Farewell Chengdu ... for now.

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Our summer travels have officially begun! On June 24th we packed up our apartment, said goodbye to our bikes 😞 and boarded a sleeper train south. First stop, the province we have been eyeing since before we boarded the plane for Hong Kong. Yunnan. We plan to travel the province for about a month going wherever the wind takes us with a definite stay in Tiger Leaping Gorge (look it up!) After that, who knows!
Our only commitment lies in August when we have diving, wrestling, boxing, and track & field tickets for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Life is tough...

This post is a little farewell to Chengdu and contains pictures of some things in the city we became most fond of. Stay tuned for a summer travel post with pics of some of the most beautiful mountains you have ever seen! Talk to you soon!

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Photos

Sunburst
Taken in Chengdu flower park.

Dancin' in the Street
Shy about dancing? Forget about it. Huge groups of couples and dance troups dance everywhere around Chengdu. Especially in People's Park. This was taken outside a large shopping complex. We showed them what's up.

Two Bees Flying ...
A Chinese game for couples where you try to match your partner's hand gesture. Kind of like rock, paper, scissors, but more of a singing spectacular.

Chengdu Farewell Crew
Last dinner in Chengdu with co-workers/friends.

Our New Friend
People's Park go-ers are always eager to chat.

Staredown
Sometimes these chats head south.

Fishing with Nai Nai (grandma)
One of Stephanie's students invited us to go fishing with her and her grandparents (who fish every weekend) Pictured is the fishing extraordinaire, Selina. She caught 7 to our 2.

The Fruits of our Labor
In the final minutes of our fishing session Selina's grandpa caught a big ole billy bass which we took to a nearby restaurant and ate fried with white onions and sweet and sour sauce. Pictured are grandma and grandpa.

Cafe Paname
A French bar in Chengdu which features a jazz band every Thursday followed by a jam session. Stephanie may have sang a ditty or two.

Bikes!
The street outside our apartment. When spring sprung we bought secondhand bikes which showed us a whole new Chengdu.

Notice:
"PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE FISHES WITH YOUR PRIVATE."

Chunxi Lu
The famous walking street in town.

Your Secondhand Life
Secondhand market. Outdoor thriftstore feel -- with baked goods.

Easter Sunday
Cody catching up on his reading. We decided to check out the Christian Church in town with Star. PACKED.

Choir
Choir at Chengdu Church.

People's Park
with yours trulies.

Comments

[Maxine]

That dancing in the street looks fun. Have a great time in Yunnan Province. Beijing - Olympics - 2 treats in one. What a big fish!

[anonymous]

Happy Travels Guys! We'll be thinking of you in Milwaukee this weekend! Love, Drew

[mom/janet]

Holiday at last!
That fish looks so good!!! Can't wait to see the photos of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Happy traveling!!! You are always in our thoughts. Love you tons!

[christine ann donahoe II]

What songs did you sing at the jazz bar? Did you hang out there all the time? Were there any Frenchies there? Christian is going to Quebec this August with his family. He has effectively learned one phrase from the phrase book so far, "J'ai le diarrhee." When you come back you will hear that often. Ethan has a special lady friend who, according to Bridgey and Aldeny, is very pretty and a good golfer. Graham has grown six inches and I have gained 23 pounds. It's hard being in Madison without you guys and sometimes (okay- a lotta time) cheese danishes soften the blow. we love and miss you both very very very very much.

[christian]

oolong
I was just in my car and caught a talk radio segment highlighting various tea's of the world. The majority of the segment covered Yunnan's oolong tea varieties. I listened because of ya'll. Yunnan oolong was noted as especially delicious but most difficult to cultivate. What do you think? Can you share your expertise?

[christian]

Staredown
What prompted the stare-down w/ Mr. Redshorts?

[Monae]

Hi guys!
Hi Steph and Cody! I hope you're having fun on your vacation. I can't wait until you come back. I'm going to a different school next year. I'm going to Golda Meir. I'm buiding a playhouse in the back yard. See you soon. Love, Monae