Another busy day

This morning we hired the same driver, Lily, who drove us to Old Town and other destinations Monday. Today we crossed the river to reach the Pudong District. First we rode a speedy elevator of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the tallest tower in Asia. They weren't selling tickets today to the very top, but 870 feet up was good enough for us. It was so hazy that any higher wouldn't have mattered.

We braved traffic and walked across a busy intersection to reach Super Brand Mall, where we ate Thai food and shopped at Toys R Us. Sydney is going to have a great time with her Winnie the Pooh riding toy, yellow bouncy ball, bubbles and other assorted toys.

Yesterday's adventures included a stroll through People's Park and a tour of the Shanghai Museum. The special exhibit was "Art in America," organized by the Guggenheim and ordered chronologically. It was interesting to see 300 years of art condensed for a foreign audience. I recognized most of the pieces, including a Russell and Remington from the Amon Carter. Permanent exhibits included Chinese calligraphy, furniture and ceramics -- very beautiful.

We also hit Ikea again last night. You forget how much work it is to put together a household from scratch -- wastebaskets, shower curtains and rings, spatulas, clocks, rugs, etc. The apartment is furnished, but with just basics, and Jackie's boxes don't arrive from the U.S. for weeks.

There's just one more day for me to help get everything in order before I head home. I love being here, but I'm also homesick and ready to reunited with my sweet family, which now includes a 2-year-old! Katie's birthday was Wednesday, and Steve, Cooper, Jim & Betty celebrated Wednesday night. She'll get another party when I get home.