Shanghai, Day 2

Wow! What a busy day today. We had such a fascinating day--we had so many new experiences that I will try to relate in word and pictures. We started out by going to the Buddhist temple.

They must have been having some special ceremonies there because there were so many monks, beautiful flowers, lots of people, and all kinds of action.

They were giving free incense sticks, so everyone had a good time lighting them.

The monks were singing and playing small instruments inside one of the parts of the temple.

Each of the buildings had a Budda for a special reason--such as protection, for the dead, for fertility, etc.

All of the buildings have about a foot high threshhold which you are to cross over we found out. Alison stopped and just put her foot on one since there were quite a few people inside. She was motioned to not just put her foot there, but to cross over and go in. We don't quite know the significance, but we want to find out.

There was one place that a whole group of elderly Chinese people had beads that they were sitting there moving around in their hands--again, I don't quite know the significance. But it was all very interesting.


We then went to a silk factory. Dad was in his heyday as he talked to all the little Chinese girls that were boiling the silk worms and starting the process of unraveling the thread onto spools.

We then watched Dad as he helped the girls pull out the silk after they had dried it and make it into batting for quilts and comforters.

Finally, we went into the show room where they had so many beautiful items for sale, including all kinds of pajamas and clothing--all made of silk. They also had a fashion show with beautiful Chinese girls showing many of the things they made there.

We went to the children's factory outlet which again was a huge warehouse with lots of little cubicles where they sold tons of children's items. They didn't chase us around like they did the day before where they sold adult clothing. We travelled then--I do mean travelled--everything is like an hour apart in this huge city of 24 million people! There Dad had three suits and a sports coat made for about $80 American money apiece for the suits! All hand tailored and made in three days by little Chinese people who stay up all night sewing. They do this day in and day out. It is just amazing!


Finally, we attended the most fantastic, entertaining show I have seen in a long time. John and Alison treated us to the Shanghai Acrobatic show.

These people don't seem to have a bone in their bodies the way they can balance and bend.

Also, they had a huge iron ball, but instead of the regular one or two motorcyclists inside, they had eight! It was so dangerous and they were all so close together, I was almost sick when they got done! But they had no fear! We took pictures of some of them afterward.

Well, that is a wrap-up for the day. John's sister Carrie and her husband are also here. We are having a great time with them, too. You may see them in some of the pictures. They are from Salt Lake City. It is 11:15 at night, and we are all dead tired!

Shanghai, Day 1

Well, after an hour to Atlanta, then an hour and a half wait, then nearly 15 hours from Atlanta to Korea, and then a 4 and a half hour wait, and finally a 2 hour trip from Korea to Shanghai, and circling the Shanghai airport for nearly half an hour--we are finally here!You can see how tired George was while finding anything that looked remotely comfortable to curl up on.
Since we have been here, George has bonded with little Preston and Roscoe, the dog.

I think Mike has taken a liking to him, too. (Mike is the driver!) He had ice cream and a Diet Coke waiting for him when we got into the airport. Somebody must have put the bug in his ear about Dad's favorites!
Today, we went shopping at the markets where we were continually surrounded by so many Chinese we could hardly make it through. It is like a whole city block of little tiny shops inside a huge warehouse which was freezing. I don't see how those people can stay inside in that temperature all day long! We got every name brand in the world there--since everything is made in China anyway. You all would go crazy shopping here. It is like a dream come true if you can just learn the bartering method. George and I just stood in awe as Alison was bartering away in her excellent Chinese! One of the Chinese girls said, "She is very clever!" as Alison got everything far better than any of us could imagine. George said she could even put him to shame, and I thought he was the best!
Tonight, John and Alison took us to a restaurant in downtown Shanghai right on the river. The skyline of Shanghai with all the lighted boats going in front of us as we continually ate and ate, was amazing! It reminded me when we were on the Seine River in France for my birthday which all of you planned! Since we don't drink, you had to spend so much money to be in this special private room on the river, so we had to keep ordering food. Finally, we were asking for take-out boxes to bring home to John and Alison's housekeeper. We knew she would love it!
We are having a great time. But we truly said our prayers tonight, thanking Heavenly Father for our safety today. Seriously, the traffic and weaving in and out is going to actually finally make Dad's hair go gray! It is absolutely absurd the way they navigate here! We love you all!

Getting Started

I am online now and ready to post some pictures from our exciting adventures! Check back soon as I will have more stories to tell!