Trick-or-Treating Extravaganza, Interrupted

The evening of October 30 was our annual Trick-or-Treating extravaganza, a night for our students to experience a mere sample of the extravagant American holiday. Every year we have lived in China, we have held this activiity. Obviously, it is popular and it does seem to grow incrementally each year as former students attempt to sneak in for another round of the festivities. Yet, as it is a come-and-go activity, few linger more than a handful of moments after snapping their photos and snatching candy. It really is one of our favorite nights and the students adore having a few minutes of unscripted fun. 

Over the years, security guards have shown up to snap a few pictures and take a handful of candy. We have a good laugh and they just meander along the peripheral of the crowd. So, when the guards showed up this year, we thought nothing of it. However, as the night went on, we noticed more guards showing up. Again, nothing out of the ordinary as Chinese do love to clump. The students were not causing a ruckus, and we were snapping photos and handing out candy. After a rather large group came and went, I noticed Zach standing off to the side talking to our boss. That was unusual, but I chalked it up to her being on campus for some other reason. After a handful of minutes, Zach came over and whispered in my ear that we had to shut down. I was shocked and obviously inquired as to why. 

Unbeknownst to us and basically every other Chinese person not in a high-level position, there was an edict from the mighty men on high that declared no Halloween anything. That is to say, the party crashed our party. Obviously, we were stunned and bewildered. Our boss kept apologizing profusely and saying that she was just the mouthpiece, but "some things had happened last year." Hence, the men on high were a wee bit sensitive this year and, in the local way, banned it all. 

We were equally bewildered and bemused. The post-event messages from students were endearing, with many declaring it was the most fun they had had on campus. But, we also receiving messages from students who said they were contacted and told to delete all social media posts about the event. Then we started getting the notifications of bigger cities disbanding or arresting costumed revelers. 

Zach and I joked with each other that by allowing the festivities, China could have boosted their fledgling economy, as it was projected that Americans would spend nearly $11.6 billion on the holiday this year.

However, before our cease-and-desist order was enacted, it was a splendid night. We actually dispersed candy for about and hour and a half, which involved the bulk of our students. For those who missed us, we told them to find us in the classroom and we would give them candy. 

As for the coming years, we may have to get creative in our Halloween approach. However, as I told Zach, the mood swings of this adopted motherland are akin to a toddler's, so next year everything may be fine and we may be able to reconvene. Until then, this story is every bit wild as one could hope and may be known henceforth as the "Halloween Incident" or "The One Night That Candy and Costumes Sent the Leaders Into a Tizzy." 

Summer ABCs

Five days after our last class, we were swept into a whirlwind of a summer. Once we set foot onto the first plane, we did not stop. This was not a surprise to us as our normal mode of life does seem to be set to GO. Yet, even as I write this post, looking over my notes jotted throughout the summer and scrolling through the heaps of pictures, I am bewildered at how much we actually packed into a mere ten weeks. They were an amazing ten weeks, so my bewilderment easily morphs into gratitude. We get to live an amazing life and getting to pen a blog like this is such a privilege. Therefore, without further ado - here be the highlights of our 2024 summer. 

Numbers of Our Summer

We stepped into eight countries and twelve states. 

We stayed in seven hotels, two Airbnbs, and four houses. 

We flew on nine planes, drove four rented/borrowed/shared cars and two ferries. 

Point to point, we traveled 25,111.3 kilometers/15,603.4 miles.  

There were two whiskey experiences. 

I ate ten bowls of soup or stew.

Zach tried one 0% Guinness and one 0% Scottish IPA. 

Highlights of Our Summer

Authors: Dead and Alive

While our reading tends to decline in the summer months, our access to books and book things actually increases. The summer is when we stop at every bookstore we can, touch all the books we have read in e-form, and snap pictures of books to add to the already excessive TBR pile. We especially enjoyed perusing UK bookstores for there are many books that do not make the jump across the ocean, as well as the books tend to be published with a different cover.  

