Kevin’s MS Blog

Out and About with Yan….a little culture Chinese style

December 10th, 2008

Yan, a buddy of mine from work, arrived in Hangzhou last Wednesday for a month long visit with her mom.  She arrived,  with her best friend,  at the hospital around 9:30 am and off we went for some shopping, touring and dining like the locals!  Kevin thought that it would be too much for him as we wouldn’t be back until after supper.  So he stayed, ordered in his meals and visited and played crib with Clarence and Leslie.  Cutie patootie Lucy, spent some time with him today too……so he wasn’t exactly sufferin’ if ya know what I mean…..I’ll have to get a better picture of her and put it in this post.

Us girls?  Well, we went to a shopping mall, lunch…..Yan ordered and it was really good…..Tracy, shall I order for you….yes, please….but not too much (just in case I didn’t like it and I didn’t want to offend anyone).  I was just starting to come down with Ella’s cold virus and I was pretty warm and not feeling the best….so I really wasn’t all that hungry.  …..Yan, just do me a favour….nothing with the head still on it please….I’m not up to that today:…..Good choices, Yan….it was yummy. I wanted to pick up the bill but Yan wasn’t having any of that…You are guest in my country, I am the host….I pay……one question, Yan….does that mean from now on I have to pay for you when we are at work, cos, Canada is my country!  No, Tracy….It is also my country too now…..well, that’s a relief! ha!

We went for a walk by West Lake

Yan and her best friend

…..tons of people….it’s Sunday after all…..went in to see the completed Christmas tree at the Hyatt,

 toured the Leifang Pagoda….amazing!

Leifang Pagoda

……heard the monks singing across the road….Would you like to go visit the temple? Yes, please…..pretty cool spot…lots of monks wearing different coloured robes…

must be different learning levels….the Chinese girls weren’t sure.  Funniest thing….a monk walking along speaking on his cell phone….told you!  There isn’t anyone here without one!

Went to another restaurant and had another fabulous meal. Yan’s friend’s husband came along to say hello and pick up the bill….shi shi, sir!

Half hour later….back at the hospital…..cold day….I was waiting to get by the fire!  Thanks Yan, I can’t express how much I enjoyed my outing with you guys.  See you in Jan when you get back to work.

Another hot chocolate waiting by the fire!  Oh, Louise……you have no idea how much I needed that! thanks!  Spent time running around the halls with Ella and her mom…..Ella just started moving her walker on her own today and hasn’t stopped….she is actually running….Her mom was near in tears….freedom at last for both of them…..nice to see…she has made great strides since coming here this time.  At one point, everyone from docs to patients, were in the hall to see her running around the halls…good times.

Ella and Georgina....she hates getting her pic taken!

Entry Filed under: ms,Uncategorized