tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81822959942577847282023-11-16T05:41:25.146-06:00A Woman On The MoveWednesdays with A Woman On The Move is a weekly update to view another picture, discover another adventure, catch up on life.A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-62794491368861138012011-07-22T13:13:00.001-05:002011-07-22T13:22:59.990-05:00Lady Lizzy Love<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zDa2BhVc-THEOaRpbN8-Oikf5crMeAIgn5gZitang5_JmTFkVlTgPqH2SQp2n1k_3T5sC-Z-ctll98xGpNn7uvBrnXWLHMyQZTwunPuyjMEJv6dWMY_oaUXZjVjo-7ZNa7COvQSHqKs/s1600/DSCN6043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632016559196508546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zDa2BhVc-THEOaRpbN8-Oikf5crMeAIgn5gZitang5_JmTFkVlTgPqH2SQp2n1k_3T5sC-Z-ctll98xGpNn7uvBrnXWLHMyQZTwunPuyjMEJv6dWMY_oaUXZjVjo-7ZNa7COvQSHqKs/s320/DSCN6043.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKii86rCVK34AhyZJMpCkf8D8Ch1WA97vBWfnXSSLN7ZnOa6FFXeFdGt534g8hSglLBsTu4SYylzpZ9Mk10WZPZB1nTOddiaCBjBKn2nLoNKNVNeOnlyUSE7mTOg8uy3oHFN1-DLIloc/s1600/DSCN6043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>It’s funny how life is a full cycle. <br />
</div><div></div><div>In the fall of 1999, I was given a choice between the two dreaded “D” words – dog or divorce. While we joked about this, there was an underlying truth. Sir had always wanted a dog, and I had always said NO. Well, moving back to the States from London gave Sir the perfect opportunity to use it as a bargaining chip with Daughter #1 and Daughter #2. After months of trying to decide which “D” was more wanted, I made the decision, and headed to the local pottery-painting store in London to help the Daughters make food and water bowls for the unhatched dog that lied in my future. </div><div><br />
Lady Lizzy Love was born on August 25, 2000—a beautiful black lab with big chocolate-brown <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92RKyO6QJwU26Xqd1iP0xmIH4iRpL1C2sOiKAdDj2b8c2PJ0vTF4POz_O5QX2hpCzYuFOM94O2lavMSdLtu14EpEEJwp4RHzUFw47UptgI21Gm-Dnw5legdyTammKrDH6LQ2d8rrm70o/s1600/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Lady+%25233.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632015176173798850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92RKyO6QJwU26Xqd1iP0xmIH4iRpL1C2sOiKAdDj2b8c2PJ0vTF4POz_O5QX2hpCzYuFOM94O2lavMSdLtu14EpEEJwp4RHzUFw47UptgI21Gm-Dnw5legdyTammKrDH6LQ2d8rrm70o/s200/Copy+%25282%2529+of+Lady+%25233.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 131px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 198px;" /></a>eyes. There I was, riding home from the breeders in the front seat holding this tiny pup on my lap, while she was scared out of her mind, whimpering the whole way! I was scared too and passed her off to Daughter #1. What was I going to do with this little tiny thing? It was everyone’s dog, right? “I will feed her.” “I will walk her.” “I will pick up her toys.” Do I need to say more? In the end, we all know who takes care of the dog! </div><div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX90NvPwzldA-yHhNvsZmsnIKMR6OrigtLkH5aNbdSwDYcBOVuhNv7Ya-wA8TAY26BPoNQ4FwBXLMK-qns1iD1opwOJ-duqVMF9wTxzfsifRhDEyAV4xgAVXmsry8OZ0ehcpyNjQZifY/s1600/Copy+%25283%2529+of+Lady+%25231.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632014972866631202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX90NvPwzldA-yHhNvsZmsnIKMR6OrigtLkH5aNbdSwDYcBOVuhNv7Ya-wA8TAY26BPoNQ4FwBXLMK-qns1iD1opwOJ-duqVMF9wTxzfsifRhDEyAV4xgAVXmsry8OZ0ehcpyNjQZifY/s200/Copy+%25283%2529+of+Lady+%25231.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 137px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a>Lady touched each of our hearts in a different way. Sir was always the master; always the one she ran to when he walked in from work and always the one who she went to in the evenings to beg for a walk. Daughter #1 loved Lady truly and thoroughly; forever the big sister making sure we were treating her right, taking pictures, and begging to see her on Skype while away at school. Daughter #2 had an eleven year a love affair with Lady, growing up together. In the beginning Daughter #2 dressed Lady in doll clothes and in the end Lady was Daughter #2’s fierce protector.</div><div><br />
Me? Well, it is hard to say. For seven years she was a lovely thorn in my side, but for the past four years she has been my lifesaver. When Sir moved to Chicago, she was my faithful companion. After my move to Chicago, Daughter #1 going to college and Daughter #2 becoming more independent – Lady was the one that got me out of bed each morning. She was the one who didn’t say, I don’t need you as much anymore. </div><div><br />
So today, I was the one holding her when she left us. Lady will be truly missed. </div><div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HYaZoO0flIdc0al4Gc6oZN71NusZpckBBeu7n50-F8SPbRFsCHKaoBCZXpmCLtPCj2-3ssJLh29yBhbrnD4l6dRMMm0ZmVqndQa_1Aysh2uQkNVv-bFuFbrXH6QrwTIkWFPr4-Uf8EE/s1600/Lady+%25234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632018983962148146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HYaZoO0flIdc0al4Gc6oZN71NusZpckBBeu7n50-F8SPbRFsCHKaoBCZXpmCLtPCj2-3ssJLh29yBhbrnD4l6dRMMm0ZmVqndQa_1Aysh2uQkNVv-bFuFbrXH6QrwTIkWFPr4-Uf8EE/s320/Lady+%25234.jpg" style="display: block; height: 216px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV8a6RAsre1qV2XmmCfZNG6Rav127kuiHRI4_KoB78kPX7fmGZ4PWAj0G-wbmKC5iEkm0qZLC5djMTIM4n75GbWCofCCZx1kRn-eQb71Nd_aU19o1FYSK7RG16wYt_6_AjFfJipz-Fu4/s1600/Copy+of+Lady+%25235.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632021065710374962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV8a6RAsre1qV2XmmCfZNG6Rav127kuiHRI4_KoB78kPX7fmGZ4PWAj0G-wbmKC5iEkm0qZLC5djMTIM4n75GbWCofCCZx1kRn-eQb71Nd_aU19o1FYSK7RG16wYt_6_AjFfJipz-Fu4/s200/Copy+of+Lady+%25235.jpg" style="float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 129px;" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8oSCQm5Kl8LIt42feRhzSvUL6-oosApH71FUWbIWi85nECbc919aT0WfOMWZ1oGisjzJpJkrjZC9L_txBAR5JBIRqa-qrOtlheQprdjvC3Fkt8FTI1VUzEC2-rUo8fgnczOt5O5bNTg/s1600/Lady+%25234.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbc1x1AOMNIKg3jyvQj7PglN2nKvgnMfeC5eBw1SxX2LKausoKYXHO9WGXmT6k1fF2Cnvwo7MzPeopfK4eaHO4fCZ0qK7oPfAT8RYaHZ9XfLZdImMbJ6hyGf4VH3dj999NabZMfMavJo/s1600/IMG_7101.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632017060028950274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbc1x1AOMNIKg3jyvQj7PglN2nKvgnMfeC5eBw1SxX2LKausoKYXHO9WGXmT6k1fF2Cnvwo7MzPeopfK4eaHO4fCZ0qK7oPfAT8RYaHZ9XfLZdImMbJ6hyGf4VH3dj999NabZMfMavJo/s200/IMG_7101.JPG" style="float: right; height: 134px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 196px;" /></a><br />
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What a nice week with Daughter #1. My bags are checked to the windy city, unfortunately, with all my information about the last two days of the trip. I will be brief, misspellings will be made and Daughter #1 will shake her head at the number of places we saw that I will leave out! Oh well.<br /><br />Verona was nice. The downtown area is beautiful - typical of what you envision small town Italy to be. Narrow roads. Cobble stoned streets. Buildings with colorful flowers hanging off the balconies. Cafes on every corner. And,I can't forget - too many tourist. We visited the old Colosseum - converted now for concerts, plays, etc. We toured Juliet's house and posed for pictures. (I do have to say - it was not like in the movie - Letters to Juliet) After a long lunch at a restaurant tucked away down a side street, we headed to Romeo's house. It is in a famous palazzo/piazza/something. Our last stop was to Juliet's tomb. I am sure we saw a church or two during the day! After a break at the hotel, we headed out to dinner - a sushi restaurant, they remembered us from the night before! I know sushi BUT remember Daughter #1 has been in Italy for 5 weeks - tired of Italian food.<br /><br />We headed out early Saturday morning for Milan. Enjoyed a train ride with reserved seats - yeah - we didn't have to fight for a seat or space for our luggage! We arrived in Milan - and I was worn out! Milan is a big city. We decided to take the Hop on Hope off bus so we could get a feel for what Milan is like. Our only stop off the bus was at the central square with the Duamo. Wow! It was amazing. The Gothic architecture is something to write home about - but - the inside does not match the majestic outside. We walked down the proper shopping streets and hopped back on the bus. Both of us fell asleep at different times - so sad - so instead of getting off the bus again to shop, we decided it was time to head home, pack and enjoy each others company on our last night together!<br /><br />Daughter #1 walked me to the train station to board the bus to the airport. After several hugs she reminded me not to cry - I was a good woman on the move and didn't cry. It was a first for me.A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-8444363120416966352011-04-28T15:11:00.002-05:002011-04-28T15:32:46.062-05:00In Italy and Loving It #2My feet are killing me! We woke this morning to showers and overcast skies, but that didn't keep us from heading out early on the train to Mantova. Our first stop was Palazzo Te. Palazzo Te was built in 1525 by the Gonzaga family. It was a private Outside the city retreat of the family. The Room of the Giants was the reason we headed to the Palazzo - but we enjoyed it all. We hiked across town to visit the Ducal Palace which was the Gonzaga family "home" - you need to understand -they ruled the city for almost 400 years. The Palazzo was big but the Palace was HUGE. The main attraction at the Palace was the Bridal Chamber. The ceiling was beautiful, cute, fun and showed an interesting perspective! Look it up. :)<br /><br />We stopped into several churches, found stores we couldn't resist, ate lunch at a great local restaurant, and walked arm-in-arm under one umbrella. the fast train back to Verona was booked so we foind ourselves on the slow commuter train home! Happy to get off our feet, we enjoyed the ride. <br /><br />I have not been able to post pictures - the iPad won't let me . . . So much for technology!<br /><br />Well, goodnight to all! We are staying local tomorrow - Verona.A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-61971184357469497952011-04-26T16:21:00.006-05:002011-05-15T22:37:11.737-05:00In Italy and Loving It #1Yes. I am in Italy, once again - I might add. End of March I traveled to take Daughter #1 to study in Italy for 10 weeks. Sir and co. went with me. I am back in Italy traveling with Daughter #1 on her spring break. Life is good! <br /><br />We have planted ourselves in Verona, but take day trips out to small towns in the country side. Our first stop? Pad ova or Padua. We loved walking through the town but was a little discouraged when most of the shops were closed, we bought REALLY bad fruit from a street market and toured the wrong church. Once a old man who spoke no English pointed us in the right direction, we happily made the most of the day. We toured a big, beautiful church had lunch on the piazza then went to Scrovegni Chapel. Daughter #1 studied it in her art history class in high school and was thrilled to finally see the chapel. It was amazing. We ran for the training eating McDonals on the train on the way home!<br /><br />Today we traveled to Vicenza. Daughter #1 liked it better than Padua. The town was smaller and cute. We spent the morning touring the Teatro Olimpico, which is the most amazing thing I have seen in all Italy. The theatre was started in 1580 by Palladio, a famous architect who lived in this area and had a big impact on architecture during this time period. We walked the streets looking at the buildings associated with his name. After a tour of the museo civico palazzo chiericati and another great lunch, we headed out of the city center to see the Villa la Rotonda and the Villa Gazzotti Grimani Curtis, both works of Palladio's. We were impressed with the architecture but under whelmed with the "famous" frescos and furnishings. <br /><br />It has been a beautiful two days. We are loving the towns and enjoying each others company. We are tired tonight but heading into Verona's city center for dinner. We have an early start tomorrow!A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-70332831782657030832011-04-20T00:05:00.002-05:002011-04-20T00:05:00.580-05:00Atlanta Bound<div><br /><div>I just spent a quick week-end in Atlanta. Headed south, to my old stomping grounds, to host a baby shower for my niece. While there, I lived through the terrible storms that devastated part of the country. Luckily for us, we were all tucked in without a problem.