Okay, so not really. But this picture IS of the Eiffel Tower - in miniature form, as part of Shenzhen's Window of the World theme park. Where else can you see the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Sphinx of Giza, Stonehenge, Acropolis, and Statue of Liberty (not to mention about 124 other reproductions from around the world) all in one place? Sadly, we weren't able to partake and enjoy the wonders of WOW up close, but I at least got this shot of the Eiffel Tower from the shopping mall across the street. Ah, China. Such a weird and wonderful place.
Our trip was great, just what we needed. It was SO GOOD to see our friends. There's over a decade of history there, and it's been really cool that we all ended up in China. We were able to hang out, talk, see their adorable new baby, and just enjoy being with people who really KNOW us.
The weather down there was wonderful; warm and sunny without being too hot. Of course, we came home on Saturday to overcast, 50 degree weather that quickly changed into rainy, 40 degree weather - miserable! We've spent the last two days trying to figure out how the floor heating works in our apartment (the previous tenants who had it installed didn't leave any sort of manual or even contact information for the company who put it in). We finally got a repair guy out here today, who informed us that the thermostat controls in two of the rooms are broken, but his company only handles the water heater, not the thermostats or the pipes. So until we can find out what company actually installed the floor heating, we're up a creek. (Our management office wouldn't even send one of their handymen up to look at it; since they didn't install it, it's not their problem.) Sometimes all the hoops one has to jump through to get a thing done here can be frustrating; unfortunately it's just part of living overseas.
So, as a little pick-me-up (and to warm up) I made myself my homemade version of a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha: a packet of Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation cocoa (from the import section of Carrefour) added to a cup of coffee with a tiny little splash of peppermint extract. I wish you all warm toes and warm hearts, wherever in the world you may be!
Well, who would have thought? The Eiffel Tower in China?? I know just what you mean about visiting with friends that KNOW you. It can be so easy to lose "you" in translation... and let's not even get started about culture and customs, right?
ReplyDeleteWishing you warm days and lots of homemade Starbucks! Hugs from Morocco!