Our days in the United Kingdom were ones very much immersed in literary giants, especially in Scotland. After six days, I definitely understand how so many literary works come from there - I even declared that I want to ensconce myself in its moody highlands and pen something grand. During our day in Edinburgh, I veered our tiny group towards the Writer's Museum, a tiny gem of a place highlighting three of Scotland's wordsmithing masters: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson. When in Inverness, Bob made the request to stop at Castle Inverness to pay homage its Macbeth connection. Unfortunately, it was closed for construction, but we could stand by the river and gaze up at its towering walls. Our final day in Scotland was taking a side jaunt to discover Innerpeffray Library, the first lending library in the country. It seemed that no matter where we went or wandered, there was a monument or a plaque to commemorate literature.    

Summer is also when we seek out author readings. Even though Powell's tends to have a slimmed summer schedule, we usually can find a couple of interest. This year we were able to attend two readings, each fantastic in their own way. In Nashville, we actually stumbled across another author reading when we stopped to peruse the bookstore. That reading was entertaining because it was a stark reminder that we were definitely in the South. 

Biking

It was a bike upgrade summer, which means the peloton now consists of four adult bikes. As a result, time had to be taken to confab a configuration for them to fit on the bike rack (spoiler - one must be strapped to Jules' roof), as well as some instructional time in gear usage. This upgrade was another reminder that our summer adventuring crew is not so wee in size anymore. Yet, it is exciting to be able to go farther and faster with the new setup. We were able to get in a couple of practice rides on our favorite pathway, the Springwater Corridor and Tilikum Crossing. We have declared we are in training for Bridge Pedal 2025.

Central Library

With the Hillsdale Library closed for renovations most of the summer (it opened four days before our departure), we got to visit other branches. I had actually put the Central Library on our summer bucket list before I knew that we actually would need to visit it. 

Oh, this was a delightful, architectural gem to discover. Addysen and I went a little dance happy at different locations within (the buttercream yellow walls, the etched stairs, ahhh!) because it was such a stunning place to peruse books. I am a bit ashamed we had not visited sooner.

Dougan Falls

This falls has been on my want-to-do list for a couple of summers, so when our day with the Paces called for an adventure, it was chosen. It did not disappoint. Incredible scenery, plenty of places to play, varying water-depth sections, very cold water, and great friends. Our early arrival meant a rather peaceful experience, but it is definitely not a secret location anymore. Around mid-afternoon, the larger groups began to arrive which prompted us to depart. 

England

Before I give the highlights of this adventure, there are two things I want to note. First, this and upcoming countries' sections are merely going to be a highlight of our days in those countries. I plan to write longer posts with far more detail about our experiences in the coming weeks. Second, a life lesson/life suggestion I must tell is: there is an unexplainable joy in being met at an airport by a familiar face. If you, dear reader, ever have the opportunity to meet someone or drop someone off at an airport - do not hesitate. For us travelers, nothing beats exiting into smiles and hugs or being sent off in the same manner. Trust me, that simple gesture is an incredible gift. 

Now, England. 

It was the first official stop on our summer holiday. We landed in Bristol, stayed in Exeter with our friends, lounged for an afternoon at Exmouth Beach, then road tripped our way north through places like Gloucester, Lake District, and Tebay. We decided that driving through England is driving through a perpetual shrubbery. We also decided that the key motto of England is, "Bam! Belltower!" Why? Because it was miles of cloistered shrubberies then a belltower would materialize to signify a hamlet or a road junction.

This was the greatest length of time either of us had spent in England and we were quite chuffed to experience an England outside of London.    

Fairs and Festivals

The Meade County Fair is quite renowned in the Kentucky summer fair line-up and has been for years. I have a heap of nostalgic memories around its funnel cakes, twirling rides, and tractor pulls. So, when Zach and I saw the yard signs bearing the dates of the Meade County Fair and realized they coincided with our visit, we declared that we would be spending a night there. We asked mom and dad if they wanted to join, especially as it was a given that we were going on the first tractor pull night. They agreed. 