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGK4KqbPIOYZkRbcisVOwIWu4vtfpws1Fu9l0si500R-peE4flgWWsOrPfJqP472QZpugfsyuMxOVZbG8Q5Dx2FBbFG6toyXMnKKgTL6k3Q8MURSNaZrFWkSuxMOIS5H79GiARHHbXqA/s1600/IMG_6787+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597126488265845650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGK4KqbPIOYZkRbcisVOwIWu4vtfpws1Fu9l0si500R-peE4flgWWsOrPfJqP472QZpugfsyuMxOVZbG8Q5Dx2FBbFG6toyXMnKKgTL6k3Q8MURSNaZrFWkSuxMOIS5H79GiARHHbXqA/s320/IMG_6787+-+Copy.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>We had a great baby shower. I was happy to visit with so many of the people that touched my life when I was just out of college living with a roommate - the days before Sir took me away to the Midwest. We laughed, ate cupcakes, opened gifts and took many pictures. </div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePjqrHmzCKoAY3jyi6kff9qsqDMw0GEEM01eQfRR1W9nls5LN9OLTHQiH-sVf4ZCTzbGkpknbat7rR3m9uESPAFRnV5QDYINmov4KnPYPfu8LDLbfAmR3M34FuKQwHWA0PkeXlUorX8s/s1600/IMG_6802.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597130298646966466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePjqrHmzCKoAY3jyi6kff9qsqDMw0GEEM01eQfRR1W9nls5LN9OLTHQiH-sVf4ZCTzbGkpknbat7rR3m9uESPAFRnV5QDYINmov4KnPYPfu8LDLbfAmR3M34FuKQwHWA0PkeXlUorX8s/s320/IMG_6802.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>In the evening, we headed off to Turner Field enjoying a double hitter . . .but the weather was cold!! Braves won both games - sorry Mets! It was a beautiful night at the ball park. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was sad to leave but know I will be back in July to see little Madelyn!</div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-86903447859883234632011-04-18T21:53:00.003-05:002011-04-18T21:55:59.724-05:00Really?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea8NgdFHRtEr5YxfrMnaRmEGOXQlltRCMVbbSMcDoE74aEk39u5CLzrQJ2FnLHXCYyPeT4kok08RT9DcWx5Nb_VYFxAaJt3p6TQa-8IWEfH8wXw7y9lG8RKWt2YLtXlSA5B1T50bhizY/s1600/IMG_6820.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597122877366739410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea8NgdFHRtEr5YxfrMnaRmEGOXQlltRCMVbbSMcDoE74aEk39u5CLzrQJ2FnLHXCYyPeT4kok08RT9DcWx5Nb_VYFxAaJt3p6TQa-8IWEfH8wXw7y9lG8RKWt2YLtXlSA5B1T50bhizY/s400/IMG_6820.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>All I can say is . . . really? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Snow on April 18th? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My poor daffoildils. </div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-69429383995895843472011-03-15T09:03:00.002-05:002011-03-15T09:04:06.018-05:00On The MoveI am on the move to London. Stay tuned for up-dates from Jolly Old England!A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-29272028186293325662011-03-02T08:00:00.000-06:002011-03-03T08:29:29.695-06:00Need Your HelpIt is that time again in my life - working on a new set of note cards in time for Mother's Day.<br /><br /><br /><br />Go to my web-site.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.shellydoddsayers.com/">http://www.shellydoddsayers.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Click on Commercial/various photos.<br /><br /><br /><br />I have posted 17 pictures taken when I was on the move in Chicago and Wisconsin.<br /><br />Let me know the top 3 or 4 pictures you like best.<br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks for your help!A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-15519105960812309152011-02-23T07:00:00.002-06:002011-02-23T22:01:39.516-06:00I Spy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGrQA-3Ukt6rsTctexIN5zx52oJoK7_kvOJF8vyJHlKSmVDnvIVFkGvGDXxdyNYgcEhet-KJJeraYsro1tnGahqjK80tdjk0nOcio3NWb3OOAnwn7BO_HeVe0FHzLHm-J2XN1Vksz8Wk/s1600/scan0002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571901937635862130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGrQA-3Ukt6rsTctexIN5zx52oJoK7_kvOJF8vyJHlKSmVDnvIVFkGvGDXxdyNYgcEhet-KJJeraYsro1tnGahqjK80tdjk0nOcio3NWb3OOAnwn7BO_HeVe0FHzLHm-J2XN1Vksz8Wk/s200/scan0002.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The thirst for travel and new adventures was one of the many things that attracted Sir and I to each other. Back in the early days of our relationship, we traveled to spend time with friends in New Jersey. On a trip to Atlantic City we each had $20 to spend to win the big money. Being the lightweight gambler, I chose the slot machines and doubled my money. I repaid the banker (Sir) and kept my $20, then went to the boardwalk to enjoy the ambience of Atlantic City. . . I had a plan.<br /><br />Without a large budget for traveling and with the desire to “shop” on our trips, I devised a plan to acquire something small from each trip... I bought a shadow box with my $20 from Atlantic City. I found an organized approach to shop, yet keep our memories for many years.<br /><br />It was hunt to find the right piece! What could we find that depicted our trip and fit in the multi-sized squares in the shadow box.<br /><br />While unpacking recently, I found the dusty shadow box—many items broken from too many moves. What fun it was to go through piece by piece, remembering our trips to places all over the world. We are wondering . . .would they still take the chips in Vegas?<br /><br />So, I spy something with my eyes – how many countries, towns and experiences can you find? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571899952356772450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKml7G2We8dRKvIEi0DTCNg-e9Mn5q-bo9R3oA2Yr-cOkZOuiKhMREcQ-E6FFJT4SSZ0QW_mdBRZREF_ASbbnI-1-dhyphenhyphenlF3ffL53GsZkDGty5KvcAz-z3dCsy3GWz1RR1mXHbJrZRBfHs/s400/IMG_5266.JPG" /></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-65565446903428288192011-02-16T14:05:00.012-06:002011-02-16T14:33:11.046-06:00<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxafwMXUfGuzGEyHYdUSSl8yqJAgjuEhViUAm_ZB7k_dEjKGeDGMK5Bu21zF8FiMuaC8m1Kph8L1Lq1fahe4bXDQOR4sEVAo5jgnfAptSnMYv6tNQ9vzuFokBd7NB4y4SBbi4Zrh5DVY/s1600/Evening+Out+1990.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574383886983666978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxafwMXUfGuzGEyHYdUSSl8yqJAgjuEhViUAm_ZB7k_dEjKGeDGMK5Bu21zF8FiMuaC8m1Kph8L1Lq1fahe4bXDQOR4sEVAo5jgnfAptSnMYv6tNQ9vzuFokBd7NB4y4SBbi4Zrh5DVY/s320/Evening+Out+1990.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Valentine’s Day just passed. Loved by those in love, hated by those without love. $15.7 billion dollars was spent this year on Valentine’s Day. Items included: cards, sexy lingerie, flowers, Viagra (yes, there was a spike in sales) ecards, organic flowers, chocolate alcohol, and chocolate. Chocolate only accounted for 1.5 billion in sales. Humm . . .<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26FY1sLNsbeHiQerE0k2ZJHsl5K8-r5XXX717ZCcwbS6_fZ2KYxomMiksdwjrqyw5mwbWY9d6-4f2c_JwVOtaZGbOODuLSsuPY2czAS-EgpJay1_v6l07FNU4imtzln_t407ol-eXKw4/s1600/DSCN4903.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sir was very sweet to me. Red roses and a beautiful heart shaped necklace were pres<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9OZgv3FzQJ1Ya8JnmCS1LOdIOBGBIcuhBMGfq31DV06-_yjtMgS7vRsfpWE2SvvBwhqfuYwktHOCAXctYMN_YitAyyBXoZDNo5pallJUZ17W8V-U1TLrCZh9qBrntT_R27OhRivv5xI/s1600/DSCN4903+-fixed.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574386371972572514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9OZgv3FzQJ1Ya8JnmCS1LOdIOBGBIcuhBMGfq31DV06-_yjtMgS7vRsfpWE2SvvBwhqfuYwktHOCAXctYMN_YitAyyBXoZDNo5pallJUZ17W8V-U1TLrCZh9qBrntT_R27OhRivv5xI/s200/DSCN4903+-fixed.jpg" /></a>ented to me at the end of the day. Don’t’ get me wrong here – a love receiving the flowers, eating Sirs favorite meal and getting extra kisses and hugs from Daughter #2 but settling in to watch my favorite movie is a pleasure I love on Valentine’s Day. I am a sucker for love stories. Stories from long a go up to my modern day favorites – Love Story (which was terrible advice), The Way We Were, Pretty Woman, The American President, Nottinghill, The Holiday, Music and Lyrics, Letters to Juliet, and . . .<br /><br /><br />I do enjoy a few minutes on Valentine’s Day looking through the previous generations of love birds in my family. Sure, they are not Robert Redford, Jude Law or Julia Roberts, but they were couples<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXWdQwu7xzH0JQWA6j2CBr2hGBFyJOMovb-loXLYNUoGa1KS3c4VlgP9ScRIUrGiuWxiKKmM3DtUhyPe6r5NcIpbH8jvKoicvs8y1A-YphwmlmXpoBTYW1bPtREMpyo0sboTS_bhRzkY/s1600/Bill+%2526+shirley+1970s.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574382156234781618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXWdQwu7xzH0JQWA6j2CBr2hGBFyJOMovb-loXLYNUoGa1KS3c4VlgP9ScRIUrGiuWxiKKmM3DtUhyPe6r5NcIpbH8jvKoicvs8y1A-YphwmlmXpoBTYW1bPtREMpyo0sboTS_bhRzkY/s200/Bill+%2526+shirley+1970s.jpg" /></a> that passed the test of time. I look at the old photos wishing I knew more of their love story – but for now, I will keep making up their stories in my head. Who knows, it might be the next block buster! </div><br /><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div>Parents<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9LSUtJYHoQYfqrEyyTxOfEINx4aEJXT2Hw9OTjQB15tOnxBf3VEqOAYARZEH0qmgNLPpUSMjGh8JQ6BTjisdbF8z_-EHgTqJ9usVuhml_i9E8Km8Du6_OSM6zc6VXEtU9PgBheH2emU/s1600/Cruise+Pictures+2000s+-+Copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574382927505902594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9LSUtJYHoQYfqrEyyTxOfEINx4aEJXT2Hw9OTjQB15tOnxBf3VEqOAYARZEH0qmgNLPpUSMjGh8JQ6BTjisdbF8z_-EHgTqJ9usVuhml_i9E8Km8Du6_OSM6zc6VXEtU9PgBheH2emU/s200/Cruise+Pictures+2000s+-+Copy.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Paternal Grandparents<br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk6qt1_dh5PmDwxricW1FIELPyf_LaZ_0N2eoDC39wWZHDIt4quckqyDrQqVaeqnevL3ONyE7ldylzn1wWUashGP1T3SxljatG91DJWIr1R-ZQEK0xJgMDMX6qA6585jDgir2vHzo2m0/s1600/Del+%2526+Hazel+%25232.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574387807312737554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk6qt1_dh5PmDwxricW1FIELPyf_LaZ_0N2eoDC39wWZHDIt4quckqyDrQqVaeqnevL3ONyE7ldylzn1wWUashGP1T3SxljatG91DJWIr1R-ZQEK0xJgMDMX6qA6585jDgir2vHzo2m0/s200/Del+%2526+Hazel+%25232.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Maternal Grandparents<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDSrlXMWeehGSS7QRE_QCUw8qZEAMdoYe_UKnedb2lCM-9QIoED5x53uvscqPPA3nDKh1gTSIfiVWhaNHrPC4IFoJ5Uhnt4fRmipTqQ_aX5iza199l4ix0X9THWYE1PP1gHp1X_iREoY/s1600/Ada+and+Miles+Hubbard+-+fixed.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574381600505393042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDSrlXMWeehGSS7QRE_QCUw8qZEAMdoYe_UKnedb2lCM-9QIoED5x53uvscqPPA3nDKh1gTSIfiVWhaNHrPC4IFoJ5Uhnt4fRmipTqQ_aX5iza199l4ix0X9THWYE1PP1gHp1X_iREoY/s200/Ada+and+Miles+Hubbard+-+fixed.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-68655014356554566282011-02-09T21:45:00.000-06:002011-02-09T21:32:56.626-06:00Guilty or Grateful<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6daYozSrEV1NGuz_8CKJSl5O6cWCV2bdyz0Qu8x7VSW7TaE2xYIvgg9EkNDpNtGdOf-MA1XLUrPA8ryp5HJT-LQLOn-b_V0YnL1aiHshxTzv1pEDO9BYFebJYJN108YzCDiDIZRaG93w/s1600/IMG_4462.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571895490212956354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6daYozSrEV1NGuz_8CKJSl5O6cWCV2bdyz0Qu8x7VSW7TaE2xYIvgg9EkNDpNtGdOf-MA1XLUrPA8ryp5HJT-LQLOn-b_V0YnL1aiHshxTzv1pEDO9BYFebJYJN108YzCDiDIZRaG93w/s400/IMG_4462.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>This woman on the move doesn't know if she should feel extremely guilty or overwhelmingly grateful. Guilty or grateful you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ask</span>? While the Windy City was under attack with a record breaking storm, I sat in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Daytona</span> Beach at the pool getting a sunburn.<br /><br />Guilty - I left Daughter #2 at home with Sir holding down the fort, a job is is competent to hold, while I headed to Florida to spend a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">couple</span> days with my parents while they were vacationing for several weeks - a yearly ritual. My quick get-a-way to Florida turned into a near week long adventure!<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Gr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ5VZyRRzV-51ZWFLYSEMtQEkaxY0-4Qc-blK5-sHZH8x1uDqLVlB2k3HtCJXBcuWFj00Wzv_gNb6sxWF_3E38H6-WjrXOMrK5Un8khama6qu_Vi0NzlhBvdi18ZxqH4X_0DLSe9nhMU/s1600/DSCN6220.