Sweatin' and Splashin'

It's a toss up.  We've been to Rio de Janeiro in January and Guangzhou in August.  It's hot and humid in both places, but I think Rio might have a slight edge in the hot and humid category.  I'm glad we got the word that we should pack like we're going to the equator.  We packed wickaway shirts, but there's nowhere to wick it to.  Those in the travel group who were interested went to a park across the street from the hotel this morning.  Normally we live in fear of the words "across the street" in China, but right in front of our hotel are underground walkways so we only have to fear crossing the front drive at the hotel.  Don't get in anyone's way because this ain't California, baby.  Nobody cares if they're about to find you on the hood of their car.  The park was packed (redundant, I know), with people playing badminton anywhere they could find space or ping pong on the permanent concrete ping pong tables, doing tai chi, playing hackysack, etc.  Something for everyone.  There is a little area of amusement park rides so we gave that a shot.  It started out with Baba buying tokens to ride on the animal thing you see in the picture.  Da Qing wanted nothing to do with it, so our guide gave her a nudge in Mandarin, and she obliged.  After that she wanted to ride that and that and that.  She had to be enjoying herself, but she kept the smile on low.  It's difficult for her to be out in public, but she is hanging in there.  Someday she'll have a blast at Disneyland.

This afternoon many of the families were in the pool enjoying themselves, and we watched from the sideline.  Some were trying to interest her by tossing a balls to her from the pool, and she would throw them back and then retreat.  During a brief rainshower, I took her back upstairs to see if she might have an interest in donning the suit, but there's no way to explain to her that she doesn't have to go in the water if she doesn't want to.  No interest in the pool.  I got in the pool.  Nothing.  Tom was busy signing papers while all this was going on, and when we went to check on him I asked the guide to talk to her about swimming.  Baby step.  The guide came up to our room with us, gave her a nudge in Mandarin, and she put the suit on.  We went back down to the pool, but by now all the families in the group were gone, and there were too many others staring to get too close, a subtle response from her, but we are aware of it.  So the next best thing was the dip your feet in as you walk out to the pool pool.  I know, I know, it sounds disgusting, but it really wasn't as bad as your prior experience is making you recall, and it was a start.  It was like splashing in a puddle, and I think it might be the miracle that's going to get her in or closer to the pool tomorrow.  Tonight she took a bath in her suit with the goggles on (wish I could show you the pictures because they are adorable, but no tub shots on the internet for us) and she was trying to swim in the tub.  The three of us kept saying you yong (like yo yong) which means swimming.  Mingtian you yong (tomorrow swimming).  She seems to be bitten by the bug.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.