July 4th (Well July 5th here)

We hope everyone's 4th of July was safe and colorful! It was relatively uneventful in Nanchang. We took a long walk through town checking out shops and and having an occasional McDonald's ice cream (about 25 cents without the chocolate topping). It was about 95 degrees here today and the humidity was incredible.

I think that we are just about over our jet lag, we both got about 7 hours of sleep last night. Breakfast was interesting. Eggs, bacon, something like sausage, toast (the best choice for food without worrying). After those choices comes such Chinese favorites as bean curds, sauteed eggplant, smoked fish, hard boiled eggs that have blue yokes, and so on. So far, we have not ran into food that we could not eat because of the taste, but Karen has ran into food that she would not even try.

For dinner, we have eaten at the same place both nights. The food was really good (I like the spicy foods best). When you first come into the place, there are about 6 women dress up like brides maids in red satin dresses to greet you. They then take you to your table and give you a big book (menu) with a lot of pictures of different food inside. The only thing that they can help with is whether the food is spicy or not.

Mom is sleeping away behind me so I will need to shut this off for tonight. I will try to add a couple of pictures for you to see.

Abby and Jiji, thank you for your E-mails. Mom and I miss you so much and are sending you hugs and prayers all day long. We have found a couple of fun things to bring back to you besides your new sister.

Dear Crows and Macks, thank you so very much for loving and taking care of our precious daughters. We are forever indebted to you for your selflessness and care of our precious children.

May God bless and keep you all safe, happy and healthy.

Love,

Rich (AKA Daddy)


This is a photo of women helping Mom buy conditioner at the local Walmart (Karen's favorite Nanchang store)

This is a photo taken out of our hotel room at about 6:30 in the morning. Lots of barges (big ships) and traffic on the streets. The population of Nanchang is between 3 and 4 million (including Cecilia).