This morning we traveled across Hangzhou to tour a silk factory. It was an interesting tour. I have always wanted to see how silk was made. We didn’t get to see the weaving, but we did get to see how the thread was made and how the double cocoons are made into the silk comforters.

It takes 40 double cocoons to make one layer for the comforter and then it takes 150 layers to make a double size comforter. I got to help pull one of the layers out over the comforter. It was amazing to feel the strength, yet softness, of the silk fibers. Of course we then purchased a silk comforter and cover! I was also able to purchase some fabric which we can have made into clothing in Guangzhou. In the silk store today we figured out why Yong didn’t like going into the stores in downtown Hangzhou. He is scared of the mannequins. As long as he is in my arms and I bury his face in my shoulder he is able to go by them.

After the tour we went to a DVD store and got two, yes two, ‘Tension babas’ (Teletubbies) DVDs for our trip on the airplane. It was a challenge to only get two because Yong was hugging every Teletubbies DVD he could find to his chest. We also got Jen a ‘Land Before Time’ DVD.

When we got back we had a noodle lunch in our room. There are so many kinds of instant noodles here and they are all very tasty. I also have a new favorite flavor of yogurt, aloe-kiwi. It has a very mild flavor, with chunks of aloe and kiwi in it. Yong likes it too, except for the chunks which he manages to spit out very deftly. The deli here has many kinds of great breads and rolls for about 10 rmb (a little over $1) that completes our lunch.

This afternoon while Yong was asleep and Jen was watching a video we heard some bumping and pounding outside our room. I joked that we might find a body on our patio. Then there was a big crash and we joked that a person might come through the ceiling of our room. About 10 minutes later there was knocking at our door and two of the hotel employees came rushing in asking if everything was OK. They headed out to the patio off our room to look outside. They came back in with one talking on a cell phone, apologized for the disturbance and left. We went out to see what they were looking at. The glass on the patio cover of the patio on the floor below us was shattered.

We still aren’t exactly sure what happened, but people have been taking down the glass and sweeping up glass on the patio below. There has been a small amount of noise from above, but not like earlier. Paul says that we are not curious enough. I was just thinking how grateful I was that nothing came into our room.

Tonight Eva brought in pizza. It was a nice change. Going out to dinner with two children who are picky eaters and restless can get old.

We are amazed at the progress Yong has made. He is happy most of the time and we can understand most of his needs before he ends up in a tantrum. He doesn’t like naps and likes to be out of the room (a big difference from the first day). He loves baths and can hold his own with Jen. He gave us our first kisses today!

Tomorrow morning we leave for Guangzhou. We are now more than halfway home!!