Thursday, December 14, 2006

Chongqing

Even though in the pictures, Maisie is nothing but adorable, she really had a rough go of it yesterday. She awoke early after a fitful night and in addition to lots of grieving on her part, she's also cutting a tooth or two so somewhat out of sorts. She was extremely clingy and for most of the day she wanted to be held and not just held but walked around. How do these kids know when your bum is not only sitting but even when it's mere inches from the seat?

Eammon was completely exhausted from so little sleep the past few nights so he decided to forego the days tour of Ciqikou, the old city. I wanted to go and get out for a bit but decided to leave Maisie at the hotel with Eammon, so I gave him her schedule and was on my way.

Most of the families met in the lobby and then we boarded a bus to Ciqikou, Old Town. Along the way our guide Marie gave us some background about both Chongqing and Ciqikou. Old Town which consists of two narrow streets in a "T" shape are
supposed to be representative of life in China in the 1970'. Yes you read that correctly, it's called Old Town and it's representative of the time when I was a child!!

There were many little stores selling all sorts of clothing,candy,
food, musical instruments, silk items, junk you don't need and plastic. It was fun walking around though and seeing how some of the items were made.

The top picture shows a little of what the street looks like. Next is a woman grinding soy beans so that she can make Fresh tofu. The two men in the next picture are hammering a candy that is made out of sesame seeds. They seem to make two kinds, one with black sesame seeds and one with white. They were good
so I bought a little to bring back for Eammon to try. The next picture is of a man making beautiful candy lollipops using only a spoon filled with molten, caramelized sugar. The final picture shows women getting the silk from the silk worm.

Also as we drove over there, there were what looked like garages built into the side of the hills and some had shops in them while others were locked. They were actually bomb shelters used during WWII when Chongqing was used as the War time Capital of China and was heavily bombed. The city is amazing and the traffic crazy. Lane markers are painted just like in other countries, but here if you saw say three lanes, cars are five or six across, cutting each other up and of course all with out any indicators. Funny thing is, I haven't seen any cars with dents.

Once I returned from the outing, Eammon went off to get a massage while I stayed in the room and played with Maisie and got all of the play pictures. Eammon has had a massage everyday since we got to China, he's going to be one disappointed boy once we return to the real world and he has neither the time nor the money to do that little activity everyday.

For dinner the three of us along with another couple from Atlanta, Booker, Becky and daughter Ruby George went with one of our guides for a hotpot dinner. It was fabulous and we'll do it again tonight and hopefully convince some other couples to join us. Most of the people were afraid that it would be too hot and spicy, but it really wasn't, as long as you didn't eat the little Schezuan peppercorns which for some reason Eammon couldn't managed to avoid.

After dinner we had a little playdate in our room with Ruby George and Kai Owen. Getting the babies together really helped them come more out of their shells and it was fun to spend some time with other people in a relaxed atmosphere. Well that was until Maisie decided to download a stinker and once that diaper was opened and everyone's nose hair was burned away, the evening came to an end.

I've been asked many questions in both comments and emails, so I'll try to answer them here.
The cakes in Hong ,one was a white chocolate mousse cake with Kirsch and the other was a chocolate cinnamon mousse. Both were quite good but the white chocolate one was the better of the two.

It is true that Eammon ate dog as well as some other interesting dishes such as fish tongues. He was adventurous and said it all was good and interesting.

Maisie is 14 months old, born October 17, 2005.

Her latest report says she weighs 8.2 kg, is 71 cm tall and has 6 teeth, four up and two down.

She wears 6-9 month clothing if two pieces or a dress but because she is long, onsies are 9 month+.

She is on a milk based formula and though the report says that she has had rice porridge, vegetable juice and broth, she'll have nothing to do with any of them.

The nannies called her Miao Miao so we've been calling her Maisie Miao Miao.

She is very serious, cautious and timid but has a good laugh when she gets going.

She is the crier of the group, lucky us!

17 comments:

  1. Congratulations Lisa and Eammon! Maisie is absolutely beautiful!

    Just arrived home from Disney and couldn't wait to check in and see how Miss Maisie and Miss Tess are doing. So very happy for your family!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awww...Ms. Maisie likes to work out the vocal cords!

    Hang in...this too shall pass.

    Thanks for your fantastic, informative posts.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the update. Hang in there. The White Swan will be like heaven, but I think massages may cost more there. Enjoy while you can.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maisie is so cute! I have a question regarding packing Carry on only. Was there anything you brought and didnt need or anything you didnt bring and turned out you needed?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for keeping us updated Lisa. I love following along your journey with you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey!
    Sounds like you are feeling better. When do you get a massage? See ya soon.
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous7:10 AM

    Maybe Maisie is practicing to be an opera singer! Hope things get easier.
    Guess Eammon should have brought the bio hazard suit and goggles.
    Sally and Bruce, Erica and Xavier and Peggy arrived yesterday and were delighted to read the updates.
    Mom and Dad

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous7:54 AM

    All sounds good. Glad (it seems) that you are recovering from your illnesses.

    Johnny, downtothis

    ReplyDelete
  9. All sounds good. Glad (it seems) that you are recovering from your illnesses.

    ReplyDelete
  10. All sounds good. Glad (it seems) that you are recovering from your illnesses.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think that Kai is the little boy in our WACAP group! This is so weird that you are here in the same hotel at this very moment....crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am enjoying your blog. I wish you all the best. Maisie is gorgeous and will be a joy.

    Linell

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lisa,
    Hang in there! Nothing worse than a crying baby (especially when she is yours!). Don't want to be pushy, but more pics of Maisie Miao Miao, please! :)

    Tiffany

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous1:01 PM

    Hi Shanahan Family,
    As you now know Lisa - parenting is "learn as you go". It will get easier and certainly that will be true once home and in a routine but it sounds like so far, all is well and everyone is healthy. Enjoy your visit - what an exciting trip and the benfits are great too!!My trip is booked! I'll call you once home w/details. Can't wait!!!! Love, Karen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Glad to hear you are enjoying your time in Chongqing. Also eating up every word as we were only there three days..... and they were pretty packed with official business. We did get to go to the panda zoo... that was a very pretty place and of course the pandas were amazing. Enjoy the hot pot... Ed actually did eat a Schezuan peppercorn and it numbed his entire mouth!

    Have fun!!!
    Lisa :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. At least she's giving you some expression! Her poor little aching heart. It won't be long, before she is just basking in all the love that you bestow upon her!

    Looks like you are having a good time, maybe not as much sleep as you like, but a good time none the less. Hope you pneumonia has gone, and you are feeling well.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great update! Enjoy your time!

    Keep smilin!

    ReplyDelete

I love and adore your wonderful comments, so please don't be shy and let me know that you visited.

I also love responding to your comments but I can't do that if you're a no-reply blogger. Please link your e-mail up to your profile so that I can reply to you.

It's a simple change and here's how you do it.

1. From your PROFILE, go to your DASHBOARD.
2. Go to EDIT PROFILE
3. Click 'SHARE MY PROFILE'
4. Click 'SHOW MY E-MAIL ADDRESS'
5. Enter in your e-mail address.

Easy-peasy and now I can reply to all your e-mails and questions!

Related Posts with Thumbnails