Relaxing Day on my own

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I decided that I would skip the last day of touring and relax and do my own thing. It's 98 and feels like 105, and I've seen the tour already so it's a good day to skip.
Yesterday we toured Hangzhou more. We saw a beautiful temple and it's grounds. I got a photo with a monk. Annis watched 2 monks beating their heads on the ground. He said they had holes in their heads and there was blood everywhere. Glad I missed that scene.

Something that happens often is random people wanting photos with us. I was sitting on a bench at the temple yesterday and these two teenagers came over. One of them sat by me and the other one took pictures of us. Then the other one sat down and got her picture taken. Then they both sat of either side of me and took photos. I just sat there and smiled for them. Then up they got and walked away. So funny!

They feed us way too much. Every meal comes with at least 10 dishes, including a least 2 soups. Some of us in the group are already craving American food. Last night they kept bringing more and more food and we were so full. We all wanted to just get back to the hotel after touring all morning and riding on the bus for 3 hours. The bus broke down at one point, but the bus driver pulled out his tools and changed some belt.

I went and did some shopping today. I needed another skirt and pair of pants, cause somehow I didn't pack enough of what I needed. What was I thinking? I must have stumbled on the larger sized woman store cause they fit me! Of course I had to bargain.....sometimes it's just easier to get them down somewhat and then move on and not quibble over a couple of bucks.

I found a bakery and had a cheese and tuna sandwich, with a mango smoothie. Yummy! Down the street a woman was making cookies and muffins on her street bakery. I got a couple of those.

As another treat I went for a massage. I was actually only looking for a foot massage and pedicure, but I got the whole thing. They take you to a room and you soak your feet in a bucket of tea water. This tiny tiny Chinese guy came in and started with my back, arms and neck. But boy did he have muscles and really worked on me! That went on for 20 minutes, then he worked on my feet. Scrubbed off the dead skin and trimmed my nails, then came a 20 minute foot massage. Ahhh..This is heaven. 15$. Well worth the money.

I'm able to FaceTime here on my iphone. It is amazing to me that I can talk with my family thousands of miles away. Technology is really something else. While talking I held the phone up to the window and Catherine could see the street in front of the hotel. Buses, taxis, pedicabs, scooters with up to 4 people on them. They don't have car seats here, and I've seen a mom, dad, and baby riding on a scooter. Garbage trucks on scooters.

Tomorrow we start work. Two days of prep and then the fun begins! Looking forward to meeting the kids, but sure hoping for cooler weather!

It's tricking getting photos on this blog, so sometimes there are duplicates. Sorry.