Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The Nanning Zoo

Seriously... doesn't that look like a person with a costume on??
That picture revealed way more than we cared to see.
Who knew this could really happen?  I just thought it was in books and on cartoons

The act that about gave me a heart attack.
What?  I don't even know what's going on here.



Elaine Benice???




    
Sorry I was late posting today.  I was trying to get more pictures for those saying, "More, more, more!"  ALso, thanks a million for the comments and all the emails.  I think I would die without them!


 Things about Emme I forgot to mention....   She hates, hates, hates getting her clothes changed, her diaper changed and getting a bath.  Sometimes she gets so mad and holds her breath for so long before lets out wail, that... I am pretty sure she is going to pass out one of these times.  She does not in any way act like a child that is 1 year old.  She is very low maintenance.  She doesn't try to go anywhere.  She doesn't put anything to her mouth.  No question is she slow growth and development!  Poor thing!

Today
     Well, today we skipped the ol' breakfast buffet and had pb&j for breakfast.  Never tasted so good!

     Then, we met our guide in the lobby at 9:30 am so we could go to the zoo.  We rented a stroller at our hotel first.  It's $1 a day.  Emme is so small that it's hard to hold her.  Plus, she starts to break your back after awhile.
     We met our friends from Texas, Mary and Vince and their guide David, at the zoo.  David cracks me up!  He is exactly like Franc (pronounced Fronk) from Father of the Bride.  I'll have to post his picture tomorrow.  I think you'll laugh just looking at him.  Not because his physical looks look funny but because I think you can tell he is a funny guy just by looking at him!
     So, the zoo in Nanning.  Wow!  This zoo is nothing like zoos in the US.  And, I don't mean to sound like the Nanning zoo has one up on us- cuz... they don't!  It is beautiful as far as the landscape goes.  It's very green, big beautiful palm trees, lots of flowers, etc...  But, the rest of the zoo looks very run down.  
     Before I tell you about our experience there, you should know that the heat today was oppressive.  
    We were all drenched in sweat. Emme was getting a heat rash. So, I was in no mood to take pictures.
     The first performance started and I was waiting for that Candid Camera Crew to pop out. I thought, "These people can't be serious." It was the cheesiest thing I had ever seen. There were  Russian performers and this lady was trying to dance all fancy, kinda like the gymnasts do, only without all the flipping. And, she kept moving her hands to make us think we should look at something only there was nothing to look at. Once she almost fell. The performance area was a ring and the red stuff the were dancing on was like a sheet. So, it'd get all bunched up in areas. Poor lady. She was all dressed up, dancing this horrible dance and about broke her neck for an audience of maybe 50. Then, they had cats running along these stilt looking things. Stilts with small plates on the top. It started low and would get high and then get low again and the cat would run along the length and then back again. Then, she takes this other poor cat and he starts walking down these parallel bars (like the male gymnasts) with his arms. CATS!! Common household cats.... AT THE ZOO!! Aren't we supposed to see things elephants standing on a beach ball or men sticking their heads in the mouths of lions. We are watching cats. One more time.... cats.
     So, then I look over and see what I think is a person in a bear costume.  Again, I thought how ridiculous... as if that's going to be funny.  So, the bear comes walking- like a human- over to the ring.  It was then that I realized- THAT'S A REAL BEAR!   It was no question a male bear and because it was a real bear trying to walk like a human, he looked like a fairy.  Fairy bear.  The bear did some pretty impressive tricks (see pictures).  Then, the monkeys came out to join him and they all started riding bikes.  Real bikes!  Not bikes with training wheels.  We were dying laughing- a bear and 3 monkeys riding bikes.
     The final act was the 3 Chinese men running on those wheels.  I about had to take a nerve pill when it was over.  At the end of their performance, two of the guys were running on the outside of the wheels with black bags over their heads.  Then, they took the bags off and one guy stayed on.  He kept jumping when the wheel would get to the top and EVERY time he looked like he was going to fall.  I hated it!
     So, you can tell we had a very entertaining morning!  Really, it may not be the USA but it is great memories!
     We arrived at 10 and left by noon.  There were not many animals and it was too hot.
     We came back and ate lunch in the hotel room.  Noodles in a cup- just add hot water.  We have a hot pot.
     We stayed in the hotel again all afternoon.  It's too hot and crowded.  I feel like Beijing and Nanning make NYC look like the country.  Plus Emme took a really long nap.
     We met our friends for dinner tonight- KFC.... ummm boy.  The highlight was getting a strawberry sundae for Emme.  She could not get enough.  Then we were walking around the city with Mary and Vince and the KFC did not agree with my system.  We had to get a cab and get back to the hotel.  (I know... too much info.)
     Stay tuned for more exciting time in Nanning!:-)