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571896691607148274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ5VZyRRzV-51ZWFLYSEMtQEkaxY0-4Qc-blK5-sHZH8x1uDqLVlB2k3HtCJXBcuWFj00Wzv_gNb6sxWF_3E38H6-WjrXOMrK5Un8khama6qu_Vi0NzlhBvdi18ZxqH4X_0DLSe9nhMU/s320/DSCN6220.JPG" /></a>ateful - I was in sunny Florida staying on the beach! I sat by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">the pool</span> with my parents, Aunt and Uncle listening to the waves crash on the beach. I took a long walk and had a smile on my face with every step I took down the sandy beach.<br /><br />It was not piping hot everyday, but warm enough to throw on a pair of shorts and head out. I watched dolphins play in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">inter coastal</span> waterway while eating lunch - they played the whole time we were at lunch. I enjoyed running by the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse - I do love lighthouses. We went out to eat. We went to two movies - The Tourist and The Kings Speech - loved t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLaekzCB_fA3HRCCn0ETFZ-P-bMh_31sz-ZE8j4yO-k9ShqgROM5Y_zmeUkIjt_zsZ24cACrOt9VSPf6LgxJMw_L409P_-x_fUy0CpzueMlGEyoS5MLm7n5MdWDbuNrhnQaaT0-Tg-7w/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571895985903685618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLaekzCB_fA3HRCCn0ETFZ-P-bMh_31sz-ZE8j4yO-k9ShqgROM5Y_zmeUkIjt_zsZ24cACrOt9VSPf6LgxJMw_L409P_-x_fUy0CpzueMlGEyoS5MLm7n5MdWDbuNrhnQaaT0-Tg-7w/s320/IMG_4426.JPG" /></a>hem both! Relaxing, working out, napping, playing games and working a puzzle kept me occupied.<br /><br />I am guilty for enjoying myself - but don't fret - the storm got me. I sat in the Orlando airport for 7 hours, yes, the plane was delayed - the weather and still repositioning aircraft - so they say. The aftermath of the storm didn't get the best of me - I came home with a sunburn!</div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-48563777316072857872010-12-08T15:00:00.000-06:002010-12-08T15:00:03.181-06:00Those Old Oak Trees<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPBgPtzatgdATiXla2OIDgJOoZqdIO0y7gbeSfB0DY-NEte24XflhVpkU-y1q3AR_uxNDiUSRV8b2pi9aaxmdyWfx4IMFY_VZAS3rQGaDAz38zdyb3g5w-F4PlwzT07mUx1bKIpIDWo/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548150016181214802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPBgPtzatgdATiXla2OIDgJOoZqdIO0y7gbeSfB0DY-NEte24XflhVpkU-y1q3AR_uxNDiUSRV8b2pi9aaxmdyWfx4IMFY_VZAS3rQGaDAz38zdyb3g5w-F4PlwzT07mUx1bKIpIDWo/s320/IMG_1280.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I am snuggled up in my office with a hot cup of tea. White fluffy clouds are hanging in the beautiful blue sky but it is all an illusion. You see, it is freezing outside and a winter wonderland. Snow covers the ground and still sits on the trees and bushes. I keep looking out the window staring at the oak trees and reflecting on their history.<br /><br />Pocahontas might not have roamed among my oak trees but the children from a Native American tribe lived and played here. My house is located on an oak savanna which was the site of a Native American encampment 1,000’s of years ago. Archaeologists and students excavated artifact from this oak savanna finding remains from life of this area earliest visitors. Artifacts they found incl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnf6uEI8cKRtPOMpEuWNfvWqstZgpVP5iVRlwZmMvTYKUFD9TbZh92DsJi9FX7VCb0tpo6JA6HIEclkZWdWToVE4SYnku476p_756nT1s_lqBglcmwXqV5seNKS33W25CUVqRsStyRbY/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548329251766516098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnf6uEI8cKRtPOMpEuWNfvWqstZgpVP5iVRlwZmMvTYKUFD9TbZh92DsJi9FX7VCb0tpo6JA6HIEclkZWdWToVE4SYnku476p_756nT1s_lqBglcmwXqV5seNKS33W25CUVqRsStyRbY/s320/IMG_1346.JPG" /></a>uded: stone knives, spears, arrows and tools for food preparations and to shape bone and wood. They also found fire-cracked rock from cooking and heating.<br /><br />Sadly, the big oaks closest to my house and drive were hurt during the building of my house. The arborist I consulted told me it takes very little to hurt an oak and about seven years for it to die. In the front, two trees had grown together to reach over 70 feet high. The limbs and branches spanned the front yard. The tree in the back was even bigger; measuring over 54 inches around, taking the prize of the largest tree my crew had ever taken down.<br /><br />After careful planning, the tree removal company and the tree harvester showed up with m<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28EdcaxXVgMwwoneNFuZSRdQ7DRWUhf6XL3QF_Uxn04Jgry4wTFKNu7TuC-yLjFuBf3HFXilWXs2PbGlv8khsJQyT5kNVXGpCyS5ddZMlupPboMUKasxpE4pJ0OH1Ok_RtsJBW0anEzs/s1600/IMG_1354+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548329603810723586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28EdcaxXVgMwwoneNFuZSRdQ7DRWUhf6XL3QF_Uxn04Jgry4wTFKNu7TuC-yLjFuBf3HFXilWXs2PbGlv8khsJQyT5kNVXGpCyS5ddZMlupPboMUKasxpE4pJ0OH1Ok_RtsJBW0anEzs/s320/IMG_1354+-+Copy.JPG" /></a>achines and men to start the three day event. It was an amazing process and I couldn't keep my camera put away!<br /><br />It broke my heart to watch over 200 years of history disappear branch by branch but made me happy knowing that the tree has been harvested and will live on. Some of the wood went to the wood chips piles to be put back into the earth, some went for fire wood to sustain others on cold nights and what the crew could save went to Horigan’s Urban Forest Products. They take sections of the tree, cut it, dry it, prepare it for customers to turn it into furniture, wood floors, etc. Already, some of the pieces from our tree was cut and prepared for a popular coffee house for it’s tables. Urban renewal is the way to go!! Think about it for your next project!!! (No, I am not being paid to advertise – it is just a great company making the right choice to reuse our natural resources) www.horiganufp.com<br /><br />I look out and miss those big old oak trees. The snowy view just isn’t the same.<br /><br />Enjoy the pictures. It was a cool process! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-54315387411908294032010-11-14T13:44:00.001-06:002010-11-17T13:58:43.413-06:00On The Move To China - Day 12Flying for 13 hours! We left China Sunday morning. Flew 13 hours and arrived in USA in the early morning. I love living the same day twice!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Our recap for the trip</span></strong><br /><br /><em>Favorite place we visited:</em><br />Linda The Water Towns<br />Shelly The Terracotta Warriors<br /><br /><em>Least favorite:</em><br />Linda A terrible meal we had in Beijing<br />Shelly Smog and pollution<br /><br /><em>Favorite item we purchased:</em><br />Linda A Jade Sculpture<br />Shelly A Terracotta Warrior<br /><br /><em>Favorite food:</em><br />Linda Dumpling Banquet<br />Shelly Hot Pot Meal<br /><br />We had a great time. Jet lag is almost over. Our families missed us? Regardless, we are happy to be home with them. . . . it is a good thing we only stayed 2 weeks because we were becoming accustom to being catered to everyday!<br /><br />Thanks for joining us on the journey. I am sorry these were not submitted to you daily - the Chinese government blocks all blogs and face book!A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-29288745854939393902010-11-13T14:58:00.006-06:002010-11-17T13:43:32.244-06:00On The Move To China - Day 11<div><div><div><div><div>We were pleasantly surprised to discover our flight back to Beijing didn’t leave until 5:00 pm so we had a full day of sightseeing in Xi’an. Our first stop was to the Bell Tower located inside the city walls. Luckily, it was a Saturday morning and the traffic was not bad getting inside the city walls.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxzk73Q6j-k_B7W8ymrUN_mlw-lBo84hZYUQI4FcKDdlh2kFb07blfIL2axsiCsjLVgwiZChSkPGjM6jLvLz0-CZazL9As5WDtmdBS5XgLRtbtvuiBFKMaRVrC0ZnQisVda28P0ACXtE/s1600/DSC_0545.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540606146499386722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxzk73Q6j-k_B7W8ymrUN_mlw-lBo84hZYUQI4FcKDdlh2kFb07blfIL2axsiCsjLVgwiZChSkPGjM6jLvLz0-CZazL9As5WDtmdBS5XgLRtbtvuiBFKMaRVrC0ZnQisVda28P0ACXtE/s320/DSC_0545.JPG" /></a>The Bell Tower was built to house the bells that rang to signify dawn in old times. In modern times, they don’t ring the bells every morning, but they maintain the architecture of this beautiful old building to preserve its history and continue to use it as a focal point inside the city walls. Looking out from the Bell Tower, you can see the Drum Tower. Built in the same time period, the Drum Tower looks different from the Bell Tower but it is as beautiful and rich in history. The Drum Tower houses the drums that were used in old times to signify dusk.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Z8En58MxUhXrjeScaIARdjukkDe4ar0Zt5rLMzAAOnkpK_THdaZBRdKhsJlOWJvSH79fjKHJ21QBL4NNHS4b6bIKx_GD17VIDAIbqfaCJ2uzgq20JRvuqaFrW_Gdccl0n4H8OKMugA/s1600/IMG_3449.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540605163352105458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Z8En58MxUhXrjeScaIARdjukkDe4ar0Zt5rLMzAAOnkpK_THdaZBRdKhsJlOWJvSH79fjKHJ21QBL4NNHS4b6bIKx_GD17VIDAIbqfaCJ2uzgq20JRvuqaFrW_Gdccl0n4H8OKMugA/s320/IMG_3449.JPG" /></a><br />We went to a restaurant in a local hotel that is famous for its “Hot Pot” meals. Bottom line, it is Chinese fondue. The Japanese have a dish called sukiyaki which is real similar. It was a great meal and we found out, it is not a local dish, but the Hot Pot is popular all over China. We were a bit put out other tour guides didn’t take us to one earlier!<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />Our last sightseei<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao8cw1H9tN1xwJWw7xRj3FPM3yDDC3-1PHGhfy2F9OAqpnPt0bw17RlewuEOwZcxnQxLKIZf2FcB6Hz6lq9I4c_dWAcUCWB2tvnlJ4mEbJxXtgPf-Pbip6nBVvNJ3pakarXBVB7A5TFE/s1600/DSC_0596.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540604616767162306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao8cw1H9tN1xwJWw7xRj3FPM3yDDC3-1PHGhfy2F9OAqpnPt0bw17RlewuEOwZcxnQxLKIZf2FcB6Hz6lq9I4c_dWAcUCWB2tvnlJ4mEbJxXtgPf-Pbip6nBVvNJ3pakarXBVB7A5TFE/s200/DSC_0596.JPG" /></a>ng opportunity in China was on the way to the airport. We stopped at the Hanyang Tombs. This tomb is for the Han Dynasty Emperors. It was built in 153 AD. It was amazing. Around the tomb mount they have found excavated 10 tunnels/mini tombs that run away from the emperors’ tomb. They believe there are another 70 tunnels that run all around the tomb mount. The Chinese have done an excellent job preserving what is left from the tomb raiders. The raiders took all the gold and silver but left enough pottery that archeologist can give an accurate <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9ciklmtpW9hoxL779XSZuo_y_-g7arAeGINmps8h8o00PH_6eLhSPZL2pfs1Y_7aCU3P2WU5ffeDPL-u4v5keX-D55H8i_aUhDY1GSBSYx37d6XheDWpdPJj8Q0pvwLll2gAUkyM1K8/s1600/DSC_0602.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540603243021678210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9ciklmtpW9hoxL779XSZuo_y_-g7arAeGINmps8h8o00PH_6eLhSPZL2pfs1Y_7aCU3P2WU5ffeDPL-u4v5keX-D55H8i_aUhDY1GSBSYx37d6XheDWpdPJj8Q0pvwLll2gAUkyM1K8/s200/DSC_0602.JPG" /></a>account of the emperor’s life. They know this was a peaceful time because there are only a few warriors (unlike the Emperor with the Terracotta Warriors). I loved the tunnel filled with clay concubines and next to them is the tunnel filled with eunuchs to take care of the concubines. The Emperor was worried about the well being of his concubines! Linda loved the tunnel filled with animals – especially those darn cute pigs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAASRI1IliIuf1m_W3tqwd0_f3qUSd0yHTX-_vTYB-uNnPGRKuslZONYxlJZPFWpp_FL0-Lc2-u-kRVPkVRub2VQ3OOFJGnCH3OvYCvnjzsa1FG-F__WKT3KsaeymKkpGRpGPLvLOCuc/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540603989618435106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAASRI1IliIuf1m_W3tqwd0_f3qUSd0yHTX-_vTYB-uNnPGRKuslZONYxlJZPFWpp_FL0-Lc2-u-kRVPkVRub2VQ3OOFJGnCH3OvYCvnjzsa1FG-F__WKT3KsaeymKkpGRpGPLvLOCuc/s200/DSC_0585.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We loaded up, headed to the airport, went to Beijing and were so excited to be greeted by two cute girls from our hotel. We had no idea how we were going to navigate with our all bags to the hotel and didn’t know how to find it! We were like two giddy school girls when we read our name on a sign as we exited baggage claim! </div></div></div></div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-80089655379969716022010-11-11T11:45:00.012-06:002010-11-16T14:57:49.846-06:00On The Move To China - Day 10We actually slept in this morning! I was grateful because I had a horrible night sleeping. We have to have the window open because the room is so hot and on the street is some HORRIBLE music playing over and over. The room was HOT all night, the beds were rock hard (Linda loves ) and the street was noisy most of the night.