Monday, May 18, 2009

Last night we had the best time. We decided to skip the traditional Chinese dinner and were walking around the island. We ran into our Oklahoman friends (also skipping dinner) and we all decided to go eat together. First we stopped into a shop and then suddenly a very strong thunderstorm started. We were stuck in the shop, a shop with no air conditioning and very humid. For 45 or so minutes we hung out in the store and of course we ended up buying things. They were nice enough to give us free drinks. We then proceeded to walk the longest route to La Dolce Vita for dinner. We had a blast and were the only people in the restaurant. It wasn’t the best Italian but a nice change from Chinese and McDonald’s. We walked back to the hotel and crashed. Lily was very well behaved and did not push us away in public. It was very nice.

Today was the last day we went on a sightseeing trip. We went to a garden our guide described beforehand as “Disneyworld without the rides”. He was pretty close. The grounds were beautiful and very well manicured. It was a small park and only took us about one hour to go through. The landscaping is amazing and oddly placed popular children’s characters are placed throughout the park. It was so humid my camera lens was fogging up. John said it felt subtropical today, I would agree.

Next we went back to Pedestrian Street and ate Mc Donald’s for lunch again. Two things I will not want to eat for a while after getting home is Chinese Food and McDonald’s. After lunch we swung by the hotel to get our plastic and headed back to the Pearl Market. I am glad I was with one of the greatest bargainers on the planet because I got a great deal on some pearls for me and Lily. While I was out shopping John spent some time with Lily. He is quite frustrated with her running ahead of him and does not listen when he tells her to wait or come here. That is the biggest struggle we have had with her. We have learned the correct phrases but still sometimes she won’t listen. It is similar to when the boys were about two and three and would run from us. The difference is I could carry them or put them in a stroller. She will not let me carry her and of course she is too big for a stroller. I know it will get better in time. I am ready to get home so she can see her real life and get on a schedule. She may be surprised when she learns we don’t go shopping or on field trips everyday!