9 comments:

rachael said...

I don't even want to know how badly they are treating those poor animals. If they can't feed poor little Emme enough food what do you think they do to their ANIMALS??? Uggg

Back to Emme... I love, love, love the hat... so cute that she keeps it on. I can't imagine you would want to do anything else but sit and look at her even if the weather was perfect.

Seeing her in pictures with you and Paul makes her more real now... not just a Webkin. ha ha. We need to see more of mom and Emme though. Not that we don't enjoy seeing Paul's mug but..... :) There needs to be more footage of Mommy on this journey in China.

Thanks for taking the time to post more pictures. It truly is the highlight of my day. Counting down the days till you get home safely so I can stop worrying. :)
Lots of love,
Rach

Unknown said...

Totally agree with Rachael!! Are you really there April?? I wanna see you w/ Emme too! :) I know how much you love your girls in hats, I knew one was comming soon. And when I saw her...WOW, again I can't believe how much she looks like your girls! Seeing her peacefully asleep, and her beautiful LITTLE tiny hands peeking out from under her blanket...oh she's just too precious!!! I can't get enough of her! Oh, so funny about the bear, it reminds me of Kelsey's part human dog!
In reading M&L's blog, their daughter HATED getting baths and getting changed & dressed too! In just a few days, she has now relaxed a bit with that process.
Love ya!!!
~Amber

Tony and Rett said...

April, you and Paul are so blessed! Emme is just beautiful! I have shared her pic with some friends and they all gush over her and they don't even know you!

Also, LOVE LOVE LOVE the Elaine pic! I about DIED laughing when I saw it and got the caption! Tony will TOTALLY appreciate your Seinfeld connection!

Stay cool!

Praying for you!

Sharla M. said...

Hi April,

Thanks for all of the extra pictures! It makes it even more real...of course, your words create an absolutely hilarious picture all by themselves.

I still can't get over how beautiful she is...I'll chime in too, I would love to see a few pictures with you also!

Can't wait to see what the next adventure brings...

Hugs,
Sharla

Unknown said...

I just can't get over how absolutely gorgeous Emme is!! And next to that little book you can tell she's a tiny little thing. Keep on feeding her those sundaes(:
She sure does look like a happy girl, and she even looks healthy (all 12 lbs. of her)....what a gift.


I too, love that Elaine caption...you don't miss a beat!

Thanks for the time it takes to keep us all posted. And for all the pictures. I think we'll all feel like we know her already.

Love you.
Jen

Jenney said...

Hi April, I know you don't know me but I am from Faircreek Church and pray for your family. (I also was at Cedarville when you guys were RDs). I am so happy for you and excited you finally got Emme. I've been reading your blog for months! Hopefully someday I"ll get to meet her if you are at Faircreek!

Anonymous said...

Where are the pictures of you and Emme? Paul is cute too and all, but I haven't seen any of Mom and baby!

Cindi said...

Ahna is a breath-holder, too! Like you, when were in China, we thought for sure that she was just gonna pass out! Really! I mean, the girl would be blue around the mouth and everything! BUT - since we're home it has been such a rare thing, and I am thankful. Emme will probably do it less and less, too.
Really enjoying following along...

Anonymous said...

I have loved checking in every night and reading about your grand adventure... the coolest thing though is while you're a world traveler, experiencing China... you've just become party of six.

Hey, if you wouldn't mind would you remember us in prayer this weekend... It's our last Sunday at Vandalia dn I really don't want it to be teary but I'm afraid it's going to be, just cause that's what I do... cry. Thanks...