Sunday,
June 22, 2008
We awoke and readied ourselves for the day. We went
downstairs for the breakfast buffet and I tried to close
the joint but only succeeded in getting full. Before the
buffet, we were able to speak with the kids back home --
man do we miss them. They are so important to us and to be
without them is the toughest part of this trip. We know
that it is worth the sacrifice but head knowledge doesn't
make heart knowledge any better or easier. With perfect
timing we finished the buffet, ran upstairs to grab the
backpack, and then went to the White Swan to meet Rebecca,
our Lifeline guide for the day.
Today was a day of heat and humidity -- the sun came out
and warmed us while we made our way through the botanical
gardens. Afterwards, we went to the supermarket for some
snacks and then it was time for a visit to a local Chinese
restaurant. Rebecca promised us a unique experience and it
was indeed. It was the best meal we have had here! We had
mushrooms, green vegetables, string potatoes, a beef dish,
and something they call Chinese pizza. It was all very
tasty. There was one interesting thing -- Rebecca asked if
we liked sweet potatoes and after receiving words in the
affirmative, she ordered them. The potatoes are normal
except they have a sugar-like substance on them that
hardens into a crystalline shell once you place them in
water. It is rather clever and they really are "sweet
potatoes."
Following the lunch that left us all stuffed, we went back
to the room for Shepherd to nap and watched some really
bad movies on STAR movie channel. Anyway, we saved
ourselves and departed the room to drop off some laundry,
shop for baby bottles, and were able to discover and buy a
"chop" for Shepherd. It is rubber stamp with his English
and Chinese name that he can use to sign things in the
future. We bought them for all of our kids in the past and
it was necessary for Shepherd to have his own.
After a couple hours out of the room it was time for us to
return to the room to finish up and prepare for bedtime.
Stefanie made some instant congee (that we got from the
Carrefour supermarket) for Shepherd and after downing that
he had his bath and then it was lights out. Good night
all! |
Our day at the Botanical Gardens
A short respite in the shade
Hanging out with mama |