Some Much Needed Rest and Family Time

So the nice part of this holiday, is that we have been able to just relax and not do much at all. We have been without a car, as our driver is home with his family for the holiday. Like many living in the city and in jobs like drivers, ayis, etc..they are migrant workers. Due to the system that China has in place, where all services are provided locally and not on a national basis, most families must remain behind as one or sometimes both spouses travel to find work in the cities. In our driver's situation he lives in Shanghai by himself, while his wife and two kids live back in his home town. This is one of the times he is able to travel back to be with his family, so we are so happy he is able to be there for this time.

We as a family have decided, mostly due to the massive crowds that will frequent all the tourist areas in the city, to stick close to home. In addition, Dustin leaves in a couple of days to do a world wind trip to India, Thailand, and Singapore, and he does not need to be racing all over before his big trip.

The past few days, we have spent either playing inside (we have had some steady rainy days here) or playing at the parks in our community. I have also enjoyed a night out with my two friends Lindsay and Kate, at the new Korean restaurant that we can walk to from our community.

Yesterday we decided to walk down to a park that is not too far from our house, it was a nice little space with a pond and a nice pathway. Rather than a regular playground, they had a little exercise park. While this is quite a strange sight for a westerner, they are quite common here in China. Think of your local workout gym, but made out of playground equipment--there were machines that you could in a stationary manner cross country ski, pulleys for your arms, lots of balance machines, etc... Danny and Josh did not quite get that this was not for them to play on, as it did look like some strange playground. After our trip to the park, we stopped and let the kids ride on one of the little riding machines found outside stores (similar to what we have in the US, but instead of Bob the builder, or a horse, it is a colorful peacock, or in our case a cat that you could drive). The boys enjoyed moving the steering wheel, and Dustin and I got a kick out of the fact that the Chinese music that played was all put to Christmas tunes. After the quick ride (actually not so quick, as it plays at least three songs), we headed to the local Cantonese restaurant. We enjoyed some favorites from home like sweet and sour pork (cannot find it with chicken here). I seemed to over due it on the walk today, so I went and crashed for a nap while the boys slept.

Today we spent the morning outside, walking down to the little store first, and then heading to the parks for the boys to play while Dustin slept. We met up with Kate and her husband and kids, and the kids played at the park together and then we headed to the soccer field to play there. It was a hot morning, and so we all headed our separate ways after a while to get snacks and water. Later today we head to church via the subway. It should be interesting.