Day 5 - Sightseeing!

Today our guide took us to see some of Shanghai's sky scrappers, many of which are built with Chinese beliefs, for instance one is built with a squareopening at the top, it is believed that the evil spirits can fly directly though the opening and will not land there. We then went to visit Yu Garden, built in 1577 by a Ming Dynasty officer for his parents so they would have a happy place to spend their old age. The surrounding ponds were filled with hundreds of huge Koi fish with mouth openings a big as a half dollar coin. We also visited a tea house where you sit and they prepare you many different teas for tasting. All of teas had a different purpose (healing, headaches, weight loss etc.) Our guide said Chinese people drink tea every day and not from a tea bag. So fellow adoptive parents, skip the tea as an option for caretakers/guide gifts. Unless it is better quality tea leaves.

Scott and I ventured out on our own and found a shopping mall. One of the floors was just toys, we will bring Matthew back here so that he can pick out a few things to bring back to US, so that he will feel he has his own possessions. We will also have him pick out a gift to bring back to Katie. We tried to have dinner when we were out, but were unable to find a restaurant that could communicate with us. So we thought it would be best to go back to the Hotel. The experience last time we were in China was very different than this time around, this time we have a guide but they are only with us in the early parts of the day. Last time our guide was with us 24/7, a much better option as we are finding ourselves frustrated. We are very much looking forward to getting to Guangzhou where we are familiar with the surroundings and can revisit the places we already know.

3 days until Gottcha Day!!!