July 29, 2008

I just talked to Andrew about the trip to Xian.  Andrew said that they all had a good time in Xian.  It sounds like things are calming down for them and they are getting more accustom to China.  Apparently they took the train back to Nanjing.  Andrew reported that they got to the train station a bit late and had to run to the train OJ Simpson style to get to the train just minutes before it left. They got back this morning after traveling on an overnight train.  Andrew said that they were in a sleeper car and that it was pretty comfortable.  He said that they also met some girls from Holland that had been in Beijing and they told Andrew that they found Beijing to be very crowded and that the pollution was still quite bad.  They plan to rest a few days in Nanjing before heading up to Beijing.  Andrew also reported that they have been eating a lot of western fast food, especially KFC and that he is getting tired of it.  Maybe they will be more willing to eat the local food in Beijing if they are tired of KFC. 

July 22, 2008

I had a good conversation with Andrew today.  He reported that things are getting much more organized.  They went to an amusement park the other day.  Andrew said that the experience was a bit bizarre, but it sounded to me that the experience would be best described as unique.  Apparently they travelled for about an hour to a park and when they arrived they come to an outdoor amphitheater which had a stage that was surrounded by a mote.  The explanation for what they were about to see was not very enlightening.  Then several tigers and two lions came on to the stage, which had several levels of platforms.  Some trainers then came out and got the lions and tigers to get up on the platforms.  The animals were roaring and the boys were wondering whether they would attack the trainers.  Next two ponies came on to the stage and started running around the stage.  Andrew wondered whether the ponies, which were fairly small might be lunch for the lion and tigers.  But instead of a gruesome show, instead the trainers had two of the tigers jump on to the backs of the ponies and ride them around the stage.  Next two large rubber balls (like yoga exercise balls) were put on the stage and the lions jumped on top of them and started to "walk" them around the stage. Finally, the trainers bought out flaming hoops and had the tigers jump through the hoops.  Andrew said at first they jumped through one hoop and then through two hoops several feet apart.  The distance between the hoops was increased to about 7 feet and then to about 20 feet.  Andrew was quite amazed when the tiger was able to leap, almost from a dead stop, over 20 feet, through 2 flaming hoops. 

Next they went to an amusement park.  Andrew was somewhat sceptical about the safety equipment, but that did not deter Ryan Pattee and him from going on the rides, including a roller coaster and a bungee-type ride.  He said that the amusement park was almost surreal because there was no one, other than them, at the park and that they would open the rides up when they got to them.  It should be interesting to see their pictures of the show and the amusement park.

Andrew also reported that they will be flying to Xian tomorrow.  Apparently the drivers took their passports the other day to get the plane tickets.  They are all looking forward to a change in pace.  I once again asked for one or more of them to email some pictures so that we have something to add to the blog.  I have not received anything yet.  If anyone else has, please send them to me and I will put them on the blog.

July 20, 2008

On Sunday we talked to Chethan and Heng about a variety of things.  Chethan told us things were going OK.  The house that they are staying in in Nanjing is a nice house and with the exception of the air conditioning on the second floor being on the fritz, they are comfortable.  They have also started eating at more westernized places.  Lear still has a tendency to take them to "hole in the wall" places for lunch etc.  When Lynne and I were traveling in China, we really enjoyed these kinds of places because we were able to try authentic  local food and dishes that we would typically not get here in the States.  But I can appreciate that it might be a bit unnerving for the boys who have not traveled much (if at all) out of the US and may be reticent to try strange food in a strange local restaurant.  So it is probably a good thing that they are eating at western style restaurants more often. 

Heng told Lynne that she was attempting to locate another person with better English language skills to assist in showing the boys around and will also find a China Travel Guide for them.  That is probably we should have thought about before sending them to China.  When I think about it, it seems like a Homer Simpson type mistake -- DOH!  Anyway, the important thing is that Heng understands the need and is trying to address it. She also said that she would make sure that they had an English tour guide when they get to Xian.  Apparently the current plan is for them to go to Xian for a few days, come back to Nanjing for a few days and then go to Beijing.  The boys are anxious to get to Beijing because they are convinced that there will be more for them to do and that they will be able to get around a bit more on there own.  That might in fact be true since the  City is prepared for an influx of westerners for the Olympics.  There is also much more for them to see in an near Beijing, like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Summer palace to name a few. 

