Shopping in Dalian!!

So first things first, we had another training session yesterday where Shani actually took some jumps from a short approach.  She has been feeling pretty good, despite all of the travel and time zone changes so she's actually a day ahead of where I thought she would be so that has been really nice.  The session started off a little rusty but ended really well.  We didn't take too many jumps yesterday because it was her first jumping session in a while due to processing and travel but we have a few more scheduled before the 15th.  

After we got back to the resort we had time to grab some lunch and then we were off to a shopping excursion in town.  They try to set stuff up like this sporadically throughout the week so that people don't get too stir crazy here.  There was about 30 of us that went into town.  We have had police escorts everywhere we have gone, so it was a bit of a scene when we rolled into downtown Dalian at a huge shopping complex and 30 huge and fit people who look nothing like the rest of China walked off of a bus!

 

So they usher us into this huge department store and we all look at each other like, did they really just bring us down here to shop at Dillard's?  The entire group started making our way to thee exit to go walk the streets when the security guards stop us and tell us that we have to stay in the building.  We've been trapped by our guards and are stuck in my version of hell.  As you walk past every vendor there are three or four people that yell hello to you and bow.  As you get on and off of the escalator, there is someone there congratulating you for getting on and off. Don't believe me?  Check it out (pardon the finger, I was trying to be sneaky).  PS, I'm not sure if these are working, but I hope so:

 

So after wandering for about an hour I start to realize that I haven't seen many of the others lately.  I start to make my way to the exit and realize that they have finally let us out.  Apparently some phone calls had to be made to the Department of State and the guards finally acquiesced.  I did a little exploring and saw some rather interesting things.  Octopus on a stick and some other tasty treats:

I passed on these.  I also made my way down a narrow alley and saw people on the street selling hundreds of dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, and a few other animals.  I don't want to know what they were selling them for, but the dogs were adorable.  

Finally we made our way back to the complex and grabbed some dinner.  Batman and Sanya wanted a rematch in ping pong with me and Sharifa so we proceeded to destroy them.  Apparently they had even been practicing during the day.  Clyde Hart watched nervously as he didn't want Sanya to pull anything.  After that I played Wallace Spearman's dad, Wallace Sr., and we had a heated match.  Fortunately I came out the victor.  

We have another practice session this morning and then probably a chill rest of the day.  They are saying that we are going to get a huge storm on the 8th, the day of the Opening Ceremonies, so I hope that isn't the case.  That is all for now.  Take care!!