the Silk Road

After yesterday, we weren't sure our feet were up for another day walking. But we did it anyway. We visited the "Silk Road" which is really a multi-story market filled with vendors peddling all sorts of stuff: clothes, shoes, handbags, luggage, jewelry, kitschy touristy things, and, yes, even silk.   I even ordered a couple of custom items from a dressmaker/tailor. That was so much fun. Can't wait till the fitting on Tuesday. Feel a little guilty about the price because I imagine some "sweatshop" place where it's actually created.   It was a lot of fun despite the crowds (which I am certain could have been much worse, but it was another rainy day which I think kept some people away). We learned to haggle for a price. The girls hated that aspect of it at first, but then got better with a little practice. The first prices that the vendors quote are positively ridiculous. If you know that you can get down to 1/3 or 1/4 the price with a little time and effort, it's worth it. I just consider "what's the price that I would feel good about paying for this?" and it seemed to work.    I think that the girls really enjoyed watching all the people. They weren't thrilled with being constantly harangued by the vendors, though.   We had a Chinamerican lunch in the cafeteria at the market, which proceeded to make me and Olivia ill. Never was so glad to see "facilities" once we got off the subway and bus in my life!    We're down to one weekend left in China. The girls go back to kindergarten (for their volunteer experience) and I am back to work tomorrow.   We're looking forward to the Great Wall on Wednesday (Olivia's golden birthday) and Jeanne arrives from St. Paul on Thursday. We will be doing a "hutong eats" food tour while she is here and I am thinking about a Peking Duck dinner and Chinese Acrobatics exhibition evening one night.   Oh, and we have a layover in Tokyo on our return flight. I know, it's only the airport, but we're counting it!   Hope all is well at home!