Touchdown New York!

Jackson And Grandpa at the Shanghai airport

After breakfast in Fuzhou, and a layover in Shanghai - we are back in the US!  It was a long travel day, but overall it was uneventful!  We only had four seats for the 5 of us coming back, but they put us at the bulkhead where we had more legroom and Jack could play and sleep on the floor. He did amazing on the flight, and again attracted lots of attention.  There were a number of kids also on the flight including two 12 year old girls who couldn't leave him alone.  Karen said it was his first "make-out" session as the girls couldn't stop loving on him and kissing him!  

Jack grooving to the music on his headphones!

There was a guy right behind us who snored super loud!  He fell asleep as they were pushing us away from the gate, and started snoring right away. Our end of the cabin all started laughing and woke him up.  He snored a lot of the way back and even as we were taxing to the ramp!  Another gentleman in our section had some medical problems and needed oxygen and the crew was calling for a doctor. They moved him to the business class section for treatment and he seemed to be resting okay as we exited.  It did make me think that would be a great way to get "bumped up" - "I'm having problems breathing, or my chest feels a bit heavy" - please move me up where you can actually move and breath and look out a window!!

Jackson sleeping on the plane

Now that we are back, it's almost hard to believe that two weeks have gone by.  We lost touch with the "other world" and realized how some things that take up our life don't seem to matter so much.  Hopefully, I will remember to keep reflecting on the two weeks we did have.  There are so many wonderful memories that all woven together in the beautiful Chinese landscape, the people, the rice wine, the tea and the richness of the culture - simply magical!!

Thank you all for following along and sharing these days and these thoughts with me!  Lastly, my biggest thanks go to Shirley Meadows who has kept my life and blog together.  Without her, this trip would not have been possible - Shirl, you are the best!

Deb

PS  Go Packers!!

Packing Up

Today was our last day in Fuzhou.  Unfortunately, my cold got the better of me and I stayed at the hotel.  Dave joined Mike and Karen and Karen's father's family on a visit to a family owned property in the mountains outside of the city.  The photos look wonderful (I'm attaching a few) and I am so sorry that I missed the day.  I started on some antibiotics today, and I think things are now turning the corner.

We have an 8:30 am flight to Shanghai tomorrow, and then on to NY.  I can hardly believe this adventure is almost over.  The entire two weeks have gone so fast and been so interesting and wonderful.  We are beyond grateful to everyone here who has spent so much time making sure we were okay, busy, having fun, and of course EATING!  Karen's father made so many arrangements for us and was always willing to take of our every need.  We have been the recipient of so many gifts that we had to add another bag just to get home!  Their generosity of spirit and time and hospitality is incredible.

I'm not quite done with my blog, as we still have the trip home, and I didn't get the chance to get everything down while I was here.  Before I leave NY, I will finally finish.  Thank you all for following along.  It's been so nice to hear from some of you on the blog or via email!

Deb

New Years Day

Look at all the housing

Well, New Years Day was also busy with plans that started with lunch at Karen's Aunt and Uncle's home.  In Fuzhou, really no one has a single family home, but a condo or apartment.  Their condo was quite large, 3 stories total with a couple of balconies.  Their building was one among dozens and dozens in that neighborhood.  At the ground level of many of the buildings was a large grocery store.

New Years soup - quail eggs, mushrooms, chicken

Lunch was amazing and totally cooked from scratch in their small kitchen.  Again, it included so many dishes- Karen told us later that you must serve at least 10 dishes on holidays or when you have guests.  There was a special New Years Day soup for good luck and longevity, and wonderful fried pot stickers - which were my favorite.  Richard helped with the cooking and made some terrific fried shrimp as a treat for Michael - thankfully he shared!  This Uncle was someone who loved to toast and share a drink.  Yes, even at noon he was getting out the 150 proof rice wine.  I only drank it for medicinal purposes- to see if it would help my cold!

Cooking dinner - so many different dishes, one small kitchen.

Temple on the river with boat transportation

After lunch it was off to the special Temple that Karen's Mom had promised to take me.  So, two cars of us took off to this ancient and tiny town about 20 minutes away.  The roads were dirt and very rough, but we ended up at the river to find the Temple setting about 100 yards out in the water.  The Temple was built there about 1,000 years ago to ward off flooding.  It is also a temple where you can have a fortune read.  This was something I had talked with Karen's Mom about many months ago, and she said this Temple was famous for its readings and accuracy.  In fact, she said you must be prepared for the answer, even if it isn't what you want to hear - but it is always accurate.

