we are at Xu's Embroidery Boutique, where Mrs. Yong (center), an
embroidery expert, gave us a fabulous lecture and demonstration of many
of the local embroidery techniques. We enjoyed looking at her
collection.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/l/t31.0-8/10750381_10152554370419372_6950242729135015532_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/l/t31.0-8/10750381_10152554370419372_6950242729135015532_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Mrs.
Yong's prized 200 year old jacket made with the thread splitting
embroidery technique. One strand of silk thread is split into 13
separate strands! It was incredible!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10733878_10152554360434372_6534700082385690968_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10733878_10152554360434372_6534700082385690968_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">On the bridge at Zhenyuan Ancient Town</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/1402356_10152554355949372_4221401493639320496_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/1402356_10152554355949372_4221401493639320496_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Zhenyuan
Ancient Town, a 1600 year old ancient village surrounded by a river.
This is now a popular holiday destination for Chinese tourists. It is
gorgeous</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=109285885765150" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaili-Guizhou/109285885765150?ref=stream"><br /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10633531_10152554357534372_5149403852975333052_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10633531_10152554357534372_5149403852975333052_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Zhenyuan Ancient Town now houses lots of interesting shops and restaurants</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10659005_10152554350194372_8377542569790276686_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10659005_10152554350194372_8377542569790276686_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Everything
is lit very beautifully at night at Zhenyuan Ancient Town. It cycles
through various colors, and the reflections in the river are amazing</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10644694_10152554353459372_6306681319321868583_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10644694_10152554353459372_6306681319321868583_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Zhenyuan
Ancient Town: this is a 600 year old temple complex built into the
mountainside caves. It is very unique because there are three religions
represented in one complex: Budddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
China Part 4: We drove for approximately 4 hours to get from Kaili to Libo, where
there is a UNESCO World Heritage site called Libo Zhangjiang Scenic
Spot. It is a beautiful area where you can hike on nice paths to view
rivers, gorges, waterfalls, karst mountain peaks, 19th century bridges,
and wildlife. It is an area populated by the Yao ethnicity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10011746_10152580029994372_1219528256227689180_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10011746_10152580029994372_1219528256227689180_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Craig at the Da Qi Kong section of the World Heritage Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10855056_10152580031519372_4779412189204966874_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10855056_10152580031519372_4779412189204966874_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Turquoise-colored river and small waterfalls at the Da Qi Kong section of the World Heritage Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10830915_10152580036744372_2416587248526853183_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10830915_10152580036744372_2416587248526853183_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Steph at the Da Qi Kong section of the World Heritage Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/1504372_10152580037974372_6500416994699299538_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/1504372_10152580037974372_6500416994699299538_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Craig
and some inebriated newfound friends that we met while eating dinner in
Libo. They were all extremely friendly and took dozens of photos with
us on their smartphones. The gentlemen on the far right and second from
the left were staying at the same hotel as us. and joined us for
breakfast the following morning.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10845631_10152580053974372_3407170725660367944_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10845631_10152580053974372_3407170725660367944_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Traditional dancing at the Yao village</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10264072_10152580056004372_4262972676232712102_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10264072_10152580056004372_4262972676232712102_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Granaries in the Yao village, elevated to keep the grain away from rats</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10631120_10152580056874372_6110997386399756613_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10631120_10152580056874372_6110997386399756613_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Xiao Qi Kong ("Small Seven-hole Bridge") at World Heritage Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/1669992_10152580063434372_4404249287719776866_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/1669992_10152580063434372_4404249287719776866_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Marshes in the Xiao Qi Kong section of the World Heritage Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=111165405580241" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Libo-Guizhou-China/111165405580241?ref=stream"><br /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10620026_10152580065044372_4463224316430091593_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10620026_10152580065044372_4463224316430091593_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Craig at Crouching Dragon Pond, in the Xiao Qi Kong section of the World Heritage Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=111165405580241" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Libo-Guizhou-China/111165405580241?ref=stream"> </a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/1399415_10152580066784372_3674704818225187336_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/1399415_10152580066784372_3674704818225187336_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Craig and Wang Jun on the shuttle bus at the Xiao Qi Kong section of the World Heritage Libo Zhangjiang Scenic Spot</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/1966231_10152580069019372_65324547900370472_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/1966231_10152580069019372_65324547900370472_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Kids
in the park across from the Sanli Hotel in Libo. A movie was being
played on a huge TV screen, people were doing group exercises to music,
and there was a bouncy house and sandbox for the kids. These kids were so excited to have their photo taken that a security guard even came over to see what all of the ruckus was about. D'oh!!!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
China Part 5 w/ <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=65875373755" href="https://www.facebook.com/mythsandmountains">Myths and Mountains, Inc.</a><br />
<br />
This portion of the trip focused on the Dong ethnicity. Up until 400
years ago, the Dong were miscategorized as a subgroup of the Miao. Since
then, they have been identified as their own unique culture. The Dong are known for their weaving.They dye cloth in indigo for
coloring, then stiffen it using either pigs' blood or steamed buffalo
skin and buffalo blood. They then use egg whites to make it shiny.The
result is a tough black material which feels a little bit like an animal
hide. <br />
Their architecture is well-known for their roofed bridges
(called "wind and rain" bridges there, or what we would know as a
"covered bridge" in New England) and drum towers. Drum towers
traditionally housed a drum at their apex to warn of invasion or
announce important news. The drum tower was a meeting place. There was a
fire inside and 4 fir tree trunk columns in the middle to represent the
seasons and 12 on the perimeter to represent the months, Men would
meet here to socialize and play chess, and courtships would happen here
as well.<br />
<br />
The Dong also perform extraordinary polyphonic singing along with traditional dances.<br />
<br />
Zhaoxing Dong Village<br />
Tang An Dong Village<br />
Ma'an Dong Village<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10869489_10152612997464372_5089029801182410054_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10869489_10152612997464372_5089029801182410054_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Drum tower and wind and rain bridge in Zhaoxing Dong Village<br /> <br /> This is the largest Dong village in China - 1000 households and around 6000 inhabitants. <br /> <br />
There are 5 drum towers and wind and rain bridges in the old section of
town. These structures are around 200 years old. In the old days, each
belonged to a different clan.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10818286_10152612999994372_5481465953558629542_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10818286_10152612999994372_5481465953558629542_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">The traditional architecture of Zhaoxing Dong Village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10468481_10152613003779372_8258404510660868273_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10468481_10152613003779372_8258404510660868273_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />A man with his horse in Zhaoxing Dong Village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10873514_10152613096179372_4359987463358888214_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10873514_10152613096179372_4359987463358888214_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Polyphonic
singing at the Dong cultural show at Zhaoxing Dong Village. Singers
frim this village won an international singing contest in Paris!</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10298646_10152613040754372_8399544844076976645_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10298646_10152613040754372_8399544844076976645_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">With one of the performers from the Dong cultural show at Zhaoxing Dong Village</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10873625_10152613044279372_4446175632449838384_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10873625_10152613044279372_4446175632449838384_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Entrance to Zhaoxing Dong Village lit up at night</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10873430_10152613051019372_4051300793834080567_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10873430_10152613051019372_4051300793834080567_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Drum Tower, Tang An Dong Village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10856756_10152613082074372_1070828511970444240_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10856756_10152613082074372_1070828511970444240_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Tang An Dong Village, which had beautiful views of rice terraces.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10365610_10152613084124372_2760456666251035432_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10365610_10152613084124372_2760456666251035432_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Little girl helps her mother and grandfather in the fields in Tang An Dong Village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10848758_10152613086884372_6135606066766427144_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10848758_10152613086884372_6135606066766427144_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge outside of Ma'an Dong Village<br /> <br /> The largest wind and rain bridge in China. It is over 64 meters long, and was built in 1916 spanning the Linxi River.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10714090_10152613093364372_9009518374013275632_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10714090_10152613093364372_9009518374013275632_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Dong Cultural Show in Ma'an Dong Village<br /> Men and women in traditional dress play lusheng flutes.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10873013_10152613109594372_436721993179595069_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10873013_10152613109594372_436721993179595069_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Village
men constructing a new drum tower out of fir in Ma'an Dong Village. A
mixture of age-old and modern techniques. Having come from families with
an interest in woodworking, we found this fascinating to watch.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10633479_10152613129464372_4397505494581157035_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10633479_10152613129464372_4397505494581157035_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Drum tower in Ma'an Dong Village</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream" id="js_e5">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10863997_10152613111134372_7108983748276483217_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10863997_10152613111134372_7108983748276483217_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Locals teach Craig to play a lusheng flute in the in Ma'an Dong Village drum tower</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=108137402547522" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sanjiang-Dong-Autonomous-County/108137402547522?ref=stream">Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
China Part 6 w/ <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=65875373755" href="https://www.facebook.com/mythsandmountains">Myths and Mountains, Inc.</a><br />
<br />
Our guide Wang Jun told us that this would be our most difficult day
yet. We would need to hike halfway up a mountain to get to our hotel,
and then continue up to the summit for a view of the famous Dragon's
Backbone Rice Terraces.<br />