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivGKTAyHwcLhtrgCMzIVqRtYD5ovWZoV8suuD8FFTBJy4rBmAkwBD1ZGitR6immceW0ugDHq0Am-kHypLzU3H_PDTtU3LUkATcAGtXtgELkUZfmDPEdLQAxKE-YmTbruoaHAsDsoaotM/s1600/DSC_0460.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540209596212845506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivGKTAyHwcLhtrgCMzIVqRtYD5ovWZoV8suuD8FFTBJy4rBmAkwBD1ZGitR6immceW0ugDHq0Am-kHypLzU3H_PDTtU3LUkATcAGtXtgELkUZfmDPEdLQAxKE-YmTbruoaHAsDsoaotM/s400/DSC_0460.JPG" /></a><br />With bags under my eyes, we headed out of the city to visit what we came Xi’an in search of – The Terracotta Warriors. After a stop at a factory which makes the Terracotta Warrior replicas that we can take home we headed to lunch at a local restaurant. We were thrilled to eat at a non-tourist restaurant. The place was filled with local men eating, drinking and smoking. Many people were having a very good time!<br /><br />Finally, we arrived at the Terracotta Warriors burial site and it was huge! It was amazing. A poor farmer found remains while he was trying to dig a well. He took the artifacts to the government officials and they determined they were part of the Chin Dynasty.. The warriors are 1.5 kilometers away from the Emperors’ Tomb. This Emperor ruled for 38 years and was known to be very extravagant. He had many years to get read<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB79jDk-ngoM9gkEDjA5w26_8zYBgmK4C_ISBAxouAE0Ykm9CalWL0xynWZm5uAB7kQ6ePVbu1Os-ztg78dfyUFV7S5g06VBICMiPMTnj2iQYDq08gC52fs-8XnWqb1th7WxImL5WoVQ/s1600/IMG_3252.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540251458590699826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB79jDk-ngoM9gkEDjA5w26_8zYBgmK4C_ISBAxouAE0Ykm9CalWL0xynWZm5uAB7kQ6ePVbu1Os-ztg78dfyUFV7S5g06VBICMiPMTnj2iQYDq08gC52fs-8XnWqb1th7WxImL5WoVQ/s320/IMG_3252.JPG" /></a>y for his after life! The poor farmer was given a months salary, the government built him and everyone in the village apartments, and they gave him a job at the gift shop. He signs books and posses for pictures – of course for money! Considering the cost to get in is around $20 per person and they average 40,000 people a day – the farmer did not make out too well!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEALmtTTt9I22Nf6prN0yU1BmGAvtIhhpBHaQvN4ffmqn7UYUWESYPiPW9XTs5I-fwSkEAGiT64Ttzx8v7KrXfB8U6fGyoc2BHpiw7npl4hHPdy2lJM4gryCx30t5dRDngv9oAoP0Yc3s/s1600/DSC_0479.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540250207960510178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEALmtTTt9I22Nf6prN0yU1BmGAvtIhhpBHaQvN4ffmqn7UYUWESYPiPW9XTs5I-fwSkEAGiT64Ttzx8v7KrXfB8U6fGyoc2BHpiw7npl4hHPdy2lJM4gryCx30t5dRDngv9oAoP0Yc3s/s320/DSC_0479.JPG" /></a>They have found three separate tombs. The first one found has 6,000 warriors, horses, and chariots in it. To date, they have excavated and put back together 1,000. We loved the warriors they have put back together, all the piece still in ruin, the horses, the bodies without heads, and the work in progress. I kept thinking of the ad -"if have fallen and I can get up."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI28EY4N550hk0xekFL0IxL_fjQ_BjOowSG9T5E-LqGefBQ1RQe_vjwCyzkt2-WalPPZh9WbhQqU_pphevquPRibob-j_CkDt7zVBDH1OXn9oG32eGr-ETTwKaVTKrp_jXLkAgQHnpuE/s1600/DSC_0483.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540250728756775922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI28EY4N550hk0xekFL0IxL_fjQ_BjOowSG9T5E-LqGefBQ1RQe_vjwCyzkt2-WalPPZh9WbhQqU_pphevquPRibob-j_CkDt7zVBDH1OXn9oG32eGr-ETTwKaVTKrp_jXLkAgQHnpuE/s320/DSC_0483.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The second hall has the layers taken off the top and shows the ceiling that was over the top of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbEG16ZrZVa4r66vJtmW1jknzufQ4VcZXjjUirEIesU1yLbDUDNHGUYM3XBULrhK5VJWE3gsIMrpBHGK9n-MseFPNM4R31Xq3AZWmkXLrTkKh0Z_aM94mOxDRu-jUL7SiTRX_b5lhAjQ/s1600/DSC_0513.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540249717466058610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbEG16ZrZVa4r66vJtmW1jknzufQ4VcZXjjUirEIesU1yLbDUDNHGUYM3XBULrhK5VJWE3gsIMrpBHGK9n-MseFPNM4R31Xq3AZWmkXLrTkKh0Z_aM94mOxDRu-jUL7SiTRX_b5lhAjQ/s320/DSC_0513.JPG" /></a>the tomb. They have excavated a small portion to give them clues as to which figures were in this tomb so they can determine the importance and significance of this tomb.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PHnMsvElK58ruvRVU0-GugW7vPAfSjNqPTQbBC_f1snx4i76a0WYqwyFp4zBmMa7iwBkW_06uxBgul2-7bVqaCrdAQcumWYE71riIFzOsk7DdHyr34VqnpygJyOFvffVD-FqFGs6qmw/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540249322968664434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PHnMsvElK58ruvRVU0-GugW7vPAfSjNqPTQbBC_f1snx4i76a0WYqwyFp4zBmMa7iwBkW_06uxBgul2-7bVqaCrdAQcumWYE71riIFzOsk7DdHyr34VqnpygJyOFvffVD-FqFGs6qmw/s320/DSC_0498.JPG" /></a>The third tomb was the most important – it was the deepest and most important because they believe was the “operational headquarters” for the construction of all the tombs. This tomb had very few warriors, all of higher rank and most without heads! They believe this final tomb <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">didn</span>’t get finished. The Emperor died suddenly and at the young age of 50 so they were not able to finish all of the heads and fill the tomb with more possessions!<br /><br />After visiting a shop and negotiating a good price and I am proud owner of good looking warrior –an officer, mind you. Linda negotiated a good price for a mask of an archer. Once again, our guide couldn't believe our ability to negotiate.<br /><br />Happily we headed back to the downtown of Xi’an begging to eat at Pizza Hut. We went inside the city walls to a great area to eat. It was good, very similar in flavor to our pizza but had some interesting combination. My favorite – breaded deep fried chicken pizza. I settled for a New Orleans thin crust pizza and shared it with the tour guide. The restaurant was very swank and the menu was ½ inch thick offering everything from fried rice, smoothies, pizza and desserts. We loved the experience – everyday people having a great time on a Friday night. The traffic was horrible, the lights were bright and the city was busting with energy.A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-866537188009368162010-11-11T10:49:00.008-06:002010-11-16T11:44:18.753-06:00On The Move To China - Day 9<div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIoOdCz3BFPs1HNDdecuEgef9Xitnt1LsFt1KEszPHMD1-Bzh3IHp4Nh2j6yqzRpOCQdAxffn8l8UUUho24Sni5wWtXPfW_pCSjiqqkh3_0ivXko37Yk6O9zpGkAO8iE_RmRrz9OvAE8/s1600/IMG_3120.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540199699102084594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIoOdCz3BFPs1HNDdecuEgef9Xitnt1LsFt1KEszPHMD1-Bzh3IHp4Nh2j6yqzRpOCQdAxffn8l8UUUho24Sni5wWtXPfW_pCSjiqqkh3_0ivXko37Yk6O9zpGkAO8iE_RmRrz9OvAE8/s400/IMG_3120.JPG" /></a>We enjoyed our breakfast on the 32nd floor overlooking the city before heading to the airport for our flight to Xi’an. Once again, we were the only two light haired humans on the plane. They were so kind to give all the information for safety in English for the two of us!<br /><br />We found our new guide, Amy, as we exited the airport. We stopped by the hotel to check in before starting our sightseeing for the day. Our first impressions of the city – what a great little city – only 6 million. It is completely different in character from Beijing and Shanghai. Our hotel is on the edge of the West city wall.<br /><br />The City Wall is part of the old city wall that has been completely refurbished. We drove to the<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQB8MW8woryiiH5yMTVUMXUDj3PIUp9l1ygEVGly4M6EH_iXgC2yYxJTYniCS6UeUmpO_8ZWS9xw55_u-oMo_k7KnTq6ksXhhYMu8-dpjkO4PjVtc0zKEAcAtS_o0zx8eLgz0xGCG5xw/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540198890779557858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQB8MW8woryiiH5yMTVUMXUDj3PIUp9l1ygEVGly4M6EH_iXgC2yYxJTYniCS6UeUmpO_8ZWS9xw55_u-oMo_k7KnTq6ksXhhYMu8-dpjkO4PjVtc0zKEAcAtS_o0zx8eLgz0xGCG5xw/s320/DSC_0411.JPG" /></a> South Gate – the original opening to the walled city. This is where they built the draw bridge that open over a 5 meter deep mote. We loved the South Gate. Once we passed through the three openings we went to the top of the wall, rented bikes and road to the Southwest Corner. The whole wall is 7 kilometers around and takes about one and a half hours to bike around. We road 40 minutes – which was plenty of time because our butts couldn't’t take the bumping on the stone and the hard seats any longer – we headed back to the car to go to the Da Ci’En (Great Kindness and Grace) Temple and Wild Goose Pagoda.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fKV0yfSbUOpPrEnP0k5HxlHzrH3qxPaYTD1heebuUMVNBPDTOW_4h7GY_82uhidFb2fJ0MNeW9n6KWID_weyPyjXFV3lc1zfQCRPgOrPBqGmhXqASj87TzOd0wKv73TQ5ojzLQF3VUE/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540202003342684354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fKV0yfSbUOpPrEnP0k5HxlHzrH3qxPaYTD1heebuUMVNBPDTOW_4h7GY_82uhidFb2fJ0MNeW9n6KWID_weyPyjXFV3lc1zfQCRPgOrPBqGmhXqASj87TzOd0wKv73TQ5ojzLQF3VUE/s320/IMG_3153.JPG" /></a>The pagoda is one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China and the original pagoda was built in 589 AD on this site. The temple was rebuilt due to being in such disrepair, but the Wild Goose Pagoda from 1556 is still standing. We once again posed for pictures, this time it was with a bunch of school girls – go figure! Our guide looked at us rather funny; I told her we were use to this for it has happened everyday!<br /><br />The temple was beautiful. The colors on the<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PaWUR07AnE2UWzlH6AXlDOFuqoiBmec1G_eMI9XYQW2lP_AWruIil6QXQqlSKvEVmfFNiiWgMu-DzdC06qPmSsZYdpJm7DKKVBUlNfSF3PKj-3UNxzRLjC3K-LR7D39B3wOjUEzKJ4o/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540203864941090466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PaWUR07AnE2UWzlH6AXlDOFuqoiBmec1G_eMI9XYQW2lP_AWruIil6QXQqlSKvEVmfFNiiWgMu-DzdC06qPmSsZYdpJm7DKKVBUlNfSF3PKj-3UNxzRLjC3K-LR7D39B3wOjUEzKJ4o/s200/IMG_3167.JPG" /></a> buildings were so bright and brilliant. The Buddha was gold colored and rather impressive. Incense filled the air and best of all – it was not crowded! I could have spent a long time there, but as we watched a monk close the doors on the hall holding the golden Buddha, we knew it was closing time. There was time to walk us through the gift shop – those tour guides!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSTzM8GvMid-WAqH2-NReZrvydkPmVxSyYrlBza7f2PWDpIlXx4ln4XSKGxT4inQoMPG624GGVDf-fKUTXIJXSCe8F2jE1Ed6kGHnWyfkDabigE5y1IyQRIS2VKddXejo8KGRwPHsrK8/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFu2gEXowzFt4-g430sgTNjLkuQpm3MGNOrHwO3aTEBI_4fQ0a_SbgMk9J1CqEmotdhepr5iunNlHpL8hUKQi2Y_7cK_qqPBMJ6DbPPcbdZXRJjaWYVUhU4V7YmhJLJeO9mSSir63dJQ/s1600/IMG_3212.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540200041626290738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFu2gEXowzFt4-g430sgTNjLkuQpm3MGNOrHwO3aTEBI_4fQ0a_SbgMk9J1CqEmotdhepr5iunNlHpL8hUKQi2Y_7cK_qqPBMJ6DbPPcbdZXRJjaWYVUhU4V7YmhJLJeO9mSSir63dJQ/s320/IMG_3212.JPG" /></a>We enjoyed our dinner at a traditional “Dumpling Banquet”. We listened to music while we stuffed ourselves on steamed dumplings, boiled dumplings, fried dumplings and dumpling soup. Fat and happy we headed back to the hotel for the remainder of the evening. It took us forever – the traffic is horrible! Cars, buses, trucks, people, bikes, rickshaws, taxis and motor cycles were at corners at a complete stand still. Police were trying to help move the traffic. At one intersection, our driver even had to get out convincing a stupid driver (male) to move. Several drivers in fact got out of their vehicles to help! Amy told us they did not have a subway system built yet, but it was under construction. Boy, do they need it. Looking out my window now there is still bumper to bumper traffic jamming the streets. Glad we are tucked away in our hotel. </div></div></div></div></div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-79924793212655161962010-11-10T09:49:00.010-06:002010-11-16T10:48:27.299-06:00On The Move To China - Day 8<div><div><div><div>We waved good-by to our Marriott hotel in Shanghai and headed to Hangzhou. The drive took over three hours and was uneventful! We stopped half way at a rest stop/truck st<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpc-nIIwN9G9ZJTuL3-jz1QNdJjRy2b1AHNbtrIHKWbsOP2CMArU8KecRun9NpWKBG30LYBn3ym-2M-SPAa82XxvUnW6qybya2xjwA5OH8FdqAdDvuV2u7xZ4QjFM-3tUtyCOLJYaRGg/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540183002253461986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpc-nIIwN9G9ZJTuL3-jz1QNdJjRy2b1AHNbtrIHKWbsOP2CMArU8KecRun9NpWKBG30LYBn3ym-2M-SPAa82XxvUnW6qybya2xjwA5OH8FdqAdDvuV2u7xZ4QjFM-3tUtyCOLJYaRGg/s320/DSC_0324.JPG" /></a>op. Had a great time looking at all the snacks that were offered – sure glad we had packed our own.