Saturday we went to the great wall with friends Tim and Lynn and their kids Andrew and Emily. We went to a section that we haven't been before which was really fun. We just love hiking the great wall. It's always quite a challenge and still a thrill even though we have been there 7 times, mostly when we've gone into or out of Mongolia. We stopped at a restaurant for lunch and had the HOTTEST food yet. We were all sweating and our noses dripping through out the meal. Can't say that we really enjoyed it. It was apparently cuisine of the Miao people of southern China and their food is traditionally HOT. Of course we didn't know that it was that kind of food since we couldn't read the sign. After we left, we noticed a bunch of fire extinguishers outside of the restaurant. They must have been there to put out the fire! My stomach doesn't feel so good today.
After the wall and lunch, the group of us took a bus to the subway and went down to our old stomping ground Wangfujing where we stayed before and after our Mongolia trips. We were amazed how it has changed over the last 13 years. The olympics really changed this city and of course economical progress. The group of us (7) tried out a massage parlor to end the night. Bob, Tim and I did the full body massage and Lynn, Kristina, Andrew and Emily had a foot massage. It lasted an hour and cost 88rmb which is $13.96. The best part was that we were all in the same room! Kind of funny to lay there and listen to every one else moan and groan. Would you believe the subway is still packed at 10pm. We didn't get back until 11:00 and we were all exhausted.
Here are a few things I learned today, which is Sunday. NEVER go shopping on Sunday! We went to the B&Q (Home Depot) to pick up supplies for Monday. Bob tried to get a quart of brown enamel paint to paint some trim. China does not have!!!! We have tried every where. There is no enamel paint, only flat. Today there were 13 people helping us. There are so many people working in these stores that entire displays can be changed in a moment. Today I went looking for a duvet cover that I saw a few days ago and the entire display was gone along with all the merchandise. I learned that if you snooze, you lose. With 20 million people living here if you see it, you better buy it before everyone else does. Then I went down to the grocery store (under the B&Q). Oh my - so packed you couldn't move. There were at least 15 young women with shrill voices hawking their wares in just one section. Bob had me looking for crackers. Are you kidding me? They don't make crackers in China, especially not saltine. I came out of there shell shocked! We came home to decompress or decompose, which is pretty much the same thing! We both agreed that the work at the Mac is the easy part. Shopping to make that happen is really tough.
Some of you were wondering what the Mac stands for. It is the building where we live and work and it was names after Hugh Macellan who donated the money to construct this wonderful place.
The Too Hot Restaurant
Jammed Packed Subway
Full Body Massage
Foot Massage
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