The Village...

Friday Sept. 7th

Today Evelyn took us to a village. We were expecting to see rice paddies and countryside but what we saw was very different. The van turned down a rough unfinished dusty road and stopped in front of a small store. This is where we got out. At the local store (pictured) we stopped to buy some candy for the village children. It was...I'm not really sure how to describe it without being insulting. In front was meat hanging on hooks near the street without refrigeration (not pictured). There were rubber bins lying on the ground full of chicken feet, fish with a hose for aeration, some kind necks - chicken?

Inside the store was dark and smelled indescribable; kind of like rotting fruits and vegetables with a lingering meat smell. It was a rather unpleasant smell for us. There was a few small wire shelves with groceries and tables for the fruits and vegetables; flies were everywhere.

 

We turned down a side street and started walking. The homes were rather large but Evelyn said that the interiors were sparsely and poorly furnished. The people spend their money on the homes not decorations. When they build a home the villagers all help each other with the building and if necessary borrow money from each other to complete construction.

 

 

 

 

 

 





You MinTemple...

Thursday Sept. 6th

Today we went porcelain shopping and to the You Min Buddhist temple.

Nanchang is known for it's porcelain so we decided to pick up something for Emily. Evelyn took a us to a couple shops that she trusts and we looked around both before making our purchases. There was some amazing pieces and beautiful tea sets. We settled on a pearlized porcelain panda for Emily and some porcelain beaded bracelets as gifts.



I don't believe in Buddhism but I will say that the temple is a peaceful place. If I remember correctly Evelyn said this temple was about 1,000 + years old.  Like many other historical sites here this one has been destroyed and rebuilt over the years. While we were there some kind of ceremony was taking place and we were able to watch the monks of the temple pray but didn't take any pictures of them.

 

 

 

Later in the afternoon Evelyn had a calligraphy artist come to our room and paint a silk wall hanging for Emily and Amy (Josh and Kelly Foote's little one). The painting has her Chinese name, birth date, birth city and four wishes from Matt and I in Chinese. We wished her love, happiness, health and prosperity. We will hang it on her bedroom wall once we are home.

 

 

Amy's hanging on the left and Emily's on the right

Teng Wang Pavillion...

Wednesday Sept. 5th

Today we went with the Foote family to the Tengwang Pavilion which is on the Gan river northwest of Nanchang. Evelyn acted as our tour guide and told us the story of the pavilion. It was built by Prince Teng, the younger brother of the Emperor. The original building is close to 1,300 years old although it has been rebuilt about 29 times.

We walked to the top, 89 steps, to see a short traditional Chinese music show. The costumes were beautiful and the room itself was very ornate but hot. After the music show we walked down through each level to look at the views and history of the pavilion. We were also able to take a short break in the beautiful gardens. 

The views and history showcased inside are amazing so I will let the pictures do the talking.

 

 Dream of Lin Chuan

 

 

Pictures of important men throughout history

 

 

Happy Budda

 



 

Foot binding

 



 

After our tour Evelyn took us to a local restaurant so we could enjoy some authentic Chinese food.  We had broccoli with garlic, beef and vegetables, a spicy beef dish with hot peppers, sweet and sour pork which was great but nothing like the deep fried stuff we get at home. Everything was very fresh, we were told that the Chinese go to the market every day for their daily meal.

BTW... the dates on the pictures are all a day behind becasue the camera was set to eastern standard time ;op

More Pictures...

Here are some more pictures from Sunday through Tuesday ....

 

 

Trying to get missy to eat some rice cereal. No she wouldn't eat it!

 

Waiting for more food at the breakfast buffet

 



 

Playing before we start the day

 

New drum from Wal-mart

 



Wal-mart stash of goodies

 



 

I'm cute and I kow it!

 

 

Champion noodle slurper!



Doctor's Visit and Walmart...

Tuesday Sept. 4th


Today Evelyn took us to the local Wal-Mart for supplies. The ride over was insane to say the least! There are so many scooters, cars, buses, taxis and people on the street it's a wonder we didn't see accidents on every corner. People cut each other off and there does not seem to be any traffic laws, or should I say the minimal laws that exist don't get obeyed unless there happens to be a police officer around.  

Nanchang is a bustling city. We drove past the August 1^st Square and over the August 1^st bridge to get to Wal-Mart. August 1^st was the day the first gunshot of the civil war was fired. Unlike at home the streets are crowded even during the middle of a week day.

The Wal-Mart here is very different than back at home. It's huge and multi -floored and chaotic. We picked up some stacking cups, juice boxes and snacks for Emily and ourselves.

 

Evelyn, our guide

 

 

 
Have you ever seen so much fried chicken?

 

 

Emily with her Chinese drum

 

After Wal-mart we went back to the hotel for the CCAI doctor's visit. Emily is well but small. We need to "feed her" and get her some vitamin A and D once we are home. Emily didn't like being examined and put up a little fuss.

 

Since the day was busy, we hunkered down in our room and ordered Papa John's for dinner. The Foote family came over and we all enjoyed, including Emily, our western meal. It was a nice break from the hotel restaurants.

 

Tomorrow we are going to the Teng Wang Pavillion.