The Sniglar and The Slummer

Many people have asked how you get a crib, mattress, and chair home when you don't have a car. And you're traveling to another city to buy them.

Well first, you take a taxi to the train station, take the train to a city about an hour away with an IKEA, and then take the subway and a taxi to IKEA.

Once there, you spend about 4 hours at IKEA including a half hour nap on one of the couches (hey, I'm pregnant and was tired!).

You buy your stuff, tie it all together with the red twine, load it all into the back of a taxi, go to the train station, haul everything up and down stairs while you figure out where your train is leaving from and the string is cutting off the circulation in your fingers, and take the train home.

Then there's another taxi ride to your apartment and a short walk to the door.

By then you decide to hoist the crib and mattress on your back and are really really thankful for an elevator.

Visitors from the West

Cheryl and Shana (Andrea's mom and youngest sister) came to visit. Here are some highlights.

Buying juice (?) at the store

Getting their nails done from a friend

Visiting parks and gardens

Making dumplings or wantons

Mom's skills at the exercise garden

Scavenging for food at hot pot

Taking the subway

Hot, sweaty, and tired

The Codfish

Everyday sights like small bikes carrying a lot of stuff

We did a lot of just experiencing life in hot 100 degree August weather along with some tourist sites. And a lot of shopping. They were flexible as things kept changing and helpful as all I wanted to do was lie on the couch. It was so fun, and we miss them a lot!