move over Carly the pandas mine Ok now I know my first comment should be about the great wall but damn that is one cute panda! You will have to fill me in with more details on the wall, that sure is a chance of a lifetime. See you two soon, July 1st will be here before you know it. Martha
Be careful what you wish for... Hey Car, Great to hear from you...but we've been sore and tired all week because Beijing is quite the haul!! We walked for four days and literally climbed the Great Wall...because despite the cable car that's what you do! Thank goodness we didn't have to climb the 1,000 steps to get up to it (and apparently that's the right number!!) So coming after Vietnam you and I would have been toast! But you're right about being freaked about the taxi...and having one at the gate WAS a good omen. The great thing about being here is that you understood all my nuances. Now that the world expo in 2010 is on the Shanghai doorstep, there's talk of cleaning up their act here, too...spitting, dirt, bikes on sidewalks, etc. Should be interesting...as always! See you soon... Love, Amie PS...and no, I didn't practice my French...c'est tres difficile. But we LOVED hearing it everywhere...and drinking in the atmosphere (along with the wine :-)
Wish I was there with you! Your photos are amazing. Love the panda and your inn's front door. Were the lanes as amazing as the article in the Globe said they were? Tres, tres bizarre, tous le francais. But then you do have a solid background in French. Did it come back to you? ....Your taxi story reminded me of my departure day and we left at a very decent hour and yet we were a little worried about getting a taxi at your gate. So, you must have been really freaked, but it sounds like finding the taxi waiting there was an omen of really good things to come. Love, Carrie.
Cute's the word! Hey Car, When are you arriving? Pick you up at airport and we'll head for Beijing for some duck! Bring the gang...one duck feeds an army! Can hardly wait to see you, Love, MaMA (the accent is French)
Truer words were never spoken... Hey Car, Thanks for the reminder of our flawlessly perfect Vietnam trip, and yes you're right...we had an awful lot of luck on our side. And then there was Nanjing...and now there is Beijing, and we're having a blast! (Look for the details in the next blog:-) You would love the hutongs...tell Pauline, as I will too, that they're everything she promised. Very much Hanoi, with a more upscale Xin Tian De tone (if you can picture that..) And buddies you do need, and it's too bad you weren't with us on the great wall, because you and I could have screamed our way around it, with Roel bounding off to all corners...and I missed Christopher last night with our Peking Duck Feast. No skimpy Toronto portions over here...we had duck coming out of our ears. I'm still recupperating. Can hardly wait to see you all...won't be long now. Get the steak ready for the barbie, Love you, Amy
After reading 'Amy and Roel's excellent adventure, I am reminded of the chaos in the stations when all those poor people were trying to get home for their New Years, versus the empty station in Hanoi and our virtually private rail car. Travel is so much serentipity, that is luck, timing and being favoured by the travel gods. So let's hope you have all that when you weekend in Bejing. Great blog. I must say that I admire your determination in getting to Nanjing. Having said that I'm glad that I didn't venture out on my own, one needs a travel buddy or two or three when traveling in Asia.
Re: Mr. G-Q Hey Car, Yes, you're right! I can see your dad's pic towering over People's Square, pushing the latest bag or watch...except it may give him a fat head, so we'd better stick to what we know....slogging it out in the trenches! Speaking of which, your slog must be coming to an end. Can't wait for that...as I bet you can't either. See you on Skype this weekend! Love you, Mom
Hi Jim,
Nice to know you're reading the blog. We met up with Kathie and Bryan and their kids for dinner the other night. Very nice couple.
We'll be back in a couple of months. See you then.
Roel
Starbucks...the story Hey Car, What a great idea! I think that you're right...maybe the major reason I love Shanghai is not its amazing history, architecture, and sites...but the Starbucks on every corner. We'll mull that over while we have lunch today, in...Starbucks! And your right...Nanjing was great, but come to think of it. Starbucks-free!! Guess we can't go back there too soon after all...can't wait to see you again. Love, Mom
Spring has Sprung Hi amy and Roel,
Spring has finally sprung in Toronto, so it was great to look at your spring pictures and know that you too are beginning to shed the coats. Love your blog!
Jim
W¬ `°(x1aô-*}!
Does Starbucks figure into all of your stories? You should change the title of your blog to 'Starbucks.... And maybe some Shanghai thrown in.' :)
Seriously, looks like Nanjing was an interesting trip. Lot's of history there. Dad must have been in heaven.
Love you guys,
Car
Re: Hi We totally agree...the fun of the game is the journey itself! Thanks for reading about our trials of travel...which is always a lot of work wherever you go!