<br />
We were a bit nervous, as he said it was
steep, and the weather was warm. Craig had been doing great so far on
this trip in spite of his MS, and we wanted to it to stay that way.<br />
Wang Jun also warned us that there was a high probability that we might
not see anything. The valleys get fogged in and the last 2 times he
brought clients in, they hiked to the top and were unable to see
anything through the fog.<br />
<br />
But our luck held out once again! We
were pleasantly surprised by the trail. We were expecting to have to
slog up steep rice terraces similar to what we had done in Vietnam. But
there were actually stone stairs that went the entire way up to the
summit. It was steep at times, and the sun was warm, but there was shade
from various hotels, shops, and restaurants which lined the paths.<br />
Before we knew it, we had arrived at the hotel. That wasn't so bad! We
checked into the lovely Starwish Hotel, got settled, and then walked
the remainder of the way up to the summit.<br />
The weather was
beautiful, sunny, and clear, so we had a perfect view down to the
400-year-old rice terraces. We spent some time up there enjoying the
view and eating ice cream. We met a family of Chinese tourists (mother,
father, daughter, and grandmother).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1009088_10152626246554372_2619089027977602446_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1009088_10152626246554372_2619089027977602446_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">At the summit admiring the 400-year-old rice terraces</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=564788076904042" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragons-Backbone-Rice-Terraces/564788076904042?ref=stream">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10608218_10152626250249372_4855416051203782404_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10608218_10152626250249372_4855416051203782404_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Rice terraces viewed from the summit</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=564788076904042" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragons-Backbone-Rice-Terraces/564788076904042?ref=stream">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10849083_10152626244874372_5020120731499545810_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10849083_10152626244874372_5020120731499545810_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Rice terraces viewed from the summit</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=564788076904042" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragons-Backbone-Rice-Terraces/564788076904042?ref=stream">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we were hiking back down to the
hotel. the mother and grandmother were renting some Miao traditional
clothing and having their photos taken in front of the beautiful
backdrop of the rice terraces, They called to me to join them, which I
did. A woman dressed me in a metal headdress and traditional long skirt
and blouse. The photographer positioned me in different poses, and I
felt like a model. It was a lot of fun. Craig took some photos, but I
also bought a few photos that the photographer had taken. They printed
them out for me and laminated them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/1932740_10152626518664372_4067123259113185880_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/1932740_10152626518664372_4067123259113185880_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Striking a pose wearing traditional Miao clothing in front of the rice terraces</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=564788076904042" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragons-Backbone-Rice-Terraces/564788076904042?ref=stream">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10873514_10152626211414372_1975604870403751455_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10873514_10152626211414372_1975604870403751455_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Being photographed in traditional Miao clothing with my new friends</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=564788076904042" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragons-Backbone-Rice-Terraces/564788076904042">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The next morning we hiked up
to the summit one final time. It was another clear day and we were able
to enjoy the gorgeous view once again. After that, we spent our
final afternoon and evening in Guizhou at the Hot Spring Hotel. The
hotel had a beautifully landscaped area outside with stone pools of
varying temperatures. It was incredibly relaxing. We spent some time
enjoying the hot springs in the afternoon. Craig was very careful not to
overheat, so as not to aggravate his MS at the very end of the trip. We
didn't go into the hottest pools, and he made sure to get out every so
often when he was getting too warm.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10626206_10152626242119372_2892074694910980303_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10626206_10152626242119372_2892074694910980303_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Craig enjoying the hot spring at the Hot Spring Hotel</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=564788076904042" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragons-Backbone-Rice-Terraces/564788076904042">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we had a farewell dinner
with Wang Jun and Mr. Zhou at the hotel restaurant. Wang Jun had
brought a bottle of GRETA WALL [sic] cabernet. Soon the entire lazy
susan on the table was filled with food - enough for a banquet. Wang was
feeling relieved that he had succeeded in his self-imposed challenge to
never repeat a dish in our time with him, and had gone all out. It was
bittersweet to have our time with them come to an end. We had all had so
much fun together, and we vowed to return!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/1507528_10152626227849372_5602538118511729316_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/1507528_10152626227849372_5602538118511729316_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Farewell banquet with Mr. Zhao and Wang Jun</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=564788076904042" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragons-Backbone-Rice-Terraces/564788076904042?ref=stream" id="js_11">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After dinner, Craig
and I took a final dip in the hot springs before a short night of sleep
(we had to get up at 5 a.m. the next morning for our flight to Beijing).<br />
<br />
China 2014: Final Installment w/ <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=65875373755" href="https://www.facebook.com/mythsandmountains">Myths and Mountains, Inc.</a><br />
<br />
We said goodbye to our most excellent guide Wang Jun and safe,
reliable, and friendly driver Mr. Zhao at the Guilin airport. We had
grown very close with them in the past couple of weeks, and it was
bittersweet to say goodbye.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10827965_10152652139054372_1675570640973084037_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10827965_10152652139054372_1675570640973084037_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Saying goodbye to Wang Jun at the Guilin Airport</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=210982168925530" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guilin-Airport/210982168925530">Guilin Airport</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10896248_10152652140234372_1839137691085241062_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10896248_10152652140234372_1839137691085241062_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Saying goodbye to Mr. Zhao at the Guilin Airport</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=210982168925530" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guilin-Airport/210982168925530?ref=stream">Guilin Airport</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before boarding our flight to
Beijing, we met professional basketball player Hassan Adams in the
airport. Extremely friendly and humble guy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1960781_10152652141004372_3618319021977349044_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/1960781_10152652141004372_3618319021977349044_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Professional
basketball player Hassan Adams was in Guilin for a tournament. He used
to play for the NBA and now plays in Venezuela. He was one of the only
other Americans we saw at Guilin airport, and we had a nice chat. Since
several Chinese people had wanted pictures with me because I was so much
taller than they were, I told Hassan that I wanted a photo with him to
prove that I met someone taller than me in China. When Craig got our
picture together, many Chinese passengers rushed over to snap photos of
us with their cell phones as well.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=210982168925530" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guilin-Airport/210982168925530?ref=stream">Guilin Airport</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
It would be our final night in China, and a city guide would be meeting
us at the airport and taking us to dinner. As we exited the airport,
facing right into a bright wall of windows, we could see a silhouette
waving furiously. It was Alice! She hadn't been our scheduled guide, but
when that guide wasn't able to make it, Alice happily substituted for
her. It was so nice to see her and to be able to tell her about our
adventures in the south.<br />
<br />
We went back to the Red Wall Garden
Hotel, checked in, and then headed out to our farewell dinner. The
restaurant was usually 30 minutes from the hotel, but the rush hour
traffic meant that it took us almost 2 hours to get there. But when we
arrived, it was well worth the wait! <br />
The Bai Family Restaurant
is amazing! The staff are dressed in Qing Dynasty clothing and their
goal is to make you feel like an emperor / empress during your meal. We
had many attendants waiting on us, and we ate in a fancy private
compartment on their beautiful, lantern-lit grounds. The dinner was
fantastic:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10856635_10152652147014372_2835509224087412992_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10856635_10152652147014372_2835509224087412992_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">We are greeted as we arrive at the Bai Family Restaurant</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=110730292284790" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beijing-China/110730292284790">Beijing, China</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had incredibly tender veal morsels served with
scallions, a very flavorful donkey stew (our first time eating donkey),
bean greens, which Alice said she grew up with on her family's farm in
Inner Mongolia, taro with blueberry sauce, imperial cakes, egg fried
rice, kung pao chicken, and white fungi soup with dates.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10914787_10152652144554372_7602078188216961060_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10914787_10152652144554372_7602078188216961060_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Dinner at the Bai Family Restaurant, where servers dress in Qing Dynasty garb and treat you like royalty!</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=110730292284790" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beijing-China/110730292284790">Beijing, China</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After enjoying a lovely meal with Alice, we walked around the grounds taking some photos, and then drove back to the hotel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/l/t31.0-8/10917260_10152652145534372_4823253927708472580_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/l/t31.0-8/10917260_10152652145534372_4823253927708472580_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Alice and Craig with the staff of the Bai Family Restaurant</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=110730292284790" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beijing-China/110730292284790?ref=stream">Beijing, China</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10636391_10152652233414372_4587704625932750671_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10636391_10152652233414372_4587704625932750671_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">A woman with a red paper lantern escorts guests onto the Bai Family Restaurant's gorgeous property</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=110730292284790" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beijing-China/110730292284790?ref=stream">Beijing, China</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10916341_10152652239589372_7953791686041793997_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10916341_10152652239589372_7953791686041793997_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Bai Family Restaurant gardens</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — in <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=110730292284790" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beijing-China/110730292284790?ref=stream">Beijing, China</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning, a guide named Karen brought us to the airport. Our
non-stop flight on Hainan Airlines' 787 Dreamliner left Beijing at 2:15
p.m. and arrived in Boston at 2:45 p.m. the same day. On my watch, only
half an hour had elapsed, but we had flown for 12.5 hours! Good old
International Date Line! That will mess with your brain!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10869460_10152652320089372_8947242054411938240_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10869460_10152652320089372_8947242054411938240_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Crossing
the International Date Line! We arrived in Boston 30 minutes after we
left China, although the flight was 12.5 hours long.</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — at <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag withTagItem tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=105879836112205" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Date-Line/105879836112205">International Date Line</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was a
fantastic trip, and we are so grateful to Myths and Mountains and all
