Lanzhou Day 4-5-Five Springs Park, Zoo and Museum

These two days were a bit of a challenge. It has rained quite a bit which puts a damper on being outside. Nevertheless on Wednesday morning we made our way to Five Springs Park and the Lanzhou Zoo. A depressing day as the animals here are in pretty filthy conditions. We know that this is a different culture and respect that, but still it is difficult to see how these animals appear to be treated. Hui loved seeing the elephant and the giraffes. There were some very beautiful birds as well. We saw a panther, kangaroos, a wolf, a reluctant hippo, the requisite monkeys, and the like. After returning to the hotel and a nap, Hui, Emily, Mama and Baba played ball in the hall. She’s good at catching and at throwing. Wild sometimes, but fun. Dinner was back at the dumpling restaurant, and, believe it or not, Emily actually tried some food not familiar to her. She even admitted that she liked it. Pigeon feeding followed. The pigeons have learned what Olivia Hui looks like and come flying over to her. It is a joy to watch her giggle as they fly around her vying for the little bit of food she offers…. “Feed the birds, one Yuan a bag….. Yuan, Yuan, Yuan a bag……” The rest of the evening was spent watching the world track and field championship from Osaka, Japan. We rarely see the US athletes. And of course, all of the Chinese athletes are victorious. Come to think of it, it was a great deal like the US coverage…. Just as biased when you think about it. It gives one pause.

Thursday morning we loaded the van and headed for the provincial museum, as it was poring rain. This was an awful ride through the worst traffic we can ever remember. Three lanes become four. Pedestrians cross the street anywhere they want. Drivers change lanes without looking or seemingly caring if there is a car/bus in the way. Fortunately, we had a very skilled driver. Unfortunately, the combination of pollution, gas fumes, heat in the car, lack of ventilation and all the stop and start driving made Olivia sick. It took one hour to get to the museum. Dreadful trip but there was nothing to be done about it. We could not get out and walk because it was raining. The windows on the van had to be up because it was raining. We arrive at the museum and headed right to the washroom where Miss Hui had a little car sickness. Glad we got there. The rest of the visit went fine as Hui quickly regained her sea legs. Her favorites were the dinosaurs (of course) as well as some interactive games.

There has been a little snag with the paperwork, not on our end. This is on the SWI’s end of things involving a specific date Hui came to the SWI. It is a very minor issue but one that could hold us up in Guangzhou. Lina is working on it and believes that she will have everything completed for us so that we will not have a hold up at the consulate. Lina has been terrific. We are ready to go to Guangzhou and get the rest of this done so that we can come home to our family, our friends and OUR BEDS! We are most grateful for the excellent treatment we have received by the hotel staff, our local guides and our CHI coordinator, Lina. It is obvious that they have done this more than once.