When we talked to Lear, he did not sound too well.  Apparently he has come down with a bad cold.  Hopefully he will be able to get well soon. 

July 18, 2008

Andrew noted during our call yesterday that the general comment among the boys was that the tone of this blog sounded like it was being written by a lawyer.  Oh my gosh - dead on once again.  Combine that with Andrew's insightful observation that people in China speak Chinese and I guess it proves that they are ready for college after all.

But I do not want to bore the boys too much with my postings to the blog, so I will try to change the tone somewhat.  Maybe I will try to write in rap.  The last blog could have been written as follows:

Last night da rents got together at Rao's as homies

To talk about da boyz we call da domies

After some food and wine - a good time had by all

We decided to give da domies a call

So we pulled out da computer to Skype em

But Drew called his Dad first to whine to em

We then called Lear to get da scoop

But he said da boys were still too pooped

So we chilled and had more food and wine

Till we thought da boyz might be up dis time

We connected to China on  da skype

to get from da boyz da lowdown and hype

We learned da Pattee got his hair scalped off

But he failed to get his face hair scraped off

Last night da boyz went out to Karaoke

but only Teddy sang  a tune - really?

Amazingly the rest of da boyz were too shy

to do da rap and raise their voices to da sky

Da boyz also finally got down n played some b-ball

But da time was short, cause da temp was high in da hall

So they will wait to play again and have a thrill

until they can find a gym with some chill

We signed off feeling better bout da boyz adventure

but agreed to call Lear's mom to ask her

to get some help for Lear in makin da plan

for da rest of da time da boyz have in dis land

July 18, 2008

Malathi and Rao invited the parents over to their house for dinner tonight.  The Finstons and the Mills come over and after dinner we called the boys using Skype.   When we first called at about 11 am China time, Lear informed us that no one was awake yet and we should call back later.  We called back about 30 minutes later and were able to talk to everyone (other than Teddy)  Andrew told us that they went to a Karaoke bar last night.  He said that Teddy sang a song, but he did not know what it was.  He also reported that they went to a gym to play basket ball, but it was an old gym and not air conditioned.  As a result it was too hot and they only played for about 30 to 45 minutes.  Ryan Pattee spoke with us for the first time and told us that he got a haircut.  I asked him if he got any special services while he was getting his hair cut.  He laughed but said that he only got a hair cut and since no one spoke English (a recurring theme for the boys) he was not able to communicate very well and his hair cut was a bit on the strange side.  The Mills were able to talk to Ned and Drew.  Ned seems to be doing well, but Drew appears to be fading.  Hopefully he will be able to rally and realize that although it seems like a tough haul right now, if he sticks it out he will truly cherish the memories later in life.  It is not the coasting through parts of life that we later remember, its the aspects that are hard or challenging that we battle through and overcome that we remember forever.  

Scott Mills talked to Ryan Rellinger.  He said that he sounded strong, but not particularly enthusiastic.  Hopefully it is because he had just woken up.  It sounds like the boys are experiencing many new things and because they do not speak the language do not understand what is going on at all times. That must be disconcerting.  But a certain level of uncertainty is always a part of foreign travel.  

The party at Chethan's house broke up slightly after 10pm.  The food was great, the hosts were most generous and everyone left in good spirits.  Based on our conversation with the boys, Lynne and I plan to call Hong to talk to her about getting more help for Lear.  We all concluded that it must be very difficult for Lear to have to not only try to address the requests of 7 boys, but also deal with planing for meals and entertainment.  I think sometimes the boys do not appreciate how hard Lear has it.  Not only is he the only one who speaks Chinese and English, and has to translate everything (Andrew should appreciate how hard that is because he has been asked to act as a translator of French for his Dad and hated every minute of it), but he also has to plan the day and then explain to all the neophytes traveling with him what they are doing.  Lynne and I plan to talk to his mom to let her know that she needs to provide Lear more assistance so that he does not have to focus on the mundane  things and can enjoy himself more with the rest of the boys.  