of their colleagues in China for making it possible! The whole trip was
so easy, smooth, and convenient, we plan to return to China very soon
to see Wang Jun again and to hit some of the other tourist highlights
that we didn't get to see this time (pandas, terra cotta warriors,
Yangtze River cruise). Affordable non-stop flights make it very
convenient!</div>
</div>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-70045654111131027062014-07-21T18:29:00.001-04:002015-09-21T06:59:40.025-04:00Celebrating the 76th Anniversary of Morochos with Our Compadres in May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4rtzByshxSzeAhuF2FjcePoCDAWrm2jD6q8j8ZF3rW24-WyxWuhSEo0JtCN0srYHIgbw1Xc6s9oKYcT37OAJp8aBD3Ek0Wt_D_L7H1xu9qGwmnKUZYBZhOl4MARBCFIV_PT4/s1600/P5190858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4rtzByshxSzeAhuF2FjcePoCDAWrm2jD6q8j8ZF3rW24-WyxWuhSEo0JtCN0srYHIgbw1Xc6s9oKYcT37OAJp8aBD3Ek0Wt_D_L7H1xu9qGwmnKUZYBZhOl4MARBCFIV_PT4/s1600/P5190858.JPG" height="330" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa, Steph, Tayanta, Craig, and Yupanqui</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In May, we visited our compadres in Morochos, Ecuador. The trip was scheduled to coincide with a festival celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of their community. We got to enjoy lots of quality time with our Achi Wawas (godchildren) Sisa and Yupanqui, and their little sister Tayanta. Community celebrations took place from Friday, May 16 until Sunday, May 18th. We got to dress up in traditional Otavalan dress (Aida and Rosa had made me another beautiful blouse for the occasion) and march in a parade around the community. Sisa led her class marching in the parade, because she had been voted "Reina Deportes" (Sports Queen) at school. We are very proud of her! There was much music and dancing, and feasting on guinea pig and potatoes. Antonio played saxophone with the band. Festival queens were crowned, and soccer matches were played.<br />
<br />
As usual, the family was extremely generous with their hospitality. We stayed in the beautiful and comfortable little casita that they had built just for us. Sisa, a couple months shy of her 6th birthday, has really grown into a mature role model for her younger siblings. Yupanqui, at 3 1/2, is much more verbal than he was the last time we saw him. And little Tayanta, almost 2 years old, is now walking and has had her second eye surgery. She was born blind with congenital cataracts and it is amazing just how much sight she has gained, even when she doesn't want to wear her glasses. She is a very sweet and content child. Their mom Aida and grandparents Antonio and Rosa are doing well, and it was nice to get to catch up with them and celebrate their community's heritage.<br />
<br />
Read our full travelogue and see more pictures <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Ecuador/2014/Ecuador2014toc.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7NpMBO5cWCitzZS3KUrQXw3JyGyX3XKVZBp_shOXx7vy88tgEkkMHLoWNREw-a6cucxudliJCZ4Bx7ZVjdsyoaQqsKfDBw_AE33aj5rjg7URSBVIDrMBsqDe-j0sqopPp4Lw/s1600/P5140006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7NpMBO5cWCitzZS3KUrQXw3JyGyX3XKVZBp_shOXx7vy88tgEkkMHLoWNREw-a6cucxudliJCZ4Bx7ZVjdsyoaQqsKfDBw_AE33aj5rjg7URSBVIDrMBsqDe-j0sqopPp4Lw/s1600/P5140006.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa, Tayanta, and Yupanqui greet us at the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhmh4ZVDHGiaklVQLQTH5S4CGZwDhk3Te61EYwunBLd_qEAXMJdEpmGKD7d6L4J4mlvJV9c6QYFnM_TePe6AhYE5JkXJSHiODP9Kl3c_3m5QemFLDrpudxmrWUCrDA4GpcEJb/s1600/CraigCake.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhmh4ZVDHGiaklVQLQTH5S4CGZwDhk3Te61EYwunBLd_qEAXMJdEpmGKD7d6L4J4mlvJV9c6QYFnM_TePe6AhYE5JkXJSHiODP9Kl3c_3m5QemFLDrpudxmrWUCrDA4GpcEJb/s1600/CraigCake.JPG" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig's surprise birthday cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf5kzCRFnIajrYVEhZSiKhNuMmUdEv_uCBTa8H9hXIv7NgFBE0I0LwsLy94aVtBd1S9puf5su3LEO1FIc7FlqUcwYJ1t6lpNTCPeH8qw-4gJpCXy_u0WukB4ur-uPL44K3u4T/s1600/P5170317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf5kzCRFnIajrYVEhZSiKhNuMmUdEv_uCBTa8H9hXIv7NgFBE0I0LwsLy94aVtBd1S9puf5su3LEO1FIc7FlqUcwYJ1t6lpNTCPeH8qw-4gJpCXy_u0WukB4ur-uPL44K3u4T/s1600/P5170317.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph dressed in traditional Otavalan dress for the parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4qb-S1Ptf45aaIZrg1CZJZFyhjsAsA5ciLKrTjYIFv5eKbVyafWMESyGGKpAKmn-Oeye7ZktvaTOH7N8OHzZS_uIJF8CbUFBxDDSw0_ajWYMReXRoqvjBYRe0NTjw42NKVaJ/s1600/P5170351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4qb-S1Ptf45aaIZrg1CZJZFyhjsAsA5ciLKrTjYIFv5eKbVyafWMESyGGKpAKmn-Oeye7ZktvaTOH7N8OHzZS_uIJF8CbUFBxDDSw0_ajWYMReXRoqvjBYRe0NTjw42NKVaJ/s1600/P5170351.JPG" height="400" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisa as Reina Deportes in the parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaaT9PAOPBVatyM1Nzg-QVYgtkW6q7RgQphgVm-XYMn0GKDz41sfZLDvGm8b2DZhEl2ZmT3u_oIwVr2DBlXuvfV1Sywd-WWokpxWgRd4yLhY0TTrCjMXl0FuFpYdQ1-1k1_q5/s1600/P5170370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaaT9PAOPBVatyM1Nzg-QVYgtkW6q7RgQphgVm-XYMn0GKDz41sfZLDvGm8b2DZhEl2ZmT3u_oIwVr2DBlXuvfV1Sywd-WWokpxWgRd4yLhY0TTrCjMXl0FuFpYdQ1-1k1_q5/s1600/P5170370.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph parade selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHQpqevF1p7cFkmA0xIRPu57tu4iA0uKly0-4iK0PdztPFrEE7un9E7Sja9H4Wji78FTvnFqsAr_T7l5TcRu3Pm_UIqheJsDSMk1Attj-QdLPcaoCGvjqshyphenhyphenA380ha4LyrfRq/s1600/P5170383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHQpqevF1p7cFkmA0xIRPu57tu4iA0uKly0-4iK0PdztPFrEE7un9E7Sja9H4Wji78FTvnFqsAr_T7l5TcRu3Pm_UIqheJsDSMk1Attj-QdLPcaoCGvjqshyphenhyphenA380ha4LyrfRq/s1600/P5170383.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig eating cuy (guinea pig)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fuhOB6sB46z7k57ZvFj4oPt_YHfEJzlIY5dAvEk5mxy_7IdoHG_Jjsdm-zTcP5E7us3ljUbuAUqgozbgr-vDBBKkWdknZzAieRrbY8EbrgKLqlwUQKvIlAKaHR0ZfD8U1fWt/s1600/P5170397.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fuhOB6sB46z7k57ZvFj4oPt_YHfEJzlIY5dAvEk5mxy_7IdoHG_Jjsdm-zTcP5E7us3ljUbuAUqgozbgr-vDBBKkWdknZzAieRrbY8EbrgKLqlwUQKvIlAKaHR0ZfD8U1fWt/s1600/P5170397.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta, Aida, Yupanqui, Rosa, Sisa, and Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HRngdiLyaf7gVmQn_V6BmQNu1GgDZ4UCED10r0X-3zfuZB09PzuYAIh7uH_bwqjeBUqWf8w2UPkF7TA9d9NtyV8Vcpo-rGORN1A9U7QISC1aFsZF8vvmjjKgFPIxJRJ931Li/s1600/P5170400.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HRngdiLyaf7gVmQn_V6BmQNu1GgDZ4UCED10r0X-3zfuZB09PzuYAIh7uH_bwqjeBUqWf8w2UPkF7TA9d9NtyV8Vcpo-rGORN1A9U7QISC1aFsZF8vvmjjKgFPIxJRJ931Li/s1600/P5170400.JPG" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph, dancing with one of the villagers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tf6UfhdgUM6_KYnRIL3wp7jSRVnMfnmU47p6-WzdmfrALzPhxgpm9YQtB6kUcx990btCrjSpJPBSB2VkrVsE0HqRSsZdVfdxnJKib4dI3fNqZadaKFubCJaPr7b2YtxqGtpx/s1600/P5180624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tf6UfhdgUM6_KYnRIL3wp7jSRVnMfnmU47p6-WzdmfrALzPhxgpm9YQtB6kUcx990btCrjSpJPBSB2VkrVsE0HqRSsZdVfdxnJKib4dI3fNqZadaKFubCJaPr7b2YtxqGtpx/s1600/P5180624.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Sisa, and Aida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIx9u1ObQxGrbgpIlxZhMGXEovnfyDFgZYaXxegNkDvgUvxnzDx2V4yU4U0tjQhcrCnUBgQZDgB_EOWelUKjvfiYR7jikShjbIP0Mfz8AOCTWOGbNOfjVWknV3sJ-mfWb5Wy8/s1600/P5180633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIx9u1ObQxGrbgpIlxZhMGXEovnfyDFgZYaXxegNkDvgUvxnzDx2V4yU4U0tjQhcrCnUBgQZDgB_EOWelUKjvfiYR7jikShjbIP0Mfz8AOCTWOGbNOfjVWknV3sJ-mfWb5Wy8/s1600/P5180633.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa, Steph, Sisa, Yupanqui, Aida, and Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhySsMNPQ-AdUbvym2NtsTIhvBg9gQKWdd020PioO4uz9kTvp5OG8e40yWdg_5RUZ1VCYdie9UvNY_mcFCbTWjmu6p_pkcac6Z8f3MBi4ke83ZqkwXdqS3YHZGzchr6y_z2Lan/s1600/P5170420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhySsMNPQ-AdUbvym2NtsTIhvBg9gQKWdd020PioO4uz9kTvp5OG8e40yWdg_5RUZ1VCYdie9UvNY_mcFCbTWjmu6p_pkcac6Z8f3MBi4ke83ZqkwXdqS3YHZGzchr6y_z2Lan/s1600/P5170420.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buying ice cream for the kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoz3g_FA19kfIzK9dBEfmavzOB8x6H3GOe8_7g9BlHavv0ls15eF1GiV_SiulcTjnmtzGm5d2QSOYslEkF8offOvLhOdaFnIIAVMW0-oneBjCFUbjo7CeCw7IauRMS6_XQxmS/s1600/P5180598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoz3g_FA19kfIzK9dBEfmavzOB8x6H3GOe8_7g9BlHavv0ls15eF1GiV_SiulcTjnmtzGm5d2QSOYslEkF8offOvLhOdaFnIIAVMW0-oneBjCFUbjo7CeCw7IauRMS6_XQxmS/s1600/P5180598.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV3QtKQ75H25_SOI-k_Lt4l_pe7zHinawV2oTT0NeYFqn0RY0q7mQycondijL7EUtWtRj1sO5_sLKUBFWc2SzxvZQBsnufg_v2FXPBAzsfNKQg0crntP4EhtOhEYdQNDj_AmY/s1600/P5160217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV3QtKQ75H25_SOI-k_Lt4l_pe7zHinawV2oTT0NeYFqn0RY0q7mQycondijL7EUtWtRj1sO5_sLKUBFWc2SzxvZQBsnufg_v2FXPBAzsfNKQg0crntP4EhtOhEYdQNDj_AmY/s1600/P5160217.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tayanta observes the family's baby chicks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIs1qEhwgYtvh4YR0QrNLP_TMFLYqM6bpPvTIgpVLHq7HhzIyZaEhecbR0VuPoEkJroAlAfNX8WiuziFiJ6ARV8RpdT25lkmqRdXlntRuVF87hazo-THig2CsVIAnaRUgOJvk/s1600/P5160238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIs1qEhwgYtvh4YR0QrNLP_TMFLYqM6bpPvTIgpVLHq7HhzIyZaEhecbR0VuPoEkJroAlAfNX8WiuziFiJ6ARV8RpdT25lkmqRdXlntRuVF87hazo-THig2CsVIAnaRUgOJvk/s1600/P5160238.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Yupanqui</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG4MVBfHsXTd46a9Kw7fP3cA8fsZyEfI53eJvio3cMAACECjjlyJ04Lwq0HIHQQEQ-_5xUaLoIHimdDtNCQ9YUDShns_sO_QtgSKo8Fqw7XPVtiSyStzXK_MqApgCslSQMtT2/s1600/P5140015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG4MVBfHsXTd46a9Kw7fP3cA8fsZyEfI53eJvio3cMAACECjjlyJ04Lwq0HIHQQEQ-_5xUaLoIHimdDtNCQ9YUDShns_sO_QtgSKo8Fqw7XPVtiSyStzXK_MqApgCslSQMtT2/s1600/P5140015.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph and Sisa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvy5OpQ318Qidj-dPP_-qL12C1ReGn5rydcmEcbgdJ-0mIAu-Xw40pzYN2PunipZ1I6VYsLITGDDENEew0ZZ7nc3M2qGRlDx40Fce7co7Vcw-n2PUmZRQJgelx3clUPymbbQk/s1600/MorochosFestival2014-Front.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvy5OpQ318Qidj-dPP_-qL12C1ReGn5rydcmEcbgdJ-0mIAu-Xw40pzYN2PunipZ1I6VYsLITGDDENEew0ZZ7nc3M2qGRlDx40Fce7co7Vcw-n2PUmZRQJgelx3clUPymbbQk/s1600/MorochosFestival2014-Front.JPG" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vpAvKwPkztDNutxduf8MTRTZY1a5S224F2PSB9owNVuMPiusgvSev3wiKd3vgRyvIil8ia1tA6M-d7x5tQnly0O1gTuQKgstUxV89O2owWFPYQ-D20QPG7qPpZJKiYcQPlag/s1600/MorochosFestival2014-Back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vpAvKwPkztDNutxduf8MTRTZY1a5S224F2PSB9owNVuMPiusgvSev3wiKd3vgRyvIil8ia1tA6M-d7x5tQnly0O1gTuQKgstUxV89O2owWFPYQ-D20QPG7qPpZJKiYcQPlag/s1600/MorochosFestival2014-Back.JPG" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festival program (Rosa in top center photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-23707862532711113672014-07-13T15:13:00.000-04:002015-09-20T13:24:13.639-04:00Spending Time with the Family in Panajachel, Guatemala<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j3YqEPg5LKpDStQwFAVuiKi4ZfJqWmEa1W-9Gpg6Umo1TKxgHx4-0DRF5ZSCGVkHtyZiaazGyLk2re4GhyXoDQzeljzKIGMKvZEDGgD-XO6GfSyYf9kzReCcW6DKz_oK253k/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j3YqEPg5LKpDStQwFAVuiKi4ZfJqWmEa1W-9Gpg6Umo1TKxgHx4-0DRF5ZSCGVkHtyZiaazGyLk2re4GhyXoDQzeljzKIGMKvZEDGgD-XO6GfSyYf9kzReCcW6DKz_oK253k/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Aracely, Eddy, and Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We just returned from our 12th visit to stay with Humberto, Paulina, and the kids since 2007, and our 13th visit to Guatemala overall. Although the flights started out a little rough, and we experienced a <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usc000rr6a#summary" target="_blank">6.9 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter 60 miles west of us</a>, all in all, trip #13 was a great success.<br />
<br />
We woke up at 4 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, got ready, and fed our two new cats, Inca and Maya. This was our first trip since adopting them, and Steve would be taking care of them while we'd be away. We left the house at 5:24 a.m. We checked two bags and went through security quickly. By the luck of the draw, we were able to go through TSA Pre-Check security line, so we didn't need to take anything off or out of our bags. We went to McDonald's for breakfast, something we only do while traveling.<br />
<br />
We boarded at 7:30 for our 8:00 flight. The flight seemed very empty, though the flight attendants had warned us of a full flight. Come to find out that the computer system had gone down after we checked in and many passengers had to be checked in manually. This same thing had happened 4 years before <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Guatemala/Guatemala2010/July/Guatemala06302010.html" target="_blank">when we traveled to Gautemala with Mukul</a>. We hoped that we wouldn't miss our connection this time, like we did then. When finally all of the passengers had boarded the plane, we were in a long line for takeoff due to Hurricane Arthur; apparently the whole eastern seaboard was affected.<br />
<br />
We took off an hour late at 9:05. We were supposed to have an hour and 40 minute layover in Miami, so this did not bode well for our ability to make the connection. We hadn't requested a wheelchair as it isn't usually a problem on that direction, but we didn't know if Craig would be able to move that fast to make a 49 minute connection.<br />
<br />
We were nervous on the flight, as I realized that Humberto had gotten a new cell phone and I didn't know if his number had changed. I had an old one. So if we missed the connection, would we even be able to contact him? <br />
<br />
We landed in Miami at 12:04 p.m. and our next flight was scheduled to take off at 12:40. Deplaning took a few minutes, and our connection was at the next terminal over. We needed to board the Sky Train to get there in time, but there was a sign saying "Sky Train out of service." Our 13th trip to Guatemala seemed to be living up to its reputation. Not knowing what to do, we followed the crowds up the escalator anyway, just as the Sky Train arrived. What? It turns out that just an escalator was out of service. The airport may want to revisit the accuracy of its signage.<br />
<br />
