Old Town (The Maze) and Ancient Tea House in Puxi

 When Jen & Taylor lived in Puxi, there was an older area where the Chinese workers have lived for years.  While they are rapidly tearing down many of these old neighborhoods and replacing them with high-rise apartments, this area is still there the same way it has been for years.  The narrow streets seem to wind around forever and we haven't been brave enough to go there without Jen's guidance so she was kind enough to accompany us.  When we first arrived, you can see Jen & Taylor's apartments in the background.  We walk across the street and around the corner to see the wet market and walk through the narrow streets.

 Usually the laundry is hanging out to dry from the upper windows but it had been raining that morning so most of the laundry was missing and there weren't nearly as many people hanging around as there have been in past visits.

 Always there are lots of bicycles and scooters and very few cars in the area.  Most of the apartments have a sink just inside the door or outside the door but not bathrooms.  There are community bathrooms to be shared by many apartments.  This time we actually saw one and a man went in and didn't even bother to close the door. Not so nice to see!

 None of us feel that the wet market is very appetizing but we suspect that Jen's Aiye used to shop there when they lived in those apartments.  She also cooked a lot of their food.  Good thing she fried a lot.

 We didn't see as much bamboo scaffolding this time around but here is a building being renovated surrounded by bamboo.

 There seem to be wires going everywhere.  I believe that these buildings were built prior to their having much electricity and certainly not cable.  They just string wires and cables everywhere.

After we found our way out of the maze, Jen took us over to the shopping area near the famous Nanjing Road.  

 Here is the Ancient Tea House in the middle of the shopping area.  Next to it is the Yu Garden, but we didn't have time to see it as we had to get across the city to pick the kids up from school.

 I am standing just inside the tea house.  The woodwork was gorgeous.  We had never looked inside before because there was always a long line waiting to get in.  I guess we should be thankful for the rainy weather.

 Here we are at the kids' school.  They are always so excited to show us everything.  Below is the Provo City Center Temple that Jen and Will put together.  It is missing a few pieces and doesn't have the Angel Moroni on top because it won't fit on the shelf.

 Will shows his prize from the tooth fairy.

 One rainy morning, Taylor and Jen trained on their bikes in the living room.  They had a simulated ride playing on their computer and they raced the course.  They have this option when the weather is not cooperating.

 I bought a pomelo, which is like a huge grapefruit but a little sweeter.  It is a pain to peel but the Chinese versions are so much better than those we can purchase at home, that it is worth it to have one.  Everyone enjoyed it immensely and it disappeared quickly.