A weekend full of adventure

Momma and her boys...

Kellan trying a Chinese version of candied apple (with Mandarin oranges). Tasted pretty good...

Kieran is not quite sure about thos sharks...

With Halloween beginning our weekend with a bang, we didn't let up on either Saturday or Sunday... We are quickly learning that our firstborn, Kieran, is developing quite the social schedule. The past two Saturdays have had copious amounts of time budgeted in for his soccer as well as birthday parties. The difference this weekend though, is that his ol' man had his official Chinese drivers license and drove him to soccer. So, I can officially say that I've "joined the fray" out here. And I mean this when I say this... I've NEVER experienced anything like driving in China. You really must see it to believe it... I'll say no more.

After watching the 4 year olds run around chasing one another (and sometimes a ball), for an hour, we headed home for the birthday party. Kieran and Laurie attended this, while Kellan and I stayed home and napped... :) We had to prepare for our next adventure. Yashow market. Where you could buy the finest in imitation clothing, great souviners that are sure to break in less than a month, massages, and pedicures. All of this is in the same building too, I must add.

We headed to Yashow with the idea of getting the boys some clothes. Our first impression of this was similar to the other markets of this sort that we've visited. Many people, salesfolk who grab you and ask you the same questions.. "Hello friend, you want a shirt? Come have a look." Over and over again...

Laurie had some recommended places from other gals, so we bee-lined to the third floor. There, we haggled for 17 pieces of clothing that cost us around $100 American. Not bad...

By the time that we were done with the boys, they were done with Yashow. So, we headed out and calmed our tweaking nerve endings with some soothing Coldstone Ice Cream!!! My friend!!!

After we cabbed back to our home, we headed over to our friend and neighbor's home for dinner and fellowship. The kids played, we talked, and had a great, relaxing time...

Sunday, Laurie gave me the green light to go back to Yashow to look for a few long sleeve shirts that I could wear to school. I've never been much of a packer, and it definately shows... I have a ton of short sleeve shirts, but neglected to think that Beijing actually does get cool during the autumn and winter... So, I had to arm myself.

I've been reading an awesome memior that an American man wrote titled River Town. Peter Hessler recounted his two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the heart of Sichuan province on the Yangtze River. He writes of trying to see what living in China is really like. This has really helped me to open my eyes personally and come to grips with what I want for us while we are away from home. We're not some random visitors who are spending time visiting China. We're going to be living here for at least two years. Why not try and get the full flavor of this place.

With that said, when I set out for Yashow, I wanted to try and venture around a bit, try and talk to the native Chinese folks more, try to look at this place not as someone whose just visiting, but someone who is living here... Enter the Minnesota boy making a buffoon of himself..

Yashow is not the place to try and culture yourself. It's full of waiguoren (foreigners), like me who are looking for no more than a good deal... But, when I did begin to haggle with the salespeople, they always asked me "Where you from?" This opened the door, as I reciporcated the question. Not one of the workers in there was from Beijing. They most likely were from some rural area that I had never heard of... I also tried to throw in the few Chinese words that I knew whenever possible. This got them laughing alot, but showed them that I am trying... I've found that those whom I've tried to communicate with in Mandarin have been very patient. So, in the future, I'm going to continue to try and do this... It's the best way to improve.

After haggling for as long as I could stand it, I left Yashow and walked down to Workers Stadium. This is where I saw the US women play Japan in soccer during the Olympics. The stadium looks as if it had a quick coat of paint slapped on it. And, a pretty sculpture depicting a few people who could have been action figures, showed cracking and wear when I looked at them up close. Never the less, it was a beautiful day for a walk.

The other side of Workers Stadium was my destination. Here at the Blue Zoo, I'd meet Laurie and the boys. The Blue Zoo is and aquarium that seems to be under some river that goes through Beijing that actually was really cool. The boys loved it, and the visitors loved the boys. The stares and the attention that we have gotten are beginning to not feel so wierd anymore. But, consider walking down the street with a few handsome children along with you. 99% of everyone else looks strikingly different than you. As you walk by, many just stop and stare at you, often saying things to their buddy that you cannot even begin to comprehend. Or maybe a young lady will walk over to you and ask to have her picture taken with your son. This in turn, begins a crowd of curious onlookers possibly inspiring another person to ask for a picture with you boys... Very different, intense, and wierd when you are constantly the center of attention...

The trip that day was a complete success for all involved. We spent some great family time together, the weather was great, and Riley had a little time to try and taste true China. The only deviation that I made from this was a quick stop at KFC for some popcorn chicken and a Pepsi. But, even in there, everyting tastes a bit different. I'm not going to think about that anymore since I try not to analyze the food here too much.. It could lead to sickness... :)

We love and miss you all! Drop us a line when you have the time...

Until next time,

The DuBois'