A walk down Xi Qiao

This is a short visual tour of our street Xi Qiao (pronounced SHEE CHOW).

The ultra modern side of town, high skyscrapers springing up everywhere

Simply turn around and get a sense for the level of daily life in our neighborhood

Power lines? What power lines?

There are always plenty of local shops to fit every need,
a nice change from strip mall society

The produce is always top notch!

Not a playground, but one of many local exercise squares
for the early-risers

Buried within the utilitarian apartment high-rises, every now and again
a structure older than 50 years stands out

If it looks unsafe, you'll find at least three children playing with it.

Our street corner from curbside

Liz making her way to our stairwell, past the recyclers, fix-it shop and restaurant.

In our stairwell, the common areas tend to look a little dilapidated

65..66..67..68.. Just 28 to go!

Don't worry, the inside is much cleaner than the outside!

July Pictures

Leo's Favorite Play Area as of Late - Anywhere in the Bathroom

(Needless to say, I've been trying to keep this room as clean as possible!)

Cheng Ayi and Leo on a recent walk in the park. She was proudly showing off her new little charge to anyone and everyone there!

A man we were chatting with on our walk works out with his yoyo of unusual size (the typical yoyo in China looks like this rather than the tiny toys we are accustomed to).

My uncle visits Nanjing! He and his coworkers spent a couple of days here. This was an especially muggy and hot day walking on the city wall.

Leo with his Great-Uncle Bob - who is an old pro at keeping kids happy and laughing

Uncle Bob with some of his former students who are now working in Nanjing. We all got together for a celebratory Chinese banquet. They all speak both Mandarin and Korean - amazing!

Eating river shrimp with gloves - a local specialty here in the summer as the river overflows with a rich harvest.

Uncle Bob with two volunteer teachers - (L to R) - John and Andy - they had a great year together teaching in Yanji City.

Liz with her "Little" Uncle Bob - my "Lao Yeye" (Old Grandpa - a term of endearment here)

Crickets for sale - 1 kuai for a little chirpy pet

This is our life - a little one at our feet always wanting to know what's going on.

Uncle Bob and Cheng Ayi with Leo

Leo climbs his first flight of stairs at our friend's parent's house in QingPu (a suburb of Shanghai), just a week ago!

Touring ancient QingPu

An old bridge (built about 1000 years ago) in QingPu

A Pagoda in QingPu

Wu Laoshi, our host's friend, with her daughter and Liz on another old bridge in QingPu

Old style boats take tourists and pleasure seekers for leisurely rides on the river

Our host, Mr. Li, doted on Leo while Ya Le, our friend's daughter, looks on in the background (no pictures of Ya Le; she was a little too camera shy!).