Martyr Park

Today we went to Martyr Park. It is a 10 minute bus ride to the park and then inside we walked for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Martyr Park is an open park named after the revolution monument that was built in 1950. All the local people go to the park for their morning exercise as well as sword dancing, singing, social dancing, Chinese yo-yo practice, and just relaxing and visiting with each other.

While in the Park, Bryan helped his new friend Ian win a prize from one of the game vendors. There is even an amusement park located inside the park. They are very children oriented here. There was a beautiful man-made lake inside the park with pretty pagodas. The Chinese grandmother's told me I had Karen too hot, so they removed her hat. I was surprised as I had been told earlier to put an hat on her to keep the sun away. Then then Chinese grandmothers asked to see my son. They looked him over and gave me the thumbs-up sign which means I passed the test for raising a good son. They are kind women who are like our mother's and grandmother's. They are always smiling even when chiding you to do something different than what you were doing.

There are people everywhere. The women here are so beautiful, graceful and self-confident. Karen can be very proud of where she was born. It is a beautiful Country with good people. The only dangerous thing I have found so far is the traffic. Traffic is all around even when you are walking in the pedestrian marked walk-ways. We have become pros at walking in the traffic. We have had lots of practice as our market is a 15 to 20 minute walk.

The market has all the baby necessities, formula, rice, diapers, wipes, bottles, clothes, etc. You can get everything you need here. If I had to pack our bags for this trip again the only thing I would bring more of is snack food. I have lost quite a bit of weight and I am eating well. I don't know what's in American food, but I do know that it puts the pounds on you. Some things I would not bring is a travel iron, travel clock, extra clothes, too much medicine (it hasn't been necessary so far for us--just the orajel, benedryl, and tylenol), travel toilet paper (never need it).

The most important items have been a thermos for keeping the baby's water hot for her bottles, snack foods, baby toys for her amusement, toys for Bryan and the camera...Oh and a couple of clothes for us.

Well food is here for our lunch...Bye for now
Jenny