Okay, so there hasn't been an update the past few days, but that's because we've been taking it easy, which is fine since we're here for nine weeks.  Two days ago, we were invited out for lunch from Father's childhood friend, Uncle Liao and his family.  It was sweet to see Father so happy and enjoy himself like we have never seen before.  I don't think I've ever seen Father speak so much!  We also got to really try some authentic Chinese food that we hadn't had before, including Peking Duck a Beijing specialty! I enjoyed the food very much and getting the chance to meet Uncle Liao's daughter, who is only a year younger than me. Even though all of us liked the food, there was so much, that we weren't able to finish! 

The next day, yesterday, Father bought some street vendor food for breakfast, which was a little too greasy for my taste, but it was still good.  Greasy food seems to be a trend in China.  

A little after that, Brothers #1, 2, and 4 went out with Father to see Beijing's Hutong, which is basically a bunch of historic narrow alleyways.  It wasn't really their cup of tea and they were only gone a few hours. They came back  sometime in the afternoon very tired and a little cranky, which is understandable. They took the subway, which is, I remind you, a mile away, and we're not used to walking.  Usually we just hop in Silly Sally, our mini-van, and drive wherever we want!

View from bridge while walking to subway

Later that day, one of Father's employees who has been with the company for pretty long time invited us out for dinner of "jjajang myeon" another Beijing's specialty.  There were many interesting dishes, including silk worms, cow intestines, pork, jellyfish, and  of course jajangmyeon.  I tried everything, although I preferred some dishes to others.  The silk worms were just a little to weird for me.  There was also soy bean juice, which I only managed to get on sip of before completely rejecting it.  Father wouldn't even try it, and he's the one who's 100% Chinese!

Not pictured: silk worms, jajangmyeon

Jajangmyeon pre mix!

I'm not exactly sure what the dessert was called, but it was quite sweet and I liked it a lot, but by that time I was too full to finish it.  Once we were all done, Father's employee walked us back to the bus stop and we went our separate ways.

Today, Mother, Father, Brother #3, the Baby and I went to Beijing's Hutong.  While yesterday's group might not have liked it, I sure did.  Maybe it was because this time, Father was following the Loney Planet guidebook, but it was quite interesting to see.  The main road was a total tourist trap, but once you got off of that, you definitely got a feel for how China was like back in the day.  We didn't tire very easily since we got the bright idea to take a taxi.  We walked for a few hours, taking it all in and stopping for food and drinks along the way, before heading towards the Drum and Bell Tower.  The guidebook described it as magnificent, so I had some high expectations.  

Initially, Father accidentally took us to the back of the Bell Tower, which is just a plain grey tower from the back, and I was sorely disappointed, but then we walked around to the front and I was relieved. We didn't walk all the way here for nothing!

We took some pics, trying out our new selfie stick outside for the first time.  By then, we were all tired, so we decided to skip out on the inside of the towers and decided to head back.  Father bought us some drinks before trying to get a taxi. It took a while, but we got one.  It's really hard hailing a taxi in Beijing!  My feet were so sore and I was so tired, that even though I had a fun day, I was glad to go back.  Father dropped me and Brother #3 off at our condo before meeting Mother in the market for groceries and we finished off with a relaxing night. 

The Baby trying out the selfie stick himself ft. new frames Mother got