Sorry, it has been a week without a posting. I am sure the grandmothers are chomping at the bit for more pics of Tyler. So as to not disappoint, here are some pics taken today with Tyler showing off some of his new tricks of standing without holding on to one of us as well as showing off his rowing for bear.
Peter is off of work this week for May Holiday. We started Saturday with another round of Football and then off to Xiantiandi, a pedestrian street filled with cafes and restaurants with most having terrace seating. The weather was lovely!!
Sunday was a chill at home day and we enjoyed catching up on some movies.
Monday we took in the Shanghai Aquarium with Tyler. Very exciting! Actually quite shocking as you never would guess that you were in China. Here is a pic and yes there really is a shark right behind the diver. We were on a moving walkway--Schindler, I think :) that took us under the shark tank that also included many turtles, manta rays, and eels.
Tuesday we were treated to a guided tour of one of Peter's manager's hometown about 20 minutes from our house. Bobo did a great job showing us around and making us feel welcome...more info and pics to follow. This was true China seen through a proud local's eyes. No polish and artifice of Shanghai to be found here. My respect and appreciation for our homeland was definitely deepened. If you want a soul searching opportunity, we will show you this neat town, filled with its canals and people living in a space much smaller than your living room. Soot filled cannot describe the streets or houses. The people of the town did not seem to notice their impoverished state of living--or what we would consider impoverished. An aged woman stood in the street (pedestrian and narrow) washing her clothes under a tap with a bar of laundry soap and running them over a wash board. As we were leaving, many of the people were sitting down with their family and friends to dinner and a round of cards. It was great to have a glimpse of their life as it reminded me of how truly blessed we are to be living the life we do.
Today, we visited She Shan park--again you would never guess you were in China. Beautiful trees, open grass areas and the area's largest manmade lake. We will definitely return as Truffle can enjoy the sites there as well once he has his registration card. Future visitors, you will love going here as it really gives you a break from all of the different aspects of life here and a taste of back home. I really think this will be our refuge as it is about 15 minutes from our house.
I will upload some pics later on this week from the last few days as well as some observations and thoughts on what we have experienced this week. I am still mulling a lot of it over and trying to put some of our feelings into words. The week has been filled with complete opposites, much like the difference between Switzerland and China. Polar opposites.
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