We hopped on the Sky Train and took it t the next stop. I looked at my watch. If they truly closed the doors 15 minutes prior to departure, we would probably miss the flight by a minute or two. I ran as fast as I could with Craig making his way behind me. We heard an announcement that it was the final boarding call for our flight. As I approached the gate I frantically waved to the crew members at the desk. "My husband has MS and is getting here as fast as he can..." The woman reassured me that all was fine and that the flight would be slightly delayed due to a lightning storm. We wished that the status board reflected that so we didn't kill ourselves trying to get there for an ontime departure. But we didn't care...we had made our flight against all odds.<br />
<br />
We boarded the flight out of breath and sweaty. "Did you come from Boston?" one of the flight attendants asked. "Yes," I gasped. "We were waiting for you!" After us, a few other folks we recognized from our earlier flight boarded. We quickly used the plane rest room, thinking we would take off any minute. Then they announced that the storm had subsided and they were free to commence loading the final luggage. Hopefully our checked luggage was part of that. Once the luggage loading was done, they announced that there was a maintenance issue with one of the radios. The maintenance team was in the process of replacing an antenna and we would be on our way as soon as possible. We sat patiently waiting, until they announced that the antenna replacement hadn't fixed the problem and they were "looking for new equipment". Craig was sure that this meant a new plane rather than a new radio. <br />
<br />
At 1:50, an hour and 10 minutes after we had been scheduled to take off, they announced that they had found a new plane for us. Craig had been right! We all got off the plane and walked a few gates down, where a flight to Newark had just been canceled. We had to wait a few minutes while the crew transferred to the new plane, and so I tried to call Humberto. Neither number I had worked. I called Steve and luckily he was able to log into my Hotmail for me and get the new number from Humberto's e-mail signature. I called Humberto and told him we would be at least 2 hours late. He said that the driver was probably already at the airport, but that he would call him and say we wouldn't arrive until around 4 p.m as opposed to 1:15 (Guatemala is currently 2 hours behind EDT). We now had an estimated departure time of 2:45, so we would probably get there closer to 3:15, but 4 would give us a buffer to go through immigration, customs, and pick up our checked bags. Humberto said that Eddy had already been asking when we will arrive every 10 minutes, LOL. He thanked us for calling, and we boarded the plane at 2:30.<br />
<br />
They still had to reload all of our luggage after removing it from the previous plane, and we didn't end up leaving until 3:48 p.m. The pilot was very apologetic and the crew and passengers were pretty good natured about it. We were now targeting a 4:05 p.m. landing. So much for that buffer! The crew gave away free headsets that were more comfy than our Apple earbuds, so we took them and listened to our Ian Gillan music (Clapton Live in the '70's turned out to be too quiet to be heard over the engines, so we figured that Ian Gillan's screaming would do the job). <br />
<br />
Near the end of the flight, I got up to go to the bathroom, and Craig said "You sat in gum!" Lovely! Now there was gum on the back pocket of the one pair of jeans I had brought. I guess I hadn't seen it when I had sat down. I went to the galley and told the flight attendant and asked for some ice to freeze it off. He said, "What else can go wrong?" I told him about our morning problems in Boston and said that he wasn't kidding. He gave me ice, napkins, and a small towel to sit on, and asked the seat number so that maintenance could clean it later. I went into the bathroom (where the sink didn't work and was full of packages of wet naps) and luckily was able to pick all of the gum off. It was our 13th trip alright, but we kept smiling!<br />
<br />
We landed at 4:05 p.m., went quickly through immigration, picked up our bags, went through customs, and were out at the curb at 4:30, where Juan the driver was waiting for us. We were 3+ hours late, and now had to deal with rush hour traffic, but at least we had made it to Guatemala!<br />
<br />
The traffic was very bad so Juan took an alternate route out of the city. We got to see some areas we had never seen before. We ran into some rain showers en route. We arrived in Panajachel at 7:45 p.m. Aracely and Eddy were waiting for us in front of the office. Yoselin, Vanesa, and Paola came out to greet us. Yoselin had grown very tall! As the 4th child, she was very close to being the tallest now! <br />
<br />
Humberto and Paulina took us up to our new second floor room with Aracely and Eddy. This was the most recently completed guest room, and Humberto assured us that however much we had loved our first floor room, this one was even nicer. It was gorgeous. There was a beautiful piece of artwork on the wall which Paola had made Paulina for Mother's Day. There were two beds, and the wall paint and floor tile was very light and made the room look huge. There were nice windows in the room and en suite bathroom. There were now 4 completed rooms downstairs (two of which are bedrooms for the older four girls) and this one upstairs. The other 3 upstairs rooms were also very close to completion.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHXnV6ZHbieadVQY3s0z8R091u1AZDRGYv9l_XaWSAaVGGhZI8gbzrSIkbQjDxDSB29bBOokmvV9qdJmD_5oLJUAKPGLTQw5bPIOWDn3RjPM9EXnHtYVoA1lyAHiRL_RofcTM/s1600/P7030012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHXnV6ZHbieadVQY3s0z8R091u1AZDRGYv9l_XaWSAaVGGhZI8gbzrSIkbQjDxDSB29bBOokmvV9qdJmD_5oLJUAKPGLTQw5bPIOWDn3RjPM9EXnHtYVoA1lyAHiRL_RofcTM/s1600/P7030012.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig gives Eddy a piggyback ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We chatted with Humberto, Paulina, Aracely, and Eddy in the room. Aracely showed us two pictures of her from school, and she gave them to us to keep. She had just finished 3rd grade and was about to turn 9. She is now perfectly fluent in English, and can easily switch between Spanish and English depending on her audience. Eddy would soon be 6, and had just finished kindergarten. Although he would only speak an isolated word or two of English at any time, he definitely understands a lot more than he did 6 months ago <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2014/01/paolas-quinceanera-in-panajachel.html" target="_blank">when we visited for Paola's quincea<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></a><a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2014/01/paolas-quinceanera-in-panajachel.html" target="_blank"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ñ</span>era</a>. We are so proud of both of them, our two precious godchildren.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOs-FwCqidrmOL-v7yPdexiTmel3EYvLC2zGQ5FVkyRV_K8IRo1DKxEhN7ciYxdQZKhWlvY6H6aaSzU2N15LEadskeATFPziH8qGkH4FDmu_kPrJ4E_AYDBVIpFgsdiHzo4rV/s1600/P7030018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOs-FwCqidrmOL-v7yPdexiTmel3EYvLC2zGQ5FVkyRV_K8IRo1DKxEhN7ciYxdQZKhWlvY6H6aaSzU2N15LEadskeATFPziH8qGkH4FDmu_kPrJ4E_AYDBVIpFgsdiHzo4rV/s1600/P7030018.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aracely, Yoselin, Paola, Humberto, Paulina, Eddy, Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We all went down to the dining room for dinner. We had toasted ground corn tea (maiz tostada imolada) accompanying our veggies and ham with cheese sauce and tortillas.The kids watched Combate on TV. Humberto asked Craig how his health was doing since <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-ecuadorian-godsons-baptism.html" target="_blank">his MS attack last fall</a>. Craig explained that his medicine had changed - he no longer had to take an injection each day. The kids were thrilled to hear this, as they had always been morbidly fascinated by the process, despite themselves. Now he only had to take two pills orally each day, which was much easier than traveling with syringes which need to be refrigerated in hot climates like Guatemala. Craig explained that he had been doing relatively well, but that he still has balance issues sometimes and needs to be cautious when walking.<br />
<br />
It had been a long stressful day getting here, so we were quite tired. We went to bed at 10 without having seen Yasmin at all. Aracely knocked at our door a couple minutes later delivering nice cold Gatorades. That is something they have always done for us, trying to help us keep hydrated. We really appreciate their thoughtfulness. I wrote in the notebook and we went to sleep at 10:20.<br />
<br />
After a great night's sleep in our comfy new beds, we woke up at 8:30 a.m. and went down to the dining room at 9. Eddy and Aracely are on summer break from Atitlan Multicultural Academy, and the older girls go to school in the afternoon. So Yoselin was the only one who was at school this morning. We finally got a chance to greet Yasmin and give her an overdue hug. For breakfast we had a milky oatmeal into which we put cocoa krispies. We also had a banana and coffee. The World Cup was on at 10 a.m., so we decided it was a great time to break out the kids' big gift - a tabletop foosball table (or futillo, in Spanish). Humberto helped us to put it together before he went to work (filling in for another guide named Pablo).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRYUyM95n47VTcoOxvjtLuKuC79leTLSlqGjrpdkxuKtTeMdqbZhJ92LTK4g3-E80ypeASN387fzphyOsT_bF7kpNiGobV94BbwXQ_9HaSj2a02P6xTcqGGL5Jsl8qaYWt0qy/s1600/P7040025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRYUyM95n47VTcoOxvjtLuKuC79leTLSlqGjrpdkxuKtTeMdqbZhJ92LTK4g3-E80ypeASN387fzphyOsT_bF7kpNiGobV94BbwXQ_9HaSj2a02P6xTcqGGL5Jsl8qaYWt0qy/s1600/P7040025.JPG" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yasmin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceB4eI8mYPMmv7rMN-jVC-No0tJSlu_OQ7IuMtao4Hah1QLOhZywgW2YHa3DQ76dcLAT4NwKixyjrKLBjPeURRlBJp3XjfeYeu_7Ew-Bdn6XICeDg1_4yg8KPG8sRoqTmi5jO/s1600/P7040049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceB4eI8mYPMmv7rMN-jVC-No0tJSlu_OQ7IuMtao4Hah1QLOhZywgW2YHa3DQ76dcLAT4NwKixyjrKLBjPeURRlBJp3XjfeYeu_7Ew-Bdn6XICeDg1_4yg8KPG8sRoqTmi5jO/s1600/P7040049.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foosball (futillo): Vanesa, Aracely, Craig, Eddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the foosball game was assembled, we all played with it as we watched the Cup on TV. Aracely said that it was the best toy. Humberto has wireless internet now, so we set that up for the first time on my netbook and the kids used it to browse YouTube, Facebook, etc. Cousins Neli, Josue, and Andrik came over, and everyone had fun playing foosball and with the computer. After the game was over, we watched Spider Man 2 on TV while continuing to play foosball. Paola and Yasmin went to school, and Yoselin came home from school. Yoselin is still the same sweetheart she has been since we met her at age 4. She always has a beautiful smile on her face, and she is effortlessly polite and cheerful. If the camera ever points in her direction, she is gorgeously photogenic. Always.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mDTL2ekSNWSrtcPLF8-BM5f8XgP5ayrbJgeB_uvLE4tiX1RCmFmWzcPLWIFYK5wDFz7Ha82yHfbOmPPoyUR2lHUxdHKsMkw-na9ta2YeGm9HTX86c-GhwMlKn1cfp2U7x3XH/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mDTL2ekSNWSrtcPLF8-BM5f8XgP5ayrbJgeB_uvLE4tiX1RCmFmWzcPLWIFYK5wDFz7Ha82yHfbOmPPoyUR2lHUxdHKsMkw-na9ta2YeGm9HTX86c-GhwMlKn1cfp2U7x3XH/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoselin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Vanesa currently works in Humberto's office. She will be starting University in the fall to study business administration. Paola is starting high school (3 years in Guatemala) and wants to prepare to study medicine. She does very well in school and we believe that she can achieve anything that she sets her mind to. We are so proud of all of the kids! <br />
<br />
We had lunch of fried chicken cutlets, mashed potatoes, and salad, with fresh pineapple juice to drink. We played with the kids and brought the foosball table outside. We went up to the roof with Aracely and saw the nice view of the volcanoes, as well as the small pergola roof Humberto had installed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGET-vWbDqABFJb0FA18IaaAP8-rSHla-YcQkFuDhPYHOOBEmNbxghmDSVkkWvkpR5IUc-QfsKmUxSO2x8JbyhiIH2V2MiJ5HuQ9kiW1TIf4tqBdma1zM-7TsnoIp_VgQ2MFR/s1600/P7040104.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGET-vWbDqABFJb0FA18IaaAP8-rSHla-YcQkFuDhPYHOOBEmNbxghmDSVkkWvkpR5IUc-QfsKmUxSO2x8JbyhiIH2V2MiJ5HuQ9kiW1TIf4tqBdma1zM-7TsnoIp_VgQ2MFR/s1600/P7040104.JPG" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aracely and Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZVZWfE3CeRtPRs9VobYU96KsG1fdSol98K22Ht-XJewLFriE-2dwDdtWz-Xyg3akM3gbzxfMOyCNoPmlg-b1U63Egxv4Ky-UUeIdpdAe2BxzBTIEF0qpRUwyCvV_p5O6Am9x/s1600/P7040122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZVZWfE3CeRtPRs9VobYU96KsG1fdSol98K22Ht-XJewLFriE-2dwDdtWz-Xyg3akM3gbzxfMOyCNoPmlg-b1U63Egxv4Ky-UUeIdpdAe2BxzBTIEF0qpRUwyCvV_p5O6Am9x/s1600/P7040122.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig and Aracely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It started to rain and we all went inside. We had bread and more toasted corn tea. Paola and Yasmin came home from school. We had dinner of black beans, huevos rancheros, and barley tea. We chatted with Humberto about food conspiracies "Like Monsanto?" he asked - exactly! I watched some of Aracely's favorite animated videos with her: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGsuz4Tl1-g" target="_blank">El Conojito Negro</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhsy6epaJGs" target="_blank">Pulcino Pio - El Pollito Pio (Official)</a>. The latter was hysterical. A couple of the kids ran to the store to buy us Gatorades, and we went to the room at 10:30 p.m. <br />
<br />
