Suzhou, New And Old

I came home to fresh cut grass the other day.

In case you were wondering, it smells just as amazing here as it does in the states.

I love how that smell lifts memories of summer out of the past and into the present, out of North America and into Asia.

I was also walking along and passed a home where there was a lot of renovation going on, I immediately recognized the smell of a red spray glue that is used to apply laminate to a base wood. Another rush of summer memories spent with Dad at the shop.
It's crazy how we instantly know these smells even if it's been ten years since we've smelled them. 

I've also discovered "my part of town." It's in old town and it's called the Ping Jiang district. It's a historic district along one of the canals, featuring a pretty sweet cobblestone road and cafes, gelato shops, silk stores, and plenty of adorable little boutiques with some clothing and little trinkets.
There were even a few foreigners, so I felt a little at home.
Eventually I wandered into some of the slums where the staring ensued and foreigners disappeared. I walked along, watching a day in summer life go by in the slums. Lots of sitting or washing, maybe even peeling beans. I felt like I was in a village each time I saw a guy walk by with a wooden cart behind him or carrying a long tube for whatever balanced on his shoulder.
A village, right in the middle of a major metropolitan city. That's the weird thing about Suzhou, the old and historic is the center, with the new sky scrapers towering around.

I stumbled back into Ping Jiang and roamed into the Momi-Cafe. My new hang out. It's a coffee shop that blessed me with the best caramel frappe I've ever had in my life and amazing cheesecake. The walls are lined with quirky postcards to buy, trinkets, and journals. And every table features a cup full of colored pencils.
I love it there.
It feels as if I'm back at home and in mid-town Memphis.
From there I walked for a while until I was back in modern Suzhou. Modern Suzhou, where the people play with their kids in public fountains or set up cones to rollerblade through the plazas in front of corporate buildings or throw a dance party in the park.

Great spot for my nap

When I arrived at the last subway stop before the lake (essentially where I was headed to), I was shocked to see everyone glued to an outdoor television. Normally, this television is essentially an ad screen, but tonight, it was turned to the Olympic channel. And I laughed as I realized they were all intently watching Olympic Ping Pong.
Yep, Ping Pong.
So, I finished my day and fell asleep exhausted.

Fishing on the canal

When I got up to enjoy another day off, I headed to old town again, but this time, in the opposite direction toward Panmen Canal area. Essentially, lots of gorgeous walkways through a canal-side park. I even stopped to talk a 30 minute nap as I listened to waves crash against the canal wall each time a boat passed by. Lots of fisherman and old boats.
On my way back to the subway, I stopped in to have an awesome blackberry soda float at McDonald's (hey I may miss out on a lot, but at least I gain a sweet float) and then a tour through a small garden, one of many listed on the World Heritage gardens in Suzhou.
I headed out right before they closed with enough time to watch 5:00 traffic creep by as I walked along. On the subway, I lost a dear friend.

My poor Sanuks have seen many countries and crazy events, from Bonnaroo to France to California and the Grand Canyon, but it looks like they won't make it home to Memphis this time. I appreciate your condolences. They will be missed.
Grace and I have been dying for Mexican, so we celebrated getting paid (we only get paid once a month) at Casa Zoe. The food was great, but the only reason I had been wanting mexican was for some queso. Alas, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and nachos, even a little salsa, but no cheese dip.
I know, it's a crime.
We finished with enough time for her to go with me to get a hair cut. Since she speaks Chinese I really needed her help so they didn't chop all my hair off.

Mexican on a "Coffee Time"  plate

The funny thing about getting a hair cut in China is that you pay according to skill. If you want the front line person, you only pay 50 RMB ($8 USD), the middle person is 108 RMB ($15) and the manager is 168 ($25). For someone who pays about $50 for a haircut in the states, I was pretty ecstatic and decide to stay in the middle. The guy did an awesome job and was very nice. He even thought my torn shoes were "cool," believing the giant hole to be part of the design.
Ha.