Paula,
We got up this morning, had breakfast and went to a bank so Dad could cash his traveler's checks. These have been difficult to cash at different banks. We needed to go to the main Bank of China. I let Dad do this transaction on his own so he could get a good feel of the communication barrier. It was very amusing. But he did suceed. Next we found a Chinese laundry. It was fun. Here I am walking down the street with a bag full of dirty laundry and a camera. Typical tourist. We will pick those up tomorrow. After that we walked many side streets and stores just looking around. We eventually got tired and decided to catch a cab back to the hotel. We are very comfortable and know the address of the hotel by name. We haven't been totally lost yet. I know Dad is a little freeaked out by the 6-8 inch narrow misses withj the cabs, cars, buses, and bikes. He says that Mother would be too upset to ride in a cab.
We ate lunch at KFC today. The RIchardson's like the western food a little better. Plus we all like the challenge of ordering food by pictures. I had a woman actually compliment my Mandarin today. SHe said it exaxctly like the CD does. I was very proud. The girls barely use theri Mandarin. Xaio Yu and Lian Lian use English a little but they stick to Mandarin for the most part.
We went shopping again today. We bought XY a pair of pants, a little wallet, a CD/VCD player, and 4 CD/VCDs. I think she whas gotten away from being shy about buying things. SHe has actuially come to me with requests. I have said no a couple times. Don't want her to think I am made of the stuff. She has been very appropriate about it. My Dad bought some rolling luggage today. He got 60% off the sticker price and was estactic. He bought it for 25$ It was probably worth ten. Let him feel good about it. He did a good job.
XY and Lian like to stay close. They talk and work as a team. They seem very comfortable with us I think. We do get many stares. SOmetimes the girls walk hand in hand down the street. All five of them!! It is quite the sight. Sarah is not really into the hand holding scene. SHe tends to back out and hang with me. The girls have continued to work on the communication gaps. They work with the picture book and we did buy the dictionary today. Even used it once. It's funny how the sales person will begin talking to me in Chinese and then move to XY. Xy will then say the exact same thing to me...in CHINESE. Like I understand it better know. It's very amusing. SHe tries very hard.
I have noticed that the girls tend to get bored and begin playing gameboys in the room. This is their retreat from trying to communicate. I realize it is hard. I have a hard time with it too.
The most awesome thing happened today. On our ride home in the cab, Sarah was sitting on my lap and XY was next to me on the other side. We were all tired. XY put her head on my shoulder and her hand on my arm. It wasn't much, but it made me feel warm all over. SHe is a wonderful kid in a very strange situation. I think she is very appreciative of our generousity. She just doesn't know what to make of all of it. I couldn't be happier in doing this. SHe is really going to grow.
Speaking of growing, XY eats like a horse!!
Talk to you later,
Love
Walt
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