Chongqing Zoo, Stillwell Museum, Flying Tigers

Yesterday we went to the Chongqing Zoo, famous for its pandas. I was really impressed with the condition of the animals and the large size of their enclosures at Chongqing Zoo, especially after seeing the terrible conditions at the Changsha zoo in 2005. There were still a few animals in cement-and-bars enclosures while their habitats are being built, but most of the animals have large spaces with greenery, stone outcroppings, toys, and ponds.

Jon Wiley had his first typical two year old tantrum at the zoo, when we wouldn't buy him ice cream. We had just bought a toy helicopter, and I couldn't see any ice cream brands I recognized, so we told him no and walked away. He did a full-out kicking, reaching, and yelling tantrum. Scott and I just took turns carrying him and letting him have his fit. I feel the zoo should pay me some sort of commission for providing the free show. Our family stops traffic in China anyway, but add a screaming Chinese boy, and you have yourself a blockbuster. After this limit-testing episode, he has not reacted so strongly when told "no." He'll figure it out.

Just outside the zoo, we encountered the most aggressive vendors yet, even more determined than the ones at Tiananmen Square. They were pushing pinwheels into the hands of the kids. I told Devyn not to look at them or put her hands out, and she obeyed immediately, looking at the ground until Scott could pick her up. But Jon Wiley reached for the brightly colored, spinning things, quite naturally. No matter which way I turned they were right there on top of me, smiling, cooing, and pressing the pinwheels forward. Eiley and Mia ran interference, keeping them away as best they could by shaking their heads and stepping in front of me. Finally I had had enough, and I said Bu Yao, Xie Xie, which means "I don't want (it), thank you." I said it, um, rather firmly and loudly. The vendors gasped and stepped back, and interestingly, Jon Wiley pulled his arms in and tucked his head as if he had been instructed in this technique before. Who knows, maybe he has. Then there was some dissatisfied clucking and muttering from the vendors, probably about the rude Big Nose Lady. Hey, at least I said Xie Xie.

After the zoo, we went to Super Wal-Mart. We were able to buy more bubbles! Hooray! And we also found out that Jon Wiley LOVES bananas. Maybe he is a monkey boy, after all. Super Wal Mart is just as hilarious as ever, complete with old women pawing through the unwrapped, raw meat to find a good piece. We got Jon Wiley some pants that stay on and some shoes that are wide enough for his boxy feet. We also got multiple liters of Sprite and some more Lays International chips. I don't care for the Savory Prawn Flavor much, but Devyn and Jon Wiley love them.

Today, we went to the Stillwell Museum and the Flying Tiger Museum. During WWII, the Flying Tigers were an American Volunteer Group (AVG) that operated within the Chinese Air Force in 1941 and 1942. Its members were former US military pilots and ground crew, recruited under US Presidential approval. It is said that the Japanese looked for the landing strip that was being used in Chongqing, but never found it. The permanent sandbar in the middle of the Yangtze River was used as the landing strip for the Flying Tigers, hidden in plain sight.

After the museums, we went to E'ling Park, a beautiful park on the top of a mountain. One of the houses of Chiang Kai Shek is located here, and in fact its doorway was the location of the first picture of Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai Shek taken together. We also went to a tea house for a traditional tea ceremony and tastings of jasmine, ginseng, and lychee teas. There was a lot of quiet touring and sitting for these events, and all 4 kids were very well behaved for all of it.

Now we are back at the hotel, looking to burn off some steam. Back on registration/adoption day, Scott bought Jon Wiley, Devyn, and Mia the most ridiculous balloons. They are dog-shaped helium balloons, with thin plastic legs taped on to them, and paper paws stapled onto the legs. The legs and paws keep the dogs just barely on the ground. There is a string tied to the chest, allowing the child to pull the dog along behind him or her. So that is what they are doing, going up and down the hallway of the two hotel wings, walking their dogs.