Aquarium

Will and I took Lia to the Shanghai Aquarium this morning.  Was raining so was nice to have Doug's car and driver take us there.  Very impressive aquarium and of course she liked all the big fish and interesting displays. . .and the escalator, and the moving sidewalk, and the ramps to run down. . .we would have lingered longer as it was a very impressive place but a couple of hours was just right for Lia.  We especially liked the penguin display.

We're driving in the rain and watching the rain on the sunroof of the car.  

Lia story. . .Will and I had been out and we came home and found Lia all ready for bed, playing by herself happily.  I sat down at the table and just in conversation I asked Tammy if Lia had had her bath. Next thing we know, Lia has stripped off her pajamas AND her diaper.  She heard me say the word b-a-t-h and she was fixing to have one! She got her bath!!

 

More pictures

I now have access to international internet with something called a VPN. Doug installed it on my IPad and it gets you to a server outside of the country. Its what people use here to get around the blocked websites like Facebook, blogger, twitter, new york times. . .those that are "dangerous".  

The lichees are in the markets now, yum. Crisp papery skin that you peel off to find this juicy, slightly sweet fruit. Never liked them until I tasted the fresh ones.

Speaking of eating. . Xiou Xu (the maid) cooks homestyle Chinese food for lunch for us each day.  A treat to see what she comes up with but haven't found one that we didn't gobble up.  As usual we are eating a lot on this trip.

Doug's new position

i don't think I have officially announced Doug's newest career advancement.  He is now working for a group of investors who own the rights to Dominos Pizza in China.  He is heading up the endeavor as President and CEO of Dominos Pizza, China and trying to grow the business.  There are already several stores, all company owned as opposed to franchised as in the US, and they will be opening more stores soon.  We have tried a couple of different kinds since we have been here--good stuff. i just want to know if the Chinese coupons will work in Tucson.

On being tourists

Will and I dug out some subway passes this afternoon and headed down to "the Bund."  We feel pretty confident traveling around the city with our city maps in English and a subway card with money on it. Every tourist to Shanghai has to stroll down Nanjing Lu, the pedestrian shopping street and then make your way to the Huangpu River for a stroll along the Bund.  I have no idea why it is called that but it is the area that was the financial hub and the elite part of town back in the 1920's when the English and French and Americans owned the wealth in Shanghai.  Those old buildings have all been restored and once again are financial institutions or upscale shops or restaurants.  Nanjing Lu (street) is like New york's Time Square.

Nanjing Lu.  Notice the air quality not too good today.  Also extremely humid. Lots and lots of people out enjoying the day.

 

Looking across the river, the Bund behind us, as the lights come on in Pudong district.  We stayed down there until evening to see the city lights.  Thats the Pearl Tower on the left. . .an iconic landmark.

We walked through the lobby of the old Peace Hotel that is now the Fairmont Peace hotel. This is a jewel.  All the rich and famous have stayed here since the early days of the 20th century.  It is a fantasy of mine to stay here someday.

She got the hair cut

We went back today and Lia got the haircut.  She was good as gold.  Didn't move a muscle.  She knew they were making her pretty.  I got it on video and it was pretty sweet.  Then we went down to the food court in the department store and she got some noodles for lunch.  I had an espresso sunday--which is exactly what it sounds like.  Espresso coffee pored over soft serve ice cream, I liked it a lot.

We never had it like this when we were kids

This is a children's barber shop!  Now who wouldn't love to go and get a hair cut here.  All the barber chairs are cars and you can see each station has a video monitor to watch cartoons or something entertaining.  Its in a Japanese department store called "Isetan" that is near that temple.  Lia did not get a hair cut, maybe Mom will bring her back for one but she did enjoy trying out a car. 

JingAn district

The kids live in the Jingan district of Shanghai so named for the famous JingAn Buddhist temple in the middle of the area.  It seems to be quite a prosperous temple as it is extremely well kept and lots of people visiting it.  Lots of tourists visit also. A prosperous area grew up around it also, big luxurious shopping center and lots of shops, a nice park.  It is a little surprising to find this temple surrounded by such a modern urban landscape.  We walked down there today to see what we could see. Still our favorite thing to do is walk the streets and see what we can find.

Lia and the elevator

Lia has discovered how fun elevators can be.  Since she lives on the 8th floor she gets to experience them on a daily basis.  She HAS to push the buttons and has "down" and "up" figured out, now learning to recognize her numbers in English and Chinese, I might add, as she chooses which floor we are going to.  Then she waits for this little thrill as the floor drops and that split second of movement--she giggles and does this little dance because it is a fun feeling.  I told Doug, next time he gets  in an elevator with business associates, he should do that same little dance--you know you want to.  So fun to experience the world thru the eyes of children.

More from the Kerry Parkside Hotel

There is something for everyone here, lovely restaurants, fitness center, spa, impeccable service.  Will says the new job he wants now is the guy in the mens restrooms that folds the edge of the paper towels from the dispenser so that each time one gets a perfect towel to dry your hands.  You never see anyone but always freshly crimped towels. 