We woke up around 8 a.m. on Saturday and went downstairs at around 9. We had fresh fruit and barley tea for breakfast. We played foosball with the kids. We gave them the shirts we had brought them and we distributed Tic Tacs (Aracely and Eddy's favorite) to them as well as Josue. Craig took a shower and we watched the cute "Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue" on TV. We ate lunch of black beans, fresh home-made guacamole, toasted tortilla chips, fresh tortillas, veggies, and fresh lemonade. The food was always so fresh and delicious. It was a hot day and it was a nice refreshing meal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EpKhSLBhWmzQ7Ey6PSNMOVe7FAMao_e5X4MlYHSldSfZ4S1orHwU4gevFGFw8Qm__Zjsm9IdFTde7cEJgo7JzqYFik7duZuNw3euhUOISNiKrJvQlZC7Sd_6jJH18G8KIykI/s1600/P7050174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EpKhSLBhWmzQ7Ey6PSNMOVe7FAMao_e5X4MlYHSldSfZ4S1orHwU4gevFGFw8Qm__Zjsm9IdFTde7cEJgo7JzqYFik7duZuNw3euhUOISNiKrJvQlZC7Sd_6jJH18G8KIykI/s1600/P7050174.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paola and Aracely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After lunch, we walked down to the lake with Paulina, Aracely, and Eddy. Lake Atitlan is a gorgeous crater lake ringed with volcanoes, which brings lots of international and local tourists to the area. The water level was very high - several feet higher than normal. Sometimes because of the movement of fault lines, the lake can't drain properly (there is no real water outlet; it all seeps underground). The beaches where we usually swim were under water. So we went to the shallow water near the boat docks. I went in the water with the kids while Craig and Paulina sat on a cement wall and enjoyed the view from dry land. Aracely has learned to swim well (her school gives them swimming lessons in the local hotel pools) and kept swimming from the dock over to me. I was in the water up to my waist. It was a hot, sunny day, and the water was refreshing. We met an El Salvadorean man who was training for a triathlon in Cuba. He says this is the coolest water in Central America, so he came to try out his wet suit. He had swam over 2 km while his girlfriend rode along in an accompanying boat. He said that he was testig how much his lungs compress in the cool water and with his tight wetsuit. They was very friendly.and we enjoyed chatting with them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec0_YVs22OhoRJF0teBVJEfltKeloNQNTawGrMhEhh1ttSKgQ_U21wlsbO-OJFp6z1jYHBaJf_NzS5QNNRJNPLQ9dOImjHI7iYbBtEqjBo_ZNmh5jYcT42TGp2PZ1b8umChjj/s1600/P7050186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec0_YVs22OhoRJF0teBVJEfltKeloNQNTawGrMhEhh1ttSKgQ_U21wlsbO-OJFp6z1jYHBaJf_NzS5QNNRJNPLQ9dOImjHI7iYbBtEqjBo_ZNmh5jYcT42TGp2PZ1b8umChjj/s1600/P7050186.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq3RHkvbbT7kOqkaoafRKeEcLATvTgr3MqM-JAGG6gA-Wvmz6JOKBRfo8ITVeecBbqsnILo3vDXqF82qIkwsAPgJyi3vpGk2l0h0DRUzenQJ7QvumCWD_LSIWgL-DD_IEaXCD/s1600/P7050210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq3RHkvbbT7kOqkaoafRKeEcLATvTgr3MqM-JAGG6gA-Wvmz6JOKBRfo8ITVeecBbqsnILo3vDXqF82qIkwsAPgJyi3vpGk2l0h0DRUzenQJ7QvumCWD_LSIWgL-DD_IEaXCD/s1600/P7050210.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aracely swims to Steph in Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was a nice stage set up on a new dock, and it looked ready for an outdoor concert with a gorgeous view. Paulina asked a woman when the concert was, and she was told that there was no concert today due to the World Cup. These people sure do take it seriously, even when their own country isn't a contender.<br />
<br />
On the walk home we stopped for ice cream at a food court which was packed with people watching the game on a large flat-screen TV - Costa Rica vs. Netherlands. The whole crowd was really into it, and it was amusing to watch. Aracely suggested getting frozen yogurt at a little stand called Chooghurt. Craig and I got mora (blackberry) frozen yogurts on a stick, dipped in chocolate. I had mine also dipped in coconut. Eddy had a three colored yoghurt, and Aracely had a blue one which turned her entire mouth bright blue.<br />
<br />
We came home and played the Monsters University Left Center Right dice game with Eddy, Aracely, and Josue. After a while, when Eddy and Aracely lost interest, Josue played with Craig and me. He was very lucky and won 4 times! <br />
<br />
Humberto's nephew Victor arrived with his wife Rosa and their daughter Neli. They brought a nice bottle of Chilean merlot for me, knowing that I can't drink the Brahva beer that the rest of the family would drink. Victor's brother Juan Carlos arrived with his wife Yolanda and kids Junior and Fatima.<br />
Junior is so big now that it is hard to believe that he is only 13! They came bearing XL Rum and orange juice. Everyone is always so thoughtful! We had snacks and the kids played foosball in Aracely and Eddy's room. Juan Carlos hooked his phone up to a pair of speakers and played dj. For dinner, we had chicken, beets, sweet grilled onions, and rice. The drinks flowed freely. After the rum was gone, they had Brahva beer and I had the wine, which was very good. We showed everyone<a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Guatemala/Guatemala2014/January/PaolaQuinceanera.wmv" target="_blank"> the video we had made of Paola's quinceañera</a> from January. Afterwards we caught Juan Carlos whistling the Tom Waits soundtrack.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWaJZK1srrmDreig3Wq3ZgaUQixe17XDsomDziWzZtYl1Snkk2lxYq5Hfg-NLNbQ9Un3fgUaKKrSikvqBciNUhtjlnG__U6NnMPpHnjry5X99bUUkOGQyb3cfME_GsQurqeKO/s1600/P7050277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWaJZK1srrmDreig3Wq3ZgaUQixe17XDsomDziWzZtYl1Snkk2lxYq5Hfg-NLNbQ9Un3fgUaKKrSikvqBciNUhtjlnG__U6NnMPpHnjry5X99bUUkOGQyb3cfME_GsQurqeKO/s1600/P7050277.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosa and Victor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR62k2ZgbtIGHOYm-vs-V4IkjVRsxVZeffRUBZbQOdGn6XmpSMJuZZqJo9iIFMe6Hj4QO7IAdwNKMt6kqL2T1U-eCvX1Fqn0UpNlgj-b9xF7iRVFBS4yllX55csj1p7QI0sWFF/s1600/IMG_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR62k2ZgbtIGHOYm-vs-V4IkjVRsxVZeffRUBZbQOdGn6XmpSMJuZZqJo9iIFMe6Hj4QO7IAdwNKMt6kqL2T1U-eCvX1Fqn0UpNlgj-b9xF7iRVFBS4yllX55csj1p7QI0sWFF/s1600/IMG_0633.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph and Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_F0UcY4Y5Moy7GukttiH8zsfQOMMTGXIqHmnK_JOJ_9BKj-9L4H7_QuM1rn44PPuMtKlO5XjG0Pmias302SkzVR1qyzgNCAS71-yRH2RbcaNfYgxDrVfBE6TZmpZD7a-U6Pv/s1600/P7050287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_F0UcY4Y5Moy7GukttiH8zsfQOMMTGXIqHmnK_JOJ_9BKj-9L4H7_QuM1rn44PPuMtKlO5XjG0Pmias302SkzVR1qyzgNCAS71-yRH2RbcaNfYgxDrVfBE6TZmpZD7a-U6Pv/s1600/P7050287.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yolanda, Juan Carlos, Rosa, Victor, and the kids watch <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Guatemala/Guatemala2014/January/PaolaQuinceanera.wmv" target="_blank">Paola's quincea</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">ñ</a>era video</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Paulina wanted to go to the disco, one of their favorite Saturday night activities. We were certainly up for going out. We told them if for some reason Craig couldn't handle it (whether it was too hot or if he had to stand up for too long), that we knew our way home and that they should continue dancing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz-blbppnBkZCYKh_7E4Fh5XXIWbGn8H-aTEP-09ow0XI8iIyPkN1X84GevxrxbpyNEKYGTgh5Pw86bB4sfhhA4j-d3neAnvLN455EX7vO7Cd8no3U5ckhgvkogkPSGc9fInI/s1600/P7050273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPz-blbppnBkZCYKh_7E4Fh5XXIWbGn8H-aTEP-09ow0XI8iIyPkN1X84GevxrxbpyNEKYGTgh5Pw86bB4sfhhA4j-d3neAnvLN455EX7vO7Cd8no3U5ckhgvkogkPSGc9fInI/s1600/P7050273.JPG" height="640" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph ready to go to the disco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHOV-VguC6O9EwnLAp7NW8XEqBsu6ue1AZJuSqIdxBSjoJGJQJLCJAVeuOn8g0E4Aef_474BJI5xdJQdiwS3cOmaTBhLOQtGrLWLFEE1rn1_H0kKGn_lEcX0N9xn-C94ZP7NS/s1600/P7050297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHOV-VguC6O9EwnLAp7NW8XEqBsu6ue1AZJuSqIdxBSjoJGJQJLCJAVeuOn8g0E4Aef_474BJI5xdJQdiwS3cOmaTBhLOQtGrLWLFEE1rn1_H0kKGn_lEcX0N9xn-C94ZP7NS/s1600/P7050297.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yolanda, Juan Carlos, and Paulina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rosa and Victor had to work the next day, so they didn't come with us. We took tuk-tuks to the little night club district on Calle Principal. We went into <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elalephdiscobar" target="_blank">El Aleph</a>, the disco we had gone to<a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2013/07/4th-of-july-in-guatemala.html" target="_blank"> last year</a>. It was hopping with people! But it was hot and very crowded with no place for Craig to sit, so they insisted on trying someplace else. We went right next door to <a href="http://www.panajachel.com/chapiteau/" target="_blank">Chapiteau</a>. It had a sort of creepy circus vibe (there was a female clown marionette seated on a trapeze suspended from the ceiling) but the air conditioning felt comfortable, the music seemed less loud, and it was less crowded. All in all I much preferred this club. Humberto got Craig a Gallo and me a Coke (I was already pretty buzzed from the rum and wine) and we sat while the two couples danced. I took some funky pictures and we enjoyed people watching. Humberto and Paulina invited me to dance, and I gladly joined them. I always enjoy dancing, and I liked the atmosphere here. I found the dance music to be pleasant enough, including a beat-driven cover of La Bamba.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWl_yMMMzXIndV8Th_p_874RcOq563tdOTjk1tMLm_43CMoT3rgD4bCxpBlWji31UOsAT2s5BX9lKb7W2XkW8Dg4OCK3H2A_qT2ummDJzPEi00p7N9Aj-AJpsqUZgaQNkNOZJ/s1600/P7060365.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWl_yMMMzXIndV8Th_p_874RcOq563tdOTjk1tMLm_43CMoT3rgD4bCxpBlWji31UOsAT2s5BX9lKb7W2XkW8Dg4OCK3H2A_qT2ummDJzPEi00p7N9Aj-AJpsqUZgaQNkNOZJ/s1600/P7060365.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disco Chapiteau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-fzTPxco8cGO-PxqgX4QngPXcIdnf04x7aAn06C_wW16iweBjhZBkZnThZX44QYXPXJ9Pgadexdm2idIauLktzcnHTH1uexQvLtkAvifo6DiUX6H6Q5RW-UQkXBz1eq_Qp-e/s1600/P7050326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-fzTPxco8cGO-PxqgX4QngPXcIdnf04x7aAn06C_wW16iweBjhZBkZnThZX44QYXPXJ9Pgadexdm2idIauLktzcnHTH1uexQvLtkAvifo6DiUX6H6Q5RW-UQkXBz1eq_Qp-e/s1600/P7050326.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disco Chapiteau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7Ymm9PQTXEOdmxH0rJkM0vKRpWhWQ-E9Lt55lLdP34BVxlcJjax9np6wn70E9DiyvAi15RpjExNpP1bbg07wmzCvq4oAMByZG4sUnFWCdF_9WEkb76aEI_X3pWDb0ExXTXY2/s1600/P7050310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7Ymm9PQTXEOdmxH0rJkM0vKRpWhWQ-E9Lt55lLdP34BVxlcJjax9np6wn70E9DiyvAi15RpjExNpP1bbg07wmzCvq4oAMByZG4sUnFWCdF_9WEkb76aEI_X3pWDb0ExXTXY2/s1600/P7050310.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disco Chapiteau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At 1:00 a.m., they started to play Bob Marley to calm people down as they closed the place. Humberto offered us a tuk-tuk home, but Craig was feeling good so we said we'd rather walk. We stopped at a food stand on Calle Santander and got cheveres - big hot dogs slathered in ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, onions, and picante. They really hit the spot after a late night of drinking and dancing. Street food is always wonderful that late at night! We sat at a table on the roadside, enjoying our cheveres and drinking Dorada Ice beer (except for me, who had tamarind soda.) We happily walked home with full bellies, arriving at around 2 a.m. After writing in the journal, I went to sleep at 2:30.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCGhy1-PpGyu8xQLLhsuCimLMLQz-AQQPzx-WhxWKZQuoyfUT9F0ASL0k5RpDcf5Cpcj15yTdjx0xw6laUMh658g8CXEwTTH8m_WgUxqe61UffgIbYhKAJE2BqklHb0OJZaqJ/s1600/P7060367.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCGhy1-PpGyu8xQLLhsuCimLMLQz-AQQPzx-WhxWKZQuoyfUT9F0ASL0k5RpDcf5Cpcj15yTdjx0xw6laUMh658g8CXEwTTH8m_WgUxqe61UffgIbYhKAJE2BqklHb0OJZaqJ/s1600/P7060367.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late night street food</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kPPGUKeHSR8u3LrtWPqfeARSZSpGJ8hiujmZXZZQ28VQzn3ji3V4ntcXMHXePeGqgwzme3HtA9I6aYNQ4nDs1kt5HRMfY4DqgKhzWaVs1l7d03gtH8k79bFujvBWw26RSYRM/s1600/P7060371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kPPGUKeHSR8u3LrtWPqfeARSZSpGJ8hiujmZXZZQ28VQzn3ji3V4ntcXMHXePeGqgwzme3HtA9I6aYNQ4nDs1kt5HRMfY4DqgKhzWaVs1l7d03gtH8k79bFujvBWw26RSYRM/s1600/P7060371.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig enjoys Dorada Ice and a chevere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After only 4 hours of sleep, we were woken up at 6:30 a.m.by the sound of a tile saw and hammering. At 6:30 on a Sunday morning?! Luckily it stopped between 7 and 9 and we were able to get a couple hours' more sleep. Maybe the guy had tried to get a little work in before church. Who knows? We got up at 9 and went downstairs at 9:30. Humberto had forgotten yesterday that he had to work, but luckily secretary Vanesa had reminded him at dinner last night that he had 2 clients. So he was already gone. Paulina had already gone to the market. We had a fruit plate including our seasonal favorite pitaya (a.k.a. dragonfruit) with coffee for breakfatsl. The kids watched Disney's 3 Little Pigs and Ugly Duckling on YouTube. They were glued to it. We told them that these cartoons even pre-dated us (and they think we are pretty ancient!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6qx8olu8_XWcFAfMINkN0dQ29JJoURMmBEcTzvWbkcyrIsrYl_4IYrayk-HINWYAt2icSby41S241hj0yep894lnndd7cXV646T3pKpK9I8zOaM8mnf5rzFBYMUbadF8Mf6f/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6qx8olu8_XWcFAfMINkN0dQ29JJoURMmBEcTzvWbkcyrIsrYl_4IYrayk-HINWYAt2icSby41S241hj0yep894lnndd7cXV646T3pKpK9I8zOaM8mnf5rzFBYMUbadF8Mf6f/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddy and Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjHltPyG7_YNso0Adc-v3TWKcFIK3sOzqQmJHt4Dk4BH7_ybZU5VRVprkA5RRvM_qOF40veD3yQl1Gj1P_v9sZZko_IWdFT02nruBbRLim3Zkvdzw7WntCR6YQ93gf3qJOye2/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjHltPyG7_YNso0Adc-v3TWKcFIK3sOzqQmJHt4Dk4BH7_ybZU5VRVprkA5RRvM_qOF40veD3yQl1Gj1P_v9sZZko_IWdFT02nruBbRLim3Zkvdzw7WntCR6YQ93gf3qJOye2/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aracely and Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl9jnBwRQyuef6L7v5upyDR80GoInrWQbqlhNn5GiZN8UCILn6TigE46UmhtJYGUzGppehsUeuSZE8J88Uad9EGm5QlbH2WMnOrqkAVn6AgO9yhURkeTaDXMEyvVwznaiKmQy/s1600/P7060380.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl9jnBwRQyuef6L7v5upyDR80GoInrWQbqlhNn5GiZN8UCILn6TigE46UmhtJYGUzGppehsUeuSZE8J88Uad9EGm5QlbH2WMnOrqkAVn6AgO9yhURkeTaDXMEyvVwznaiKmQy/s1600/P7060380.