Around Town

This weekend was prime for bike riding as the weather was hovering around 70 deg. F (and we don’t have a car).  Also, Friday night and into Saturday the wind picked up.  This meant that Saturday was an extremely clear day for Suzhou.  We were marveling at how bright everything looked without the smog.  Attached are a few pictures of Jinji Lake.  We have yet to go on the Ferris wheel shown; although I’m sure the pressure will just keep increasing until we cave into the childrens’ demands.  Sculptures similar to the butterflies below are all over the city, it's amazing how much money must have been spent on artwork here.

Riley insisted on taking the Hotwheels scooter that his uncle (and family) got him last Christmas, rather than the more efficient bicycle.  He probably rode it about 6 or 7 miles total on the weekend.  I finally broke him Sunday by taking him on a 4 mile ride with Reid.  He was a champ though and made it the whole way, but recognized that it was probably too far for scooting.

Oh, one other cultural note:  the drink in Riley’s hand is a sweet herbal tea that our family has grown quite fond of.  I used to keep it refrigerated, so Rowan refers to it as “cold tea” even though we go through it so fast that I don’t bother putting it in the fridge anymore.  Funny thing was that Friday, someone offered me one and I asked him what was in it (since I can’t read the label).  Basically, it’s made of tea, sugar and herbs.  He said the herbs were good for a hot day since they were ones that helped cool you (internally).  So in the end, we had it named right all along!