Day 9 - The Village Tour

Today we drove to a Chinese village. It was really nice to see where the local people live. It turned out to be a rather upper middle class area. To our standards, it was really poor. It was sad. Maggie's parents are probably living in much worse conditions and she would have had that life too.

We saw ladies washing dishes with almost black water. We saw one lady sweeping the dirt and many men laying brick and repairing their walkways. I must say, though, the people were just so sweet. Many of the older generation were coming up to us and smiling and many let us take their pictures. It was really nice. There were little sticks outside most of their doors. They were for the people to light in the morning for their praise of Buddha. We also saw a family temple. It was really nice and very similar to the Chen Family Temple we saw the other day.

We ate at a place that was as authentic Chinese food as we have had yet. Ok, I am officially grossed out. I ended up eating Maggie's Cheerios. She didn't eat anything. They brought out a fish dish first that just about made me sick. First of all, I hate fish; second of all it smelled really fishy; and third, it was little minows - heads tails and all. Our guide and driver just ate it up! Then a few other dishes came out that were interesting as well. I found in the chicken, real chicken feet with nails and all. I took a picture but it didn't come out to well. I will see if I can edit it.

When we came back to the room, I had a peanut butter sandwich and some Pringles. Good eating....

One of our travel girls has a birthday today. Willow (April and Patrick's daughter) turned 2 today. Maggie, Mom and I attended her party tonight. The White Swan gave them a cake for her and everyone said it was really good. Maggie had a slight meltdown - I think it was too overwhelming for her. She was exhausted - no nap today because of being gone to the village for so long - and she was starving. I gave her a bottle and she was out cold in 15 minutes. Bless her heart!

Tomorrow we have to stay in the room while our guide, Rebecca, goes to the consulate for us. After she calls we are free until 5:45 when we go on our cruise of the Pearl River. It is supposed to be really cold tomorrow. It rained today and cooled us off considerably. Finally, my kind of weather!

We are leaving in 2 days (Friday) and I am ready to come home. I am going to miss my new friends but hopefully we can keep in touch.

Maggie giggled out loud today several times.  Mom got it on video as it was so cute.  She just kept us laughing all afternoon (when she was supposed to be having a nap!)  She is just the happiest little girl and tonight was really the only time she has just cried like crazy.  But she was just hungry.  I am still so blessed!

Enjoy the pics!

Love to all,

Tricia





  Bamboo



  House made of oyster shells

  Inside a house - very nice!