Friday, November 04, 2011

To the Capital and Back Again

Every now and then we make a trip to the Big Chicken's capital.
Sometimes it's for mere sanity. A big, fat, juicy cheeseburger can really do a lot for your emotional state!

Sometimes it's for furniture shopping at IKEA.

But this time it was for shots. Immunizations. Vaccinations. Whatever word floats your boat.
We threw in some time for cheeseburgers, subway sandwiches, shopping, and wayyyyy too many hours wandering the maze of IKEA...but the purpose of the trip was for Caleb to get up to date vaccinations, and flu shots for the rest of us.

We usually take the train up to the Capital, which can be an adventure in and of itself. This time around, it was thankfully without many stories to tell.
Photobucket

Blog reader, meet Chiner's countryside:
Photobucket

Vast stretches of farmland cover the land between our city and the Capital.

Now, blog reader, meet the exact opposite:
Photobucket

That was our view from our hotel down to the old train station on one of the most muggy/smoggy days I've seen since being here. The day before was gorgeous...which is a rarity around here. So don't let the picture completely fool you. Occasionally, it's a pretty place to live! But yeah, the crowds are the same, regardless of weather. :)

On the agenda was to visit the frighteningly crowded Silk Market to get the kids some new shoes and snow suits for bundling up during bike rides. Salem happened to be sleeping in the stroller during the purchasing of his snow suit. So for his sake (and our own) we didn't wake him up to try it on before buying.
oooops....
Photobucket

Oh well...at least it'll fit him next year, right?
He kept calling himself a fireman.
Photobucket

Eden's fits...though it may not fit next year.
Photobucket

And after our arms were all sore, our bellies were all happy, and new shoes had been bought...we got back on the train and came home. Have I mentioned that this train goes 191 mph? Oh yeah. I forgot that part. It makes a 5 hour car ride turn into a 1.5 hour train ride.
Photobucket

We had almost an entire train car to ourselves on the way home...
Photobucket

That kind of space in this part of the world is a rarity. We took full advantage of it.
Even giving mini-man his own space to stretch out.
Photobucket

All in all...another successful trip to the Capital and back again.

4 comments:

Anthony and Sharon said...

1. Thanks for another picture that included a Caleb dimple(s?).
2. The chinese countryside picture did way a lot for me. I picture it like the smoggy picture. I like pasture pictures.
3. If Immanuelle falls for Salem, it won't be a surprise. You guys should do Halloween again this week and let Salem go as a fireman.
4. You look hip and cool in the train pic. 2 things I am rarely...which is why I use words like hip and cool.
5. I don't envy you for one second having to buy outfits that have "snow" in the name.
6. 191 mph? Daaaang.

The Reeds said...

He's so big! Love that dimple (and the 190mph!). Hope he's sleeping better!

Rachel said...

You DO look hip and cool!! People like you make me want to explore the world of wearing hats...but I'm just not cool enough to pull it off.

I love the taste of your world that you give through pictures. fascinating stuff. More pics, please!!

jess said...

Look at you all trendy and holding your cute boys :)