Dali but no Lama

Today I arrived in Dali. A land of many people. The Erhai Lake welcomed me. The lake feeds the grass here so it grows very large indeed! Look! I felt like Honey I shrunk the Kids! The locals were a bit strange, and the hotel was a little "over the top" but all in all it made for a wonderful adventure. This city will be hard to forget, just like this local outfit I was talked into buying!

I feel like I've grown a little inside. Forced growth, but growth nonetheless. Traveling through the backside of China with no plan or map will do that. :-) But I can say with a straight face that I'm better for it. Cheers, Dali.

Leisure in Li Jiang

I feel like little Orphan Annie marching around my new adopted city's streets. I'm a total beach babe, but mountain towns have a relaxing feel too. I could get used to this. Fresh air. Friendly people and lots of adventure to be had. Started in the hotel. The dryer was outside. Woah! Rainstorm+Hairmergency=Suicide. Good to know you care 7DaysInn. I met three little Pixiu while i was shopping for a new jade piece. I don't have an old jade piece so i guess I'm just shopping. But I love this old animal - made to be lucky because it has one mouth and no a$$. That means that money goes in but it doesn't come out. Lucky indeed! Then I ran into that jolly waving guy again. He's so friendly. Always waving. So I helped him spread the joy. Yunnan is famous for its Snow Mountain neighbored by smaller snowless mountains. My dear pal Wish tricked me into climbing one mountains by horse. Then we had tea and went for a float with LiLu on Lashi Sea. It's a lake but they call it a sea. Next stop...Dali. Yunnan has been full of surprises so far. Let's see what's next!?

End of the World Tree Trimming!

Well, it's December 22nd here. Looks like I survived the apocalypse. So, I decided to wrap everything I bought during my end-of-the-world shopping spree yesterday and make myself happy for Christmas. Only Dear baby Jesus knows how depressed I'll be in January when that credit card bill arrives.

I was putting the last gift under the tree and I found Buddy trying to peek at the gifts. What a naughty elf he is!!

On the 5th day of Christmas....

....my true love gave to me...SHOPPING! I don't have a true love, no Ken Doll to hold me tight or whisper affections on a cold winter night. But when I shop I forget that I'm navigating this Doll-eat-Doll world alone. And Shopping mixed with the coming of our dear lord baby Jesus' birthday makes for a mega super high.

Scored a Christmas tree that was the perfect size for me. And picked up a few presents. I literally picked them up from the post office. My best friend mailed a Christmas parcel to keep me company in this strange land. Thank you Ike!!!

Next: How to hail a cab with a Christmas Tree? I hope the cabbies don't tree-scriminate. HaHa

Elf You A$$@&!*#!

There's nothing like the holidays to bring out the REST in people. Not the best. They give that up in February when they abandon their New Year's resolutions. The rest. Makes us remember who our loved ones really are. My loved one count is really low. (I'm sure you're not surprised because I have this blog. :-/ ) Anyway, I bought a new journal this week. The cover reads if you don't like something change it. Well that's exactly what I'm doing. I was tired of being low so I Elfed myslef (don't turn your nose up most single people do it! It's normal!) Totally picked my spirits up. And this is my favorite time of year.

Thanksgiving - For real. I'm giving it.

This year I'm thankful for my new apartment. I've been floating for about 90 days and now I have a place to call home. Well, not quite home, but its a safe place to rest my head. Ready for the grand tour?

I'm still unpacking so no judgment on my unfinished space. ;-) Had my shell bed shipped from home. I heard the beds in China were rock hard so I refused to be without soothing ocean sounds and soft pillow.

 
Check out my new Chaise Lounge. Courtesy of my dear friend Baby Billionaire. It's just what I needed to warm my new space.

And of course there is my new pet turtle. His name is Buddy. Like Buddy the Elf. Because he's my helper. Even though I had to help him get on the sofa. LOL.

Happy to be in a nice warm home of my own - Buddy is happy too. That's his happy face.

I'm learning that a Doll's life is rough all over the world. So I'm also thankful for my friends and family near and far that keep me sane. Thank you for your love.

Everyday is a foggy day... just about. #LifeInChongqingChina

Cha cha cha!

What a dance they do for this little hot drink. Pour, smile, stir, smile, water, smile. But tea houses were one of the best parts of Chendu. Tea and wine, but not together...yet!

Street Walkin'

Strolling around Chendu was no easy feat. Found a few friends to help me along the way. Some shoulders to stand on.

I thought every street in china would look the same but boy was I wrong. Most of them look western. Then there are the ancient streets. I love them! You can get fried duck wings, cotton candy and an ear cleaning all in the same place. Hen how!

Panda-monium

Well not quite. I was the noisy one. Oooooo and Ahhhh all the way through the park. What fun! First, I put on my safari hat because I knew I was going on an adventure to see wild bears....then I took it off because they just sat around chewing bamboo. The young ones were awake. The babies slept. The Red Panda didn't seem to be related to the Giant Panda, but they have the same last name so I guess they are cousins. I learned so much at the Research Base here in Chengdu and I hope they can continue the program for years to come. But by the looks of those computers they need an upgrade to take this into the next decade. ;-)