Timing is key

So ... recall my previous vacation. That's right - the one where we ran into the tail end of Hurricane Rita.

And now... it's been raining all day...because we ran into the tail end of a typhoon. And we were on and off boats all day - a lake cruise, a canal cruise. Water water everywhere, quite.

Otherwise the trip has been really good. I enjoyed Xi'an quite a bit even if it was brutally hot. The other cities we've been since then have been sort of meh but still scenic all things considered.

The other people on the tour are pretty cool. We're starting to learn how to circle the wagons in time to avoid the high pressure sales pitches at all the showrooms the tour guides take us to see "all the cultural treasures of China." This hasn't stopped us from buying herbal medicine, silk coverlets, tea sets, etc, etc... but at least we can kid each other about it.

Though ten of them are from Edmonton. I guess things would have got ugly were the Flames still playing. I'll just have to make like the 1980s and gnaw my liver in envy instead. And check the magic interweb spastically.