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanesa and Yoselin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUHxBSEmPzkyLYQizqB6PiYLCxsDL3pZXSyp7lFx-a_ScAZz8HN8EtrCbgeNGzTyDIqyu7c3VthzMzS1d9EFM1aqxc7sBIoTGHc1mX8Q8M0BFKtpe0zcltsi5Bo2ipbHlkwMD/s1600/P7060387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUHxBSEmPzkyLYQizqB6PiYLCxsDL3pZXSyp7lFx-a_ScAZz8HN8EtrCbgeNGzTyDIqyu7c3VthzMzS1d9EFM1aqxc7sBIoTGHc1mX8Q8M0BFKtpe0zcltsi5Bo2ipbHlkwMD/s1600/P7060387.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paola, Eddy, and Aracely at the lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-u-8sgF9O_Kj8f2QPi7QOT78AI0ffchQdfEof7ExtRO8J0p6etSfpY4TgqiG5Hm4yMO-sCG9aTbTzyNMi9-eEjR-nOXEtV7JGqDcYRAKxSqboqsrM03IuDOp3RJWqPefuvt2/s1600/P7060391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-u-8sgF9O_Kj8f2QPi7QOT78AI0ffchQdfEof7ExtRO8J0p6etSfpY4TgqiG5Hm4yMO-sCG9aTbTzyNMi9-eEjR-nOXEtV7JGqDcYRAKxSqboqsrM03IuDOp3RJWqPefuvt2/s1600/P7060391.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the lake (clockwise): Craig, Paola, Eddy, Paulina, Aracely, Yoselin, and Vanesa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we went to the lake with Paulina, Vanesa, Paola, Yoselin, Aracely, and Eddy. We took 2 tuk-tuks to the other side of the bridge, to where there was a nice grassy spot where we could lay our towels and enjoy some swimming. The lake was very rough today. There were huge waves, which made it a lot of fun, and reminded us of the ocean. Yoselin and Paola didn't swim but they enjoyed hanging out on the shore. The water was a very comfortable temperature. Craig stayed close to the little dock, as it was difficult for him to keep his balance while being battered by the waves. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSekHVX3wtA1NpkmDcXJhnpzm8uO9eR3p8eOQaId6FOBkIVFMHJrr1U2B1_xXdoh1AWIGYH6NcbWxdl6peLTdDfTf67HYdRTDiUp82GZZ32GYZZWKKwC5tetqa1TRvEbHcTRO/s1600/P7060398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSekHVX3wtA1NpkmDcXJhnpzm8uO9eR3p8eOQaId6FOBkIVFMHJrr1U2B1_xXdoh1AWIGYH6NcbWxdl6peLTdDfTf67HYdRTDiUp82GZZ32GYZZWKKwC5tetqa1TRvEbHcTRO/s1600/P7060398.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming in Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS1Jah_PbXGNOR5gjBLT62TKcYYhzM44iSNSgv6WSrod1rRN23_wl0t7Jovm1Y1fKmT1nHAbpvvszCUjv_aOWHiPm7aIS3I4Oa71l1_Q0vPXY3hmAtohi7xU0P3xK0ouDvXSB/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS1Jah_PbXGNOR5gjBLT62TKcYYhzM44iSNSgv6WSrod1rRN23_wl0t7Jovm1Y1fKmT1nHAbpvvszCUjv_aOWHiPm7aIS3I4Oa71l1_Q0vPXY3hmAtohi7xU0P3xK0ouDvXSB/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph swimming in Lake Atitlan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP9C0FUTxptTzO1TXYfWhXVCmOKYoIrgpKmmmBHvnHyzkiZbWPTpntRHO00a_CLB8CvCIdxNFPRAbpF7PLLw2Q0auI4itkcpMDAOdr7WAY373uq5n_jWjgucaVCbODNr_E-Dp/s1600/P7060404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP9C0FUTxptTzO1TXYfWhXVCmOKYoIrgpKmmmBHvnHyzkiZbWPTpntRHO00a_CLB8CvCIdxNFPRAbpF7PLLw2Q0auI4itkcpMDAOdr7WAY373uq5n_jWjgucaVCbODNr_E-Dp/s1600/P7060404.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanesa, Paulina, and Fatima</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Soon Yolanda, Juan Carlos, Junior, and Fatima arrived. The sun was out and it was absolutely beautiful. There were lots of other local families swimming, and it was a nice weekend family atmosphere. It was perfect! A helicopter took off from right behind us, and flew very low over the lake. Juan and Paulina had underwater handstand contests, and they had swim races with Junior.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJNknvOMQcZjK3BGhrn4ohT8Dtm9bR1X3qHe4o5L4bzXEbM95XT-4kUbzJM-qlOHSUA6F2-QmPnpeIOtbluNVfWtZS01DT5PBs0OfxDDMLR_ty5Hh3Y_O9_erPN7qIfDZ_88y/s1600/P7060463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJNknvOMQcZjK3BGhrn4ohT8Dtm9bR1X3qHe4o5L4bzXEbM95XT-4kUbzJM-qlOHSUA6F2-QmPnpeIOtbluNVfWtZS01DT5PBs0OfxDDMLR_ty5Hh3Y_O9_erPN7qIfDZ_88y/s1600/P7060463.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior, Juan Carlos, and Fatima</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGIrYscE5Mb19AjKzMw3osZQsNf9A_dtxKo8mSRkQ9gwXfpxegGufySCAbXZfZUH5XBCuI-cfcNe1lH9DFWGcctDA34zaH-JegwSoBMs-X569LcM3BleYUA6e0M1eU499oLBw/s1600/P7060451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGIrYscE5Mb19AjKzMw3osZQsNf9A_dtxKo8mSRkQ9gwXfpxegGufySCAbXZfZUH5XBCuI-cfcNe1lH9DFWGcctDA34zaH-JegwSoBMs-X569LcM3BleYUA6e0M1eU499oLBw/s1600/P7060451.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanesa and Paola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxyBXDm3TvhM5YCX9FVN1VtgLdBn3MKUFwW9xTdAS8vfM0A5w6rjpZU18nAfzycceI-MWb1pteONdoK5if-I6ui_ZELrenvgpoGR5ruhwposOlJysHxkAd1CHCvXv4wWCsXLb/s1600/P7060474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxyBXDm3TvhM5YCX9FVN1VtgLdBn3MKUFwW9xTdAS8vfM0A5w6rjpZU18nAfzycceI-MWb1pteONdoK5if-I6ui_ZELrenvgpoGR5ruhwposOlJysHxkAd1CHCvXv4wWCsXLb/s1600/P7060474.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aracely, Yoselin, and Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a couple of hours of swimming and sunbathing, we got dressed and walked toward the road. The kids played on the playground for a little while and then we grabbed tuk-tuks home. As soon as we got into the tuk-tuks, it started to sprinkle. What perfect timing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpyzaeOZqo7hRLY2gbzt3lbfB_-b3sjbjNEtbbeeqDSXcTYE9rTU2ZIm8GlcRSqtWQ1MYTX1nGFK2HI9229M5lOV0HQiHfSh8MmCEYw17vdWXkWAPqJHMBs3aklN5v3oO6WFh/s1600/P7070572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
We got home and took showers, then Juan Carlos, Yolanda, Junior, and Fatima arrived. We gave Aracely her Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal she had requested last time we were here, (she didn't remember asking for it, but was thrilled just the same), and we gave Eddy a monster truck. We shared Starbursts with everyone. The kids watched a horror movie on the computer. Humberto was supposed to be home at 3 o'clock from work for lunch, but the boat was slow and he didn't get back til 4. We had a very delicious soup along with corn on the cob, beef, and some other veggies. Everyone had Brahva beer and I had wine. <br />
<br />
After lunch, Juan Carlos, Yolanda, and family said their goodbyes and went home.We had a nice conversation with Humberto and Paulina about Aracely and Eddy's school and saw their report cards. Both are doing great. Even though Eddy doesn't speak much English (only a word or two here and there) he is understanding a lot more, and is participating more in activities. We are so proud of them! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJr5JJhiAEJUTeRIp2L5SYV55qHg-qYglPBbSCvXZaQi5vadcXz2v49MStBc18t3N5yuVxFI9SS_ZEvhSgbOSJ52tsK54Ko_3Dt5WD_3C_DX5N-j7_5VJFt3iXxknP52rXXfZ/s1600/P7060549.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJr5JJhiAEJUTeRIp2L5SYV55qHg-qYglPBbSCvXZaQi5vadcXz2v49MStBc18t3N5yuVxFI9SS_ZEvhSgbOSJ52tsK54Ko_3Dt5WD_3C_DX5N-j7_5VJFt3iXxknP52rXXfZ/s1600/P7060549.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aracely and Steph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We gave the kids metal water bottles. We let them choose between the several styles that we brought. Yoselin chose the same one I have at work. I told her that, and she was very happy. Aracely then wanted that one. She and Yoselin had a playful fight about it. Yoselin teased her with a Simpson's-style "Ha ha!" Aracely stole the water bottle, and Yoselin responded by stealing Winnie the Pooh. Sisters!<br />
<br />
Yoselin, Aracely, and I played the Monsters University dice game. Josue came over and he joined in the game. We had camomile tea and then dinner of huevos rancheros and refried black beans. We played dice some more. Vanesa and Paola ran to the store and bought us Gatorades . We broke up at 10 o'clock. Aracely thanked us for Winnie the Pooh and said she would sleep with him. We went to bed at 10:30.<br />
<br />
Craig and I each woke up 5:22 a.m. with the sensation that someone was slightly shaking our beds. Then it changed to a violent forward and backward motion. "Earthquake!" we both shouted. It seemed to last a while, and all went quiet while it was occurring. The beds would shake and then would lurch forward, shake a bit more, and then lurch back. You could totally picture the tectonic plates moving below you. Craig was very attuned, listening for cracking sounds that might signal that we should run for a doorway. When the earthquake finished, it was as if someone had un-muted the volume. We suddenly heard the commotion of dogs barking, roosters crowing, and people talking. I checked the compass on my bag and noticed that the motion had been east-west. Craig looked out the window and all seemed ok .We were thankful for the proper construction of our building, done by Humberto's mason brother Mario. We had seen the building under construction, and knew that he had thoroughly reinforced the cinder block walls with rebar and concrete. We were thankful for this.<br />
<br />
Craig couldn't see anyone from the family outside, so we laid back down, but couldn't go back to sleep because of the adrenaline. I texted Steve to tell him about it. He looked it up online and sent us the info (Humberto's router is off at night so I couldn't connect myself). It was apparently <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usc000rr6a#summary" target="_blank">6.9 in magnitude and the epicenter was 60 miles west of us on the Mexico/Guatemala border</a>. Wow - that's close! We wondered if there was any volcano activity, or if the shifting plates would cause the high lake water to recede. <br />
<br />
We went downstairs at 8 o'clock. All of the kids were buzzing about the earthquake, except for Aracely who had somehow slept through it (!!?) I guess sharing a bed with a hyper 5 year old brother makes you immune to shaking like that! There was no school in the western part of the country because of the earthquake. Apparently there were landslides blocking some roads, and they needed to check the safety of the school buildings before students return to classes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNaIX-hrdHdaokHIRWOaEWLU301mzIfvsBhql9hzJE9fWZJFf7wJNxfnJHg7AFxzQ3JEWOGnl1Ml9pubIhd_AJM9fEZ2ztVFIsDzriEOPYnBp8OF9j4MdFHeuCXOLGouZLV7l/s1600/P7070557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNaIX-hrdHdaokHIRWOaEWLU301mzIfvsBhql9hzJE9fWZJFf7wJNxfnJHg7AFxzQ3JEWOGnl1Ml9pubIhd_AJM9fEZ2ztVFIsDzriEOPYnBp8OF9j4MdFHeuCXOLGouZLV7l/s1600/P7070557.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were going on a lake boat tour today, and now that the older kids suddenly didn't have school, the whole family could go. We were very happy to be able to spend the last full day of our visit with all of the kids. We had breakfast of coffee, fruit, and toast. We opted not to bring our bathing suits today as we had gotten plenty of sun yesterday and didn't want to expose our skin to the strong sun again. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn6V6RElTuSy5lGUUXLhWRP9MKHupbR7OJJ3P9xE-q9KzdpuGRq0jV4HraeX-r_lzNUHrpHslg-U4iFl6fNUjbSqQSWteQ4eNFgmP1eLlrLeg6tfW6i6KENDa29a2ovmhGQwW/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn6V6RElTuSy5lGUUXLhWRP9MKHupbR7OJJ3P9xE-q9KzdpuGRq0jV4HraeX-r_lzNUHrpHslg-U4iFl6fNUjbSqQSWteQ4eNFgmP1eLlrLeg6tfW6i6KENDa29a2ovmhGQwW/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph and Craig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpyzaeOZqo7hRLY2gbzt3lbfB_-b3sjbjNEtbbeeqDSXcTYE9rTU2ZIm8GlcRSqtWQ1MYTX1nGFK2HI9229M5lOV0HQiHfSh8MmCEYw17vdWXkWAPqJHMBs3aklN5v3oO6WFh/s1600/P7070572.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpyzaeOZqo7hRLY2gbzt3lbfB_-b3sjbjNEtbbeeqDSXcTYE9rTU2ZIm8GlcRSqtWQ1MYTX1nGFK2HI9229M5lOV0HQiHfSh8MmCEYw17vdWXkWAPqJHMBs3aklN5v3oO6WFh/s1600/P7070572.JPG" height="400" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanesa, Yoselin, Yasmin, and Paola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0CUJWfImQYDps_KEXFzTz3-zVdec9sgLUXyMvB-Inr6AcN0G_T-cPHyVC0gLZHRIz058bJcTwhrJw29cGT_QjYT-qAtfhwoDyUeVy9CYrOncb5rZtnJNrNDmHHNNXh6SQdxx/s1600/P7070608.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0CUJWfImQYDps_KEXFzTz3-zVdec9sgLUXyMvB-Inr6AcN0G_T-cPHyVC0gLZHRIz058bJcTwhrJw29cGT_QjYT-qAtfhwoDyUeVy9CYrOncb5rZtnJNrNDmHHNNXh6SQdxx/s1600/P7070608.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paulina, Craig, Vanesa, Paola, Humberto on the boat to San Juan la Laguna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX-8H5erJjIrr_KM-giFV99nmsRlxxVypfA6CvL0IoIiatjM8vaA4SCCY0cyae4b_i_P9z6M6iTZ1CdMGbbHJsJuJgBOKvSL0M_PXwu-7-8HTcazp6vjDiw8q60-xP11s2HoD/s1600/P7070605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX-8H5erJjIrr_KM-giFV99nmsRlxxVypfA6CvL0IoIiatjM8vaA4SCCY0cyae4b_i_P9z6M6iTZ1CdMGbbHJsJuJgBOKvSL0M_PXwu-7-8HTcazp6vjDiw8q60-xP11s2HoD/s1600/P7070605.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoselin, boat captain, Yasmin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At 9 o'clock, we walked down to the lake (the whole family and Josue) and got onto a boat called Heidi. It was another gorgeous clear day and the volcanoes were completely visible. The water was still high and some docks and homes were submerged. The boat ride was beautiful. We went to San Juan la Laguna, where we had been <a href="file:///D:/Vacation_web/craigandstephsvacations.com/Guatemala/Guatemala2010/July/Guatemala07012010.html" target="_blank">when Mukul came with us in 2010</a>. We walked up the steep hill, stopping in to various cooperatives run by the Tzutzujil Mayan community (Humberto and family are Kaqchiquel Mayan). <br />
<br />
Our first stop was a textile studio. Humberto explained the natural materials that are used to dye the threads: bark, flowers, minerals, and even insects.<br />
<br />