It was the perfect night for fairing. Before entering the gate, I asked dad how many people he would know. He replied that he did not know that many people anymore, which I did not believe. A mere minute later, we heard a, "well, hello Joe!" Let me state for brevity, if this had been a drinking game, we would have been a bit squiffed before the first funnel cake. 

We ate all the fair foods. We strolled through the hometown booths. We tried to suss out how one judges a potatoes for blue ribbon status. We cheered for the tractors and groaned with the engine explosions of the trucks. It was fun to reminisce with mom and dad in the stands, all while making new fair memories. 

As for Portland, we were able to spend time at our favorite street fairs. Multnomah Days and Hawthorne Street Fair are always a great experience, so much so that I did not take a single picture of either. I did get a couple of snaps the Saturday Addysen and I spent time at the Chinese Festival in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Game On: Wonderwood Mini Golf

Over the years, we have partaken in a handful of Mike Bennett's artistic creations and have enjoyed every one of them. This year, Addysen put on the summer bucket list his latest endeavor, Wonderwood Mini Golf. We went early in our Portland days and it was fantastic. It was nine-holes of madness. The course appeared easy, the artwork gave it a whimsical-fun atmosphere, but the actual play was curse-inducing with its different carpet styles, rotating holes, and varying levels. Oh, and we are not even going to dwell upon the windmill from hell as the last hole. We laughed. We groaned. We had great holes and horrific holes. It was everything a putt putt game should be.   

Harry Potter Highlights

To be in the land where Harry Potter was imagined and penned was definitely a magical experience. To see the places that influenced story locations, as well as see where the movies were filmed added an entirely new level of appreciation for the Harry Potter world. Walking into Gloucester Cathedral, which was the shooting location for many internal spaces in Hogwarts, incited goosebumps. 

Iceland

Last year when we flew to the States, we had a four-hour layover in Reykjavik. We had chosen Icelandair because we wanted the chance to touch Iceland soil, adding another country. What we did not know was that we would definitely get a stamp and learn about their layover program. Similar to ones we have used in the past, Icelandair offers three or seven-day layovers without changing the fare cost. It was a great discovery, one that we decided to take advantage of this summer when we decided to fly westward around the globe.  

We chose the three-day option and we focused on the southern side of the island. We traversed to the southernmost point of Vic. We chased a large number of waterfalls. We saw puffins from afar. We soaked in the geothermal waters. We gasped at the majestic landscape and scoffed at the high prices. It was an interesting country, and I am glad we stayed for a bit longer than last year. 

Japanese Bishop, Honeybun, Sheila's Perfume, Ruby Eclipse: The Wondrous World of Flower Names

Flower viewing is a favorite summer pastime. From the hundreds of sunflowers on the farm to the Rose Garden in Portland to the dahlia fields in Canby to the random sightings as I walk to the pool, my camera reel holds many flower snapshots by the end of the summer. 

Kah-nee-ta Resort

This was an accidental find thanks to a random Portland Monthly email highlighting the reopening of the Kah-nee-ta Resort. Apparently, in a bygone era, this resort was the holiday spot for many families in Portland, renowned for its teepee lodging and hot springs. It closed for a number of years, underwent renovations and managerial recalibrating, and opened for guests once again this summer. After some internet sleuthing and tossing around ideas, Melissa and I decided to take a day to experience this iconic holiday spot.  

It was a glorious day of all the things we love - sun, water, laughter, books, chatting, driving, and reminiscing. As for the resort itself, it was a fun thing to do, but not something that needs to be repeated. I felt the cost was on the excessive side for what was actually experienced. Also, as a former lifeguard, the lax rules and minimal lifeguarding staff has the potential to be long-term problems. 

Lone Goat of Dundee

Road trips are a great love of ours, and we had our fair share this summer. On our trip from Nashville to the farm, Zach and I took all the back roads we could access that went in the general direction needed. One road took us through Dundee, a tiny village that is home to Masonic Lodge 703 which has a goat perched on its roof. This tiny place is extremely proud of its goat, so much so that, after seeing it mentioned on a number of signs entering the area, we had to stop. 

