Thursday was our last full day in Nanchang and with the temperature and humidity both high, we spent most of the daylight hours in our hotel. We left late afternoon for the pedestrian shopping area not too far from here, a department store, some general walking around, dinner, and then a dancing waters show.
We have been frustrated with the food options for lunch and dinner as the hotel buffet is expensive, repetitive, and we are not eating that much, so we were looking forward to getting out to someplace more authentic. And the other restaurants in the hotel also appear overpriced. And since the hotel is off the beaten path, we could not wander the neighborhood and visit a local place. There are none here.
The pedestrian mall area was pretty standard. The big difference, aside from that it is in China, is that in China, the concept of pedestrian appears to mean that cars and trucks are not allowed, but mopeds and bicycles are ok. Makes for a more interesting stroll, as one can imagine.
The streets are very lively with noise from cars, trucks, mopeds, music from stores, hawkers trying to attract shoppers. Our guide took us (I said took us) into an indoor market, which was interesting. Filthy, but interesting. Did not find anything we needed or wanted there.
Everywhere we go JMX gets attention. Some of it people wondering why we have a Chinese baby, but our guide has been handling that. She told us she is getting tired of the question. Obviously, this makes us wonder what people know, what they don't know, and how they feel, both about the Chinese policies that have led to people abandoning their babies, and about all the foreigners that come here to adopt those children, as well as the orphanages themselves. Do people here scrutinize these orphanages and the people who run them, or is the subject taboo? Are the people who run them good hearted public servants, or corrupt bureaucrats, or something in between?
After the market, we went into a department store in search of a sweater for JMX for the plane rides. The combination of poor selection for girls, and everything being too large did not lead to a purchase, but we did enjoy the browse, even if only for the amusing english language Chinese marketing. That's me and JMX below in front of the the world famous "Mr. Dog Family" brand display.
After that it was off to dinner, which was quite tasty. Pictures below. We had pork wrapped in eggplant, Chinese Yams, which I think we know as water chestnuts, buns with radish and hot peppers, and a noodle dish with Chinese cabbage, or bock choy. It was all very good and very cheap. It fed three of us for less than $18.
Another interesting thing about China is you can come across a sidewalk, street, or building that is undergoing repairs, with little or no safety precautions, meaning one can trip and fall quite easily, or be forced into the street to fend for one's self with the mopeds, cars, etc. And while things force pedestrians to be both cautious and creative, the drivers are clearly the most adventurous. And we have had both Chinese guides comment on NYC traffic. We have a great piece of video but it will not upload. Maybe when we get home.
From there we made a stop at a hotel for a diaper change, and then back into the van for a ride to the park for the dancing waters (Think China meets the Bellaggio, or Chinaggio, if you will). We crossed the bridge and got a nice view of Nanchang at night. The bridge lighting changed every few minutes.
We watched the light show, which goes on each night. There were a few thousand people and it seemed like a nice local event, where families could gather on a hot summer night and get some free entertainment. We stayed out past JMX's bedtime, and we were all hot, sweaty, and tired by the time the show ended around 8:30. And this is where I was snapped back to reality as far as she and I, and our bonding.
We crossed the street to meet the van for a ride back to the hotel. I carried JMX, while Kay and Helen, our guide, had the rest of our stuff. As is often the case when I took her from Kay, she was not happy. And when she is not happy, she squirms, and she hits me. I have made it a point to keep my head out of range when she tries to hit me. And when I start to walk around with her, she settles down. Well, it was late, we were all cranky, and as I was carrying her, I gave her a kiss on the head. So she did what she does, and head-butted me in the face. That little head and that short neck, with that gorgeous smile packed a heck of a wallop.
And I realized it had only been about four days since we had met. And this would take more time. Which is what Kay and I had discussed before we came to get her.
The journey continues.
Location:Nanchang, China