<br /><br />Once we arrived in Hangzhou we headed to lunch at a cute local restaurant nestled in the mountains in the tea growing area. The rows and rows of tea plants were an amazing sight – with such precision the rows were planted along the road, up the mountain side and in large fields. After lunch, we toured the famous Longjing tea “showroom” and had a lesson on the difference in the quality of tea. It was a splendid sales pitch but we didn’t buy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFHmACCEsxTvriZnAcl9W9TU5Yq1ATQyN4CUB74K_gK55nB3mm1mI4uC5StNs0SbxvFL5ZiRmpHwwoX-hdGvdiYSOYqFjCoklpjCv9Cbq63_2QVpfXyl516xlxjWFmy0P9qcxQ8tT94E/s1600/DSC_0336.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540183337122837538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFHmACCEsxTvriZnAcl9W9TU5Yq1ATQyN4CUB74K_gK55nB3mm1mI4uC5StNs0SbxvFL5ZiRmpHwwoX-hdGvdiYSOYqFjCoklpjCv9Cbq63_2QVpfXyl516xlxjWFmy0P9qcxQ8tT94E/s320/DSC_0336.JPG" /></a>Finally, we went to West Lake – the reason we came to Hangzhou. Marco Polo declared it to be the world’s most splendid city when he passed through in the 13th century. Thank goodness, progress has occurred, but little has changed around the lake. Very little development has occurred and the area has been preserved. West Lake it considered to be China’s most revered body of water. The lake is surrounded by misty mountains and impressive pagodas. We took a boat ride around most of the lake, again posing for pictures for those from the “old country” who has never seen a white woman except on TV. I laughed – the title of a book from my childhood flashed in my mind -Stranger in a Strange Land. We did enjoy the walk we took around a small section of the lake – <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bELlrfKH6cnPmauoijCWsSKcjDCHbEUlDZBnRQimkWauhyRYhF_TdfIOl3JeLnt3mvofvDg-XLn8IvCzOlufz90to9a7wR2JBaSaNAwph-uK-SIMxrQZElHdUyoXRncb1g7MBT_hYnw/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540183693719006258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bELlrfKH6cnPmauoijCWsSKcjDCHbEUlDZBnRQimkWauhyRYhF_TdfIOl3JeLnt3mvofvDg-XLn8IvCzOlufz90to9a7wR2JBaSaNAwph-uK-SIMxrQZElHdUyoXRncb1g7MBT_hYnw/s320/DSC_0370.JPG" /></a>it would take eight hours to walk the whole lake. The lake is truly beautiful. We enjoyed benches along the way, arched bridges, wood bridges, bamboo hunts over the water, stone walk ways, restaurants built in the traditional style, and Kio ponds. It is no wonder it is a hot spot for Chinese high-level government officials.<br /></div><div> </div><div><br />We had some time to kill before dinner so we headed to Lily’s Foot Massage shop at the hotel. We tried to talk our tour guide into joining us – he declined and headed to read the paper. We had a great time! Reflexology is painful and wonderful.<br /><br /></div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540182237191653506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4D-QQmzXJboqjQy4V8ObXl-KNQYY5GUU9nQhqL3pp1j3ky3hQJGY6VcJOUJBdNUyNbH6RFLNbuKvQ_xYLRs2uKmS5ccD5H6XpJYnk5OG_toxDBr1oSUvdIkxcvG41FMWt2ZhqNxWDag/s320/IMG_3073.JPG" /></div><div></div><div>Our new hotel was a 40 minute drive from the West Lake and dinner. We are definitely not at the Marriott but it is a nice hotel overlooking the river that runs through Hangzhou – too bad it is dark and we can’t see! </div><div></div><br /><div>Just a few more pictures of West L<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOMi3R8QscgaD9kQ_c-YeoyPvO_ywdNJV_iv8ecNxgnglOnuN8uAfe_cOgmNqhQ5DcqbU2S887XEVDRtI30QkSUWe_Nqo5Y5w1N6lcJLbBaVq9Gc3H0WsO2xIN-bqUr-I_drj6wZwZ-E/s1600/IMG_3015.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540188784071272674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOMi3R8QscgaD9kQ_c-YeoyPvO_ywdNJV_iv8ecNxgnglOnuN8uAfe_cOgmNqhQ5DcqbU2S887XEVDRtI30QkSUWe_Nqo5Y5w1N6lcJLbBaVq9Gc3H0WsO2xIN-bqUr-I_drj6wZwZ-E/s320/IMG_3015.JPG" /></a>ake - it was beautiful!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhy-T_30qMC13AnU5byL3VeSZ7GhxFjWiY0saQ8FcClPBGf9OsvcNHN0Ti0KWPxo_YJ2cxOXnrWcFwf7qKtgYa2XWofkPactbvB0TUYlLSLQg_IpCvUb9YlLNYI-hbRcFUho0KgM9USg/s1600/DSC_0393.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540186363893719650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhy-T_30qMC13AnU5byL3VeSZ7GhxFjWiY0saQ8FcClPBGf9OsvcNHN0Ti0KWPxo_YJ2cxOXnrWcFwf7qKtgYa2XWofkPactbvB0TUYlLSLQg_IpCvUb9YlLNYI-hbRcFUho0KgM9USg/s320/DSC_0393.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmcE4pnnlyheBeMUPl7JR_1QKRsm5AVpo-TWY03K5fcXmD0szRrusvueiOBgx8FSpyF9TugJY5W3977Z2aXAnlct8ljsyjkJNRGA7w1qVI0GUUBaBizz_wDl92BI99lbgkZ6NOMWhN0s/s1600/IMG_3029.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540189101221989490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmcE4pnnlyheBeMUPl7JR_1QKRsm5AVpo-TWY03K5fcXmD0szRrusvueiOBgx8FSpyF9TugJY5W3977Z2aXAnlct8ljsyjkJNRGA7w1qVI0GUUBaBizz_wDl92BI99lbgkZ6NOMWhN0s/s320/IMG_3029.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAejmh7__IeiLztqyPdoPn9ttdP17meB2p6-2Nq6ln6ybu1atfK48hc3WuHEFnuabaCoG8-DVuf5VfRco-HeyT9D4qeKNRgbtbipsSib8nZOSQOrZTEcsHDIKXCfrlYWwcUuF-6bs8do/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540188335725765394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAejmh7__IeiLztqyPdoPn9ttdP17meB2p6-2Nq6ln6ybu1atfK48hc3WuHEFnuabaCoG8-DVuf5VfRco-HeyT9D4qeKNRgbtbipsSib8nZOSQOrZTEcsHDIKXCfrlYWwcUuF-6bs8do/s320/IMG_2997.JPG" /></a>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-38520047684651526762010-11-09T09:39:00.003-06:002010-11-16T09:47:30.774-06:00On The Move To China - Day 7All I can say is SHOPPING. We had a driver. We had a list of places to shop thanks to an acquaintance of mine in Chicago that just moved from Shanghai. We had lunch in the car between stops – apple, trail mix and water. We were crazy! We were exhausted. We had so much fun! I took one picture the whole day! Here it is – a vendor at the antique market we enjoyed arguing with until we were sick of dealing with him.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540174143042629074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbIIrDcJd4IeqZrma44Gxd9jYS2CxGslSqJRHKveOTUvVskFcIuo_yytvCUwIuNMoeeegMn43J5V32dMZa808yidamG-R0g6_qwMzgYGZANfq-B-g1Ds_iDfhju1bnfRTz3l8UoFUwBc/s400/DSCN5965.JPG" />A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-2190424293648066252010-11-08T08:36:00.019-06:002010-11-16T09:39:08.579-06:00On The Move To China - Day 6<div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_AzNgCOhBNa7Z31wD_pzEPf5x7jjwfc00ZoNVwzh3IUOeeiWs0nbhvlD620ojPtEYrbMAjHDuP_w3OMoHSGkNqLO01g1LMY47BZ23HnO2DPSQJJEFUOA7GLxObFWKOhvFfOkALTPeo8/s1600/IMG_2736.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540165301356572962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_AzNgCOhBNa7Z31wD_pzEPf5x7jjwfc00ZoNVwzh3IUOeeiWs0nbhvlD620ojPtEYrbMAjHDuP_w3OMoHSGkNqLO01g1LMY47BZ23HnO2DPSQJJEFUOA7GLxObFWKOhvFfOkALTPeo8/s400/IMG_2736.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>We headed out of Shanghai today to visit a water town, Zhujiajiao. It is an old town that thrived economically due to the water. The town was built on the river with canals running through the town. Five or so years ago, this was a sleepy town filled with normal people living life – but in order to attract tourist, the government funded the renovation of the town. The canals and water were cleaned up. The stores right on the canals renovated to house stores and restaurants. Believe me; it is still rough around the edges, but ever so charming. The town was filled with old arched bridges connecting the streets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojFSHOE0b9ak2nKBrNJQrwMIDW14lIMz24PH29YnTN6xEKZ_XbQrkc6rCg5oNJ5grvkXmqBOoyfTQqIFP7LKh7WxbBSeTte2s0AlGjCAVZrbiBlfHid6FKyldlvdwOENp2FwqRIXRzw0/s1600/IMG_2738.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540165627927587554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojFSHOE0b9ak2nKBrNJQrwMIDW14lIMz24PH29YnTN6xEKZ_XbQrkc6rCg5oNJ5grvkXmqBOoyfTQqIFP7LKh7WxbBSeTte2s0AlGjCAVZrbiBlfHid6FKyldlvdwOENp2FwqRIXRzw0/s400/IMG_2738.JPG" /></a> over the canal, whitewashed restaurants with tables overlooking the water, canal boats rowing passengers, and vendors calling out to you from the many stores. We shopped. We gawked at the food vendors. At the end, we pushed our way through the growing crowds.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK0RdKkcNqxD3Xt86r335nNwOoSyT8lGr5rpN1xp71wLGBzRQ2XNxwgfvtB75mSV2bfAKvdC9paJvmCIt1Oq9aaE_w96ntJUa3VD7R1w4ICV31FrTnzWvUkQqXql_30E_KNmlchsEeHU/s1600/IMG_2777.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540166178929118018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK0RdKkcNqxD3Xt86r335nNwOoSyT8lGr5rpN1xp71wLGBzRQ2XNxwgfvtB75mSV2bfAKvdC9paJvmCIt1Oq9aaE_w96ntJUa3VD7R1w4ICV31FrTnzWvUkQqXql_30E_KNmlchsEeHU/s320/IMG_2777.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We then made our way to Qibao Town, another water town, but a completely different f<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9-dVT3N1vz1KbFGtm2iFqA7rkNSZtGHcep7EILlH3-1seIxvU2tR1LYoIZN2uNOcDXB0shhBPYvEoQIXUcPf6whcbpA069RmBkFZhzwkGp2-EdTHzQnxduuB-IPwUP_zg3FOFGPSUDA/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540161144134926706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9-dVT3N1vz1KbFGtm2iFqA7rkNSZtGHcep7EILlH3-1seIxvU2tR1LYoIZN2uNOcDXB0shhBPYvEoQIXUcPf6whcbpA069RmBkFZhzwkGp2-EdTHzQnxduuB-IPwUP_zg3FOFGPSUDA/s320/DSC_0287.JPG" /></a>lavor from Zhujiajiao. It was in the old city nearer to our hotel. Again, the charm of the arched bridges, food vendors and people hanging out having a darn good time made the water town charming. We saw some interesting food – not quite daring enough to try the indescribably snacks.<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRWC2hrdyBYmEv26HJtzcFYKgXHDar3vldf8x4KHu03Vk5E_eE5RBC0NHvTWh7_YD-PurSXZPKYYUbi42YdNCWEn5aizdWWTnBVsi1fAsLohdU39oUPD7A_IY5Knw6DMIk6XM0OCLkLM/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540161615683171650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRWC2hrdyBYmEv26HJtzcFYKgXHDar3vldf8x4KHu03Vk5E_eE5RBC0NHvTWh7_YD-PurSXZPKYYUbi42YdNCWEn5aizdWWTnBVsi1fAsLohdU39oUPD7A_IY5Knw6DMIk6XM0OCLkLM/s320/DSC_0299.JPG" /></a>After a quick rest at the hotel, we headed to the Huangpu River for a night cruise. We loved the lights! The buildings were amazing at night in the dark. Lights flashing, buildings changing colors, digital advertising on the side of the buildings – it was like watching a giant big screen on the side of a skyscraper – and the contrast between the new and the old buildings. There were a few too many male tourists on board who had never seen a Caucasian woman up close – Linda<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_jPViLcTAY_gR-vPjAfOirMY7QZ00Tb8QJWquk24HMRwEF0Shoxc50vSs5DsoFkAFPNKSWbV82UsQ3D9rxO-LVrFTW5oFhIJH3rH9fslSGSWZnKLTrJolwReOBsCedQApKUbxSB3KO8/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540161411444381714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_jPViLcTAY_gR-vPjAfOirMY7QZ00Tb8QJWquk24HMRwEF0Shoxc50vSs5DsoFkAFPNKSWbV82UsQ3D9rxO-LVrFTW5oFhIJH3rH9fslSGSWZnKLTrJolwReOBsCedQApKUbxSB3KO8/s320/DSC_0291.JPG" /></a> became a picture magnet. Thank goodness when it was my turn to be harassed, our guide was close to tell them to get lost!<br /><br />I hate to admit this, but the driver dropped us off at McDonalds for dinner. We were excited to have McDonalds – 2 fish sandwiches, 1 cheese burger, 1 small fry, and 2 diet cokes set us back a total of $7.00. It was a nice break from our traditional Chinese food. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>A few pictures of the food we passed by during the day:</div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5HzapMxsASpiKK5ZTtzHnz_GztDqpU7WPGi1kDzIMGv3Jl8q0fpXaCMx3Ig48Nqp5PeLDnpxjdQDmSVNfFG267i1xQ89HrKO6u90iovouxNleRRJjM9kJ5KgDpq8tw69Osb0A6rIK50/s1600/IMG_2803.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540169812378210690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5HzapMxsASpiKK5ZTtzHnz_GztDqpU7WPGi1kDzIMGv3Jl8q0fpXaCMx3Ig48Nqp5PeLDnpxjdQDmSVNfFG267i1xQ89HrKO6u90iovouxNleRRJjM9kJ5KgDpq8tw69Osb0A6rIK50/s320/IMG_2803.