Internet sleuthing post-stop, I learned that the goat and its church-ish looking base has been on the National Historic Registry since 1901, all because the goat is one (of three) weathervanes from Dundee, Scotland. It is even mentioned that the town changed its name from Hines Mill to Dundee in honor of the goat's origins. However, how the goat arrived or who brought the goat to town cannot be found. Nonetheless, it felt rather fateful that we stopped to gawk at a unique item from a country we had recently visited. 

Majestic Highlands

This was a road trip we had dreamed about for many years. The Scottish Highlands were a must-do for Zach and I. We desperately wanted to experience the grandeur that has been home to some larger-than-life humans, as well as the backdrop to many epic tales. It was more than we imagined. It was all the adjectives. It was all the moments of feeling rather insignificant among behemoth land masses. We very much hope to return to this area in the near future.  

Nashville

It had been years since we had visited Nashville, so we found it rather comical that we found ourselves there for a week this summer. We actually drove to and from it twice in one week. Our first jaunt was for my mom to have an outpatient procedure at Vanderbilt Hospital. We returned to the farm to drop off the parentals, then drove back the next day in order to meet the Labrums and their UHaul. 

It was a bit bizarre to see the Labrums on the east side of the country, but it was such fun to welcome them into their new home. It was also fun to sweat a bit and move their boxes into that new home. 

Olympics

It was a nightly affair to gather and experience all the emotions that come with the Olympics. After the past two Olympics being rather forgettable due to a global pandemic, these games were so much fun. From the memes to discovering new sports (here is looking at you speed climbing), it provided so many moments to chat about with friends or strangers, as well as instigating a handful of our own Willampic sporting events when paddling. 

Paddling the Waterways

Water is a staple to our summer, so we made sure to float the fleet on multiple occasions. While we returned to familiar paths like Ross Island, I made sure to return to places I had not paddled in a number of years (West Linn and Estacada Lake.) Each paddle included a different crew, which added unique fun to each outing.  

Quilt

This was a quilt that spanned a year. Last summer, Addysen and I had pieced it. I took it to China to quilt it. Unfortunately, my shops of before had become shuttered, therefore it took time to find the batting and backing. In the spring semester, I did not sit often enough to finish the quilting, so I shipped it back to the states to work on it during the summer. Thanks to needing to watch Bad Batch, Acolyte, and Welcome to Wrexham - Addysen and I finished it a week before our departure. Now Cathryn has a hug from us in quilt form.  

Reunions

Summer is definitely an overload of face-to-face time with our people. We stack our schedule with as much people time as possible because we know for ten months we are connected only through texts, Marco Polos, or Zoom/other social media calls. 

Scotland

This was definitely a country high on the want-to travel list. So when Zach's dad asked in February if we would be interested in meeting them somewhere, we lobbed Scotland as an option, all while fervently hoping it would be a yes.

It was a yes.

Thus, on a Tuesday morning, we found ourselves at the Glasgow airport to pick up parentals. This was the beginning of six incredible days in this gem of a country. We did all we could - from south to north. From castles to cemeteries to distilleries to high tea to meandering cobblestone streets to missing Loch monsters to tartans to sheep sightings to behemoth statues to highlands - it was an incredible visit. Scotland captured our travel hearts, and we are very eager to return to explore more of her soon.  

Taste Tests

It was triple taste test summer. 

The first took place in Brandenburg, KY with my dad at Uncle Steph's Ice Cream. When I saw it on the menu, I knew it had to be experienced - a flight of ice cream. A brilliant taste test situation of six mini-scoops chosen from their stock. Dad and I made our selections, grabbed our spoons, and took upon the task with gusto. It was hysterical, even moreso as we realized that the flavor This Sh*t Just Got Serious was winning within our flight.   

The second was the annual household taste test, with the chosen subject being chocolate this year. We all were a bit stunned that we had not done chocolate before now. Seven bars, seven brands, all of the milk chocolate variety. By the end, Tony's was the number one for all of us.  

