Last week we really wanted Dan's parents to get a sense of what it is like living here! We spent most of the week doing normal, daily activities like visiting the grocery stores, finding ingredients at the different import stores (this is really an entire afternoon activity!), playing with the kids, doing homework, having Chinese lessons, watching ayi cook, massages, manicures, etc... It was fun to show someone how different our lives are now, but also, that different is not always bad. It is just different here!
My favorite part of the week was going to our favorite restaurants! Food is very important to the Chinese - I must be adapting quite well to this part of the culture!! We usually eat out several times during the weekend, but to get to go to our favorites all in one week was a real treat! We took our ayi with us on Friday night because she was so sad she didn't get to cook dinner! We try to spoil her a little because she has become such a big part of our family life here! The kids love this restaraunt because there are seals and we had our own private room (restroom and all!) so they do not have to have proper restaurant behavior!!
On Sunday we went the the Shi Family Mansion which is located a little ways outside of Tianjin. This was my first time visiting this place and I thought it was well worth the trip! It was a mansion built in 1875. We were able to view the sleeping quarters, the theater, offices, and living spaces where most of the original furniture was still there. I found it quite fascinating! The furniture is, of course, hand made and exquisite!
On Sunday night we celebrated El's birthday a little early so she could have some family here! She loved blowing out the candles and eating cake - especially since she knows we get to do it again in a couple of weeks!! Nai Nai and Pepere also took us to Din Tai Fung (2 times in 1 week, life is good!!) since El loves the noodles there and the fact that some of her friends are usually there in the playroom!! I'm pretty sure she had a great early birthday!!
On Monday we had to say good-bye which is never easy! Especially when you know that it will be months, not weeks, until you will see each other again. As I've said before, this is one of the not so fun parts of expat life. Until we meet again is a phrase used often here!
1 comment:
Thank you again for being you and for you and Daniel for taking such good care of us. It was a wonderful visit and we will be planning another one for next year. The 10 days just flew by so quickly and I just loved the time spent with your family and doing everyday things. Yes, food is most important to the Chinese and that is a good thing. I miss you all already too and it was tough saying goodbye. Instead, we will say as they say in French, until we meet again. Love you!
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