There’s a first time for everything (part one)

Almost six full years in China and I have never missed a train. Run wildly through a train station? Yes. Sprint down a train platform to the last possible car carrying a twenty pound frozen turkey? Yes {that was a fun time…almost as fun as the numb bottom induced by sharing a small seat with said turkey on the subsequent train ride}. But arrive at the station just a bit too late? Nope, I have always made it just in time.

This past Friday, the ladies on the team had a full and enjoyable day in Shenyang. The day began with an uneventful and fast train ride {fyi…all pictures are from my little canon that has not been used in three years and so are not up to my usual photographic standards; carrying a large camera did not go well with my ambitious shopping goals}.

After breakfast at McDonald’s, considered by all to be quite the treat, we headed to one of my favorite spots in China. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it’s one of the few places that looks, smells, and tastes like “home.”

Maddie was quite happy to be along for the day, as you can clearly see.

After sipping on a cup of pure delight, Lauren and I commenced “Operation outfit Katherine for impending trip.” We shopped and we shopped and we shopped and we shopped, spending a ridiculous amount of time crammed into ridiculously small dressing rooms. Rachel and Kami started out with us, and then headed off to Ikea for their own adventure.

Mid-afternoon, Lauren and I decided we needed a little pick-me-up to get us through the rest of the shopping list, and so set out on a hunt for Dairy Queen. One hour, several phone calls, and countless rides up (and down) escalators later we finally located the impossibly hidden away haven of frozen treats. It did not disappoint.

Buoyed on, Lauren and I hit the stores again and managed to cross off almost everything from the list. I then packed Lauren away in a cab, as she was taking a train down to Beijing, and headed off to our favorite pizza joint to meet up with Kami and Rachel.

It was at the pizza joint that the perfect storm of delays began to brew. First, the girls were held up in Ikea longer than expected (although, since Ikea is like a wonderful black hole that sucks you in and refuses to let you go, I guess the delay should not have been that unexpected). Then, on their way to the restaurant, they got out of the taxi too early, necessitating a very long hike to the restaurant carrying very large, heavy bags full of the delights found at Ikea. Then Maddie needed to eat (I know, shame on a four month old baby for wanting to eat). Then Maddie had a…well, let’s just say an outfit change was quite necessary. These factors meant we were a bit later leaving the restaurant than intended. And then the traffic was HORRIBLE. Added to that unfortunate situation was the fact that we managed to pick the most cautious, easy-going taxi driver I’ve ever encountered in China. Seriously, it was like this guy was out for a Sunday drive with grandma, despite my pleas that he drive faster. About halfway to the station we realized we were not going to make our train, unless by some miracle it was delayed. About this time our driver finally got off his cellphone, and after more pleas for speed began to implement some of the time-saving maneuvers Chinese taxi drivers are famous for. Eyes glued on the clock, we geared ourselves up for a mad dash upon arrival at the station.

Story to be continued tomorrow, less because I want to pique your curiosity and more because this post is already too long. Come back for more, and don’t forget to for your favorite flag!