The third was a teenage cook-off taste test. Kaden and his friends (plus Addysen) concocted the plan and execution. Zach, Melissa, and I were the adults who happily got sucked into the scheme and were the taste judges. Two teams. Two different meals, yet a cahooted effort in regards to the dessert. Two very different presentations, each which had the panel of judges in stitches of laughter. It was a boisterously spectacular way to spend an evening and I really think this may be in the top five experiences of the summer.    

Unending Squash

I never know what produce will be in prolific production each summer. This year was squash. So many squash. 

Vignettes of Life

Some of the greatest delights of summer are the moments of little grandeur. The annual pedicure with my mom. The happy dancing around the kitchen island because Joel made mac salad. Lounging in and by the Banker pool after some major travel. Sitting with a cup of tea on the back deck or porch. Spending an afternoon at the hardware store. Morning swims. Giggling about something while sprawled on the bed. Putting together a 3D model of the Millennium Falcon into the late hours of the night. These moments nestle into the crevices of holiday and make it even more meaningful of time spent.  

Wales

This country very much falls under the Banker road trip mantra: We are so close, so we must. It also was also a pilgrimage in honor of Welcome to Wrexham, a show that we adore. Our 24-hours in this industrial town was everything we hoped. From a pint at The Turf while watching Scotland play in the Euros to ambling about the town spotting people and places highlighted on the show. It must be said that Wrexham people are some of the chattiest people we have ever encountered. It was shocking how everyone wanted to chat with us, and they were all lovely chats. It also must be said that I never thought I would hear two Hollywood stars be referred to so casually and so frequently by locals. Ryan and Rob really are treated as BFFs by most. In our 24-hours in town, it was obvious that Wrexham has some industrial roughness to its charm, but we were delighted to see the hope kindled within its locals. The way they spoke of their local team actually reminded us of the pre-MLS days of the Timbers.  

Xtreme Skateboarding Competition

This was a drive-by accidental discovery which led into being an amazing event to attend. Watching Olympians do their thing on TV is amazing; it is even more incredible to see them do it live. We ended up spending a portion of two days watching all the tricks and spills. 

Yelling Profusely

We screamed and chanted our way around the globe. It was another summer of insane football antics. From watching the Euros as we traversed a chunk of Europe to cheering at an Iceland Cup game to chanting at a Racing Louisville match to watching the Olympic women games to screaming our throats raw at Timbers and Thorns to cheering on Kaden - football fills a huge part of our summer.  

Zach's Birthday

I never know where we will be or what we will be doing when it comes to Zach's birthday each year. His date seems to frequently fall in the transition between semester and summer, so we are either finishing classes or jetlagged somewhere in the world. This year, we were a bit jetlagged, but very much capable of doing so many things he loves. A beach day with friends which involved a cheesecake and football candles. A shot on the house at the Turf in Wrexham. A stroll through Gloucester Cathedral, aka Hogwarts. Driving across the UK on a pre-parents roadtrip. A birthday pint at a local brewery. It was so much fun to celebrate Zach this year, for he really does make the world exceedingly better. 

China Contemplations

It has not been shocking that the most frequently question asked over the past eleven months has been, "What has it been like to return?" The simple, honest answer is: incredible. The moment we stepped onto the mainland, it was as though an internal chest that had long been buried was unearthed, opened, and all knowledge of this place gushed forth. (We have always joked that our brains have compartmentalized our lives by continent.) However, with the opening of that internal chest, a cacophony of emotions came with it. We had wrestled with so many feelings about China during our three years, seven months, and 26 day exile. Thus, for a place we had made peace in not returning to was once again being called home, it was an immense grappling.    

The tug of what was and what is was overwhelming in the beginning weeks. The collision of these two occurred often as we walked campus, with students asking if we were the new teachers while the security guards yelled 'welcome back' and 'where have you been?'

As the fall semester progressed and we settled into the rhythms of uni life once again, we frequently found ourselves overwhelmed with gratitude alongside a very deep rooted sense of contentment. While we now know that we can live in other countries and do it well, there is no denying that China is where we thrive. 

