views from the other side

In front of an old style house preserved in a village, with red peppers drying on the porch.
A childrens' performance (at a kindergarten) that was amazing.

The Park

Colin came back to Yanji for the weekend and we got to visit the newly renovated park.  They actually have flowers there and it's a pretty nice place to walk around.  In one spot they had kids running like little hamsters inside these plastic inflatable things. It looked pretty fun!  And we were surprised to see a poster that we assume is about global warming.  Since I don't read much Chinese, I can't translate it - maybe someone who comes across this blog can?

I get to join Colin in a country that I've never been to tomorrow!  I'm both excited and a little nervous.  I'm going on a tour to the area where he's working and I'll get to see other companies and things that are scheduled on the tour.  I'll be back in touch next week!

Apartment Gardening

I love how people who have spare dirt in front of their apartments will just use it for a tiny garden.  (I have a new appreciation for it now that we are gardeners.)
There's no connection between that and the trash collecting carts at an intersection.

Door to Nowhere / Walk to Nowhere

I'm not sure what the plan was for this door.  I wonder if it opens from the inside?

The other pic (I'm not sure how these are posting with the words since I'm posting by email) is of the exercise and playground equipment in front of the apartment we're staying at.  They have these walking machines that are like the non electric versions of treadmills, but I think it's doubtful that they actually provide exercise.

Clean Campaign

These recycle and trash cans are common to see around the city now.  It's a big improvement over the last time I was here when there were never any trash cans to be found.  These don't seem to be reducing the amount of trash on the streets yet, but I guess that is a learned process.  I love the English translation of why the recycle cans are there. 

Drying Peppers

These peppers are drying in the window of a pharmacy.  Everywhere we go people have vegetables laying out to dry.

Two views from my window

It amazes me what these little tiny "cars" can carry - this one, a sign that's at least three times as long as the car itself.

I'm staying with a family who lives in an apartment overlooking the river, on the 18th floor!  Sometimes in the morning the fog/smog is so thick we can't see the other side.