Our house is just a walk away from Suzhou's famous Jinji Lake. One Sunday afternoon, we were so bored inside the house that i brought my kids for a walk. When they knew we would be coming over to the lake, they prepared themselves in a jiffy! My kids do not have a lot of time outdoors since they are just homeschooling.
Jinji Lake was all packed up with people as usual. I already noticed since then that Chinese Families love to go to parks for bonding. They may only have one kid but they really do find some quality time themselves. It is one of the qualities i like in them.
As we took our favorite spot (it is one of the benches near the lake where the kids can play roller skates while i closely watch by) i watched the view of the other side of the waters. I can clearly see the "Suzhou Eye" and the I-MAX building. What a nice afternoon to relax. The weather was just fine and the breeze was cool. It is really easy to please kids. Instead of eating in a restaurant, we just bought some chips( Lay's is usually what i buy since it is not that expensive and the kids like it) and ice teas for snacks. It was so funny to know that we are the only ones busy eating on the bench. Filipinos love moments like this. Picnics, shared food outdoors (oh, if only we have park like this in the Philippines) and chika-chikas (talking to friends) to close friends. The Chinese people rarely bring food at all, and if they do it would be veggies and fruits!
When the kids got tired on skating, we moved to the green grass. Since i forgot to bring the mat, we just sat there and watched the people enjoying their kites. The kites here are so awesome! (i am used to Filipino kites that we make ourselves). My second daughter Kaye (the most outgoing amongst us) tried to play with hers too. If only their papa was with us (gone to buy some electronic stuff at U-Town) then she could have enjoyed it a lot better.
This is just a typical afternoon with my kids in Suzhou. A little bit of running around, climbing up and down at the statues, playing kite and roller skates, picnic and photo shots. When it is near sundown, we walk back home ready to prepare dinner. Enough for the day, until the next. I like it here. Peaceful. Safe.
Marjorie A. Sabando
April 24, 2011
Jinji Lake was all packed up with people as usual. I already noticed since then that Chinese Families love to go to parks for bonding. They may only have one kid but they really do find some quality time themselves. It is one of the qualities i like in them.
As we took our favorite spot (it is one of the benches near the lake where the kids can play roller skates while i closely watch by) i watched the view of the other side of the waters. I can clearly see the "Suzhou Eye" and the I-MAX building. What a nice afternoon to relax. The weather was just fine and the breeze was cool. It is really easy to please kids. Instead of eating in a restaurant, we just bought some chips( Lay's is usually what i buy since it is not that expensive and the kids like it) and ice teas for snacks. It was so funny to know that we are the only ones busy eating on the bench. Filipinos love moments like this. Picnics, shared food outdoors (oh, if only we have park like this in the Philippines) and chika-chikas (talking to friends) to close friends. The Chinese people rarely bring food at all, and if they do it would be veggies and fruits!
When the kids got tired on skating, we moved to the green grass. Since i forgot to bring the mat, we just sat there and watched the people enjoying their kites. The kites here are so awesome! (i am used to Filipino kites that we make ourselves). My second daughter Kaye (the most outgoing amongst us) tried to play with hers too. If only their papa was with us (gone to buy some electronic stuff at U-Town) then she could have enjoyed it a lot better.
This is just a typical afternoon with my kids in Suzhou. A little bit of running around, climbing up and down at the statues, playing kite and roller skates, picnic and photo shots. When it is near sundown, we walk back home ready to prepare dinner. Enough for the day, until the next. I like it here. Peaceful. Safe.
Marjorie A. Sabando
April 24, 2011