Now, we return for our second year. We are excited. As with every year, the curiosity of what is to come is bubbling. Will fake nails still be the trend with our students? Will sports continue to explode on our campus? How many girls will return to play on the women's football team? What reunions will this year hold? What new places will we discover? Whatever may come, we cannot deny that we continue to be extremely excited to live this life. 

Whoosh of a Semester

If there is a current picture to summarize our semester, this is the one. Twenty days between posts is not what this blog is meant to be, yet it is what I find upon logging in to write. The spring semester has always been our quickest sixteen weeks, yet I feel this one is the quickest whooshing to date. We actually feared this at the end of last semester, considering that the fall semester felt like a blip. It was the semester of reunions. This has been the semester of football, students, and torrential rain. 

This has been the semester, in the words of Taylor Swift, that "midnights become my afternoon" and the hour between 6pm and 7pm is completely elusive. It has been the semester where eating dinner before 10pm is a rare occurrence. It is the semester that Zach and I have to take our in-between-class breaks to actually catch up with each other on life. It is the semester where hobbies compete for time. 

Through all, the stories pile. Tonight, I sat down to outline the stories swirling in my mind, as well as assess the ones I already have in draft form in blogger. Twenty-eight. I have twenty-eight stories to be completed. 

We have four weeks left of the semester. This is a bewildering sentence to type. I expect them to be just as full as the the previous twelve, with the addition of summer planning thrown in the mix. Yes, we have two trips in the works alongside the normal summer shenanigans. 

We love where we are and what we are doing, so we cling and bumble along this wild life...and I will try to get the stories on this blog up to date. 

Shelved Story: Jaipur: Jal Mahal and A Surprise Park

There seems to be an odd practice in India where majestic, grand pieces of architecture are stuck in the middle of bodies of water. In searching for things to see in the country, I was astounded at how many of these places existed, yet the why was rarely stated. My suspicion is lore supersedes logic; an enraged god smashing a seed to create a water mass as retribution for a mortal snub is more dramatic and memorable than an aristocrat of the age ignoring nature's habits to build his castle so that it had the perfect mountain view. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the flood plain that floods once-a-century. 

While researching other things to do in the area, I stumbled across a textile museum on the north side of the city, and we decided to head in that direction. Prior to our India arrival, we were told that Uber (or something like it) was a common option. On this particular morning, we learned otherwise. Uber existed, but there were so few drivers and, those who drove, limited where they would actually go. We tried for nearly an hour to get a car to drive us the thirteen kilometers to the museum, but we quickly realized that it was not going to work. Instead, we decided to site-hop our way northward. During our walk, we held onto a slim hope that we could actually get to the museum, but felt whatever we were able to see would be sufficient. 

A driver finally accepted our request and dropped us off after only a mere nine kilometers north at the Jal Mahal. Upon our exit from the car, he warned us that getting a return car would be nearly futile so he would wait for ten minutes on the other side of the road in case we wanted to hire him directly. We said thanks, but knew that we had not spent an hour and a half wrangling with a rideshare app for only a ten-minute visit. 

Though, ten minutes later, we realized the driver was rather apt in his time estimate for there was not much to see or experience at the Jal Mahal. The waterlogged structure is close enough to shore for a few moments of awe, but far enough away that discerning architectural details is impossible. The shoreline park is quite scraggly, a place not oozing the sit-and-stay-a-while vibe. The winged wildlife of the area was the most entertaining. 

We saw turrets peeking over the tree canopy north of the lake, so we decided to walk in that direction to see what else might be in the area, including possible transportation options to get us the next four kilometers we wanted to trek.  

To our delight, the turrets were attached to Govind Dev Ji temple, a Hindu temple. Though our interest was very piqued, visitors were not allowed. However, as we walked around the outer wall, we discovered a secret garden on the backside that we were allowed to enter for a tiny fee. 

