Tradition: Stuck in Elevator or Not.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday. Our China Family spent a weekend trying to hold true to our stateside family traditions. However, living in China makes for more of a challange but I think overall we prevailed. Friday we followed Tammy's family tradition of heading out to the bar for pre-turkey cocktails. Tammy is from a small town in Wisconson, her clan typically would all arrive a the day before the holiday so going to the local supper club/bar was the town reunion. All those folks that you haven't seen since the previous holidays - classmates, cousins, teachers and preachers all would meet at the tavern to exchange stories, show of the new boyfriends/girlfriends and babies.
Bill and I are very familiar with this story as his family has some of the same traditions. Plus also keep in mind that that this time of year is mid-hunting season and deer camp is going strong. Most of the men folk will only come out of the woods to head to the tavern. Go figure.

Our friday night begun with a meeting at the Sheraton downtown. There is a nice Irish Pub on the fourth floor called Danny's. Tammy is married to Chris, who though born Dutche, was raised in the UK and also lived in the US. He seems more British than anything so we have labeled him - Our Token Brit. Catherine joined us there, she is from Austrilia, single and hilarious. Catherine is also the GM at the Sheraton, nice to have friends with good connections. She knows the best tailors, hair stylest, etc. Bill and I meet up with these folks for cocktails and munchies. The band started at 9 and the next thing you know it is midnight, the band was fun, the drinks were tasty and it was time to go. Bill, Chris, Tammy and I wander into the elevator and head down the main floor. The door opens and slams closed. Holy shit, we are stuck in the elevator.....

I kid you not. We are stuck in the elevator. I am cannot breathe. Not due to clastraphobia but due to laughing so hard I think I am going to pee my pants. We hit the buttons, nothing. Emergancy button, nothing. Oh my God. I am stuck with three very intoxicated friends. Still laughing. We call Catherine remember it is great to have good connections. Catherines reponse - yeah, I get right on that. Several minutes later - still in the elevator. Call Catherine again, we are on it......at this point all four of us are sprawled on the floor coming up with one liners.

I don't know how long we were in there. Felt like forever, reality was more like 10-15 minutes. The door is pried open and there stand four Chinamen. I would have gave anything to know what was going through their mind as they open the door to four whitie's reclining on the elevator floor, all but singing drunk.

Catherine is working to get me the security tape of the elevator - great connections and not going to put this down as a NEW TRADITION!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

I know that I have been absent. I apologize.
Live is hectic at the moment.
No holiday rush for us this year.
China not big on the whole Christmas Consumer Trauma.
Celebrations are in the mix though, Nicole and Chris are getting married soon.
The plans are complete.
The bags are being packed and the excitment is starting to buzz around us.
So thank you for your patience.
I promise big tales to come but right now my focus is on our daughter and her day.

The photo that accompanies this is from a town called Xibi or is it Xidi.
I will figure that out later. The community is near the Yellow Mountains.
Bill, Derek and I spent the weekend in that area a couple weeks ago.
Day of hiking in the Yellow Mountains was amazing. I have photos to post.
My legs were killing me the next couple days but worth every stab of pain.
The second day was spent traveling to two small communities. The first was quaint but
not awe inspiring like Xibi. This is a pond filled with the largest koi I have ever seen.
The pond is in the middle of the town with small channels feeding in and out of the area.
Like a mini Venice. I will post more photos of the area. It was a delight and has really made
me eager to see what more secrets China holds to discover. Oh, the filmed Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon here.