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540170317384026370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGkEIVmUYb6OUkfWtzU4sQUSmKhyuPKphg_4MVw51l82s-r3HC4LNlDaT_Lk8Hlgwk1S-heIcW8HlTyH3MV1eXVkBcWeEO1Ekd5vkh1Czqg9yfjQmQ8umY9lH_8kU9fILYeVwIB-aUu8/s320/IMG_2808.JPG" /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NRYkLQazhltbauGKGka479ZW0biXt5xnOMp2kNxZc6I7Ad_6tL9QZpD8k2H1A-8El501YGCJufQEtVxVUY_RP5qygyOa2hB7ttG3YU0CjHciqOFoKvQTxkt44FvEFefTGBoIN8wfF2w/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540170071801338626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NRYkLQazhltbauGKGka479ZW0biXt5xnOMp2kNxZc6I7Ad_6tL9QZpD8k2H1A-8El501YGCJufQEtVxVUY_RP5qygyOa2hB7ttG3YU0CjHciqOFoKvQTxkt44FvEFefTGBoIN8wfF2w/s320/IMG_2830.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTBtqVV1a9HsQaRYN6LB7NzoEX-N6qF2VFKMDJgaWmD3mIt7Xl4WM718HPXGbj2NEBrIwWII0SFwz3-7ZpfnsBOHrPrVN4mTqLoSH7ZnEqxjGB8V7MD5L41grgPBLinUyGG6Z8_uULRg/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540167695391871698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTBtqVV1a9HsQaRYN6LB7NzoEX-N6qF2VFKMDJgaWmD3mIt7Xl4WM718HPXGbj2NEBrIwWII0SFwz3-7ZpfnsBOHrPrVN4mTqLoSH7ZnEqxjGB8V7MD5L41grgPBLinUyGG6Z8_uULRg/s320/DSC_0286.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnr9d0ciL9iCUMOmfXARlXYOqv10RQWIXj6MZrB5Foqp7aba_P36Ivo1c9XqvBLtJ4y8JyrF7Xe_JteoHC68TPzw0QssN6h7tN-E1bXkJc5bOfdTFT_bs5PJg2eQaAW6_HOj8lyS1WSU/s1600/IMG_2724.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540167106782076034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnr9d0ciL9iCUMOmfXARlXYOqv10RQWIXj6MZrB5Foqp7aba_P36Ivo1c9XqvBLtJ4y8JyrF7Xe_JteoHC68TPzw0QssN6h7tN-E1bXkJc5bOfdTFT_bs5PJg2eQaAW6_HOj8lyS1WSU/s320/IMG_2724.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-46114002592554036352010-11-07T23:00:00.002-06:002010-11-16T01:47:43.862-06:00On THe Move To China - Day 5How much can two women see in one day? It was our tour guides responsibility to make sure we saw everything in Shanghai – he succeeded. Remember, he is a male – and he doesn’t shop!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZTx3TegC6VotLT9lvRt3By4u3qiy_zPHB0KLDtrIdBaVMp7Cuu9XJIRYPyGO0w55UrYxFI_Mtor1BSNpVRdv8axXnukvke6Y2BImdtQ0rgQyMzhCcHCgo0fxl_nnhjJHrWSn7AJmYgo/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540045395819749346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZTx3TegC6VotLT9lvRt3By4u3qiy_zPHB0KLDtrIdBaVMp7Cuu9XJIRYPyGO0w55UrYxFI_Mtor1BSNpVRdv8axXnukvke6Y2BImdtQ0rgQyMzhCcHCgo0fxl_nnhjJHrWSn7AJmYgo/s320/IMG_2496.JPG" /></a>We started the day In Yu Garden, which is walking distance from our hotel. Yu Garden is a beautiful house<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqxXJlDfChAMU_0Nw5uygdLgBIyuBzoa3Ajeqr6haRmlOPTC8v0IJla-IeT-LKrJiQeJEaLvxzHg0jB9PLN7072YyWsyNIXUpHLaFF1VJMscOhQ9TipA8JfSFa4-YVq8wZB2LjE8pBOk/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540045740499836754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqxXJlDfChAMU_0Nw5uygdLgBIyuBzoa3Ajeqr6haRmlOPTC8v0IJla-IeT-LKrJiQeJEaLvxzHg0jB9PLN7072YyWsyNIXUpHLaFF1VJMscOhQ9TipA8JfSFa4-YVq8wZB2LjE8pBOk/s320/IMG_2498.JPG" /></a> and garden, some parts preserved and some renovated from many many years ago. The buildings were beautiful and the garden even better. The amazing part – this little patch of heaven is surrounded by skyscrapers, roads and shops. From our hotel window you can see a little patch of green nestled in the concrete and wooden roofs. We left the hotel and went through the Yuyuan Market – not much stopping along the way, but the site of daily life was interesting – the people, food stalls, restaurants, and shops. The buildings were constructed in the “old style” but the modern lifestyle was all around us.<br /><br />Our next stop was the Jade Buddha Temple. Wow. I loved walking around t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrQCGuNNxHGlmDQ3FkZouvR7fU10cJ2t6l1vDZ6nibFRLCux5JHACAuX7iTqvI8r-OMti13h3OXa8aWvTy0Q6kr2eslRueo-_M8RRLMCTlMaJssiEqmGICBXtqeu5OVoMOVMpc9_SF78/s1600/IMG_2530.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540044630134056354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrQCGuNNxHGlmDQ3FkZouvR7fU10cJ2t6l1vDZ6nibFRLCux5JHACAuX7iTqvI8r-OMti13h3OXa8aWvTy0Q6kr2eslRueo-_M8RRLMCTlMaJssiEqmGICBXtqeu5OVoMOVMpc9_SF78/s320/IMG_2530.JPG" /></a>he corner to see all the incense burners and the people praying. It felt like home to me. This was Linda’s first experience. The temple is named Jade Buddha Temple because housed deep inside the complex is a jade Buddha brought here from Burma by a monk – many believe it is the be<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItMUH5iMeMDrlTqCLRD2Tl7KXpFmz7A7PyCXfZhR_B-5LdqGqfMa-AInGvlIwjatCUXYznC1ysR4ymP5kP5y1CgL30-gP4Sr3d4amfCuQGgJrbhZYPxoqJYXoups_ckHDEP1IdbBYeLk/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540044870842705922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItMUH5iMeMDrlTqCLRD2Tl7KXpFmz7A7PyCXfZhR_B-5LdqGqfMa-AInGvlIwjatCUXYznC1ysR4ymP5kP5y1CgL30-gP4Sr3d4amfCuQGgJrbhZYPxoqJYXoups_ckHDEP1IdbBYeLk/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" /></a>ginning of Buddhism in China. Other buildings housed several golden Buddha’s and monks. The original temple was built in 1882 but was destroyed and rebuilt in 1928 – thank goodness the jade Buddha was not damaged!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFqrwARjp-f69aSd071Cg8A6GVNnWgdlTc48Oyn1sI_6cawOt1ASN_yOSNfBAr_OLrYI2c-U6MWX35M0QgckQqlPlkw0fZaZOpyjagnSzku1QPFW9Vsf919QMeWSQiRqXlCvdOulayJE/s1600/IMG_2592.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540044163132297538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFqrwARjp-f69aSd071Cg8A6GVNnWgdlTc48Oyn1sI_6cawOt1ASN_yOSNfBAr_OLrYI2c-U6MWX35M0QgckQqlPlkw0fZaZOpyjagnSzku1QPFW9Vsf919QMeWSQiRqXlCvdOulayJE/s320/IMG_2592.JPG" /></a>We went to the Bund for a stroll along the rivers edge, the famous waterfront. The Bund is an area that looks European, which was built over 100 years ago and regarded at the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. It was a welcome port for the visitors arriving by boat to visit Shanghai. We are staying in the “old city” and while standing on the bund, we looked across the river to Pudong – which is the new part of Shanghai. It was not developed 20 years ago and now it is covered in skyscrapers. I have to say it is a beautiful skyline.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOxKVL7I8cRIC-77oOAvb4_7QF11UKg3cs1jq-7YzeXTbqfnuWv_ecYj7SeAbZ1WuaJxzw4DON3LfV0vYpqc59AizMPbK6AqdPwVTEcAQoMHi5zi_GObbLR7T4_MXK2PQJ9XPn_pXPac/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540043641202632898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOxKVL7I8cRIC-77oOAvb4_7QF11UKg3cs1jq-7YzeXTbqfnuWv_ecYj7SeAbZ1WuaJxzw4DON3LfV0vYpqc59AizMPbK6AqdPwVTEcAQoMHi5zi_GObbLR7T4_MXK2PQJ9XPn_pXPac/s320/IMG_2653.JPG" /></a><br />An unexpected and my favorite stop of the day was the Confucian Temple (the Wen Miao Temple) located in the old city. The original temple was dedicated in 1296 but was moved several times before its current site in 1855. The current buildings were renovated in 1999 to celebrate the 2,550th birthday of Confucius. We toured the grounds – it was so quiet and serine. It was Sunday, so they were having a book swap in the entrance area of the temple.<br /><br />Our next stop was Peoples Square. A former horse racing track, it is now the site of the municipal government, exhibition halls, theater, and. you guessed it – shopping! Shopping and HOARDS of people. We stopped in at one local food market – filled with people – locals and domestic tourist. It was fun to see a “local” upscale food store. The rest of our time, we just walked around – just a couple of salmon trying to swim upstream!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfCFLEJ0tszkXpA3lXGhozYj3Ec2LWeUElEh_uSO9oIc9KHDl5oMyByMUCfsd5FIJfGI4JYpXX0ZLiIDB01JY-4qOIOAdm4omZFUatWocMwwiLRRmu_ptX0YQ-6GViVqqnm2nj70jYUQ/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540042614088281298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfCFLEJ0tszkXpA3lXGhozYj3Ec2LWeUElEh_uSO9oIc9KHDl5oMyByMUCfsd5FIJfGI4JYpXX0ZLiIDB01JY-4qOIOAdm4omZFUatWocMwwiLRRmu_ptX0YQ-6GViVqqnm2nj70jYUQ/s320/IMG_2644.JPG" /></a>We left the Peoples Square and headed to the Old City. We stopped at the Dongtai Antiques Market – not sure how many were really antiques – we did enjoy watching the men play cards on the corner. Once we finished in the antiques market we went to Shanghai Old Street. What a hustling are<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbKffSzl4EQ6M5nlsQ7ryy6-oj5RHcuF_KUbrngLNUpeYMuvqsyaIGJGGyqrONFjUBBOawNseLPB2GkwYj3hxSKpx3a4NQTKmG3B6HQnr55ksJ1u7O7LhQC4comEh0g6giLdpERkN5OY/s1600/IMG_2690.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540048953179768514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbKffSzl4EQ6M5nlsQ7ryy6-oj5RHcuF_KUbrngLNUpeYMuvqsyaIGJGGyqrONFjUBBOawNseLPB2GkwYj3hxSKpx3a4NQTKmG3B6HQnr55ksJ1u7O7LhQC4comEh0g6giLdpERkN5OY/s320/IMG_2690.JPG" /></a>a. The area was small in comparison to Peoples Square but the streets were tiny but shop after shop along the road was filled with vendors cooking and selling afternoon snacks. The streets were full of local shoppers buying their goods for the night’s dinner. We loved the area, the faces of the people and the view of everyday life. The tiny side streets were filled with door ways to the locals houses – of course, there was no in door plumbing, so one the corner of most blocks were the public toilets and wash houses.<br /><br />In contrast, we headed to The French Concession – the area where the rich Chinese and Expats live. Swank shops, amazing restaurants and no public toilets on the corner. We were in awe after the old town. Like all major cities around the globe – Starbucks was on the corner!<br /><br />We were tired and hungry by time we reached the hotel. It was dark and we just couldn’t face anymore shopping. So after dinner we played cards to keep ourselves awake. We were so happy to hit the pillow at 9:30 pm – the time change is not fun!<br /><br /><br />Our new guides in Shanghai - Nick and Tru<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgIZSDNIymHNArPV7wMhzk0EcKQWdrqenGyERNv1SvIIZpV1WZlk8V6JPuq8OoFY0KYKP8zAJUgJL3i87iQ_NfwYV-YKUPQI_VHw-_hKXiDWFflP7QBkjYyA4I4FEneL2zPGZyr5lGao/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540048140924537650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgIZSDNIymHNArPV7wMhzk0EcKQWdrqenGyERNv1SvIIZpV1WZlk8V6JPuq8OoFY0KYKP8zAJUgJL3i87iQ_NfwYV-YKUPQI_VHw-_hKXiDWFflP7QBkjYyA4I4FEneL2zPGZyr5lGao/s320/IMG_2420.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtSllG-5wTR8Amn0uTyIAPPkEedut6Ad5hTrjlalpenBxHF49W5huePvJ9POmG8liDckjgPxJVRaqiWpZTyTAOzcMcBjMXKn2efFyDAIornWdc2t1K6qJjkenRTX4_Uae6rMkOBLBbkY/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540047930744173906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtSllG-5wTR8Amn0uTyIAPPkEedut6Ad5hTrjlalpenBxHF49W5huePvJ9POmG8liDckjgPxJVRaqiWpZTyTAOzcMcBjMXKn2efFyDAIornWdc2t1K6qJjkenRTX4_Uae6rMkOBLBbkY/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" /></a>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-43117709085168352852010-11-06T23:12:00.008-05:002010-11-16T09:09:03.087-06:00On The Move To China - Day 4<div>We were up and checked out of the hotel early to go shopping before heading to Shanghai. Yes shopping! This time it was to the Silk Markets. The Silk Markets are famous place for bargain shopping. What use to be an open air market in days gone by is now a 6-floor shopping mall. We were given great tips from the flight attendants – divide the shop owners opening price by 4! We bargained until we were blue in the face. Our tour guide was impressed with our skills – especially Linda. She even bought something because we negotiated the price down so low!<br /><br />After another nice Chinese lunch we headed to the airport. The weather was a bit cooler but the city was covered in smog – yuck. When we arrived at the airport, our guide informed us that we would have to pay for each kilo over 20 kilos. Well, my suitcase weighted that before I left the states. So, we found a storage rental, took most of our shopping purchases and put them in an extra duffle I hauled from the states. We were quite a picture –suitcases open, scrambling around, pushing, shoving and zipping! We arrived at the counter at 1:15 and found out that there was a mistake with our flight time. The day before our 2:30 flight was cancelled and we were rescheduled to leave at 3:00, when w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFyvxCB54hawl-xXViXXrNt7WTOMbngfmRwf04tLkpxXosOoeluh-Y0mCDzB-Gyc4RYTHb4zXgReUg_B_OEM5gDqhdlXmCrYsINlKZ6ZxCVDqIOoCE3OrGVsYVqV2dpXanS1p5miI6qM/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540019423496953906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFyvxCB54hawl-xXViXXrNt7WTOMbngfmRwf04tLkpxXosOoeluh-Y0mCDzB-Gyc4RYTHb4zXgReUg_B_OEM5gDqhdlXmCrYsINlKZ6ZxCVDqIOoCE3OrGVsYVqV2dpXanS1p5miI6qM/s320/IMG_2379.JPG" /></a>e arrived we were old our flight left at 2:00! To make a long story short – we made it – but not without lots of negotiating on the part of our tour guide.