Sunday’s blog is right below Saturdays…..I posted them together and unfortunately, Sunday posted first….they are backwards but informative just the same.
I have had several emails wanting more uptodate info….I apologize about the lag but I am trying….there is only one computer for 15 rooms. It is sloooooow, and it takes me an hour to get one blog written, pics added and it published IF the internet is working….we’re in China, people…..it doesn’t get better than that. I do have somemore ready but have to wait my turn to load them to the server….just when I think I am getting caught up, Kevin will have an off day and I don’t get to the computer room at all ….so, hang in there, he is fine and getting stronger everyday or at least the growling is…..hates accupuncture with a passion and continues to berate Andy, his therapist everyday!
December 3rd, 2008
Saturday, November 29th
Today was an easy day. After breakfast, showers, blogging and skyping, we made our plans for the day. Kevin was weak but happy. He is staying in today because of that and we also voted him out of the car today….it is a shopping day….funny thing….he’s not the least bit interested! Works for me 
Robyn, her husband Bobby, Jack and I took off for Silk Street. The rows of shops go on and on….and after you’ve been to the first 15 spots you’ve pretty much seen everything. Most of what is here is made of polyester not silk and you really have to be careful. That’s where Jack has been a blessing….Jack…here, I would like to get this….NO, Tracy….no real…..ok, Jack …thanks…..where’s the real stuff?…….Great, here Jack, I like this….yes, very nice, ok to buy but too much money…..ok, Jack, get me the chinese price, please…..after much bartering and shoving, I usually walked away with a wonderful gift at a great price. Sometimes, I would say…Jack, that’s a great price…..can you do better if I get more of them?? “no problem!” He really charms the female salesclerks….we have a saying now…Jack has one wife but now has many girlfriends! He just laughs…..we’re never entirely sure he gets it …….By times, we won’t get a good deal and Jack will argue quite loudly with them and then look at me, wink and go shhhh……walk away …..as soon as we walk away, they come running and they meet our price. Christmas shopping is going to be difficult this year….I’m going to see something I like, hold it up and start bartering ……just can’t pay the full price anymore! Doubt very much it’ll work though…..:-) ….
After Silk Street, we detoured over to Wushan Square for a few things that Robyn wanted and I wasn’t exactly just along for the ride…..we had a great time and arrived back laden down (man, that woman knows how to shop!) shortly after supper. Returned to the room….no Kevin….good sign….means he’s chasing nurses or visiting. Turns out he ran off to Rick and Susie’s room after Clarence whipped his butt playing crib! (See, he has good days, too!). Pretty soon, Robyn and Bobby joined us, followed by Carmen, Christina, Mom (we’re not sure of her name and it works for us!) and finally, Clarence and Louise….we had a lot of laughs over shopping and other discussions from politics, family and religion. Our little group seems to get along very well. Miss Kitty joined us just about the time that Rick and Susie were showing their purchase of a little drum….Susie played and the rest danced! I’m gonna stick the video on YOUTUBE for his congregation!
Yesterday, Catherine came in with a little gift for me….two pairs of shoes…..chinese slippers and a black summer wedge…..how sweet of her…..her family has a shoe business. She asked me Kevin’s size so I think she’s looking for something for him too….I didn’t tell him….he was whining (Mac will understand what this means….as will 50 others!)about not getting anything and he was the patient….Ah, suck it up big fella…she’s not stupid, she knows who really brought her a gift even if it was you that gave it to her…..I figure I’ll let him whine until she brings them ….Casey’s right ….Bigga Baby!
Tonight, we returned to our room around 10:30….late night for us to be out….lol……shortly after, Helen came in with a huge scroll with chinese writing on it….apparently it is a poem done by her husband who is an artist….I’m going to have to have Yan explain it to me….. hmmmm wonder where we’ll hang it?
December 3rd, 2008
Sunday, November 30th
Free Day number two! Yahoo! Another day out……We have Jack booked again for today at 11:00. We have invited Rick and Susie to come with us if they like. Yesterday, I spent time with Robyn and Bobby and will again on Tuesday evening….night market time ….Clarence and Louise and their daughter Leslie are taking another driver and we’re all going together. Everyone signed out and got doctor’s approval to go….A beautiful day to be out but slightly chilly…..I really wish that I had taken mitts with me….We stopped at the silk factory as I wanted to pick up some hand cream….I had purchased some yesterday but one of the ladies, Donna Stiles, hardly got out of the hospital to go shopping….she just wasn’t up to it so I took in a bunch of stuff to show her….she loved so many of the items. They did manage to get out once but never saw anything like I got. The heartstrings yanked a bit and I offered her any of my stuff….what the heck….I still had close to 2 weeks left to repurchase it…..much to Kevin’s chegrin. She was thrilled and selected several things….her hubby Rick came knocking on the door…..”I’m here to pay off my gambling debts!”
Louise said she didn’t need to buy a thing at this stop but ended up spending the most….she got severly teased for the rest of the day….too funny……
Next stop….Silk Street!
Kevin ready to roll on down the road....or silk street!
Back: Clarence, Sam, Jack, Louise, Rick...Front: Leslie, Kevin, Susie
Is everybody done!??
Next stop: bathroom…but wait, Jack we can’t get through because of all the bikes…..”no, problem”…Jack fix:
You go Jack! Quick....here comes the old man....
Soon after, we were back on the road again. We drove around part of West Lake….it was beautiful and clear today…..there were alot of people out walking and boating……We parked at the Hyatt and went into the lobby for a tea. We had reservations for the dinner buffet at 5:30….had an hour to kill. They were decorating for Christmas and had a huge tree. It was the most stunning tree I have ever seen. They only had the lights on for a couple of minutes ….trouble with some of the sets…..so never was able to take a picture…..maybe another time. The buffet was expensive….$60 person……but……steak cooked in front of you, mashed potatoes, creme brule….need I say more….don’t care about the hanging animals waiting for someone to chose them …..a very tired crew loudly returned to the 20th floor
…..Some people’s kids!
December 3rd, 2008