Really beautiful!

To get to the Temple you got in a little boat and the boatman pulled the boat over via a rope.  The Temple was beautiful and is both Taoist and Budhist.  Only after you pay your respect by burning incense at 5 different places can you have your fortune read.  In the Temple area, you kneel and pick up a wooden canister that is filled with thin bamboo reeds with an inscription on them.  You shake the canister until one of reeds falls on the floor - I don't know how that happens, but it does!

Then, to know if that is the right reed for you, you must throw two crescent shaped wooden pieces on the floor - one side of them is painted red, and the other side is not.  If you get one of them up and one of them down, then this is the right reed for you!  At that point you take your reed to a person who provides a little sheet of paper about it, and then you take that to the reader.  This was a very elderly gentleman, and he jumped right into the information.  Karen and her father helped to translate.

Inside the temple - Readers are to the right.

All I will say is that it was a wonderful reading, and on their scale it was almost as good as you can get!  It was even interesting that the first thing he said to me - without my even speaking - was that I was feeling sick.  He said that would pass and I was sure glad to hear that!  As I am writing this, it is by far the nicest day we have had and I've been in the room all day tending to this terrible cold.  Anyway, the whole Temple on the River was amazing, and beautiful and loud!  
There were people setting off very large fireworks there, like it was an offering of some sort, but so loud you had to cover your ears!  Now back to the hotel for a quick rest and then out to dinner.

For dinner we were meeting up with Karen's Mom's family.  I think to give us a little break from traditional Chinese food, we ended up at Pizza Hut!  It was a fun time, with a bit of a spin on your usual toppings.  Karen was enjoying some octopus and wasabi slices - I stuck to cheese!  It was the first time since we had been here that I had any cola.  They do not serve diet of any kind as they don't believe in the artificial sweeteners.  After dinner and while walking back to the car, we stopped into a full-service grocery store.  That was very interesting, especially the protein area.  Parts of critters were everywhere, but everything is fresh.  Frozen meat or fish of any kind is not even an option.  Again, while we were shopping the fireworks started going off.  We were in the financial district, and the Chinese lanterns lined the street.  It looked so pretty!  We said our goodbyes to Karen's Mom's family, as we would not see them again.  They are all such lovely, warm people who did everything in their power to make us feel welcomed on this trip.  Their hospitality is amazing!

Deb

I love these rooftop dragons!

New Years Eve

Karen, Jack and her grandmother

Our New Year's dinner

We had the bulk of the day to ourselves before the New Years Eve celebrations.  That was good for me as I continue to battle this very bad cold.  What is it with me and China and getting sick??

The boys of the two families

Our New Years dinner was being held at the same hotel as Karen and Michael's wedding party.  This evening was with Karen's fathers family, and there were about 30 of us for dinner.  It was really lots of fun, the usual TONS of food and lots of toasts!  The high octane wine was flowing and everyone was having a good time.  The little kids were running around and checking the windows for the fireworks that were already happening outside.  Okay, the fireworks here are gigantic!!  You can buy just one super-sized box, light one fuse and the fireworks go on and on. Things were just warming up for later that evening.

The Chief and Jack!

Karen's father had been on the Fuzhou police force for 18 years, and his brother is still on the force.  After dinner were were invited to police headquarters for tea!  Off we went and were escorted to his large office, as he is the Chief over all personnel.  The Chief loves tea and proceeded to do a complete tea serving for us in his office.  He is such a sweet and delightful guy- quick with a smile, and Jack really loves him, and he has taught Jack how to make these funny little noises that they do together. It was a really cool and unexpected experience.

Now it was time to visit the temple.  The temple's get really busy around mid-night, as it is a good place to be to bring in the new year.  We got there about 8:30 pm, so it wasn't super busy, and we had a chance to wander around.  It was a lovely temple, with many separate buildings, a courtyard, gardens, etc., and then walled in.  The sky was clear and the temp was moderate -all in all a perfect setting.  The monks wandered around and were very interested in Jack.  Jack was wearing his very special Song dynasty New Years outfit, so he definitely looked like the little Prince!  The outfit was a little too big for him, so it fit right over his regular clothes, making him look quite sturdy!

