Climb Every Mountain

When we traveled to pick up Louis, our wonderful guide in Changsha offered to take us on a tour of an embroidery factory. We looked at her and then at our active 2-year-old son, and declined.

This time, however, we are traveling during the summer, and we aren't as intimidated by parenthood--or travel in China.

 

So when our guide, Joyce, offered us a few ideas for tours, we jumped at the opportunity to go. When she mentioned Baiyun Mountain and a bird show, all three couples in our group latched onto the idea. This morning we boarded our bus and traveled to the mountain overlooking Guangzhou.

I wish I could tell you we climbed to the top, but it was so hot and humid that Joyce wouldn't let us even consider climbing. And no one argued with her. She wouldn't even let us ride the cable cars because they aren't air-conditioned--and thank goodness she wouldn't since they looked a little precarious.

So we climbed into a golf cart and rode to the top.

It was quite a view.

Can you see the smog over the city? Or maybe a better question is "Can you see the city?"

I tried the panorama setting on our new camera for the first time.

And Michael just hung out, not complaining but not exactly enthralled.

Still, I am 100 percent sure it was more entertaining than the trip Louis would have had to that embroidery factory.

Just when Michael may have been losing his patience with his parents...

...we headed over to the bird show. He watched. He pointed. He looked up at us, waiting for us to realize just how fantastic the show was.

I mean, these birds knew how to add and subtract.

They knew how to ride bikes.



They rollerskated, rode skateboards, climbed ladders ,and slid down slides. Michael barely blinked.



Then, just when we thought it couldn't get any more exciting, the birds came flying out to the audience to collect money from people's fingers.



The birds, as it turns out, are fairly smart. They won't take low bills. They will only take 5 yuan bills and larger.



Michael watched Baba hold up a bill for a bird. When I showed Michael this picture...



...he lit up and pointed to Baba.

Yes, these two are getting along just fine.



And isn't it cute that they both ended up in orange shirts on the same day? The way we packed, that could happen again next week.

We're enjoying our fellow travelers, by the way. There are two other couples in our travel group and the dads' names are Scott and Patrick, just like last time. Does anyone else think that's hilarious?



There was plenty to see on the mountain.





And I had to take a picture of a Chinese mailbox.



We considered sending postcards but it seemed like a lot of trouble. Then we headed home and Michael laughed on the bus. Apparently he's not worried anymore about where we're headed when we board the bus.



Back at the hotel Michael and I hung out in the lobby briefly and I took a photo so we could always remember the China Hotel--as if we could ever forget it.



John ran next door to get something for lunch. (And note that the baked potato is speaking in this picture.)



We're getting a little desperate and we're just starting week two. I knew we were in trouble when we went hunting for restaurants and learned that the restaurant around the corner is supposed to be great--and famous for its eel. As John put it, "We use eel for crab bait." How are we surviving? Eat plenty off of the breakfast buffet every day, eat little or nothing for lunch, and scramble every evening to find food somewhere. It almost requires more planning than when I have to cook at home.

Anyway, around here we're eating quite a bit of Cup of Noodles.

And at least one of us doesn't seem to mind.

Michael seems to eat especially well when he's on his father's lap.

And that's just fine with me.

 

Today Michael started doing something new.

 

He has been insisting that we feed him, like a baby bird awaiting his worm. Then he started pointing to what he wanted. Today he decided that anything we can do he can do better and he started feeding himself.

Is he a neat eater? Um...no. But it is still fun to watch him try. And we're especially glad that he's getting increasingly more comfortable and confident with us.

 

Our maid is going to get quite a tip.

Michael is also doing something else better, but I don't want to jinx it by going into detail here. Let's just hope--especially since his Baba is not feeling well (it seems to be the onset of a cold) and went to bed early tonight--that Michael gets a long night of sleep and sleeps late tomorrow. We shall see. But I have to share a photo of sleeping Michael.

And, because you are probably disappointed that you missed the bird show, I'm going to share this clip John recorded for Louis to watch. After all, no one gets to see Guangdong birds performing often enough. Enjoy!