Campus Village - Day 3

Our neighborhood is called Campus Village, as it is adjacent to the Dalian American International School. It is kind of in the middle of nowhere - in a rural area. We are on the road from the city of Dalian to the resort beach (a 1 hour drive - we are about 45 minutes from downtown). In our neighborhood there are about 40 families, most in townhouses and condos. The teachers from the school live in the neighborhood too. Our neighborhood also has a medical clinic, a gym with workout equipment and ping pong tables, playground, restaurant, and administration offices. The best part is that it is so kid friendly - it's almost like when I was a kid growing up - kids just outside playing - multiple ages playing together, games unplanned, and just having fun!

Every Wednesday night at the restaurant is buffet night. We experienced our first buffet night a few days ago. It was great! Kind of like a casual dinner party for many families - adults sitting and talking, kids eating and switching seats, kids going outside to play when they are done. After dinner the kids played outside while Mike met and talked to many families (Debi went home - she was sick). Everyone here is so helpful! We definitely have the benefit of arriving later! People have learned how to do things and where to find things and we are learning from them!

Today we will be doing more shopping (we've been doing that a lot - trying to see where to find things). We will go to IKEA (and eat lunch there - yes they have the same meatballs), Decathalon (a sporting goods store to buy Kevin a bike) and Metro (grocery shopping). After that we will all be exhausted!! Shopping takes a lot more energy in China because you have to figure out what to buy - it's not just automatic anymore.

It's foggy here this morning, seems like beach weather....
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