Exploring Lanzhou...on our own!

Today was a free day, so we took it easy this AM and headed out this afternoon for a great shopping adventure.  We had certain things on our list to get: real diapers (not some weird brand that doesn't absorb very well), rice cereal to supplement the formula, another hat (Anna and I have decided hats are a good option for her now with her current hairstyle), some shoes to match her red, white and blue outfit for the oath-taking ceremony at the US Consulate (realizing even more how Anna's need for shoes differs entirely than that of my boys), and more Chinese formula that she is accustomed to drinking.  We were successful on all counts, even finding a cute Chinese dress too.  We did, however, have to put our lives in peril in order to make it to the various stores.  We had to cross several streets to make it to our destination, and it was quite an adventure.  Even though there are lights telling pedestrians when to cross, one can't really cross the street based on that.  If a driver is speeding toward you, they will honk (which is constant here in China - honking all the time) and not slow down - so you have to jump out of the way.  Our strategy was to wait for a group of locals to gather, then try to stay in the middle of them as much as possible while crossing the street.  It worked for the most part, except when Mom almost got taken out by a motorcycle that came quickly around a curve.  Anyway, we were able to explore several stores, and Anna seemed pretty happy hanging out in the large department store and mall.  In one area several ladies were helping us find shoes...and they were very excited to find a great pair that fit Anna's tiny little feet.  We were all worn out after the big shopping trip, especially Anna, as you can see in the picture! 

One other picture that I have attached is from our hotel in Beijing several days ago...I thought my friends and family back in Texas would appreciate the Chinese version of a Texas restaurant.  Note the happy Chinese folks in their red cowboy hats - yee haw!