Spicy Girl

Greetings!

Sightseeing today in Changsha! I know that somewhere on our itinerary, the proper names for where we visited today are listed. One was a famous university in Changsha. We walked around some beautiful and very old grounds, watched some people play some traditional Chinese instruments (Lucy and I loved this - it was airconditioned), and saw a HUGE statue of Confucious. The other stop was an embroidery factory. I do not know how these people do this embroidery. The pieces look like paintings - really good ones. Of course, there was a shop at the end of the tour (par for the course here), and Lucy picked herself out a neat little embroidered box. Nolan and Lou, I didn't think you two would go for the fancy silk pants and vests, so I did not get you a souvier there.

I cannot tell you much more detail about these places, as I was carrying around Lucy in the baby carrier - something she was initially less-than-thrilled about. After a mild hissie fit, where she nearly flipped herself upside down (while in the carrier, which was attached to me), she resigned herself to a ride with Mom. Determined to do a little forced bonding with my little girl, I braved about a zillion stairs, and 100 degree temps, and tried to ignore the fact that at any moment I would either melt, or my legs would cease to work.

On the way to the University and the factory, our guide was filling us in on some Changsha history. The only part I caught was that when people hear that one is from Hunan Province, they say 2 things. 1 - You are from where Chairman Mao is from. and 2 - you must be a "spicy girl"! I believe Lucy fits that description. We're in for it! :-)

Lucy has a buddy. His name is Evan and he is one non-stop kid. Ed says that he is permanently at a tilt because he is always running. The two of them are definitely working on some sort of conspiracy to take over the play area at some point. We don't know when that will be, but when it happens it won't be pretty!

Nolan, we passed a restaurant today that was a snake restaurant. When I inquired about what exactly that meant (silly me), I was told that they serve all sorts of snake dishes there. I know you think I am pulling your leg about this, but you have to trust me when I tell you that I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

I am off to pack. We leave for our last leg of the trip tomorrow at about 4:00 in the afternoon. We will go to a park in the morning with the kids, get back in time for them to take a nap, then off to the airport at noon. All I have heard about Guangzhou has been great and the White Swan hotel is supposed to be fabulous. I'll let you know!

Love you and miss you all!

Ed, Mel and Lucy

Say a little prayer for Lucy!