02-26 Sunday, The Toy Market

2-26-2006 Sunday

Today was BLUE SKIES and nice out. I had no clue that it was so warm and dressed Ryleigh in her warmest outfit practically that I brought. How was I supposed to know? It was so cold the day before…..luckily it was layers so I just kept peeling off layers throughout the day.

Today we were supposed to have a whole day of free time, but our guides decided that we all needed a pick-me-up and offered to take us all to the Toy Market. We gladly accepted and all hopped into cabs, crammed in with the Vanderhoff’s for a fun-filled sardine like ride to the Toy Market. We are in the cab for about 15 minutes and it ends up costing about $1.25 if that. The Toy Market wasn’t just toys, it was all kinds of tiny booths, somewhat like the size of 10 foot by 10 foot booths and each one offered something different (not just toys). The best part was the store owners/workers didn’t bust your chops everytime you came in. They just let you alone to shop and browse. We ended up getting more things at the Toy Market then anywhere else in China. Also, the guides tell you where you can barter, and where you cannot. We do NOT barter for anything. How can you barter when things that in the States would cost triple the amount and the people here really need the money. Why haggle over $1, you know? Some people in our group are loving the barterting, we are not. We are also tipping after meals. The people in China work so hard, how can we not give something extra?

After a cab ride back to the hotel we just hung out in the afternoon. Naptime for Ryleigh can turn into a 3 hour affair, and we usually end up waking her up so we can go out and do something. Today was my day to shop for the Chinese outfits and just go out and be in the sunshine during nap. It felt great to walk around and just look at things.

We went to 2nd Avenue Steak House for dinner with the Kullman’s and the Vanderhoff’s. The steakhouse was fun, they cooked the steaks that you ordered off to the side and the steaks are said to be from Canada. It was very tasty! After dinner a little more shopping. I bought Ryleigh a little bracelet with jade beads and she refuses to keep that little thing on. I am going to glue gun it to her wrist when we get home (just kidding). One of the shop owners gave her a hair clip because she said she had so much hair! Very sweet!