Journey with Julia

Park in Changsha

Only a few of us braved the heat and went to the park yesterday. We are so glad we did though. It was like nothing we've ever seen. People were everywhere and in small groups throughout the park, singing, playing instruments, cards, and some just taking advantage of the shade and lounging about visiting. Our guide, Peter, even borrowed a "two string" and demonstrated how to play it for us. The music was beautiful, as was the park overall. There is a big monument that is in the center of the park, a lake for fishing and even renting boats or taking ferry rides on. On the south side it really takes on a carnival feel and has play areas for the kids even a small rollercoaster, bounce houses and carnival games. We enjoyed it but I can tell you we were ready to get back on the bus and into the A/C by the time we went from the west gate to the south gate! It had to be every bit of 97 degrees with at least 80% humidity.

As if that wasn't enough for the day, Peter took us to a local photo studio in the afternoon (only 3 families went yesterday) and Julia had her first photo shoot. She was definitely overwhelmed as they had too many people in the room helping out but amazingly enough they managed to get some beautiful pictures. As much as our little one flirts and smiles with any stranger on the sidewalk getting her to smile for the photographer was serious work! They took the pictures we chose (about 35 out of nearly 90) and are putting them into a bound board book for us and we chose another 10 for a small wallet that the pictures fold out of. Julia was worn out and only wanted Mama after the photos were done she had already had a nap before we went and she passed right back out and slept til nearly dinner time. Poor thing. I believe we also get a CD of her whole photo shoot as well. We should get everything in the morning.

We also got her Chinese name done in traditional caligrahpy to hang in her room. It has her name, her birthdate and the city she's from and is going to take up a good amount of wall space. I'll unroll it here sometime and take a picture of it. It's very beautiful which in only fitting as our little miss is too!