out with the kids

went out with the kids and Matt on Saturday.  Matt took some photos.  Here I am going on the offensive in talking with a grandmother.  I am introducing my grandchildren to her.  She speaks less English than I speak Chinese and I am speaking in English.  I have found that if I am to passive, the Grandmothers will be all over us in trying to talk at us, to us and to the kids, so I just start talking to them.  Amazes the kids, they point out that they (the Chinese old person) does not understand me.  I point out that I do not understand them- the old Chinese person-  so it makes us even. 

Sometimes they -the Chinese old persons - outnumber me and overwhelm me.  Then I beat a hasty retreat, talking all the time.  

We do not travel incognito like Jason Bourne through Paris or the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in Switzerland.  See photos below.  We are not going to pass unseen or un-commented on.

  

Lydia and I on an errand.  I really like this street.  It is so typical of what I think this place looks like, lots and lots of shops selling a mix of whatever and a variety of restaurants selling just a food that is just a shade above street food.   No tourists are here today, none were here yesterday nor will any be here tomorrow.

This photo I really like,  -- it captures a lot of what I think this place looks like too.  The size is of the place is overwhelming.  I forget just how big it is.  That is our apartment complex behind me.  That building on the corner is just one of 26 buildings.  It is 17 stories high.  It is a typical apartment complex, perhaps even a little small.

 The intersection behind us is incredibly wide, perhaps eight wide traffic lanes wide - nothing special there, the traffic light is just a guide, something scary there, also typical, fortunately the intersection is one of the less used ones as that is a dead end at the river just past our apartments and there is an even larger road just a long two blocks up the street with an elevated highway over it that carries most of the area's traffic.  As I have tried to convey this place is eye popping large.