The Kanak Vrindavan Park was built around 275 years ago and was modeled on the holy city of Vrindavan. As we were learning in these early days, India sightseeing involves a lot of imagination for its grandeur, glory, and artistry are long faded. The structural bones remain, but the glitz and pizazz often depicted in tapestries and paintings are no longer present.

With a slight tilt of my head and scrunched brow, I could visualize the what-might-have-been appearance of the garden. Though only one row of fountains still gurgles and the wall alcoves are devoid of intricate art, there was a beauty in the simplicity of the grounds. 

We chatted with a few locals during our stroll, as they were shocked to see foreigners on the grounds. We were not surprised to learn that the garden is not on the tourist trail, so they were happy to see that we had found something different. The bonus to our garden find was a local textile seller who was happy to let me purchase a scarf and skirt from his wares. People were delighted to declare that he had not raised the prices for me. We exited the garden rather pleased with our find and ready to find a way to our next stop. 

Shelved Story: Jaipur: The Pink City

We woke to bluebird skies and sun on our first full day in Jaipur. We leisurely began our day by watching the city awaken from our rooftop breakfast perch. We were hesitant about the day to come, yet hopeful. The revelry was definitely over and the bustle of daily life seemed to have resumed. 

The state of Rajasthan has been an area I have wanted to visit. According to historical lore, it was once an area of fierce warriors, marvelous artisans, and great wealth, but it is considered one of the poorest today. Yet, against the odds of historical upheaval, a number of incredible architectural gems survive in the region - one being the pink city.  

The Hawa Mahal is probably the most iconic structure of the pink city, and it is where we headed first by hopping on the one metro line of the city. Finding the iconic facade was not a problem thanks to its size and the flow of numerous people heading in that direction. However, finding the ticket booth was the typical Asian hunt for the random doorway where a random person sat with a pile of tickets. We paid our fee (an eighth of Nepali sites!) and made our way into the palace. 

It quickly became apparent that this palace was an exquisite example of nook-and-cranny design. Granted it was designed so that the royal women of the day could gaze down upon the peasants without being seen themselves. Once a gilded cage, today it is a fascinating piece of architecture. 

We took our time weaving in and out of passageways, doing our best to avoid the insta-famous spots, which were obvious due to the hordes attempting to take the same picture in the same pose. We found a hidden gem and were enjoying its zen until a vlogger showed up. Zach and I joked that we were watching calm die in real time. 

The Hawa Mahal was the perfect place to meander and linger. It is not overwhelming in grandeur, but its details are where the beauty lies. Thus, we spent a lot of time standing still and gazing at architectural nuances. 

After a couple of hours, we decided to exit and make our way into the city. We had no planned trajectory, but wanted to experience the flow of the city and its day to day happenings.

Immediately upon exiting, we were swept into the market. It was interesting to see how the market was the chaos of China but the layout of Middle Eastern souks. It was between discussing teapots and sari designs that we procured our first street chai from a small stand. Indian chai is my favorite form of tea. 

The bustle of traffic, both human and motorized, truly did not faze us. It was the chaotic busyness of our every day, so we fell into its rhythm easily. This allowed us to sightsee with a bit of ease. However, I definitely understand how people easily and quickly become overwhelmed in these heavily populated countries. The mass of humanity is staggering.   

Our walk took us into neighborhoods still bedecked with the orange bunting and flags of the previous evening's frivolity. We strolled past a lot of cows and tractors.

 

We found the idol carving street. We stumbled across the local, local fabric street (where I did not buy one thing nor did I take one picture for I was completely spellbound by all the colors.)

 

We passed schools, bodegas, shrines, snack shops, and street peddlers. We even had a good laugh at the representation of Chinese food. 

We found ourselves strolling through a few of the city gates, which was a perfect backdrop to watch the myriad display of transportation options. 

As the sun set, we made our way back the metro and our little part of the city. We returned to the restaurant from the previous night, eager to have another round of Indian cuisine. As we toasted our chai teas, we celebrated how a sleep, a shower, and a new day could change an experience for the better.