I forgot about yesterday

Yesterday, we took a boat ride on the Grand Canal-- the oldest and longest canal system in the world. Houses were built right up on the canal, and it was sort of gross to see that, within 500 yards, someone was peeing directly into the water, someone else was washing dishes, someone else catching fish. 

 

We took the boat to traditional local market in Suzhou, and our tour guide offered to let us walk around for a half-hour on our own.  Everyone was panicked and wanted nothing to do with it!  The sights and sounds were a little overwhelming, and it makes you really think about the daily conveniences we enjoy. 

 

And one thing I forgot to mention yesterday. Since we had to be up at 4am to catch our flight from Beijing to Shanghai, we had a moment in honor of Clint: Second breakfast.  I think that man may be on to something.  Even though second breakfast was airline food, it was quite possibly one of the best meals I've had in nearly a week.