Magic French Fries

Today we were going to visit the Provincial Museum, but when our guide met us in the lobby of our hotel this morning, she said that there was a little change in plans due to the weather. It was really beautiful today so instead of being stuck indoors at the museum, she suggested we go across the river to the other side of Changsha to tour the YueLu Academy, now known as Hunan University. The architecture was incredible and we really enjoyed listening to her tell us the history behind all the buildings.

I have not had much time to go through my pictures today, I really did not take too many, but there were two that I knew I had loved the minute I took them so I thought I would share those for now. I have a feeling you will be viewing my China photos for at least the next few months as I will never be able to post them all while here in China.





After we left the University, we told Susan we were in some desperate need of American food and asked her if we could go to McDonalds. She said she was happy to take us and order for us, but then she had to leave and we would have to take a cab back to the hotel. We were fine with that and very excited for a taste of home. I was also anxious to see Reagan’s first experience with French Fries.

Marla was armed and ready with the camera so she could capture Reagan ‘s first impression of American food.



I was pulling out all the stops to try to get that smile to appear. As you can see, I got the stink eye instead.



Not only did she love the fries, she had a few tastes of my Big Mac. Yes, you read that correctly. I ate a big mac. When I skyped with Pat and Nick tonight, Nick could not believe that I actually ate at McD’s. I never ever eat there at home, but after one week in China with nothing but Chinese food, I couldn’t wait to down that mammoth burger and OH MY WORD did it taste good.



After we finished eating, we walked around the market that was attached before we headed out into the crazy streets to try to hail a cab. When we walked out, there were a group of men on motorcycles. They are all over the city on every corner. They are like cabbies. They provide transportation for one person and the men line up on side streets waiting for people who need to hitch a ride. It is funny to see all the motorbikes in China. I believe it is the preferred method of transportation. I have seen more bikes than cars on the streets and I still cannot get over the fact that they tote their children on these bikes minus helmets. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me though, they don’t use carseats either. They hold their children and babies when they are in the car.



It took us about 10 minutes to actually get a cab and then we were back at the hotel for what we thought would be another quiet afternoon of hanging out while Reagan took her nap.

Well, I am not sure exactly what happened today, but it was almost as if Reagan flipped a switch. The little girl, who would do nothing but lie on the bed or in her crib lifelessly and stare off into space, completely came to life.

She babbled, flashed a very quick smile or two, played with toys instead of just staring at them, and was constantly on the move. She was flipping all over the place and even pulled herself up to the standing position in her crib tonight. Marla and I just looked at each other in disbelief. Was this the same little girl who would not even look in our direction a few days ago?

We made some huge strides today. Earlier tonight when I put her down to go to sleep, I laid down in my bed beside her crib and she reached her little hand through the bars and held onto my finger and grasped it tight. My heart melted and for the first time all week I felt reassured that everything is going to be okay.