Labor Day Weekend

It's a bummer that all you capitalists had to work on Friday; here in China we had the day off to commemorate...labor! 

This weekend really was wonderful. A run down:

Friday

- language learning practicum class

- fought the crowds and trekked over the bridge to the island

- went to our Turkish friends' place for dessert (great conversation!)

- watched Lord of the Rings

Saturday 

- studying, napping, laundry and cleaning

- Drew and Rachel went on a lunch date, Titus had a babysitter

- Rachel hung out with Russian girls at their dormitory (good time!)

Sunday

- talked with Mike, Jen & Paul

- completed our practicum about the city bus system

- discovered a lovely park and museum near our apartment

- Drew attempted to play ball with Chinese college students but went on the wrong bus and got lost

- taught the boy's class at fellowship

- had a refreshing walk back along the river

This is the park near our home -- a new discovery!

It's actually a restored home of one of Mao's colleagues from the 1920s. It was here that some of the earliest formative meetings were held for what would become the Chinese Communist Party. 

We want return for an afternoon of studying here. Free admission.

A painting: Mao leads his comrades. Karl Marx looks on from the wall.

The traditional-style home of Mao's colleague, and the meeting place.

  

This is the sandbar-like Orange Island in the middle of the River.

We dared to brave the mob of people swarming to this new park. Rumor had it that admission would cost 100 kuai on May 1st, but the mayor of Changsha declared that it must be free for all! The island is that line of trees you see in this picture.

From afar, the bridge looked as though covered with a highway of ants.

But the green grass was worth it.

Sincerely hope your weekend was wonderful too. 

Drew & Rachel