Ok - You talked me into it...

I received a little resistance to me not posting today; so before there's a revolt, here goes:

We were able to get our guide to take us a couple of places this afternoon which was not only fun, but good to get out of the hotel room for something other than signing paper work after a crazy car ride. I don't know if I mentioned it, but the traffic here is insane! Chengdu is only better since there are about 4-5 million less people here, but the way the drivers are is out of control. The way they treat street lights is as if they are completely optional, everyone has the right of way, and if the person in front of you isn't moving or waiting to turn left at a light, you just go around him on the left! Crazy! I feel like we are either going to die in the cab or van, or we will be killing someone!

Susie, our guide, took us to Bamboo Park where there is over 100 different species of bamboo. It was really beautiful to walk around in - there was an outdoor tea house, people doing exercises, and practicing for an upcoming lantern festival. The were planting some annuals in and around some of the trees as well as decorating for the festival. Susie showed us the amusement park rides that were there and said they are really busy on the weekends when the kids are out of school. Lexi started off doing well and then, I guess, got bored and fell asleep!

After this, Susie took us to the Shu Brocade and Embroidery Factory. It was amazing to see one of the looms in action - it takes 2 men who are trained over 4 months to learn a pattern, commit it to memory and then produce it. An embroiderer is taught this profession over time, it is not a studied and practiced art. They said it takes 8 hours of a day to produce 1 centimeter of fabric!! That is why this stuff costs so much! We saw some amazing pieces and bought a few things so Lexi has something from her birthplace. Chengdu actually means "brocade" and the rivers here are called brocade, since they were used to dye and ship the threads and fabrics. This tiger is a hand-embroidered piece - so impressive! I won't bore you with all the embroidered panda prints we saw and loved - I will inundate you with those guys tomorrow! :)


Today's "Lexi pic"! I knew you were waiting!