<br /><br /><br />We arrived in Shanghai in awe. It is a city of high rises and sky scrapers – it goes on for miles and miles. In fact, we have not seen the end of it – we are staying in the middle of the city and in every direction all we see are sky scrapers. Linda has stated Shanghai makes New York City look tiny. Our room is amazing. We are on the 18th floor with one wall all windows. The view is spectacular overlooking the Yuyuan area, the old city area and markets.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMP3hRsEsz8RlaWaUoInvTUSIWoR-wqK4xBQ7xROYksz3ade9y8pwAKWrE0dJbao_j9rgz4yEdf93DUAHH1xP7eKoo9SQtJdG7pgLVt5QkvSa8hUc8NUj3_-fDwCOKIKODc4zG2lu2Teg/s1600/IMG_2837.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540164618878597714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMP3hRsEsz8RlaWaUoInvTUSIWoR-wqK4xBQ7xROYksz3ade9y8pwAKWrE0dJbao_j9rgz4yEdf93DUAHH1xP7eKoo9SQtJdG7pgLVt5QkvSa8hUc8NUj3_-fDwCOKIKODc4zG2lu2Teg/s320/IMG_2837.JPG" /></a><br />We spent the evening on our own walking around – but we became tired REALLY quickly of the non stop harassment by the vendors. We called it a night and headed back to the sanctuary of our home away from home.</div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-51570981972273491592010-11-05T19:52:00.013-05:002010-11-15T23:11:58.675-06:00On The Move To China - Day 3After an interesting morning (up at 3:30, locked out of the bathroom, a visit by the hotel engineer, a stint of reading and a short nap) we were up and out of the room by 9:00 heading to another fun filled day in Beijing. We headed out of the city toward the Great Wall, with several stops on the way.<br /><br />We arrived first at the Jade Factory – government run of course. We really had a great time seeing all the beautiful pieces and bartering to get the items we wanted at a reasonable price.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN5LRO0yJsnccnKweuyGRSBntPRHxMkKmbDt0PYoENi0ZANHCEwAn-qClBYda9FDmm7y0jTy2UOHB0WNvHtDYKOV9b_Cwa0DGuoevdeSJtfraK2SGd-xMRT-i7860kCuv126MRAiEbp0/s1600/IMG_2265.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540004869814935554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipN5LRO0yJsnccnKweuyGRSBntPRHxMkKmbDt0PYoENi0ZANHCEwAn-qClBYda9FDmm7y0jTy2UOHB0WNvHtDYKOV9b_Cwa0DGuoevdeSJtfraK2SGd-xMRT-i7860kCuv126MRAiEbp0/s400/IMG_2265.JPG" /></a>Next we were off to the Ming Tombs area. We had a fun walk on the Scared Road, this is part of the road that led from the Forbidden City to the Tombs for the thirteen emperors of the Ming dynasty that were buried in this valley. The animals offered protection for the emperors into the “new world” and we had a great time posing with the statues along the way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimBbgIZU3MSNyTqNL1lFnaJgMjR9N2hSTyeBVe2bpZolddwEZ-2Ig2mEkvCo4rDCSJ7iY_iB7P8BmjWmKKZ1OY-gDv07LX3fMvkfePdrWwxAHlB85bm_WMlM-SOTyu6AGRM_BHoDpuhU/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540005287750490418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimBbgIZU3MSNyTqNL1lFnaJgMjR9N2hSTyeBVe2bpZolddwEZ-2Ig2mEkvCo4rDCSJ7iY_iB7P8BmjWmKKZ1OY-gDv07LX3fMvkfePdrWwxAHlB85bm_WMlM-SOTyu6AGRM_BHoDpuhU/s200/IMG_2256.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwMelHnPuRrdTdIsvEQnuMBvbo_PVM5ETgctfCcrbCgRGJU7MieHBfcvqC71oDP6wSoOf2A9S6M3s4nXiuBlor14ZYPWG8ZOhtsqZDutfDidQuYQ-84aJ9FsXUbjXypTWOaPGsS4s1g8/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540005546591650962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwMelHnPuRrdTdIsvEQnuMBvbo_PVM5ETgctfCcrbCgRGJU7MieHBfcvqC71oDP6wSoOf2A9S6M3s4nXiuBlor14ZYPWG8ZOhtsqZDutfDidQuYQ-84aJ9FsXUbjXypTWOaPGsS4s1g8/s200/DSC_0111.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /> </p><p><br /> </p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once again we found ourselves at another factory showroom and store. This time it was the Cloisonne factory. After a yummy lunch we hit the floor shopping. We were surprised by the price of the items – but found a few things for holiday gifts we couldn't’t live without! At this factory shop there was no bargaining for lower prices and we were followed around by a sales clerks the whole time we were shopping. We had to become very skilled at looking at merchandise without stopping or looking interested!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8YCVV4i2f5kyh8_QaV-dGDIU5iVWpmk7jv1FnJvWBf69-Mgqfwj-E_0NqOMve4GT9ERZJzcW4G96rcqr6PfpHwMZJAIMHMCuWTebD5NRQU19WxaArgoeZWmpipMQwvytZGrMkRxZR9o/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540004052044578882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8YCVV4i2f5kyh8_QaV-dGDIU5iVWpmk7jv1FnJvWBf69-Mgqfwj-E_0NqOMve4GT9ERZJzcW4G96rcqr6PfpHwMZJAIMHMCuWTebD5NRQU19WxaArgoeZWmpipMQwvytZGrMkRxZR9o/s400/IMG_2317.JPG" /></a>Finally, we made it to the Great Wall. We went to the Juyongguan Path entrance. Boy was it a climb – it was SOOOOOO steep. The stairs varied in heighth and depth. My legs were shaking by time I walked up the hundreds of steps. But the work was worth the climb. We passed many people, old and young, those hiking up as though it were a walk in the park and those that were huf<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhZxbSSuyFIR7niPvUxhGF1gUNsqtgW9ztN2H4iW_GPkNGs6PtFmY0PgeuB54O43kdoEMhOGC2MqjcZGusuqeYJuGvJb9mAzITsQroorG8mOvJeggdkLyZBL3Yg00N5US67OivmvHubg/s1600/IMG_2299.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540004410225961330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhZxbSSuyFIR7niPvUxhGF1gUNsqtgW9ztN2H4iW_GPkNGs6PtFmY0PgeuB54O43kdoEMhOGC2MqjcZGusuqeYJuGvJb9mAzITsQroorG8mOvJeggdkLyZBL3Yg00N5US67OivmvHubg/s320/IMG_2299.JPG" /></a>fing, puffing and sweating, those who were walking in high heeled boots and we passed and were passed by people speaking many different languages. By time we arrived at the bottom, my legs were fatigued and I could hardly walk, Linda was in great shape and did fine!! It was a beautiful warm day – we couldn't’t have asked for more.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSpbfreBekrBuaAB9Y3RPd_ehBqkzdeIYl4zmyZGi2kEkF0fTyFtqIpfY6pBA72zgmpxsoRzmEkMjGu3eaF3Ksks7uCx9SMu5yDr31KW-kPqA46Q8_vCG63yszJUt7OQihbCSeok62SU/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540003356630540162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSpbfreBekrBuaAB9Y3RPd_ehBqkzdeIYl4zmyZGi2kEkF0fTyFtqIpfY6pBA72zgmpxsoRzmEkMjGu3eaF3Ksks7uCx9SMu5yDr31KW-kPqA46Q8_vCG63yszJUt7OQihbCSeok62SU/s320/IMG_2371.JPG" /></a>We headed back into Beijing for a ride in a rickshaw around the historic Hutong. Hutong is blocks and blocks of narrow alleys and cramped courtyard dwellings that exemplify the “real” people of Beijing. The houses are attached a block at a time. We went to one of the neighbors residents – meeting a family in this unique courtyard dwelling. We felt bad for them, the place was really run down and old but thoug<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVthgjpolS3f6Dglsm_swk1kI3bBVPuYPESZoxUqfO5BnZAYPrEHZovTxSNz47cQ4VuIa5Vl6tocgcG9_oiplKZvfMwW2ZAqX116OLAu-YXxAGILce4vQrtSvzh5g0bT4zID_7bIM2yWo/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540003670104042050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVthgjpolS3f6Dglsm_swk1kI3bBVPuYPESZoxUqfO5BnZAYPrEHZovTxSNz47cQ4VuIa5Vl6tocgcG9_oiplKZvfMwW2ZAqX116OLAu-YXxAGILce4vQrtSvzh5g0bT4zID_7bIM2yWo/s200/IMG_2338.JPG" /></a>ht it would be great to renovate one of the courtyard homes. We asked our tour guide, Lynn, how much it would cost to buy one - $500,000 – and this is without bathrooms because none of the houses have plumbing for bathrooms. They have to use the blocks public bathroom facilities. During our ride we found several houses that had been bought and were being renovated.<br /><br />After a dumpling dinner we headed back to the hotel trying to stay awake for a couple more hours. At 9:00 the bed called to us! We are off to Shanghai tomorrow!<br /><br /><br />A couple more pictures from the Great Wall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdoQ7XMAO9W-r5Bfea5h8Wo8OGCChy85lssJsciX7EiPAdaHmzaSvy0RHRDes4-XQu9R4jAlkDg0M5aME5CoZ1ZzZjIkFUT0nhd0QWXEfpjIAxPOS6ac6C-sU8eswCSmlrl6QfkVtioI/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540006530889388034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdoQ7XMAO9W-r5Bfea5h8Wo8OGCChy85lssJsciX7EiPAdaHmzaSvy0RHRDes4-XQu9R4jAlkDg0M5aME5CoZ1ZzZjIkFUT0nhd0QWXEfpjIAxPOS6ac6C-sU8eswCSmlrl6QfkVtioI/s320/IMG_2315.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievDAl9nBgXwHkgDa9wYwaFj2WPKxmsParwVm42UGpPF2ji_TIXzouvT90wWYPTHI4yZ-Gatx-OoEW8Gob9LLDdVLZk4QcgfUCH3k4ToJWYLAX0BFwnYyl-3yotrYEiv-cqbIOCa9XdIY/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540007287611719314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievDAl9nBgXwHkgDa9wYwaFj2WPKxmsParwVm42UGpPF2ji_TIXzouvT90wWYPTHI4yZ-Gatx-OoEW8Gob9LLDdVLZk4QcgfUCH3k4ToJWYLAX0BFwnYyl-3yotrYEiv-cqbIOCa9XdIY/s320/IMG_2312.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540008449695050402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIluCSRRJLz5XPaapqNWIXSy9SbQvBNfJJJszRmwBCyEt7W58MQeaPt8yWl_AQQXQDi1wY1GgKsUFst0nUu6CneracRQO0wRW7azAhyphenhyphenLghcrsyr1_Ngo2jk0apOJGSgxhRQ2EnejF7nAw/s400/IMG_2289.JPG" />A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-10870174842635085512010-11-04T08:56:00.009-05:002010-11-15T21:15:08.603-06:00On The Move To China - Day 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_7C_Nl_AXe8-k5CjTuuxTBpF6VH5L_C82ahPx1a2H2eqeVi8z-S5cdqXyc-u83DPstXPUCjAaGG3Ia27sZy61yVLYl4I1NxET3JhAbEu5DBOwrJ_c3zK6eYMlb6S9ZBgq6GWygSP8sQ/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539579792848132066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_7C_Nl_AXe8-k5CjTuuxTBpF6VH5L_C82ahPx1a2H2eqeVi8z-S5cdqXyc-u83DPstXPUCjAaGG3Ia27sZy61yVLYl4I1NxET3JhAbEu5DBOwrJ_c3zK6eYMlb6S9ZBgq6GWygSP8sQ/s400/IMG_1988.JPG" /></a>I am on the move to China with the girlfriend Linda. First stop – Beijing. With a guide and driver at our disposal, we hit the road bright and early today! The skies were blue, not a cloud in the sky, it was beautiful day for sightseeing, eating and shopping!<br /><br />Our first stop was Tiananmen Square where we heard the tales of years gone by. From the birth of communism to the 1989 massacre, Tiananmen Square is rich in history. We by passed the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong after seeing the long line of tourist waiting in line. The square was filled with people, birds, police mini-vans, big screen TV's and did I mention people! There were tourist from all over China and and they seemed to be heading in the same direction a us - to the Forbidden City.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Forbidden City was huge! It is the largest and best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0I6PIUGeXmCO9NpBEqkEUJCoo7DnS7rfaok8IsB-TcqHHR5j36oTwp-4evoxVGVVIkwNQb-fG3uUVtBYFdDCGwxInMneJsOji9XU6N6SFbugghNrOgdl4wsG4WocGqzi2qdWwYr_0GU/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539580609278626450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0I6PIUGeXmCO9NpBEqkEUJCoo7DnS7rfaok8IsB-TcqHHR5j36oTwp-4evoxVGVVIkwNQb-fG3uUVtBYFdDCGwxInMneJsOji9XU6N6SFbugghNrOgdl4wsG4WocGqzi2qdWwYr_0GU/s320/IMG_2042.JPG" /></a>The Forbidden City was off-limits to commoners for more than 500 years and those who worked there were rarely permitted to leave the walled city. Look on-line to research this if you are interested – with 980 buildings and 9,000 rooms there is too much to write about! I will say . . .my favorite building was “The Hall of Preserved Harmony”.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnH_YvM9PJ-lfYo1D8JXH8_ITX3fBjcHRj2wUcIl-HT24N8ADeoOx_U25HyyIQ7sRZCMsTaWmZ79W6HjUFDJjN___bv2_P6Euhgyha6lfJK9-_IXBkQ3PVDKqwlmcZGn4NNVm536CZEU/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539587657624254610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnH_YvM9PJ-lfYo1D8JXH8_ITX3fBjcHRj2wUcIl-HT24N8ADeoOx_U25HyyIQ7sRZCMsTaWmZ79W6HjUFDJjN___bv2_P6Euhgyha6lfJK9-_IXBkQ3PVDKqwlmcZGn4NNVm536CZEU/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" /></a>After walking for 3 hours in the Forbidden City, we headed to lunch before touring the Summer Palace, a summer retreat for emperors of the Qing dynasty. Kunming Lake is the focal point of the gardens at the Palace. Emperors of old usually travelled by boat from the Forbidden City to the Palace– what a lovely ride it would have been. The 17 arched bridge was amazing spanning over the lake to a small island. The Lake area was huge and we toured only a small portion. It would take a couple days to enjoy the whole area.