[Mikell]

Hahahaha...that's great! Now I understand!
mikell

[Matt]

A view of Chengdu from my hotel.

My Tibetian-style hotel has a nice place to pray near my room.

Walking down the street.

A cool display of beautiful photographs from around China are on display for the National Day holiday. Celebrating the founding of modern China, this holiday is very much like our July 4th. People travel home and BBQ. They also tend to get out to all the hot tourist spots. I went to this old-neighborhood tourist street with Joni on National Day. It was probably the most people I have ever experienced in one space, outside of a Black Friday trampling. I was only able to get a photo in when there was a break in the crowd.

How about them pants?!


This guy sells old-style elongated Chinese pipes. How does he sell them? By laying back and smoking all day.


Here is Joni, looking 110% Japanese.

[Matt]

Thw week of National Day is a popular time for weddings, and the parties were out in full force for photos.

In the middle of this traditional-Chinese street is a French chocolate shop.


Struggling to find a Sichuan restaurant that wasn't packed (or served disgusting fish) Joni and I find a German restaurant (of all places) and she picks some American items from the menu.

Food-service quality onions rings.

Frozen pizza with the crust cut off. (probably the most expensive frozen pizza I have ever purchased).

Some of these storefronts are older than the United States.


An old entrance-way to some wealthy apartments near the old street.

[Matt]

The view from my hotel window. That primary school, where basketball is all the rage, blasts preppy music all over the loudspeakers during the morning. I woke up to a high-tempo version of Jingle Bells each morning.

Old buildings make way for new apartment complexes. Real estate in China is big business. Everything is becoming new.

[Matt]

any favorites from this batch?

[Mikell]

Pipe smoker, Popeye pants...and definitely NOT pizza!

Also the photo down the alley...looks like a wedding maybe? ...that's a very cool shot.

The last one of the tall buildings growing out of what looks like rubble...I like that.

mikell

[Kelly]

Definitely the one where Jing looks like she wants to puke after eating the American food.
Also the fresh Hot Pot ingredients.