Temple and Shopping

Today we toured as a group in the morning and early afternoon. We went to the Chen Ancestral Hall, built over 400 years ago. It was really beautiful and what you think of when you think of historic Chinese buildings. We spent 1 ½ hours there, which was 1 hour too much, but what can you do. Next we went to a mini mall with a store selling tons of jade and pearl jewelry. There also was a store filled with porcelain and silk items. The stores were not what we were lead to believe, but we still had fun. Remember, I’m with Judy, Jo-Ann, and Ginnie, all of whom have officially changed their middle names to shopper! Amanda and I picked up something really different, you will have to wait and see what it is. I just hope we make it through customs with it! After shopping with the group we had lunch at McDonald’s (this has become very popular with us, it’s so inexpensive here, Ginnie, Mallory, me, and Ali’s meal cost us roughly $9 U.S.) and then had the rest of the day to do as we pleased. We heard about a toy mart, so we asked Michael for directions and into the taxi we went. We had another family with us, the Fords, they like exploring with us. They went out with us in Chongqing as well. After another crazy taxi ride we arrived. We got there first and when Stacy, Randy, James, and Mia got out of their cab, the moment was priceless. Stacy looked as if she had seen a ghost, this was their first cab ride on the whole trip! We had a blast! It was Ginnie,myself, Mallory, Ali, JoAnn, and the Fords. We were in the middle of wholesale heaven, store after store of everything made in China. We went block after block into stores and flea market type buildings. The girls bought a lot of things for the babies hair, it was sooooooo cheap. Once we had enough, we went back to the hotel and met up with Grandma and Amanda and all went to dinner at the buffet. Ali was congested and running a little fever again, so we took her to the hotel clinic. The doctor said she had the onset of bronchitis and prescribed her medicine. The doctors visit and getting the prescription took all of ½ hour and only cost $23 U.S., if only the doctors and pharmacies back home were this quick. Went back to the room and got everyone off to sleep.