Suzhou boasts well over a hundred gardens. Some are said to be among 
the most beautiful and history-filled gardens in the world. I've lived here for over two years and have been to one. ONE! As with the Beiji
ng trip, I took advantage of the fact my parents were here to play tourist with them and visit one of the more popular gardens.
the most beautiful and history-filled gardens in the world. I've lived here for over two years and have been to one. ONE! As with the Beiji
ng trip, I took advantage of the fact my parents were here to play tourist with them and visit one of the more popular gardens.The girls also talked me into letting them each take a day from school to spend with Mimi and Papa. Katie snagged the first day. At first, she wasn't that enthused about going to a garden, but since she was able to choose the locatio
n for lunch and the promise of souvenir shopping, she perked up a bit.
n for lunch and the promise of souvenir shopping, she perked up a bit.The Humble Administrator's Garden was built in 1513 and is the largest of the Suzhou gardens. Wang Xiancheng, an Imperial Envoy and poet of the Ming Dynasty, had it built as his retirement home. After only a few minutes, we renamed it the Not-So-Humble Administrator's Garden, with its 48 different buildings, some for his lady-friends, others for contemplation and meditation. The grounds were spectacular and every turn presented a picture-perfect moment.
We spent over two hours leisurely strolling through the pavilions, stoned paths and covered walkways. There were plenty of people, but we never felt crowded or rushed...well, maybe a little as Katie 
moved us along towards the end of the second hour. On the way in, we'd passed plenty of little shops and she was more anxious to explore those than the ancient history of Ming Dynasty.
moved us along towards the end of the second hour. On the way in, we'd passed plenty of little shops and she was more anxious to explore those than the ancient history of Ming Dynasty.
Sure enough, as soon as we'd exited the tranquilty of the garden, we were bombarded with the tourist-trap vendors. Katie spotted a silk purse she had to have. She negotiated down to 10RMB. Frankly, I wish I'd picked up one or two for that price as it's really quite cute.
Since Katie'd decided we'd had enough Chinese culture for one day, we went to TGIF for lunch and then back home for a game of cribbage.
"Not a bad way to spend the day from school", I reasoned since she did have a bit of a home-schooled history, finance and numeracy lesson.
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