October Camping Trips

I wanted to post some more about our adventures here in China. As the holidays approach, I'm reminded of the hiking we often make time for during this season. So I'll start with the camping trips in October. I wasn't at any of these camping trips, so I just picked my favorites.

The first one is the Father & Son's outing. They have it in October here because it rains too much in the Spring.

borrowed tent, new sleeping bags

High rises show up pretty much any where here.

Breakfast

Fire starting

We don't really see that many traditional looking Chinese architecture with the scoopy roofs, but here's one in the back ground.

I love these bridges.

Girls camp took place from Friday evening to late Saturday evening. Again, I just picked my favorites here.

The branch YW president

 

Hopefully that gives you a little taste for camping here in China. It sure makes me feel itchy to get out and see a little more of China outside of the city (if it's even possible to get out of the city here . . . ;).

Tlaquepaque, Shanghai style

So today we went on a field trip with some of the Branch sisters at the Hongqiao Flower and Bird Market. I'm not sure that's an official name, but if it is, it's a misnomer. It's really the Hongqiao Flower, Fish, and a few Birds Market. But some of the shops reminded me of the kind you might find at Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Arizona.

 I've never seen these at any fish stores before. Cool, huh?

 We're definitely planning to come back here when we're ready to stock our pond.

 And maybe we can get a turtle or two.

 A few birds. Love the bamboo (looking?) bird cage.

 Bamboo Christmas tree anyone?

 OK, so these wall hangings etc. were my very favorite thing of the whole day, hands down. I've seen some pretty cool water features for indoor decorating, but these had small plants and moss on them.

 Here's a close up.

 Ema was the photographer for this trip, and this one I might just have to have printed and framed for my wall. Great job, Ema!!

 The nursery part of the market.

 The cut and arranged flower part.

 OK, another great picture. Anyone interested in buying this palm tree?

 Love the flowers. We brought home a jasmine and something else that we've seen a lot of in our complex here. One of the things we want to do here is learn the names of the vegetation. You'd think that Rob would be in a position to help us with that . . .

 Bougainvilleas there up front, but also a lot of really fun flowers. I didn't post all of the close ups that Ema took.

 OK, you wouldn't see a tree like that in Mesa!

 Not exactly like Tlaquepaque, but it smelled REALLY good (aside from the occasional cigarette). 

That's City T. there on the left. She and her husband arranged for the driver to get us there. I can't say enough about how helpful they've been since we've been here. And clearly the other ladies are Branch members, though we did see a few other expatriates around today.

 Yes, it smelled really, really good. Hurrah for clean air!

 They also had a cool garden display.

Pay no attention to the people behind the evergreen. ;)

Hopefully this has inspired you to spend a little time in a garden. We've only begun our gardening journey here (so stay tuned), and now we know where to get supplies. I know I couldn't get back here alone, but that isn't the point, is it?