Welcome to Chongqing

Sorry to have disappeared. We arrived in Chongqing late yesterday afternoon to be met first by the drug dog and his soldier wanting David to unlock and open his bag.....whaaaat? It must not have been too important, he stuck his hands in there just once and barely felt around and didn't really look at all, and said good. I was relieved to hear that since I was wondering what I could have packed that could have ended David up in a Ch!nese prison for life.



We were met outside of departures by Shiyu's entire family, yes, almost every single one, plus our friend's exchange student. We were greeted with flowers and hugs, and cold Pepsi!!! I felt as though we had met them a million times, everyone was so excited to see everyone.



We drove in several cars to Shiyu's house(an amazing house by the way) and off loaded the cargo we are calling our bags. We visited, ate fruit and candy, and exchanged some amazing gifts. We then all loaded up and headed for a hotel where a private room had been sat up for us to have dinner. There were 11 or 12 of us around a huge round table, with a lazy susan almost as big as the table, and well the food just started coming out and I am actually not certain that they ever stopped bringing out food. I just couldn't believe how much food there was to eat. The food was incredbile, but despite that most of the table spoke Chinese and could not understand or speak any English, the company was even better than the food. Our family was toasted by every single member of Shiyu's family in gratitude of having hosted her in our home last year, and the appreciation of taking good care of her. David and I laugh at this, as it was incredibly easy to host her, and have her join our family. She is such a great kid, and she just fit in with us so easily. Anyway, we took some pictures(will try and get them loaded tomorrow) and then headed back home and into bed for an early night.



We are doing pretty well I think with the time change. It has been one of my biggest worry's for most of this process, but we seem to be making some headway, rallying, and making the turn towards regaining some sort of regular schedule. I think we will be pretty adjusted by Monday morning when we get Hayden.

I have so much more to tell you about our first full day in Chongqing. It included a real initiation into "driving in China" most of the driving laws are just a suggestion. We drove about 3 hours north to visit the Dazu Rock and Carvings, and well let's just say that when you look up and you are on the wrong side of the road and a truck is headed straight towards you that you see at least part of your life flash before you. I am pretty sure David will never allow me to open my mouth again about his driving. It was really insane!!

We saw so much of rural Chongqing; which is really very beautiful with mountains everywhere. We saw a lot of what rural life for the Chinese looks like, and it really makes you appreciate all of the modern convienences that we normally take for granted. For a girl who has seen a lot of the world, this was even eye opening to me. We have a lot to learn about work ethic when you see the hard work that is done here.

Dazu was incredible. I recommend you visit sometime or take the time to read about the carvings. Most are around 800 years old, and walk you through the story of Buddism. It was incredible to see how well preserved they were, and the intricate story that went with each one. We visited the monastary where approx 50 monks reside. We lit the biggest candles and incense I have ever seen asking for peace and a safe trip. Shiyu's aunt(we love her) prayed for us at each stop, and along with the incense and candles she also purchased a giant roll of firecrackers....to ward of the scary and the evil. This was one of the most interesting tours I think we have gone on. We enjoyed every minute of the rituals, and we loved that Auntie wanted to cover all of the bases and make sure she did her part in making our trip as safe and peaceful and happy as it could possibly be. On our way out we broke up into pairs and had the bicycles take us back to the starting point, as it was time to start making our way back towards Shiyu's house.

We made our way to downtown Chongqing.....wow, can you say a lot of people and a lot of traffic!! We met the rest of Shiyu's family for "hot pot" which is your own small boiling pot of spicy(very spicy) broth and then a table full of options to cook in your broth for your eating pleasure. It was amazing, and a ton of fun. The squirming skewered shrimp and the port blood cakes were a little much for me, but the beef, lamb, pork, and vegtables were just what we needed after this long day of driving, and walking. Once we finished with dinner we were headed for "our treat" Shiyu, Shang(exchange student who stayed with friends) and David, Taylor and myself went for massages. Well let me tell you, this was the most needed and incredible 2 hours of my life!!! Yes, that is right 2 hours(about $18) and it was just what this stuntwoman(little sore from the ceiling experience before we left) needed. Incredible is all I can tell you and just such a treat!!

Today has been an incredible day. We love Shiyu's entire family. They are so generous, and kind. They have such a great energy about them, and after spending time with I don't have to wonder why Shiyu is the amazing girl that she is. We will never be able to thank them for allowing us this experience. We hope that they will soon come to Texas so we can show them the same great hospitality.

Tomorrow we are going to something called "Asia Village" and then we will have dinner with everyone for our last night here, and then we are taking a cruise down the river. So we are looking forward to what the new day brings.

Enjoy the photo's. I feel like I am not doing a very good job of being up to date, but it just feels like there is not enough time in the day. So bare with me. I may always be a day behind. Which seems strange since I am a day ahead.