Autumn Festival Holiday at Ocean University

Hello:
We got up early this morning and travelled to Ocean University. We met Doug and Valerie Salmon at May 4 Square and there were Chinese families everywhere spending the day together. Little people running all over with the parents and grandparents watching them. We walked along the beach by all the little shops and enjoyed each others company. We walked for approximately 12-15 miles in the extreme heat and humidity. In our travels,we came to a big music square with alot of Chinese people singing and they invited our group to come up and sing for them! We ditched! The "music square" has big statues of Beethoven, Bach and other composers. The Chinese love music - especially classical music. There were two groups of older adults playing Hacky Sack. They certainly are fierce competitors!
We walked past a park of beautiful statues and we took photos to send home. It took us 4 hours just to walk along the beach and it was gorgeous. The Chinese love their children so much and the little ones are their pride and joy. It was good to see all the families having such a good time enjoying each other. It made me realize just how much I miss all my family - especially my little people.
The Salmons showed us one of their favorite places to eat and we had a great Chinese lunch. After lunch we walked to a little quaint art gallery in the old German part of town. You will see in the photos,how pretty it was!
But, one of the most fun things we did was go to a little Chinese "Boutique". Oh my! It was about as big as my small hall closet at home! That little woman had so many treasures crammed into those 4 walls...She had some beautiful Chinese fabric wall hangings, and tablecloths, as well as the cutest little purses out of fabric. I had to buy a wall hanging for our apartment and then to take home to Cedar City. Many vibrant colors and symbols. And, of course, a new small purse was in order as well.
To end the trip, we went to see the Salmons BYU China English Teachers apartment on their campus... I know that it is hard to not compare - BUT - their apartment is the cutest thing. It is in one of the old German buildings and it is twice as big as our humble abode! So spacious - their bathroom is bigger than our kitchen.!
On the way home, we had to stop and get some groceries and when we got home we crashed! We were gone for 12 hours today and we have to teach tomorrow morning early, so I will close for now.
Sure do love and miss you all,
Mom