July17, 2008

Andrew called again this morning (Thursday night in Nanjing) to say that they had a much more enjoyable day today. They started the day by traveling by bus to GaoLi International Headquarters. When they got there they took of tour of the GaoLi Furniture mall and watched a performance of the trained seals that are in a pool in the middle of the mall. Afterwards they went back to the headquarters building for lunch, which Andrew said was quite good. They met Mr. Gao's personal assistant, who speaks English fairly well. They played more ping pong and also took Lear's car for a drive around the parking lot of the building. Mr. Gao's assistant then assisted Lear in planning the rest of the day's events. They first went to a very upscale department store mall. But it was too foo foo for the boys and the asked to be taken to a "knock off" mall. They were whisked away to the new mall and had a great time shopping. Mr. Gao's assistant helped then bargain for things they wanted to buy. That evening they went to Nanjing's riverfront for dinner at a dim sum restaurant. Andrew said it was a very large restaurant and the food was, in general, enjoyed by everyone. He said that everyone was in a good mood when they returned to Lear's house. Some of the boys even went to the local store to buy some chips and soda.

July 16, 2008

I just exchanged a late night text message with Lear.  The boys are just about to get to Nanjing.  I have asked Lear to have the boys send some emails home once they get to a place where they have access to the internet.  I also asked Lear to take them to a KFC or Pizza Hut for dinner so that they can relax (home town food has a way of doing that).

July 15, 2008

The trip continues on to Nanjing tomorrow where they will rest and visit Sun Yat Sen's tomb. Sun Yat Sen is considered the father of modern China and his tomb is at the top of a large hill and surrounded by a large park. Above are pictures of Nanjing's skyline and Sun Yat Sen's Tomb.

July 15, 2008

Received a call from Andrew at 5:30 am (8:30 pm in China) to say that they were on their way to dinner in another sea side resort town. He was a bit concerned that they are doing too much traveling each day and some of the boys are getting tired and worn down. We think that maybe they have not had an adequate chance to adjust to the time change. We talked to Lear and his mom and suggested that they go to Nanjing next for a few days so that the boys could relax and get use to being in China. We will also suggested that they get an English tour book when they get there so that they can better understand what the plans are. Lear and Hong are trying to show them interesting places, but because it is all so new, and they do not have and English tour book, they are finding it all very difficult to absorb and appreciate. We will work with Lear and Hong to develop an itinerary so that they boys better understand, in advance, what they are doing and where they are going. Right now only Hong knows the itinerary. She talks to the drivers who drive the boys to interesting places, but because they do not know where they are going or have any background about the places they are visiting, it is a bit overwhelming for them and they can not fully appreciate the places they are visiting. The good thing is that tomorrow they will go to Nanjing. We think that once they have a few days to rest there, they will feel better and will relax.

July 14, 2008

We received a call from Andrew tonight (Wednesday morning in China).  He had a bit of an intestinal problem last night but seems to be doing better today.  They now have 2 drivers taking them around.  Lear, Andrew and Chethan are in a Buick Sedan and the rest of the boys are in a minivan.  Andrew still is commenting about the fact that no one speaks any English.  In a few days he will catch on that China only recently opened up to the west, and very few people have had the opportunity to learn English.  

They are now in Qian Dao Hu.Zhejiang, the lake of a thousand Islands.  According to Andrew they are staying at one of the resort hotels on the lake.  It sounds like things are still going smoothly.

July 12, 2008

Getting ready for the trip. Chethan's and Ryan Pattee's moms (Malathi and Annette), Ryan Rellinger, Chethan, Ryan Rellinger's mom (Kathryn McCarthy), Ryan Pattee's dad (Michael) and Chethan's dad (Rao).  Ryan Pattee is already through security (he could not wait for the rest of the boys).  Ryan and Chethan look ready to leave their parents behind and start their adventure.

July 12, 2008

From left to right, two dads (Mr. Finston and Mr. Mills) Drew, Andrew and Ned wait on line to get Drew and Ned's tickets.  

photo

 

July 13, 2008

The boys landed in Shanghai and were met by Lear at the airport with 3 drivers.  They then spent three hours driving around looking for a hotel.  Andrew is amazed that no one seems to speak anything but Chinese.  Lear is a bit vague about the plans, but it sounds like they are going to travel to about 3 cities before making their way back to Nanjing to meet up with Lear's parents.