Oh My Lotus!

Good grief. Getting up close and personal with a lotus blossom is no easy task. Early morning arrival is always a good idea; soft lighting is definitely a bonus. Of course you don't want to get up too early 'cause our flower friend is slow to wake up. They live in a mud "puddle". Supposedly the pods taste good, and if they are within reach, will be carted home for dinner. Fortunately, this blossom went undetected.

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Local Victuals

While it’s not kettle corn, pronto pups, elephant ears, cotton candy or freshly squeezed lemonade; it is China’s rendition of street/festival type food.

Nothing says summer quite like a fish on a stick. ;)

I’ll have a Whopper Jr. w/ Fries and a Coke Please

The skies cleared momentarily and were blue. The sun was shining. There were no conference calls to be made or reports that needed to be sent. We had a bit of free time, and a craving - a big craving, for something juicy and flame broiled. Rumor had it there was a new burger joint in town. It was said to be located on the other side of the lake in the new Times Square Shopping Center. Within minutes we flagged down a taxi and were on our way; windows down, hair blowing in the breeze, and a Chinese tune on the radio. I didn’t know the words but the melody was catchy and I hummed along. Now the details of the actual meal are sketchy at best. I remember opening the door and what happened after that is really anybody’s guess. This I know for sure: when we exited the restaurant and stepped out into a wave of humidity, our stomachs were full and we were content. With dinner over in five minutes flat, Klynt suggested we survey The Square, and so we did.

This photo’s a little blurry, but I’m standing near the Expo Center, designed to look like the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Perspective

You say, “Mmm fresh fruit.” I say, “Mmm natural laxative.”

Foot Fetish

Klynt gets the biggest kick out of Chinese footwear. I know, the poor guy doesn’t get out much. Anyway, here are a few of the photos he snapped while I was immensely enjoying a chocolate sundae.

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Thai by Simon

Just when I thought life couldn’t get any drearier, it did. It has been raining on and off (mostly on) for about three weeks now. The few dry days we’ve had, have been sad and grey. I’m a solar-powered girl, so for me, the weather really impacts my mood. Some people claim rainy days or sunny, they suffer no side affects. Okay. Sure. Whatever. This morning I woke up, poked my head through the curtains and then promptly went right back to where I came from; curled up under a cozy flannel blanket dreaming the morning away – only to awake a few hours later to the same reality. What does any of this have to do with Thai food? Basically nothing. Well, other than the fact that one of the best restaurants in town has closed its doors for good. No warnings. No goodbyes. Nada. I guess it just sort of adds to the general dreariness of life lately. The few people that have visited me here in my temporary home know the impact this will have. It was one of my favorite places to eat, and not just in China.

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