Adventures with the 'rents

On Saturday, my parents flew back to New York from Shanghai after visiting me for the past two weeks. I had a really great time with them...it helped to see them after really missing them for 7 months. And it was awesome that they got to see the change in culture, food, and customs here in China. We went to Xi'an to see the terracotta warriors, which were actually awesome (despite being over-hyped), and then to Beijing to see all the major attractions: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Imperial Gardens, and the Temple of Heaven. Now, it wasn't quite has horrifically cold there as it was in Harbin (Jon's such a trooper!), but it was still wicked cold, especially with the ghastly winds up on the Great Wall (we spent a whole 45 minutes up there...I'll definitely be making a return trip). And then our last day at the Temple of Heaven was simply unbearable with the biting air and the forceful wind - we were speedily in and out (that's what she said....beat you to it, Geoff!).

When we got back to Shanghai, we toured around the city a bit and then went to lovely Hangzhou on a abnormally warm and sunny day. We mostly toured around the West Lake, which was crowded with tourists for the New Year holiday, but the warm sun and loving company still made everything really enjoyable.

Here are some pics from the various trips:

Creepy kung-fu lantern sculptures on top of the Xi'an city wall


Terracotta Warriors (Xi'an)


Super well-preserved terracotta warrior


Chairman Mao and me outside the Forbidden Palace (across from Tiananmen Square).


The Great Wall
(notice the lack of tourists? Alas, there is an advantage to being there during the wretchedly cold winter!!)


Mamma Smals and me at the Bank of China in Shanghai with a the info guy (and Chinese New Year enthusiast)


Jon and me in Hangzhou on the West Lake...squinting into the sun. awww....


Ambitious young girl attempting to devour the golden corn (jiāyoù!)


Crazy Chinese men (and token ladies) jumping in to the West Lake (Hangzhou).


Chinese tourists in Hangzhou wanting to take pictures with two pale white foreigners (how cute!)