We headed to Yuexiu Park today.  (yea, I don't know how to pronounce it either).  It was absolutely awesome!  Although many people in Chinese live in HUGE complexes of apartment buildings, (sometimes a over a million in 1 complex) I WILL say that they compensate the crowdedness with incredibly cool public parks.

The other thing (if I haven't said this already) is that a word I would use to describe the Chinese is: PLAYFUL.  No matter where we go, we are constantly seeing grown adults (and often time old adults) all out playing in the park.  Above are a group of "hacky sackers".  (Editors Note:  This picture was taken in a different park over by the White Swan Hotel)

They are getting geared up for the Chinese New Year, so we are seeing decorations going up everywhere around us.  Of course most of the celebration starts up around the 21st or 22nd.... and we're leaving the 20th.  Bummer.  But it's always more fun to see things as they are getting set up and not the week afterward when it's all being taken down.  There is certainly is a buzz of excitement going on around here.  

Culture lesson:  The Chinese New Year starts on the first New Moon in January and ends at the Full Moon. (15 days)  This is their time to get together with family, friends, etc. and celebrate life.  Kind of like Christmas... without the Jesus birth part.

Take a look at the big dragon tail going across the picture above.  Can you tell what it's made of?

Take a look below.  Can you tell now?

That's right!  An entire sculpture of China plates!

Check out the detail with the Dragon Claws.  Just ignore Katie being a dork...

Old men playing Ping Pong in the park.  One with no shirt, one with a knee brace, and one with no shoes!

I've been told that in China the big three sports that everyone follows is:  Soccer, basketball, and Ping Pong.  

Another look at the park.

And on our way home, I saw this little gem being loaded into the car dealership!

Melia continues to be awesome.  She is the sweetest, happiest little thing I've ever met.  It's really hard to believe that we've known her for less than a week.  It really seems like she's been with us for much, much longer.  I can't begin to convey how "easy" this first week has been.  Even the fact that we went out to that Park and walked around for over 2 hours and she didn't complain or fuss or whine once.  Sometimes she walked, sometimes she rode the stroller, sometimes she was carried.  Whatever.  She was happy no matter what.  We may have to change her name to Joy... or Happy.  (I'm kidding, I don't want to start any rumors).  

Today is another free day.  So who knows what we'll find.