I'm taller than you are...

You can pray and burn incense at any number of places within the temple area.  Up on a terrace area there were many small trees that had red pieces of paper tied to the branches. There was a small temple for a Goddess of Mercy and Wishes.  It was such a beautiful area, under the clear sky - I just can't explain it. The red pieces of paper were wishes that people wanted, and were left to the Goddess to perhaps be fulfilled.  I felt compelled to put a wish of  "good health for my family this year".  Karen helped me fill the little red paper in, and then I took it to a nearby tree to attach it.  Now, about 10 minutes before this, our camera had run out of battery - so Karen's Dad was kind enough to take some pictures of my doing all of this - which comes into play a bit later.

At the Temple

The moment was truly magical and kind of spilled over on everyone.  I found Dave looking over the terrace into the courtyard below - saying "I am just trying to soak this all in".  We wandered back down to the courtyard, letting Jack run around while Richard took a few more photos.  At that time, Richard and Karen asked me to come over to look at his camera.  He was reviewing some of the photos he had just taken and was stunned by the photos of me at the Wishing Trees.  All of the photos prior to those were just fine, as were the ones immediately after.  However, the photos of me doing my Wish looked like it was snowing all around me.  First, light snow, and then as I am tying the wish to the tree, lots of "snow"!!  I simply can't explain it, but it looks magical!  Karen's Mom said that is a lucky, good omen for me - I'm just so grateful that I was there in the first place.  Karen's father is making a CD of the photos for me so I can include them on the blog.

The Goddess of Mercy and Wishes

We got back to the hotel around 10 with one very pooped out little boy!  The fireworks were going off regularly, but Karen said the REAL ones wouldn't start until midnight.  We were so tired that we went to bed by 11, knowing we would likely miss them.  For the next hour we listened to all the booms outside - perhaps even dozing.  However, promptly at midnight there was no way we could sleep!  We opened the drapes to our bedroom, and couldn't believe it.  We are on the 10th floor, overlooking the lake and part of the downtown area.  It was an incredible vantage point to see the entire sky filled with fireworks.  They were being fired off from every potential point on the ground, creating something that looks like our fireworks "finale", but filling the skyline and continuing on and on!!  Again, the sky was clear at midnight, but by the time we decided to go back to bed, we were watching them through the haze of all the detonations.  There was no way to take a photo at night, but Mike was videotaping from his room, so I'm anxious to see how they turned out.

It was a glorious New Years and we will always remember it!

Deb

Exploring Fuzhou

Boardwalk around the lake

In between tending to my cold, we have tried to get out and see a little bit of Fuzhou.  The other day, Dave, Louie and I spent the entire afternoon walking around the area.  Our hotel sits on this lovely lake that has a large park jutting out into it.  There is a "boardwalk" around part of it- which actually goes to the other end of the lake that has an amusement park there.  The large park is relatively new within the last 10 years and is beautifully done, creating lots of public space, green space and access to the water via small electric boats you can rent.  In the mornings, you can find people doing Tai Chi, dancing and evening singing as groups.  Inside the park are walkways and plaza's and gazebo's for gathering, and a playground for the little ones.

Sweet Panda! We got to get very close to them.

We walked to the farthest end of the park and into an adjacent area to visit Panda World!  When I heard there were Panda's here I insisted that we go - as I may not get a chance to see one in the states.  The facility has been there for quite some time, and they would like to move it to the outside of the city.  The current buildings are small enclosures for the Pandas and other animals, and they want to move it to a more fitting spot for Panda's.  The current location makes it very convenient for people to see the exhibits.  If it gets moved, it could literally be more than 1-2 hours away from the central city area.  A problem - but for someone who loves animals, it would be great if they had more room to roam!

The entrance area to the big park.

The streets of Fuzhou are very busy - well yeah, 2M people!  On the streets are people on bikes and motor-scooters, cars and buses- and then there are the pedestrians crossing those streets!  On the sidewalks are pedestrians, scooters and bikes!  What happens in the street is like a carefully choreographed dance between all the parties.  There is always honking going on, but not in a "get out of my way you jerk" kind of way.  More like, "I'm behind you and want you to know", "I'm going to turn and want you to know".  They come extremely close to one another, car to scooter, people to cars- there is no room for error.  Dave has been dying to try and drive here, thank goodness he doesn't have an international drivers license!  In all the driving we have done, we have not seen an accident.  Mike saw a small one the other day, where a bus and small car shared some paint!  He said both parties got out of their vehicles to inspect the damage, and then the woman started kicking the bus!  Sounds logical to me!

