Food Glorious Food

I thank my eighth grade science teacher for teaching me how to try new food. Every year, he would have an "Exotic Food Day", where students would have to bring in some unfamiliar food. On the day, every student would have to try every dish, not knowing what it was. Only after every one was finishes would the names and ingredients be revealed. On that day, I ate eel. And liked it. On this trip I have eaten goose feet, water buffalo stomach and an incredible green vegetable that I do not know the name of, but will be scouring Chinatown to find. See below:

Too Little Time

The past few days have been chaotic - not in a bad way, but in a way that leaves me no time for updating. To reward those who are reading,  I bring you this.........PANDAS!!

We had a most extraordinary experience at the Panda preserve in Yu'an, thanks to Sissi's friend.

Off to Nanchang

After an early breakfast, we were off to the airport and Nanchang and the reason for our visit. We were met at the airport by Sissi, our guide and facilitator, and Pei, our traveling companion. 

 We had a brief rest in our room and got a few minutes to appreciate our view.  Then, it was off to Sissi's house and a home cooked dinner.

But before dinner, we were treated to a lesson in tea drinking. It is an art that people spend years studying.  Each type requires a different pot, different water temperatures and different cups.

 The meal was delicious and was followed by a truly spectacular water and light show on the river.

An early bedtime for an early rise and a long and emotional day.

Are We There Yet?

All of the treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles and Stairmasters in the world do not prepare you from climbing The Great Wall of China. We went to a spot called Jinshangling, about 2 1/2 hours outside of Beijing. The first hour or so was just getting out of the city  - the traffic was astounding. This is what six million cars during rush hour creates. Once out of the city, we drove past immense areas of land being developed. Either with huge apartment complexes or plantings of trees. There were lots of indoor farming plots, covered to be able to grow produce year round.

We made a brief rest stop break where I showed Ariana the proper way to use a hole-in-the-ground toilet (She decided she didn't have to go after all). We were welcomed by locals selling souvenirs. We passed.

The wall has been randomly restored. This pictures shows the difference - on the left, the mortar made of rice (the old) - one the right the newly restored.

We walked, we climbed, we heaved, we stopped for air, while Ariana calmly walked and skipped and mocked us by the ease in which she scaled the uneven steps.

Up and down, up and down, from tower to tower.

 Finally we reached the end (for us at least0. The five-wondow tower. We had passed the one, two, three and four. We felt good.

Then came the decent.  Over 1,000 steps by Arny's counting. The trip was worth every one - even though as I am typing this, my knees are screaming "never, ever do this again!!!!!!"

Goodbye Backpack, It Was Nice Knowing You

You served me well for the few hours you were mine. Hopefully you will be treated well where ever you turn up. I am sorry I didn't get back to pick you up in time. How was I supposed to know I never had to check you to begin with? This is all part of traveling to a land where you know exactly 3 words, none of which are "is this where you buy tickets for the Forbidden City"? If I knew, I wouldn't have purchased tickets for the Tiananmen Square Museum, which requires said bag check. Goodby also to lip gloss, tissues, library book (I guess I will be making another "donation - something I consider all of my overdue book fees actually are.) and other non valuables.

The Forbidden City is one of my favorite place on earth. I could look at the rooftops for days. 9,999 1/2 rooms of ancient history. The textures of the buildings, the walkways, the walls are incredibly detailed, requiring thousands of craftspeople to create and now, maintain.

We hired a guide on the spot, a woman who seemed to be on fast forward. I got maybe half of what she said and rushed to keep up with her. We did learn a lot from her about the history of the city.

After the city, we made our way to a fabulous restaurant called TRB - built in what was an old temple.

There is also a gallery with the temple grounds

this was my appetizer - fois gras covered in green apple jelly 

After a failed attempt to  retrieve my poor backpack, we made our way back to the hotel, realizing the Beijing air had gotten the best of us.

they are not kidding (cough, cough)

Tomorrow, the Great Wall- minus backpack.

We Made It!

What a nice welcome and remembrance greeted us in the ANA lounge. Melonpane is a delicious combination of bread surrounded by cookie dough. When we lived in Tokyo, Ariana couldn't wait for the ’Happy Happy” truck to pull in front of the grocery store on Thursday afternoon. A line would form quickly for the fresh, hot out of the truck oven, treats. Packaged melonpane is no match, but surprisingly not horrible.

The first flight was uneventful -lots of food brought by Japanese flight attendants. Ariana wanted to know why they were all women. 

After a 3 hour break at the Tokyo airport, we boarded the next flight to Beijing. Nothing looked better than the hotel rep in his blue coat waiting to take our carry-ons and usher us through the customs and entry process. Worth every penny after a total of 18 hours in the air. Tell me why I thought changing planes in Tokyo was a good idea. 

The tears I tried to hold back when we reached the entry point surprised me. Foreigners on one side, Chinese nationals on the other. Ariana was home. But not. 

NOTE: Being in a Communist country means I could loose connectivity at any time. Apparently, the Chinese are not too fond of Google. So, if I don't post for awhile, don't be concerned.

Welcome and Welcome Back

To review, in November 2006, in the civil affairs office in Nanchang,  a 27-month-old beautifully serious little girl loudly announced her presence and let us know in no uncertain terms that she was in charge of the rest of her (and our) lives.

Fast forward a bit more than ten years later and here we are, about to embark on a visit back to China to visit the country and, in particular, the town where she came from. We will end with a brief stop in Tokyo, where we will visit our old neighborhood and see old friends. 7 flights, 6 cities, 2 countries in 14 days - oh, what a trip it will be....

For those who have been with us throughout, I hope to keep you as informed as I did on the first trip. To those joining in for the first time, feel free to scroll back to see where it all began.....

Enjoy.