National Holiday Week

Hi friends and family! Sorry it has been so long since my last post...we have been busy here in Suzhou. The country observes a National Holiday in October annually. The holiday celebrates for an entire week. Suzhou has been decorated and new flowers have been planted at each street corner.

Due to the National Holiday lasting a full work week, the crowds have been unbelievable! We traveled to Shanghai via the "fast train" and then adventured onto the subway system. Oh boy....that was an adventure. The subway trains were so crowded that you could barely breathe. We also attempted to visit Pearl Tower and learned that it is possible cram 10,000 people into a space designed for 3,000 -- but it is not comfortable! We have pledged to avoid the big city next year on holiday and take the less traveled road.

We are still eagerly awaiting our shipment from the states....perhaps this week will bring it to us. The weather has turned cooler here and what a welcomed relief from the summer heat. Unfortunately, the change of weather has also brought with it head colds and congestion.

I will begin posting some pics today -- hope you can enjoy them. Jim has caught the sun over one of the many canals here in Suzhou. We continue to encounter smiling faces as we bike our way around town -- miss you all -- take care!