Well the day before yesterday, we ventured out on our own without our guide. We went shopping at the French version of Walmart called Carrefour. Rich described it as a combination of IKEA and Walmart-huge and EXTREMELY crowded. We were able to find some American type foods there, though. We bought peanut butter and jelly and bread. We just decided to make sandwiches in the room because our tummies and wallet can't handle eating out everyday 3 times a day for almost 3 weeks. We do have a western style breakfast buffet each morning included in our hotel cost. It is wonderful--a mixture of Chinese food and American foods like pancakes and bacon and eggs. Xiaolei eats everything. He loves watermelon, pears, and bread. He has eaten bacon and egg rolls for breakfast too. Since it is difficult for us to eat veggies the rest of the day, we get them at breakfast. Xiaolei likes the cabbage and carrots. He is used to eating con gee (watered down rice) in the orphanage--but now he would rather eat all the other foods. He saves his con gee for last. But--he does eat it. He doesn't waste one morsel. Too funny! He will eat just about anything. His little tummy has been holding up well.
Back to the Walmart store story...Rich and I just had to laugh our way through this one. It was so hot and crowded and simply overwhelming. Xiaolei was perfectly behaved and sat in the cart. When we entered the store, an elderly woman gave him a balloon. When we left the store, she was waiting for us and wanted to help us, but we didn't know what she was saying. Another Chinese woman came up and helped take Xiaolei out of the cart. It was very nice--just a little uncomfortable being surrounded by people you don't understand. ha! On the taxi ride home, the driver got into a standstill with 3 other cars when he was trying to turn into our hotel parking lot. All of the cars were jammed and no one would move. They all just sat there honking there horns and yelling at each other. Finally, a guard came over to remedy the situation. It was hilarious. They were so impatient and no one was willing to move first. :) We were able to purchase crayons, a ball, some very inexpensive blocks, and playdough for Levi to play with in the hotel room. He loves his blocks and crayons! He has a play a game with the ball where he tells us where to stand by tapping his foot on the floor. Then, he points to us telling us whose turn it is to throw the ball and which direction to through it in. He is bossy little thing! ha!!
Yesterday morning, our guide took us to the pearl market and then to eat at a local Chinese-Beijing noodle restaurant. We had a fantastic day. The pearl market was so much fun. All the people were yelling, "Hey Lady" as we walked buy their counters. They were telling us to buy their goods. You are supposed to bargain with them, so this was right up my alley! Rich just laughed at me. I told them too much and walked away, and then the price fell very dramatically! Ha! It was fun to watch the European businessmen haggle as well. They acted insulted until the price was low enough.:) We were able to buy Xiaolei a hand carved stamp with his Chinese and American name on it and some souvenir chopsticks. We also found Theo some really cool magnetic rocks that make a cricket sound when you throw them up and they click together. For Ruthie, we found a little Chinese tea set.
The people at the market were so sweet to Levi. The man who carved his stamp for him, gave him food to eat and and talked to Levi for a long time. Everywhere we go people give Levi things--balloons, food, etc. I posted pictures of Levi with the man who carved his stamp and with the lady at the pearl market.
No comments:
Post a Comment