Next we stopped in at a painting studio. We chatted with one of the artists. He was working on his first large painting. He specialized in the local "birds' eye view" style of paintings where Mayans are depicted from above, doing traditional work such as planting corn, picking coffee, etc. <a href="http://www.craigandstephsvacations.com/Guatemala/Guatemala2012/January/Guatemala01012012.html" target="_blank">The family had presented us with two of these paintings two years ago.</a> There were all different styles of paintings, including pop art, portraits, religious icons, and landscapes. Some were even done in a pointillism style, or a mosaic style which is best viewed at a distance. Our previous conversation about Monsanto was brought to mind when we saw a painting of an ear of corn being injected with a syringe and subsequently turning the kernels black.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg_e29tJVLGFP2pFkcpP8JSD7Yav0FpCgniuoHUXC0BzBnVRu6HWJ3-Xi5dQVJiU4Kfq90Qc9YqtOsJrdRCwKMCUL0JqEvN6Cn10UsWlK-4gO8msObsyWEknFZNN26Fdt3V4Y/s1600/P7070659.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg_e29tJVLGFP2pFkcpP8JSD7Yav0FpCgniuoHUXC0BzBnVRu6HWJ3-Xi5dQVJiU4Kfq90Qc9YqtOsJrdRCwKMCUL0JqEvN6Cn10UsWlK-4gO8msObsyWEknFZNN26Fdt3V4Y/s1600/P7070659.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humberto explains the natural textile dyeing process</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnAOSXm9k_S_xP2Pms-5poB7GOaCubeKeLRwl0jj53mAbEsd4lDA4tJXQ6N4JDbp53KXFZrfTpCTCBAuf-r25fVO-Hr7cHy34rYAMyBHIbqrjOYxiXZDdY5kL4GUKsVF_QNU3/s1600/P7070672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnAOSXm9k_S_xP2Pms-5poB7GOaCubeKeLRwl0jj53mAbEsd4lDA4tJXQ6N4JDbp53KXFZrfTpCTCBAuf-r25fVO-Hr7cHy34rYAMyBHIbqrjOYxiXZDdY5kL4GUKsVF_QNU3/s1600/P7070672.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist paints a bird's eye view painting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yb__yKTby1LdEjM-u_RzBsxPggGAOwUVsdF0IVECReirhncGz-RHrzmw9ZiGMdHWoAp1XDxwpndUsj9rjUTZhMgZgWpOdsta1Epa4lLJjLe3lYlpdt5ynsrzeDXva_T2ps09/s1600/P7070675.JPG" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paulina and Yoselin in the art gallery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFS9f2xUwvFQBBWX3te8gO6TBcsDUxvFPBmDrv1RiFtCDj9IX137uHc0Yj68dQtTA4zOwWduCN3O-_dJTb7eF6pOU-ejdOMor21xuiYtOmwDNvwbOpnMzRywwnbCgotZ24UuwX/s1600/P7070691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFS9f2xUwvFQBBWX3te8gO6TBcsDUxvFPBmDrv1RiFtCDj9IX137uHc0Yj68dQtTA4zOwWduCN3O-_dJTb7eF6pOU-ejdOMor21xuiYtOmwDNvwbOpnMzRywwnbCgotZ24UuwX/s1600/P7070691.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next we went to a textile cooperative where a Mayan woman in traditional dress demonstrated
how to clean seeds out of organic cotton. The kids tried it and took home a
couple of seeds. We wondered if we would find cotton growing in Humberto's garden on our next visit. The woman then effortlessly spun the cotton into thread on a
spindle. When the strand broke, she easily spun the fibers back together between her thumb and index finger and continued the process.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were murals around the town, depicting various aspects of traditional Mayan life. Humberto explained a mural which showed a traditional bonesetter treating a patient who was anaesthetized by aguardiente liquor. Humberto said that bonesetters were believed to have supernatural shamanic powers. This was a familiar mural to us, as we had studied it with Mukul four years ago. There were also carvings of the Mayan calendar which were installed as part of the celebration of the end of the 13th baktun on December 20, 2012.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next we went to a farm which grows medicinal plants and
coffee. They sell natural remedies, shampoo, and candles. Humberto bought me some aloe lotion for my sunburn. Before
heading back to the boat, we stopped at a little shop and we all got cacahuete popsicles (Craig immediately recognized the word: "Peanut!"), which were very tasty and refreshing in the heat. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SKXXx1yNwWxsJpezF60dSLhP_YeON7GTqeefFnRtBTCLsAzv3m7v4ZH_TonxjmJ4r4VyFButzP8IDUDXGyqHmQj2n6nUbFJMFiVV_PdMBnCGIqslVKwYMScBoPzejBpeHN2g/s1600/P7070686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SKXXx1yNwWxsJpezF60dSLhP_YeON7GTqeefFnRtBTCLsAzv3m7v4ZH_TonxjmJ4r4VyFButzP8IDUDXGyqHmQj2n6nUbFJMFiVV_PdMBnCGIqslVKwYMScBoPzejBpeHN2g/s1600/P7070686.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tzutzujil Mayan woman demonstrates spinning cotton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF92nJ8KCH5F1mEOHd4yGclZDVxBtyKRtZFQlCwHU5hrBRkcY22YZHtRuznOEG3SxtwpakqpmAjDgPn2o0NxMI-GUIRHKlax6Esw6pgrOCgokl3G8JvRjM33yh9UB7OgMe-o0/s1600/P7070708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF92nJ8KCH5F1mEOHd4yGclZDVxBtyKRtZFQlCwHU5hrBRkcY22YZHtRuznOEG3SxtwpakqpmAjDgPn2o0NxMI-GUIRHKlax6Esw6pgrOCgokl3G8JvRjM33yh9UB7OgMe-o0/s1600/P7070708.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paola, Vanesa, Craig, Paulina, Aracely, Steph, Yasmin, Yoselin, Eddy, Josue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked down the steep hill to the dock and got back onto the boat. On our way back to Panajachel, we stopped near some rocks off of San Marcos, and Humberto and the kids jumped into the water for a swim. Yoselin stayed on the boat with us and Paulina. We enjoyed watching and taking photos as the kids swam and dove off the rocks. Humberto did some flips into the water which I caught on video. The water was a beautiful turquoise color here, and it was relatively calm. They swam back to the boat and the captain helped to pull the little ones back aboard. As we made our way back to Pana, in the bright sunlight with the wind in our hair, surrounded by loved ones, Craig commented on what a perfect moment it was, and how he didn't want it to end.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSA9-isQm-qbALWKvF4qhyphenhyphenShaQXhpY_kPI34FtSyYFgn2z2tZ5qWQmH5XV7X5jUnklwMkf4HVbfI1ZOh2d4wgiUjY77TC-AkIaFYIG1Y8vInTmJOJSWEeImM97yFmsqduX7x6/s1600/P7070720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSA9-isQm-qbALWKvF4qhyphenhyphenShaQXhpY_kPI34FtSyYFgn2z2tZ5qWQmH5XV7X5jUnklwMkf4HVbfI1ZOh2d4wgiUjY77TC-AkIaFYIG1Y8vInTmJOJSWEeImM97yFmsqduX7x6/s1600/P7070720.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanesa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguix69sMniz88B1V4Z3Pb111gJTynqxVG-wOXVK_Ki8cojGueWMxmEimbluH7_RtI2-LLe7nAcigtRLIZHTFc8XYXIBKu8h6FMPsFWB6uEb1dST4sM_8-j86sMEqvAapV61BY2/s1600/P7070736.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguix69sMniz88B1V4Z3Pb111gJTynqxVG-wOXVK_Ki8cojGueWMxmEimbluH7_RtI2-LLe7nAcigtRLIZHTFc8XYXIBKu8h6FMPsFWB6uEb1dST4sM_8-j86sMEqvAapV61BY2/s1600/P7070736.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming at the rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhabRDO0k-tVcI0w1VgZu0aMGYXpBTxO0y5Mj2cBZ_6HIS_VbeeJ4YGb5LyLNwRAxAVqVg0pdz6BhB7LWrlcmOJfKxHAQ3j_EyZf02P3EEkTMuKkM00SqkvDq0GQ0ResFQoKD/s1600/P7070763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhabRDO0k-tVcI0w1VgZu0aMGYXpBTxO0y5Mj2cBZ_6HIS_VbeeJ4YGb5LyLNwRAxAVqVg0pdz6BhB7LWrlcmOJfKxHAQ3j_EyZf02P3EEkTMuKkM00SqkvDq0GQ0ResFQoKD/s1600/P7070763.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paola dives over Aracely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7uVu6skKUWfPbYVPFqPvWMpyweyT2xk1BiBxt96q_rQ5isJWseX_Gi_HTglWn0hBnsmJQINHDFDjop6TFVUcN8b1D1ApnmK0nPp-y5Uieemzkt625gSVye0qnq2FZjf1l__B/s1600/P7070804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7uVu6skKUWfPbYVPFqPvWMpyweyT2xk1BiBxt96q_rQ5isJWseX_Gi_HTglWn0hBnsmJQINHDFDjop6TFVUcN8b1D1ApnmK0nPp-y5Uieemzkt625gSVye0qnq2FZjf1l__B/s1600/P7070804.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disembarking from the boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We arrived back in Pana shortly after noon. We walked back to the house. We gave the kids some notebooks. We gave Aracely a maze book and Eddy a wooden Tonka helicopter model kit, with screwdriver and screws included. Yoselin helped Eddy to assemble 90% of it, and Yasmin joined in to construct the propellor. It turned out to be a very solid, nice toy.<br />
<br />
Humberto cooked churrasco (thin steak) on the charcoal grill and we enjoyed it for lunch with salsa and picante, salad, and fresh watermelon juice. Eddy and Aracely painted the helicopter blue and yellow with tempera paints. Neli and a little girl came over for a visit. The little girl came up to Craig and me and gave us each a hug. I asked her name and it turned out to be neighbor Gisele! She had grown up so much and it had been a while since we had seen her. She was carrying a little purse and was absolutely adorable. We distributed Starbursts to the kids. Paola was doing the laundry by hand.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZSHjVgVxyIXy5NhqsXqk2Tq1N3ED734Zg8hH0DqWwbITgWytETMsW1-iGMnxuCaGdeOs1ndFFfMFim83Zu3EQyagULFbuUn57AK5p7PNtyMt2XEjisS2JWN2HlYcaKTwyUm8/s1600/P7070837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZSHjVgVxyIXy5NhqsXqk2Tq1N3ED734Zg8hH0DqWwbITgWytETMsW1-iGMnxuCaGdeOs1ndFFfMFim83Zu3EQyagULFbuUn57AK5p7PNtyMt2XEjisS2JWN2HlYcaKTwyUm8/s1600/P7070837.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoselin and Yasmin help to construct Eddy's wooden helicopter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBgmOEVfz-xBhETYQUmwNFaa_I8l4udEU0ra6sRs7Yh3pE_xm5kto4v_b3BPRse68m3YeSfyWo1lWcELPL9VLbLBqAhaMrRK_glSiz2uWko6Z1AMhQ4KaqgJEnp3QQbQzIhp9/s1600/P7070902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBgmOEVfz-xBhETYQUmwNFaa_I8l4udEU0ra6sRs7Yh3pE_xm5kto4v_b3BPRse68m3YeSfyWo1lWcELPL9VLbLBqAhaMrRK_glSiz2uWko6Z1AMhQ4KaqgJEnp3QQbQzIhp9/s1600/P7070902.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humberto and Aracely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At around five o'clock, we walked with Paulina, Humberto, Josue, Junior, and all the kids (except for Yasmin) over to the community fields for a family game of basketball. When leaving the house, we saw Josue's little niece Brittany in the alley. She looked a little scared at first but when I called her by name she smiled and said hola. She is such a cutie. She grew a lot in 6 months! <br />
<br />
On our way to the field we ran into the kids' cousin Laisa and said hello. It was nice to see her, as wehadn't had a chance to visit Paulina's side of the family on this trip. We arrived at the field where there were soccer goals on each of the four sidelines. Multiple games were going on at once, as families and friends enjoyed a pleasant Monday afternoon.<br />
<br />
Eddy and Josue played soccer while two teams of three (Humberto, Paulina, and Vanesa vs. Paola, Yoselin, and Junior) played basketball. Aracely mostly stayed with us as we took pictures on the sidelines. I think that she wanted to maximize time with us since we would be leaving in the morning. The basketball game was pretty competitive, and they were all good players. It was fun seeing normally demure Paulina getting aggressive and in her kids' face, stealing the ball away.<br />
<br />
After the basketball game, they broke out their new water bottles, rehydrated, and then started to play soccer. The sun had come out and it was quite warm, and we wondered where they all got the energy. Aracely, Eddy, and Josue also joined in the soccer game. Occasionally Eddy would come over and give us hugs. The sun started to set behind the mountains. The moon was visible. Eddy pointed out the planet next to the moon as "el planeta cerca del moon". We thought his insertion of the English word "moon" was very cute. After the game, Junior and Paola disappeared and returned with a bag of frozen fruit dipped in chocolate. Humberto said, "Sorry, I told you we eat all the time!" Craig and I each had a piece of frozen pineapple dipped in dark chocolate. It was very good. We walked home at around 7 o'clock.<br />
<br />
We took showers and reconvened at 8:15. The kids were dressed up, and Paola was wearing a pretty dress with rhinestones on the front. We gave the kids their last presents - necklaces made by my Mom, and they put them on. Eddy had fallen asleep, but he was awoken with the promise of Tic Tacs for him and Aracely. We also gave him an American football plastic ring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrLG9-btOvxL_FCksy_iN-DCKFIjE2CHs0TMbFCYuA1zMlCDimADyQN5eUrYk9AUNUq7QYyA76aSYFDPowwL4EebBQhKAW38tq7njFZpKU26vs2LQ65pTjiMKCpxptsyuvGrf/s1600/P7071004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCAwB40OW-3ET5KxPw4DCX7ZyprHkjy1SpyhYCGhxksjIZY_ORPHmh0OlhlCKpu26aVxsGxgvrUIePtS1a_10vgAa4A6r1a2t4-xL_9LO_toSdaP1sdFLJ_JhN-G6dX5WvCHD/s1600/P7070941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCAwB40OW-3ET5KxPw4DCX7ZyprHkjy1SpyhYCGhxksjIZY_ORPHmh0OlhlCKpu26aVxsGxgvrUIePtS1a_10vgAa4A6r1a2t4-xL_9LO_toSdaP1sdFLJ_JhN-G6dX5WvCHD/s1600/P7070941.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family basketball game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrLG9-btOvxL_FCksy_iN-DCKFIjE2CHs0TMbFCYuA1zMlCDimADyQN5eUrYk9AUNUq7QYyA76aSYFDPowwL4EebBQhKAW38tq7njFZpKU26vs2LQ65pTjiMKCpxptsyuvGrf/s1600/P7071004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrLG9-btOvxL_FCksy_iN-DCKFIjE2CHs0TMbFCYuA1zMlCDimADyQN5eUrYk9AUNUq7QYyA76aSYFDPowwL4EebBQhKAW38tq7njFZpKU26vs2LQ65pTjiMKCpxptsyuvGrf/s1600/P7071004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Junior, Humberto, Eddy, Paulina, Aracely, Vanesa, Yoselin, Josue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfidLEuCwcJj5F6doYSmYyWGTKzWBq7gr6ix2d8nYg6M73ubp5VNCHIdO_zJcoNvVPvXMzWrmCpGQzdqvf0FNl-zf3UQu520ZGOAGnkmR0dNoxAsyVV1eBqp_Xs8OPe27t8yh2/s1600/P7071007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfidLEuCwcJj5F6doYSmYyWGTKzWBq7gr6ix2d8nYg6M73ubp5VNCHIdO_zJcoNvVPvXMzWrmCpGQzdqvf0FNl-zf3UQu520ZGOAGnkmR0dNoxAsyVV1eBqp_Xs8OPe27t8yh2/s1600/P7071007.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph, Aracely, and Eddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked down to Calle Santander and rook a left. We went into <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Bistro-Panajachel/285880381540805" target="_blank">El Bistro</a>, a nice Italian restaurant established in the '70's by an Italian, but now owned by his local protegee. There was some live entertainment (a guy with an acoustic guitar playing sleepy music, which the kids thought was lame). Craig and Humberto got Gallo beers and I got a fresh squeezed lemonade with soda water served in a heavy glass chalice. As an appetizer, they brought plates containing small slices of wheat bread and bowls of molten cheese - delicious! The cheese was so gooey that as the kids dipped their bread into it, they ended up with long cheese strings attaching their bread to the bowl. At around this time, the music ended, and the kids were relieved and immediately became more animated.<br />
<br />