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfJjS0zowkv2JPUlDbk0qMPKtDg3xMJQGYga1d1PD-TXlNs2VTMerI7hA_8CnkYvJdoGai0o-UkDpTMc6D3ho6LOV0w_M2p32BLz4ukm-O937V7HRcQ-51FuZKh1M7ly0dbCUg70ZvlM/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539581546564502322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfJjS0zowkv2JPUlDbk0qMPKtDg3xMJQGYga1d1PD-TXlNs2VTMerI7hA_8CnkYvJdoGai0o-UkDpTMc6D3ho6LOV0w_M2p32BLz4ukm-O937V7HRcQ-51FuZKh1M7ly0dbCUg70ZvlM/s320/IMG_2235.JPG" /></a>Our last stop of the day before heading to shop was the Temple of Heaven. The temple sits on a hill in the city enjoying great views of the city. The hall has burned to the ground several times since it was first constructed. It is ironic that this is where the Emperor came to pray for rain, good weather, good harvest, etc. and it was destroyed every time due to lightening!<br /><br />We did stop at the Hutong shopping mall before heading to dinner. Can’t tell you what I bought – Sir might be reading this!<br /><br />I traveled here with Sir in the late 90’s and it has changed! Gone are the masses of bicycle riders – cars, buses and a subway system has changed this. Also, many of the buildings we went to today were renovated for the 2008 Olympics – the color was amazing – unfortunately, Sir and I did not see this before.<br /><br /><br /><u> Our guide, Lynn and the front of the Forbidden City</u><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR48p2PZKw8pdvTziWIi5w3PfNqJ84RZk8yo7SZ7-XgybIS01KylsN9F95YcuRtOq5U6VsNgvzh3dC6CCjz-Q2f7rFWp5T4jfVI7UxPa3hTkfww4hwMqlVAoKSuhLFUdcTs_jPE1A3uEo/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539587119048120002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR48p2PZKw8pdvTziWIi5w3PfNqJ84RZk8yo7SZ7-XgybIS01KylsN9F95YcuRtOq5U6VsNgvzh3dC6CCjz-Q2f7rFWp5T4jfVI7UxPa3hTkfww4hwMqlVAoKSuhLFUdcTs_jPE1A3uEo/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Df1vVDyLkT4kakx84wcHD1rGzsH_aeMGYQ0r3Go8_Z6ezlnxeMLDh7oxpSKWyHWpVuSPonN7TCcWOTOjSaZQjDr50xSLB7mYSLU2sldwy6LlCq-RWmL-QUZdqVav11VnxMGrSteT94/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539588207173211010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3Df1vVDyLkT4kakx84wcHD1rGzsH_aeMGYQ0r3Go8_Z6ezlnxeMLDh7oxpSKWyHWpVuSPonN7TCcWOTOjSaZQjDr50xSLB7mYSLU2sldwy6LlCq-RWmL-QUZdqVav11VnxMGrSteT94/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" /></a>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-20179926270646722602010-10-20T23:04:00.002-05:002010-10-20T23:41:57.293-05:00Walking To The Beat Of The Fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1EtKr0BlxLhPwY_Kj7P49ZVT7tQogWxfOG-CAtq9drXzHElqwi1EUWetWSjre2fVDRluZQuNbR9mgxT_Li1eurSRWPYkgEfME08mYD_9VdtROJjJP7keDxt9zauhxtQ1YgcL4XO1Kdw/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530349492182180306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1EtKr0BlxLhPwY_Kj7P49ZVT7tQogWxfOG-CAtq9drXzHElqwi1EUWetWSjre2fVDRluZQuNbR9mgxT_Li1eurSRWPYkgEfME08mYD_9VdtROJjJP7keDxt9zauhxtQ1YgcL4XO1Kdw/s320/IMG_6362.JPG" /></a><br /><div>It is beautiful right now! The yellow, red and orange leaves are beautiful against the backdrop of the sky and the everygreens. Every where I look the scenery takes my breath away. Daughter 2 is probably getting tired of me continually stating "Look at that tree!" or "Do you see the sky tonight!"</div><br /><div></div><div>I have been out and walking this fall. I have visited the Botanical Gardens - each time a new experience! I walked in a 5K over the week-end. It was great to get out and push mys<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6bg718jZCn9cc9o97yTXRFatdQw4RPnZFFzTt0HYumCWnMbHiV8qsatR94hHYt9ffuE6PpTWHMg3kZcpVBte8jfUICgHSKHdid4UlxS1-kZa5LTO93NE5mhfaCzh-_ZuI7vi7CYXbeQ/s1600/CIMG0094.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 239px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530350950186507714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6bg718jZCn9cc9o97yTXRFatdQw4RPnZFFzTt0HYumCWnMbHiV8qsatR94hHYt9ffuE6PpTWHMg3kZcpVBte8jfUICgHSKHdid4UlxS1-kZa5LTO93NE5mhfaCzh-_ZuI7vi7CYXbeQ/s320/CIMG0094.jpg" /></a>elf - walking in the nippy weather with the leaves falling off the trees - felt like I was in a fall snowglobe. A recent trip to the near by savanah was breathtaking. My heart soars just walking around town seeing all the fall displays. Of course, I am grateful for all my walking buddies in my life. I feels exhilitrated after our dose of nature. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo_p1rfxWwY8hAQf95IZwP5t5hLntR-VYQxnzd_OrmI-fVcyV4-PVZGwaDSM9fPe3b7nsedG1Eir6rTSjB6Nf616cHsZFza2rJDcbn7nY3SmVC1pxCrm9giIgeQO1JFpNKyyWOdsfpWA/s1600/DSCN5895.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530351507414193106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo_p1rfxWwY8hAQf95IZwP5t5hLntR-VYQxnzd_OrmI-fVcyV4-PVZGwaDSM9fPe3b7nsedG1Eir6rTSjB6Nf616cHsZFza2rJDcbn7nY3SmVC1pxCrm9giIgeQO1JFpNKyyWOdsfpWA/s200/DSCN5895.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I suggest it for everyone - walk! Get out there. Find new paths. Explore your area. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNv6m2WvyEeloMGuq8qGQKtV6SLJbKXUweFoxrXDt25n9R-sRjFGcuWZexyhBG0qjWucx_qsXcsA8KAzQFBDbdA58qzEgacEdrdC2uaJZg8OwtfAr59EKwUm0SMReHAdZA5AIiK2mzwY/s1600/DSCN5901.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530351513164121618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNv6m2WvyEeloMGuq8qGQKtV6SLJbKXUweFoxrXDt25n9R-sRjFGcuWZexyhBG0qjWucx_qsXcsA8KAzQFBDbdA58qzEgacEdrdC2uaJZg8OwtfAr59EKwUm0SMReHAdZA5AIiK2mzwY/s200/DSCN5901.JPG" /></a>Experience nature at its finest. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ31nP0InyAmHUbLAbhEa5bGmjlOXMZBnjAhwbs_Bo62kgT31BnWXPjufcMOhYfWM4J1YmwJxKHF4wJDqbVo8jOAhUoIBm7LlO2mdsW50tvMBt3VqhACHqM51XNFS3TgkKEBiGKG17or0/s1600/CIMG0092.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530351498197687698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ31nP0InyAmHUbLAbhEa5bGmjlOXMZBnjAhwbs_Bo62kgT31BnWXPjufcMOhYfWM4J1YmwJxKHF4wJDqbVo8jOAhUoIBm7LlO2mdsW50tvMBt3VqhACHqM51XNFS3TgkKEBiGKG17or0/s200/CIMG0092.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFOYW1vhJH7O8uC_9rlFMmxXS3i1KkJAmVxp1q8tq_6GcZks_Js2w8TtbRwKmew8tTlKAziO86LZFmvFy0w7cNtqw-MlLvZi9XMWQqgWsJlTSZax2998VD1WTGf-m3V0y8naZwdEdyOg/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530353702399875810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFOYW1vhJH7O8uC_9rlFMmxXS3i1KkJAmVxp1q8tq_6GcZks_Js2w8TtbRwKmew8tTlKAziO86LZFmvFy0w7cNtqw-MlLvZi9XMWQqgWsJlTSZax2998VD1WTGf-m3V0y8naZwdEdyOg/s200/IMG_1795.JPG" /></a></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8182295994257784728.post-76087967660136047832010-10-06T01:00:00.009-05:002010-10-06T12:38:36.526-05:00On the Move To The UK<div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqauJ7poXaJwi_o41LazlA_nLLZHoaJRX0DfYLYfSCkIZH1Q_0gMiDnL5v5vxro4pwEsIyK_7v3CvLdrv_aiIgBCZjuBWkwXiltkI7dLyP1SGq-yhit0QfFiwDwBiInZyF5GmGwyh_CI/s1600/DSCN5852.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524976552143838146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqauJ7poXaJwi_o41LazlA_nLLZHoaJRX0DfYLYfSCkIZH1Q_0gMiDnL5v5vxro4pwEsIyK_7v3CvLdrv_aiIgBCZjuBWkwXiltkI7dLyP1SGq-yhit0QfFiwDwBiInZyF5GmGwyh_CI/s400/DSCN5852.JPG" /></a> <div>I couldn't believe my passport! Three years and no trips to the UK . I decided I had ignored my previous home long enough and hitched a ride with Sir on a week-end trip to jolly ol' London. It is amazing to me how three years can go by so quickly - yet stepping off the plane and heading to customs felt like it was just last week I there having a tea at an outdoor cafe with Daughter 1. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Nothing had changed going through customs at Heathrow. The traffic on the streets remained crowded, loud and chaotic. The weather didn't disappoint me - one minute sunny and bright, the next cloudy with rain. The mixture of color and languages sharing the streets remained unchanged. Three years has passed me by and my Londontown was the same. Walking through the streets brought back so many memories my head was spinning. I am sure Sir was tired of me stating over and over . . ."do you remember when..."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9E5q-_ZmO9AwUsqt_f_F3Byp7AUlCIDCqf1y96BDl1y0D1v6OBxjI72kTzjykQIHkfh8sc2bpTcu8kLuQ5t1eXeYJ5urt5e1XrF7aa-5XM9LtopZLpTRquja5KpJ5yCg-MSJlgZSugM/s1600/DSCN5844.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524977372054503218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9E5q-_ZmO9AwUsqt_f_F3Byp7AUlCIDCqf1y96BDl1y0D1v6OBxjI72kTzjykQIHkfh8sc2bpTcu8kLuQ5t1eXeYJ5urt5e1XrF7aa-5XM9LtopZLpTRquja5KpJ5yCg-MSJlgZSugM/s200/DSCN5844.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>How did I spend my 24 hours in town? Due to a tube closing (rail work) we couldn't venture to our old stomping grounds - so I chose - the tourist thing: walki<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sLibHU20GMYHEx_pilB7I73zKgJola0grhinolpttKZG8yuHTzAgCvU1hR0ITOr8qx10lS5jZBQLgpgOAavlUbmarYe4AGmn9cBbvxkuAz1-gHZHVuj7Fxuyv5lo8nopft-Ur-9hoJI/s1600/DSCN5848.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524981524476579506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sLibHU20GMYHEx_pilB7I73zKgJola0grhinolpttKZG8yuHTzAgCvU1hR0ITOr8qx10lS5jZBQLgpgOAavlUbmarYe4AGmn9cBbvxkuAz1-gHZHVuj7Fxuyv5lo8nopft-Ur-9hoJI/s320/DSCN5848.JPG" /></a>ng for miles from Leicester Square to Trafalgar Square to Covent Garden to Regent Street to Embankment and finally back to the tube. I was not disappointed. The crowds of people gathered at Trafalgar Square waiting patiently to have their photos taken while on top of the giant black lions existed then and still remains a beloved activity today. The smells that drifted from China Town years ago remains exactly the same - it warmed my heart and soul. The music, street entertainers and clanking of dishes at the outdoor cafes took me back to the days when I had a stroller pushing my way through the crowded streets of Covent Gardens. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddfP-WvQ0y25EifvGepbMkRsKsSp27vEm_enB9HxLDDv-TcJl54ak5IEx-h0BKl7L0mxjt_iIXodSGzH3oB6N1Or27rngwL9IxepTxhNZow7yjsjAkz2-8RkrKXuWrTko3ekrEg3RK14/s1600/DSCN5841.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524977375513207938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddfP-WvQ0y25EifvGepbMkRsKsSp27vEm_enB9HxLDDv-TcJl54ak5IEx-h0BKl7L0mxjt_iIXodSGzH3oB6N1Or27rngwL9IxepTxhNZow7yjsjAkz2-8RkrKXuWrTko3ekrEg3RK14/s200/DSCN5841.JPG" /></a> I enjoy feasting on my favorite curry at one of our favorite hang outs - Wagamama's - while waving to my favorite restaurant - Belgo's - I will have to visit it next trip!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>What changed? Shopping. We headed to our favorite shops on a mission .... and they we<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYTalhrbBCZCETDQlpNHLxv7g7Xd-KlhpjJDfj0nZyuOxsofNtLJdY_SafCaWUuW4ne5TCmheDUVlAbLRKUQ12HJHC7ZN6Atc43HNGFQKMA_2d0VqHYVGpfiWdyJbLkEdzajUambUzZQ/s1600/DSCN5845.JPG"></a>re closed. Poof. Maybe my pocketbook is happy but I was down right disappointed! </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>After a great evening dining with friends, staying up way to late, getting to bed in the wee hours of the morning . . . I packed my bags and headed home grateful for the time spent with Sir, my walk around London, my evening with friends and 16 hours on the plane without telephone or a computer! </div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJ7zUDIqlvD-38tCBHC2K_MtiwSxXxnoTdAchpbJQO3Ehz-uG3QJNq74wIVkoPsyCefB6XHDTzKT0Ldmvlau8VtdCwl7K6PVstXhyphenhyphenl6964JJkKFTtAg3zyB8nmbL41dm_3IcqCvdIgo/s1600/DSCN5855.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524981526699857410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJ7zUDIqlvD-38tCBHC2K_MtiwSxXxnoTdAchpbJQO3Ehz-uG3QJNq74wIVkoPsyCefB6XHDTzKT0Ldmvlau8VtdCwl7K6PVstXhyphenhyphenl6964JJkKFTtAg3zyB8nmbL41dm_3IcqCvdIgo/s320/DSCN5855.JPG" /></a> <div>I won't wait for three years to pass <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC07r216Z7KovdzakgrY5QkOsRga9bC5TH9n4colMNg5kmUW5S3FmGiIVbZBidrLnxGR0xI_xdm519E7G6tySaR073HD1owFDj8YCnj_nxSJCPWzSfOWQT538krnYuFJlENj6DLwgitk/s1600/DSCN5863.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524981537945399458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC07r216Z7KovdzakgrY5QkOsRga9bC5TH9n4colMNg5kmUW5S3FmGiIVbZBidrLnxGR0xI_xdm519E7G6tySaR073HD1owFDj8YCnj_nxSJCPWzSfOWQT538krnYuFJlENj6DLwgitk/s320/DSCN5863.JPG" /></a>again!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>A Woman on the Movehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06121615522628551737noreply@blogger.com0