Sunday, July 8th - Chen Family House & Market Shopping

We went to the Chen Family House today.  The compound consisted of several very ornate buildings used by the Chen family.  The Guangdong Museum of Folk Art, housed inside the compound, displays many wonderful cultural relics and works of folk art from the Guangdong province.  Each of the kids got a small stone carving from their birth year.  An artist onsite carved their Chinese name into the bottom of the stone to create a small stamp.  We will hold Elise's stamp back a few years until she can appreciate it. 

The kids taught our new friend, Stella, how to do fist pounds.  She has added her own special twist, a fist pound followed by the "Peace" sign, which in China means "Victory."  Stella's mom, Gina, is also in this photo.

China does not use car seats.  Elise will be in for a rude awakening when we get back to the US.

The entrance to the Chen Family House.  The Lion sculpture, which is a common entrance to many Chinese buildings, is turned inward as they are not allowed to face the street.  Many ornate stone carvings cover the roof.

Given the 100 degree heat, we picked up a stroller for Elise.  I think both she appreciated getting out of the Baby Bjorn.

The local 7 Eleven is a favorite for us to get Coke Zero.  They do not sell Diet Coke in China, but Coke Zero is a worthy substitute.

We are really enjoying Guangzhou.  It is the 3rd largest city in China at 16 million people  (Beijing - 30 million and Shanghai - 28 million.)  It is much more similar to a large US city than Beijing.  More poeple speak English.  Best of all - honking is unlawful except in emergency situations.  After hearing non-stops car/bicycle/moped horns for 24 hours a day in Beijing and Nanchang, the quiet is much appreciated.  Also, Guangzhou has an extensive public transportation system so mopeds are not allowed.  It is nice to cross the street without fearing for your life.

The hotel pool is outstanding.  It is quite large and outdoors on the fourth floor.  Of course, with 100 degree heat, the water is a bit like bath water.  Also, swim caps are not required in this pool.

The best part of the pool is the sign on the right above, of which there are four near the pool - "No Spitting or Nose Clearing in or around Pool area."  One may think this goes without saying, but not so in China.  While in Nanchung, we wondered why all of the Chinese worn their flip-flops to the edge of the pool before getting in.  Then, we realized that they all constantly spit around the pool.  Needless to say, we started wearing our flip-flops to the edge of the pool as well.