We had four pizzas - one with all vegetables, and the others with various meat and onions. They were absolutely delicious. We put hot sauce on them (Guatemalans are known for putting condiments on pizza - we forewent the ketchup but the hot sauce seemed appropriate, and was quite tasty!) Even though everyone was tired after a busy day, it was so nice to all be together on our final night! Since we don't have kids of our own, these are "our" kids, and we love them with all our hearts. We are eternally grateful to Paulina and Humberto for their hospitality, and for sharing their lovely family with us. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJqCJTeLZycR2qs8dIZQUm-V9n_zOJvfDVhVJQ4Rr4Y_KyTlQZEkKmoE08IEJNs1HBEEQoomfREUludzZf7_FMo64byJ-xx9Su2KU5uiQmz6KZAS1PuC2JB1GT7H__qS5kUt8/s1600/P7071019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJqCJTeLZycR2qs8dIZQUm-V9n_zOJvfDVhVJQ4Rr4Y_KyTlQZEkKmoE08IEJNs1HBEEQoomfREUludzZf7_FMo64byJ-xx9Su2KU5uiQmz6KZAS1PuC2JB1GT7H__qS5kUt8/s1600/P7071019.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanesa, Yoselin, and Yasmin at El Bistro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj825cSE0m9Kc6oGIrDiy3yA9Zamcr2T2wu5qcp26MptL4Av9Cl6F4aBGJBJvMwH2ho_R77mnZZ97ClwyQmvh5FDCheMSEkxtd6G-kl5oA2mw69NRlXGaSb0LYawH3dInSEcU_K/s1600/P7071031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj825cSE0m9Kc6oGIrDiy3yA9Zamcr2T2wu5qcp26MptL4Av9Cl6F4aBGJBJvMwH2ho_R77mnZZ97ClwyQmvh5FDCheMSEkxtd6G-kl5oA2mw69NRlXGaSb0LYawH3dInSEcU_K/s1600/P7071031.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humberto and Paulina at El Bistro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKgxE-0Q2V3zCWXh-pjf7URY4j9SMV7EVpoZwNTfvDkwGep4iSKdqnYZJCcQxQ9ZTpYkzIeyYrOhekg1vh_M91WtLJSQ4iFf7YW1Jf5Zfp21piUl0LT5cwvDxbkHJ13N_ioDZ/s1600/P7071034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKgxE-0Q2V3zCWXh-pjf7URY4j9SMV7EVpoZwNTfvDkwGep4iSKdqnYZJCcQxQ9ZTpYkzIeyYrOhekg1vh_M91WtLJSQ4iFf7YW1Jf5Zfp21piUl0LT5cwvDxbkHJ13N_ioDZ/s1600/P7071034.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig, Aracely, and Paola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We walked home and Paola gave us a nice hug goodbye, and then went to our room at 10 p.m. Craig went to sleep instantly. After writing in the journal and sending a text to Steve, I went to sleep at 11 o'clock.<br />
<br />
On the day of our departure, we got up at 6:30 a.m. Yoselin came and knocked on our door at 7 o'clock on her way to school. She was quieter than usual and gave us big long hugs. At 7:30, we went out and joined Humberto and Paulina at the dining room table for breakfast. Humberto told us that our vehicle is here (Eddy's helicopter). We had coffee, fruit, and toast with pineapple jelly for breakfast. Aracely woke up and emerged from her bedroom with her Winniethe Pooh. Then Eddy woke up and came out asking for his Tic Tacs.<br />
<br />
A woman from Santiago Atitlan came by outside yelling "Patin! Patin!" This is a local dish from Santiago Atitlan. Paulina ran outside and bought three. They are wrapped in leaves and we sampled one containing beef in salsa with a tortilla. It was quite yummy. Others contained fish in a picante sauce, Humberto's preference. Vanesa came in and greeted us.<br />
<br />
The van arrived a little early, shortly before 8:30. Eddy stayed inside (Humberto had told us that Eddy had said he would miss us, so we suspected that he wanted to avoid the actual goodbye).<br />
<br />
Humberto, Paulina, Aracely, and Vanesa walked us out to the street. We said our goodbyes and thanks and then left around 8:30. They continued waving until we turned the corner. It is always difficult to say goodbye. We enjoy spending time with the children and they always grow and change way too much in between visits. But it had been an excellent trip and our hearts were happy as we headed towards Guatemala City and the airport.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGAkMEg0QaXsXdw9zf5A7hCIZwI9to6lNe6gyUxWYw4cuqG6AW10iN87bEFJgr6qZs0AX0ath7n-oNgGc9MiSO-MnlRPAl8hF0P1NR9uOmeSTBdAR1HCEou5ZK1UGyjTBCZDS/s1600/P7081048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGAkMEg0QaXsXdw9zf5A7hCIZwI9to6lNe6gyUxWYw4cuqG6AW10iN87bEFJgr6qZs0AX0ath7n-oNgGc9MiSO-MnlRPAl8hF0P1NR9uOmeSTBdAR1HCEou5ZK1UGyjTBCZDS/s1600/P7081048.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humberto, Vanesa, Aracely, and Paulina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We arrived at the airport at 10:45. Our layover in Miami was only going to be an hour and forty minutes. We know how far you have to walk to go through immigration there, and Craig would never be able to walk that far in that short a time. Even though he is usually reluctant to admit needing help and uncomfortable taking what he views as "special treatment," I convinced him that we should book a wheelchair to help him get through the Miami airport. We checked in at a kiosk and then asked the woman at the desk to reserve a wheelchair in Miami. Our flight was already delayed by 15 minutes, which didn't bode well for our ability to make our already-tight connection. But we tried to remain positive.<br />
<br />
We went upstairs to the food court. We sat at a table and I wrote in the journal and filled out our departure and arrival paperwork. Then at lunch time, we got 2-piece fried chicken meals with French fries, a dinner roll, and orange Mirinda soda from Pollo Campero. As usual, Guatemalans were buying large to-go bags to take on flights with them for friends and relatives abroad. Pollo Campero is a Guatemalan institution.<br />
<br />
After lunch, we then went through immigration and security and walked to our gate. The flight started boarding at around 1:50 p.m. It took no time at all because there were so few people on the flight. The guy next to us moved up to an empty row so we got a row to ourselves. We actualy pulled out at our originally scheduled time (2:25) instead of the delayed time (2:37). I typed up my notes during the entire flight while we listened to Ian Gillan in Black Sabbath.<br />
<br />
We landed in Miami at 7:05 p.m. There was a wheelchair waiting for us on the gangway. The woman was very nice. We were very far from customs and had to take the Sky Train to get there. This time all of the immigration kiosks were out in the hallway. We went to a human immigration officer instead. We didn't have any checked luggage to collect, so we went through customs and were then ready to go to our gate. We took the Sky Train back to the same terminal we landed in, and went to the gate. It was now 8:00, and our departure time was 8:40. The wheelchair had really been a blessing. Craig was having some trouble walking tonight due to a busy previous couple of days with lots of walking, so he was thankful that he didn't need to try to run through the airport and risk injury.<br />
<br />
I ran over to Cafe Versailles and got us some food to eat on the plane: jerk chicken wraps, orange Gatorade, and chips. We boarded the flight and it took off several minutes late. We didn't care - we were just glad to have made the connection!<br />
<br />
We landed in Boston just before midnight. There was once again a wheelchair waiting on the gangway. The nice young man wheeled Craig to Central Parking, where we picked up the car and were home by 12:40 a.m.Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33864524.post-4266039389036147132014-05-24T14:16:00.002-04:002014-05-24T14:16:43.242-04:00Rest in Peace, Tammy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBlw8zeHAD_vJi4PyPMdfCmzYT4DB9PUrLYjOzNUrjrzLXKezq6M1tREO4lRvKh1IA_8fhj-3fK-vZ9XcBsnSm5oPL0tKegRtec_cetHZ98stP75Cv8aZgELe2mCtM2gTt_CN/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBlw8zeHAD_vJi4PyPMdfCmzYT4DB9PUrLYjOzNUrjrzLXKezq6M1tREO4lRvKh1IA_8fhj-3fK-vZ9XcBsnSm5oPL0tKegRtec_cetHZ98stP75Cv8aZgELe2mCtM2gTt_CN/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is with a heavy heart that I sit down to write the second blog post in a row about losing a cat. We adopted Tammy and Fluffy in 2011 when they were both 15 years old. Their owner had died and they were on the verge of being put to sleep unless they found a home quickly. We were mourning the <a href="http://craigandstephsvacations.blogspot.com/2011/08/rest-in-peace-brownie-girl.html" target="_blank">death of our cat Brownie</a>, and decided that we wanted to give these two girls a home for their senior years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tammy was the more outgoing of the two from the start. She was a short-haired tortie with a very friendly personality. She would greet us at the door when we came home from work each day. She loved visitors, though on two occasions she took advantage of them when we weren't home and snuck out of the house. Luckily she didn't go too far (since the weather was cold and we have coyotes and foxes in the yard), and they were able to retrieve her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we first got her, we thought that something was wrong with her left eye. It seemed dry and possibly damaged. We took her to the vet and they checked her out, and it turned out to be fine. We learned later that she had a strange habit of sleeping with her eyes open, and that probably explained it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tammy had a thyroid condition and was a ravenous eater. We had to keep her food separate from Fluffy's, since Tammy's had her thyroid pill ground up in it. When she finished her own food, she always tried to eat Fluffy's too. She didn't like sticking her face into a bowl of dry food, so she would use her paw to take food out of the bowl, and eat it off the floor, one piece at a time. When the house was quiet, you could recognize the tinkling of the kibble onto the laminate floor and know that Tammy must be eating.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She was intrigued by bags of any kind. If I brought home shopping bags, I would need to put the merchandise away immediately, or Tammy would jump into the bag and pull everything out. When we packed for trips she tried to stow away in our luggage. If we opened the refrigerator or freezer, she would always try to step
in. She seemed to enjoy the cold and she would always sniff around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She often slept curled up next to Craig and snuggled up against his back. She was never aware of just how sharp her claws were. She would stare vacantly off while kneading her claws on our laps, having no realization tat she was piercing our skin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She loved the miniature village that we set up each Christmas. Craig would have to build it around her because she liked to sleep in the midst of it, towering over it like Godzilla. She was a playful cat, and she enjoyed wedging herself into tight spaces. We would find her nestled into the track of the sliding glass door, or pressed between our Lego Taj Mahal and the glass of the bay window.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As time went on, her health degraded. Over the last few months we suspected that she was nearly, if not totally, deaf. She stopped greeting us at the door, we assumed because she could no longer hear our car in the driveway. Since she couldn't hear us calling her, we had to look for her. We found her in some strange places, including underneath the pillows on the bed in the spare bedroom, and in the bathtub or bathroom sink. Her eating became erratic, and her habits changed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We just returned from a week in Ecuador on Tuesday night. Craig's brother Steve had been taking care of Tammy and keeping her company while we were gone.She stopped eating on the Friday when we were gone, and Steve was worried that she might not make it until we got home. But our girl waited for us before leaving this world. When we got home Tuesday night we spent some quality time with her, and then again Wednesday morning before work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we arrived home from work on Wednesday May 21, we found that she had crawled into her cat carrier, laid down, and passed away peacefully.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We insisted on keeping the girls together when we first adopted them. However, we were never sure just how much they liked one another. They stayed very separate and didn't interact with each other very often. But since Tammy passed away less than four months after Fluffy did, maybe they were closer than we realized. For better or worse, they are together once more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rest in peace, Tammy. You were a good cat and we love you. Our 2 1/2 years together were too short. The house seems empty without you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwtNQt8aeS8PUK87gbd_3APEuldQy7Qrycjw2zIwUwu6nj3JfnA7d7-5THXbG-LiCh4RA2UmIXPOAShXxLcFdTADWvEiJx3xtwfPjyi_hg7rMOSNAvHZNXshK23hIGuCfkM7U/s1600/Tammy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwtNQt8aeS8PUK87gbd_3APEuldQy7Qrycjw2zIwUwu6nj3JfnA7d7-5THXbG-LiCh4RA2UmIXPOAShXxLcFdTADWvEiJx3xtwfPjyi_hg7rMOSNAvHZNXshK23hIGuCfkM7U/s1600/Tammy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ADPb-ZuEe8DjCy_yINCmsj_Ub5-mb7W2SoLKvo65yC72LnaB7pWxj-pK-Us9PV1o-MwK4myR93Gpf0vi9IpO437d8fRwfDJ_umEeQ1CkF7E0lt6k1P3YuqVi9iGSXkp3oHBy/s1600/IMG_7476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ADPb-ZuEe8DjCy_yINCmsj_Ub5-mb7W2SoLKvo65yC72LnaB7pWxj-pK-Us9PV1o-MwK4myR93Gpf0vi9IpO437d8fRwfDJ_umEeQ1CkF7E0lt6k1P3YuqVi9iGSXkp3oHBy/s1600/IMG_7476.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ptart3JeaoT5bOLa9lBiTS84WI4y8H7ftn81jQ7Q798NTTZz9F3vsQIxGOV_kIuIIwxtbysNfXhby3YixftTcQSuwRq_5gFcb1gxxtbxURGhytNPKQ8yO-SNedz-yeFBcW8L/s1600/P3090785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ptart3JeaoT5bOLa9lBiTS84WI4y8H7ftn81jQ7Q798NTTZz9F3vsQIxGOV_kIuIIwxtbysNfXhby3YixftTcQSuwRq_5gFcb1gxxtbxURGhytNPKQ8yO-SNedz-yeFBcW8L/s1600/P3090785.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK7qEltDZkoHnoYyC8jKjS17cqU-9Nm8a8Nmu7GeORdg7UV0lDV6O9d4Bpzm4X2xNalVh1OAlgSt1Tj9Hl4QSk1GMX_XHbU0Du9S8Y6xFqeWUBaFQ9tLH8GNOGgKHwBE46aWJ/s1600/P2080009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK7qEltDZkoHnoYyC8jKjS17cqU-9Nm8a8Nmu7GeORdg7UV0lDV6O9d4Bpzm4X2xNalVh1OAlgSt1Tj9Hl4QSk1GMX_XHbU0Du9S8Y6xFqeWUBaFQ9tLH8GNOGgKHwBE46aWJ/s1600/P2080009.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJw1GPgBMmvtNuWJEJBRR2HXw1APPItXZquARibuayLx6ffD7rwTvY9CHqu_zxF3a_5GrgG0Dd3lA9GaeBcQdLpEc7EodfVK7_h2zRiLt3h3FJ9wxGT0jnNSc05eweREmrLdD/s1600/IMG_7786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJw1GPgBMmvtNuWJEJBRR2HXw1APPItXZquARibuayLx6ffD7rwTvY9CHqu_zxF3a_5GrgG0Dd3lA9GaeBcQdLpEc7EodfVK7_h2zRiLt3h3FJ9wxGT0jnNSc05eweREmrLdD/s1600/IMG_7786.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyexD1eckQgu0V_R7zyFiTGg1pKbukiZK0KOkcjvGsdAmDou80xi00hEC7Ab6eXc_95CuWr8XzTgkc9kF6D3niyoOczSgn7XcIwpcwsM3Tcqug6sm4J9J0C3qJghXTRSAI6dP/s1600/IMG_7539+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyexD1eckQgu0V_R7zyFiTGg1pKbukiZK0KOkcjvGsdAmDou80xi00hEC7Ab6eXc_95CuWr8XzTgkc9kF6D3niyoOczSgn7XcIwpcwsM3Tcqug6sm4J9J0C3qJghXTRSAI6dP/s1600/IMG_7539+-+Copy.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Craig and Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431252105687061076noreply@blogger.com2