Rest day

Who needs rest anyhow?  We were all awake by 3:30 a.m. this morning (it was mid afternoon in MN ). We were the first guests at the breakfast buffet and then headed out for a walk to explore the area. We found a really pretty park a few blocks away and watched the morning exercises and dancing.   Dave and I even joined in with a little waltzing,  to Neela's embarrassment I am sure. 

We met our guide later in the morning for more walking and she showed us a few shopping malls and restaurants and how to buy tickets to the subway. In the afternoon we took the subway on our own to go to the Shanghai Art Museum so I could see the Chinese painting exhibit.   That was great to see after working with a teacher back in MN for the past 9 months.   

We also went to change money with Maggie.  It was a good thing she helped us.  Again,  it was one of those times where we just sit back and watch and listen to an exchange in which we have no idea what is going on.   And it went on and on.  

Granted,  we were exchanging a LOT of cash - more than one person is allowed to change in one day,  but there are two of us after all so what's the problem? There was a lot of scrutiny of our passports and some conferring with colleagues behind the window.   

Finally we got our money.  It was all in our money belts before.   With an exchange rate of 6.5 to 1 it became a much bigger stack - too big to fit under my waistband.  Didn't think about that!  Well,  tomorrow a big chuck gets handed off as an orphanage donation and we won't need to worry about that anymore. 

Tomorrow is the big day! We meet Maggie at 9:00 a.m. and head out to the registration office to meet HanRui!  She will be with us from that point on.   We are all a little unsure about what happens after that,  but here's hoping for the best!!

Marnie