Purple Mountain Aquarium

[lizzybennet]

We did a lot of running around today. For the most part, the boys did really good. First, all the boys (Chris included) got haircuts. We tried to find a place that had been recommended to us, but just ended up going to some random place we stumbled upon. The guys were all very nice and seemed tickled to be cutting the kids' hair. There is a very hip type of young adult scene here in China. All these stylists had their hair uber styled in long sweeping bangs or moussed up spikes. They wear earings and acid washed jeans. Very hip :) and very nice. I accidentally knocked a pair of clippers off the counter and broke them (very embarressing). I had Chris talk to him and offer to pay for it, even insist to pay for it and the guy refused. Hair cuts for all 4 of them, plus a wash for Chris was only $6. Isn't that crazy?

Next we drove up to Purple Mountain to check out the aquarium. It was so fun! We took lots (I stress lots!) of pics which I will put behind the cut. The boys really enjoyed themselves.

Our last stop was Carrafell, which is a French grocery store. I liked it much better than WalMart. It's less crowded and has a greater variety of "foreign" products (such as healthy breakfast cereal.) Dinner tonight was cooked by Mariannette. She made spagetti and meatballs, which the kids also loved.





Here we are in the underwater tunnel. You can almost make out the huge sting ray that was swimming by my head as Chris snapped the photo.


This place was filled with exotic fish that I had never seen before. It was a really neat experience for me, even as a grown up, to see all these new animals.


I know this isn't a great pic of anyone, but look how huge that fish is!! There were several in the tank. They looked so ancient.


This is the actual LARGEST sting ray ever caught in China. Isn't it gi-normous!?


See that ice cream cone in Connors hand? This is our family favorite and I must admit that we all have about one a day. Yeah, I'm not losing weight in China unless I make a concious effort at it. As a matter of fact, I'd say I could easily gain weight here because there is sugar in everything. And no calorie listings...


You may have to look at this photo for a moment or two to figure out what's going on. Against the tank, you see a Chinese woman and child posing for a photo. Sitting on the woman's lap is Connor. Yes, she is posing for a picture with Connor. Chris is holding his hands up telling Connor to say "cheese", while the woman next to him snaps the photo.

And now for some random photos:


Available at your local WalMart seafood department: soft shell turtle. Used to make a special soup to treat illness.


Also at Walmart, Eels.


Of course, if your in the mood for bullfrog, Walmart carries that too.


Or, perhaps you don't want any seafood and would just prefer split pea bread, instead.


No? Then a nice refreshing Pea Popsicle?


Both Walmart and Carrafell are multi-storied. In order to get from one story to the next, we use these escalator ramps. They are magnetic, so the shopping cart locks into place while you ride up or down. I'm sure I don't need to point out that the boys LOVE these ramps.


Look as this library! Drool.....


I don't know why this car has roses all over it, but I thought it was pretty.


Can anyone guess why I snapped this photo? First one to guess wins the prize!

Comments

[okp.livejournal.com]

Your kids are like rock stars there, aren't they? :)

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

lol, and the funny thing is that I'm considering disguising them the way celebrities do when they go out: dark glasses and a hat :)

[heidial.livejournal.com]

I so love all the pictures you send. I especially liked the one of the
chinese family taking a picture of Connor. Thank.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

I hope Dad got to see the pictures. It was wonderful talking to you this morning.

[texastea.livejournal.com]

So I'm guessing that our darling little caucasian children are the same as darling asian children are to us, here in the states. I think asian tots, and Chinese in particular, are *THE* most adorable things evah! I have been guilty of carrying on over them as if they are priceless, exotic little pets. I taught two Chinese sisters in preschool, and was a fool for them. It didn't make things any better (or worse?) that they were very well-behaved, sweet girls, and easy to be around. I loved my other kids and thought they were adorable, but the exotic cuteness of those sisters got the better of me, I am afraid.

I am so digging on your pictures and your stories. I actually am learning new and interesting "stuff," and can't wait until the next installment. You are a good writer, Tina, and we are lucky to be experiencing your adventure.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Aww, you flatter me. I think anyone could write about China and make it seems exciting :) Thanks...

Chris and I ooh- and aah- over the beautiful Chinese kids all the time. In the mornings all the grandparents are out at the park holding their gorgeous plump babies. They are just so beautiful. And of course most of the little girls here are dressed like little princesses. Their hair is adorable, their clothes and shoes are adorable. I love it!

[hopeness.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, here they call those ramp escalators "movators". I know of at least two stores near me that have them. One is a grocery store, and one is a Canadian Tire. Except instead of being magnetic, they have grippy things that grab the cart wheels.

The frogs frighten me. And no cover on the tank either. "Clean-up on aisle 3! The frogs escaped again!" The food doesn't suprise me, since I have friends who've been to China (and one who lives there).

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

lol, I didn't even think of what would happen if the frogs got out!

Movators...I wonder what they call them here. I've never seen one in America. I wondered if that was for liability reasons?

Pictures

[(Anonymous)]

I think that was a Manta Ray, largest of all the Rays. I've seen them that size jumping in the Gulf near Destin. They get up to 22 ft wide and 3000 lbs! Just think if they landed on top of your boat. Frogs! Reminds me of living in Troy. l gigged a number of them and threw them in a big bowl in the fridge overnight, They looked quite dead. They somehow revived and the next morning they were all over the fridge and it was a big mess. Leaping bullfrogs!! DAD

Re: Pictures

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

I can just imagine the mess those frogs made! They're so big; what do they taste like? I've never seen a manta ray that big before. It amazed me :) I saw your IM this morning, but I was on skype with my parents. Sorry not to answer, but I'm no good at carrying on two conversations at once :) well, if you come visit we can buy one of those bullfrogs and you can cook it up for us!

[risingpheenix.livejournal.com]

I would sooooo much weight if I lived in China. I'm not eating turtle, frog, or pea popsicles.

So you broke down and let the boys be a celebrity for a day *lol*. They look like they are acclimating well to everything.

I give - what's the importance of the license plate?

[texastea.livejournal.com]

Yea. What W. said. 'Splain, Lucy.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

It's not the license plate, it's the silver symbol above it. Am I mistaken or is that the Star Trek symbol?

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

The boys are doing much better. Also, we've learned not to take them to *very* crowded places on the weekends anymore. I know we won't always be able to avoid it, but for now we're doing our best.

Don't be so sure...I thought for sure I'd be shedding the weight like crazy but I don't see that happening. So, you don't want to eat the traditional foods so that leaves you with McDonalds, KFC, or Pizza Hutt. Comfort foods as well as familiar. Plus, at any convience store you can pick up Coke and M&M's. Also, there are a myriad of NEW junk foods that cry out to be sampled! I'll be lucky if I can maintain my weight while we are here :(