China Trip - December 16, 2004
Still in Chongqing -- another foggy day. Elisa had a little bit of a hard time going to bed last evening -- she wanted to stay up and keep playing. But then she slept from 8:30pm to 7:30am straight through like a log. We talked to Grammy and Papa and Nonna and Nonno on the telephone. They are eager to hear the news of the day and even more eager to see Elisa.
After sleeping and a bottle, the world is a party for Elisa.
We're figuring out our parenting strategies as we go. The bottle or a toy makes an excellent distraction for changing diapers and clothes.
Elisa is introduced to the Internet. Hey, that's me!
After our breakfast at the hotel, we got back on our tour bus and headed to the old section of town. The town goes back more than 1000 years, but the current buildings range from 100 to 500 years old, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The town consists of narrow streets winding up the side of the mountain with many stairs and tiny alleys. Many of the buildings are already condemned and empty, and all are likely to be demolished over the next few years to make way for new high rise condominiums. This trip, we used the "Baby Trend" back-pack carrier (Thank you, Tanya!), but put it on backward so I could see Elisa. She loved it.
The street was a local street, not a tourist spot. Note the Chinese version of the back-pack carrier -- a wicker basket with a seat inside.
All throughout Chongqing, the hilly terrain makes it too difficult to use a bicycle. And these streets are far too narrow for a truck. So trash collection and other types of transport are accomplished with a stick and two baskets.
As usual, our group attracted attention wherever we went. Well-wishers walk right up and feel free to touch the baby's face for luck.
Elisa was alert and taking in the sights and sounds and smells of the old market street. But after a long walk, the bouncing lulled her to sleep.
Chongqing scenery.
Our hotel, up on the hill.
We traveled to a park at the highest point in Chongqing. The frank labeling on this bulletin board caught our eye.
Elisa and Daddy with some peacocks in the park.
It's hard work climbing all those steps!
Click here for short video of Elisa in high chair. She was eating and dancing in her seat to "Living the Vita Loca".