One awesome part of my job is that once a month the international classes head out on a field trip. Last month it was the Shanghai Pearl Tower (the one that looks like a suped up version of Reunion Tower in Dallas) and this month it was the Shanghai Botanical Gardens. It was a perfect sunny Fall day. The garden is out in the ‘burbs, so it was quite a hike.
On our way out there, Jami and I had Shen mountain pointed out to us. It’s Shanghai’s only mountain, and it’s probably no bigger than Flag Pole Hill in Dallas. But never let it be said that the Chinese don’t know how to take advantage of a situation. Every inch of that mountain has been utilized. I think I spotted an observatory and some kind of castle. Both were a little perplexing. The former because who can see stars through all this smog and the castle because it looked like it had been stolen right out of Beauty and the Beast before Belle lifts the curse. And right next to the mountain was some kind of fair grounds. Needless to say, it was an interesting view.
It’s hard to explain gardens and touristy things in China unless you’ve actually experienced them first hand, but picture a chinese version of The Dallas Arboretum, but about ten times bigger and with a waterfall. Like most chinese tourist parks, you get from each place by little trolley golf carts that hurl around corners at, frankly, dangerous speeds. Personally, I really enjoy these rides. And the upside is if you crash, you get to take in some nice scenery before you die.
Here was what we did at the park:
1) Go to the bathroom and pose for some pictures.
Some Super Cute Posing
2) Wander around a rose garden trying to avoid all the wedding photo sessions.
Rose Garden Shenanigans
3) Wait for and then take the Red Train Trolley to our next destination.
Awaiting our transportation...
This kid frequently causes my cuteness processor to overload.
4) Explore the kid’s garden area.
This was them posing... It was like herding cats.
5) Wave hello to my other kids.
6) Eat Lunch. In China, people stop whatever they are doing and watch little kids. It’s pretty funny. This country loves kids in a way that’s hard to explain. During lunch, six older ladies who worked in the garden stood right by our blanket and chatted about how cute the kids were for the entire forty minute lunch.
7) Descend some dangerously steep and slippery stairs with rowdy kids.
Steep stairs with a distracting view, at least for those taller than three feet.
8 ) Lift some kids up so they can look at this view over the railing.
Awesome view that the kids were too short to see.
9) Walk across a floating walk way that felt way too unsafe for my brand new camera.
Average walkway for adults. Crazy fun ramming activity for kids.
10) Go home.
It was an awesome day. This place was really cool and I definitely want to go back in the spring.
