Taxi question and other thoughts

Day 5 has been a fun, fun day. We made a couple of trips in a taxi and I made a discovery. What do you think is the first thing to wear out on an Asian taxi? Nope, not the breaks, they don't use them all that much. No, it's not the signal lights--for the same reason. Not the engine either, even though they do use their engines a lot. Give up? It's the..................horn. Yep, the horn is the most used item on an Asian taxi. Tonight I counted 15 hpm (honks per minute for the non-initiated Asian rider). Training for an Asian taxi drive consists of, well, actually  nothing. I think the taxi companies spend a lot of time at the bumper car places and pick the person who was bumped the least. Riding in an Asian taxi is very similar to being a passenger in a bumper car.

      Today Judy, Brigitte and I took the girls to a local amusement park while Kevin worked. We all had a good time. I absolutely loved watching the girls explore the rides.  Grace has become a thill-seeker and just loves the roller coaster. Granna was such a good sport and enjoyed the ride as well. Everything is much more fun when experienced with a 5-year old. "Go Granna!"

Of course, when you're only 2 you have to settle for a less wild ride. Trinity  wanted the big horse. Granna's get to ride for free. "Go Granna!"

And what is a trip to an amusement park without ice cream. Trinity is showing the typical Asian stance. My knees just won't cooperate when I attempt this stance.

Tonight Brigitte and I had a daughter/dad night and went to the local Old Town. We observed the epitome of Chinglish in this sign. See if you can figure out what the sign is attempting to say.

My interpretaion is "Stupid American--keep off the grass!"

In keeping with the weird theme I've got going at the moment, I want to let you in on a secret I discovered. Elvis is alive and well and living in Asia. Here's proof:

What this guy lacked in talent he more than overcompensated for with volumn and reverb in his speakers. (My ears stopped bleeding about a half-hour ago.)

I would be remiss if I left out a decent picture of Old Town. It is beautiful with gorgeous water gardens. I shot this while on a small bridge spanning the stream that flows throughout the area.

This is a beautiful part of the world. While I often claim to have left my farm-boy roots behind, I really haven't. My attention is continually drawn to the beautiful plants and the growing gardens here. Maybe tomorrow I can get a few shots of the gardens they grow along the side of the streets. Any place--and I really do mean ANY place there's a square foot of ground available--they use it to grow food. Got to love their use of the land. They'll use the space until someone "paves paradise and puts in a parking lot."
     It's been a great day here in Asia. The granddaughters have warmed the cockles of my heart repeatedly today. At this moment they've had their baths and snacks, have said their prayers and had their Bible story, sang their songs and are tucked in--hopefully--for the night. Good evening from the other side of the world.