Re: Run for your... Hey Marth, Yeah! I'm jealous...but even though I'm not there for the move, know that I'm with you in spirit! Boy, that ol' girl just keeps on tickin', don't she? Oh well, there's always Shanghai (and I mean for you:-)...what's worse? Helping Gagi move, or a 14 hour flight? And next weekend is "Tomb Sweeping", so we'll P-A-R-T-Y!! It's mid-weekend right now, and guess what? It's cold, raining, and I just finished working yesterday...so I can't wait for the tomb sweepin'! Get those brooms out and we'll sweep those TOMBS!! ...what time does your plane arrive? See you, Amy
We could give you a run for your money about spring Hey aimsey and roelie, glad all is well, last wkend was easter and Carrie and I had a very lonely guy kind of time. Everyone was down in d.c. having what i hear was a blast. Still have mounds of snow to melt and last night was still -10? But as you, sounds like we will be turning a corner soon. Now I dont want you two to be jealous, especially Roel, but tomorrow...wait for it....wait for it... Im going to help mom pack, ooohhhh nothing says good times like spending sunday afternoon doing that! And then when you think you cant experience anything as fun as that, next weekend...wait for it...wait for it...we get to move her! Aaahhh the bliss of it all.
I think I should create a blog just on the move. Anyways take care,we will see you soon, times flying. Love Martha
Re: I want.. Hey Chris! I think you're quickly forgetting the wasteland aspects of Shanghai too...at least your weather can only get better. I have a funny feeling we'll be complaining over here and missing Shanghai's 'springness' very soon...we're starting to get a taste of what awaits on other side, and it ain't pretty! Great to hear from you...see my comment to Car about Skypage?! Ditto!!! Love, Mom...PS -- did you get my invite for the summer? I'm still waiting for your RSVP :-)
Re: Number 2 Try to give some people a gift! Okay, okay..we'll book the park for when you come, and the moment you step off the plane we're there! It sounds like you could actually use some urgent time in the water balls! After that I have another place in mind, but it involves dark rooms with mind-altering prescriptions...ha ha. Actually, that sounds good...a few more days (or moments) in Shanghai and I just may join you! Hope to see you here sooner than later, in water balls or no. But we could always just sip a drink or two in Xin Tian De...much more tranquil, and just as therapeutic. Ask Chris or Carrie if you don't believe me. Thanks for dropping by the blog...looking forward to Skypage soon. Love, Me...
Number 2 I think you are too hard on the park Mom. First of all, it appears that rule number two mandates that is to be no number two. A reasonable request I think. Number two, :), I would totally get in one of those water balls! When I finally get over to Shanghai I want you to take me straight to that wonderful magical land called daning park.
Thanks for getting me another book. I've been feeling lately that I haven't been reading enough. My brain is starting to atrophy from the lack of reading I've been doing actually.. I can't sldkfjsdjflsk kjfs....dfjsldkjf fjslfkjdslfjsl
Ha. I kill myself. Love you guys!!
Car
Ni Hao Sherrie, Hey Sherrie! Glad that you're enjoying the blog, and that it brings the whole Shanghai pic into focus, because it's such a mind-blowing place that I always wonder what I'm going to write about next...and then I just have to go out the door or look out the window! Let me in on that coffee in the summer with you and Carrie...I'll want to hear all of your news from the Beaches. See you then, Amy
Car(rie) has landed... Hey Car(ly)! Nice to hear from you...my long lost daughter in DC. That is you, right? Ha ha...yes, Carrie has landed, and left the building...but our 'elitist' lifestyle has it ups and downs...just ask Carrie about her harrowing walks through the streets, dodging the bikes, scooters and cars -- and that's on the sidewalks! NYC on steroids?! Maybe she was just so happy to be out of this land of craziness...but then, you'll see for yourself WHEN you get here. In the meantime, drop on by (online that is...) Or my cell phone works, too! Okay...that's enough nagging...can't wait to talk to you soon, CarLY! Love, Ma(MA)
Sounds like you all have some wonderful memories! Your blog is really great Amy and feel I am really able to get an idea of what it may be like to be there. Look forward to having a coffee with Carrie to hear more about her trip! Thanks again for sharing! Sherry
Carrie has landed Hey Carrie, Mom, Dad...
I'm sorry the fun had to end but it was nice hosting Carrie in the casa for her welcome back party. She looked like NYC on steriods herself... Coming down from the elitist life she led in Shanghai to the stark reality of a snowstorm in March. See, don't feel so bad that you are still over there! :)
Love you all! Car (ly)
We are a couple of intrepid wannabe hippies -- young at heart -- who have dropped out of the Canadian rat race to explore life in the Shanghai teaching circuit. Join us on journey -- but only if you dare (or have nothing else better to do) What we lack in youth and energy, we'll try to make up for in entertainment value -- or a couple of laughs with us (or at us, at the very least :-).... full info
martha
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move over Carly the pandas mine
Ok now I know my first comment should be about the great wall but damn that is one cute panda! You will have to fill me in with more details on the wall, that sure is a chance of a lifetime. See you two soon, July 1st will be here before you know it. Martha