  This is a view of Shanghai's famous financial center in the distance. . .already being dwarfed by a new and taller building.

Weekend at the Kerry Center

 We packed an overnight bag and all went over the river to Pudong and checked into a very nice hotel that has a wonderful kids center plus lots of other amenities for a little get-away weekend. Also this is a place to get on international wifi so I can get to my blog and Facebook and all that stuff that is normally blocked in China.

The city

The air quality seems quite a bit better today. I posted a similar picture shortly after I arrived and even thought that was a night shot you couldn't see the top of the tallest building as it was lost in the smog. Suppose to rain again before weekend is out.

Thats the view of this apartment's courtyard with Will and Doug's dog, Tina down in the corner.

Grandpa's here!!

Will got in late last night. Doug's driver and I went out to the airport to get him. Uneventful flight--just long. But he was up early anyway. Tammy had some work to do today so we took Lia on a long walk and ended up at Starbucks for a mango/passionfruit smoothie that we all thought was just the thing to sit outside on the street in Shanghai and people watch.

Spin ceramics part 2

i

I was able to see my blog and realized that pictures have been making it but the verbiage I thought I was accompanying was not.  Sorry, some didn't make much sense. . .and you missed some good stories.  I will repeat a couple of them.  This one is of a ceramics design studio that someone told me about.  In house artists design the stuff and then it is manufactured in Jingdezhen, where all the really good porcelan comes from in China.  Then sold in one of three stores, that are set up more like museums with special lighting and displays.  Really cool stuff.  I want Will to see it, i know he is going to insist I buy something!!

Spin

Curbside repair

T

This guy has his shop set up right on the sidewalk. Low overhead, I guess. Only trouble is you either have to walk around him and out on the street or step through his parts department piled up on the sidewalk.  Thriving business, he was working on a cart, a motor bike and had a couple of tire changes in the works too.  Just trying to make a living.

Going to music class

Moganshan Lu

Endless fasination

Monday

Since I am still posting "blind" I have to send one picture at a time mainly because I don't know how to send multiple pics from my IPad. Today I picked this one because it shows a lot. First of all, it's right outside the main gate of the kids' apartment complex and their building is reflected in the dark window glass of building across the street. Then it shows the place where I had a heavenly 90 minute message this morning. Tammy had an hour one to relieve a soreshoulder. Mine was pure pleasure.
This is a busy street--Xikang Lu--all manner of autos, buses, scooters, pedestrians, an occasional bicycle. All part of urban Shanghai. . .and right in the middle of all the hubbub, you still see things like this peddling down the street. The contrasts are always amazing to me.

sunday morning

Shopping with Mom and Dad

Trip to Toys-R-Us

Shanghai in the night mist

Shanghai

My second full day in Shanghai. We're all trying to get over jet lag. Hardest on Doug as Lia has a hard time sleeping at night--wants to sleep longer during the day--and he has to go to work the next day. So she is crabby late in the afternoon and then happy and wants to be entertained during the night. The kids share "Lia patrol" so the other one can rest. I try to help too, and she has warmed up to me pretty well, its just that when she feels bad, she naturally wants Mom. She does like her Daddy and that is so fun to see as they have had so much time apart. When they are together she lights up--unless she decides Mom is better!! Tina, the dog helps entertain also. She is really tolerant of Lia, maybe because Lia is older and doesn't pinch and grab any longer.
Its been cloudy since I arrived and raining today. Rain forecast for tomorrow also. The night view of the city from their 8th floor apartment is surreal in the mist.
I am not able to get to my blog thru the Chinese internet, but if I email the post to my blog it just might work. So its going to be a little choppy with posts and pictures separately. Best I can figure out so far.

Sent from Linda's iPad

Lilliana and Tina

First morning

4 in flight movies, little eating, little sleep, little reading. . .two layovers..phoenix to Shanghai. . .and here we are. Smiles make it all so worthwhile

All dressed up for mothers day dinner

mothers day tulips

My kitchen is full of lovely, draping tulips!  Love 'em!!

Habitat Crew at Keno Park

Habitat Crew at Keno Park.
  Will spends most Tuesday mornings volunteering his time at Habitat for Humanity here in Tucson on a work site on the south side of town.  He has enjoyed this for quite a few years.  They decided to get together on Thursday night and have a guys night out at a baseball game.  They went to see the Padre's play Albuquerque.  The Padre's are the Triple A Farm team for the San Diego Padres who play there season here.  Unfortunately they lost 8-7 but they all had a good time, and watched some pretty good ball playing.


 

My Cereus

These are MY Trichocereus Cactus blooming!  One is in front yard and the second was just purchased two weeks ago and haven't gotten it into the garden yet.  The buds have been swelling for days and fun that they both bloomed on the same day--actually night.  They opened before sunrise and the pink one was drooping by sunset.  The white one actually looks like it might make it at least until tomorrow.  The white one is very fragrant--smells like vanilla. It has a couple of buds yet to bloom.