Some shops

Inside a calligraphy shop. This little girl and her father were so interested in us, and she tried speaking English with us.

There are a few malls in Fuzhou, and the one we visited the other day was super nice.  Tons of clothing stores with very trendy styles, and lots of restaurants.  In the city, the main streets are lined with shops, banks, etc. Most of the shops are very small, average of 200 to maybe 1,000 square feet.  As in many large cities, it seems like there are a million little markets and bakeries - but many people don't have cars, so everything needs to be nearby.  The shops on the back streets and alleys look quite different from the main street businesses, really small and often service businesses of some kind.  Dave and I found the tiniest hardware store ever, but it was busy and had every kind of hardware "department" you could imagine.

Deb

Outside a flower shop

Jack - The Fresh Prince of Fuzhou

Well of course we have always thought that Jack was totally adorable, but my gosh - the people of Fuzhou are crazy about him.  There are not many western visitors in this area, and Dave and I have drawn a lot of attention when we are out walking around. People just come up, look you over and smile.  Sometimes they hang around with you a bit, and the kids and young teens who are studying English love to say hello.  However, nothing can compare to the interest in Jack!

People stop and oogle over him every where we go.  Honestly, I'll bet there have been a thousand photos taken of that child!  He obviously looks different than the other kids here - with his mix of Ersland blood.  And apparently, it is the right recipe, given the amount of attention he gets from complete strangers!  Karen and Mike, Karen's parents and Dave were at the mall the other day (I was in bed tending to my cold).  There was one of those photography stores in the mall, and when they were passing by it, the manager came running out and asked if he could take photos of Jack and use them to promote his store!

The little "Prince" has had so much attention here, that I think going back to the states will be a rude awakening for him!  You know, the humdrum of daycare, naps, and baths will be a total let down from being in the spotlight constantly!

Deb

Wedding Celebration

The Happy Family!

A primary reason for our visit to China was to participate in the wedding celebration that her father has been wanting to have in China.  Since only her parents were at the ceremony in Madison, they still wanted the opportunity to have friends and extended family celebrate their marriage.  The event was held on Saturday night and was really fun and festive.  Not an actual wedding ceremony, but similar in many ways.  It was held at a lovely hotel not too far from where we are staying.  There was approximately 100 people attending, all of them enjoying a lovely dinner.  Karen looked beautiful, Mike handsome and Jack very styling in an outfit Karen thinks she got from Max.

Announcement in the lobby

                

                                                                      
When you entered the hotel there was a big sign in the lobby announcing the event.  The outside entrance of the room was all decorated with a balloon archway and the inside was also decorated.  The head table was set in red and gold and there was a large stage area where the wedding cake was set up.  In China, there is not really a religious or officially decreed ceremony, rather the joining of the families, as well as the bride's parents letting her "go" to the grooms family.

The Wedding Cake

There is usually a master of ceremonies who directs part of the evening and introduces everyone.  The one for this celebration was a lovely, young woman with lots enthusiasm!  She even had musical backup that was fun - almost like announcing at the Emmy's!  First, Karen's Dad gave a nice speech, then Dave gave a short one that was sort of translated correctly by Louie, and then the kids were introduced - along with Jack.  During all of this, dish after dish is coming out of the kitchen - fish, lobster, crab, pork - one after the other.  Karen and Mike sat and ate a little, and then began the toasting of tables.  Accompanied by her father, they visited every table and made a toast to their guests, and then received gifts.  Gifts were either in the form of money or GOLD!  Karen was dripping in bling by the time the evening was over.  Rings, bracelets and necklaces - even Mike got a gold ring.  Karen got a beautiful jade and gold bracelet from her grandmother, and they each got a very treasured stone necklace from a friend of Karen's father.  There was lots of photos and laughing at each table - and there were little kids!  Jack was having a great time playing in the big room and climbing on the stage.

The Banquet Hall

Most of the event was similar to home - family, friends, wedding cake, toasts, laughing and kids running around.  It was lovely and we were so honored to be part of it.

Jack having so much fun!