Chelsea’s Visit

We first met our dear friend Chelsea in Cape Town, South Africa on the first day of our African overland trip in 2009. It didn’t take long for us to realize we were meant to be friends!

Somewhere in the foothills of the elusive Mt. Kilimanjaro (given all the fog we experienced, I’m still not sure the mountain really exists!)

Some post-night-out silliness in Swakopmund, Namibia… my favorite picture of Chels and I!

We had an absolute ball with Chelsea during our African adventures, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled when she told us she wanted to come and visit us in China! Hooray!!!

When Chels arrived it felt like no time had passed at all. Our days together were filled with fun and laughter. While we got out and did plenty of exploring, I have to say my favorite part of Chels’ visit were the times we’d just sit on the couch chatting away, editing photos… and eating dan chao fan (egg fried rice). Yum! I am so thankful we share such a strong friendship and can thoroughly enjoy quiet down time just as much as silly adventures! We had plenty of those as well =).

One of our first trips was to the South Bund Fabric Market. Unfortunately, neither of our tailors had our clothes ready (or even started!) when we came to pick them up, but at least we got our money back and had fun looking around!

Outside the fabric market is a great collection of food stalls. So far, these are the yummiest gyoza (dumplings) I’ve come across!

Chelsea is an incredible baker! She made countless scrumptious cookies while she was here (and I ate a LOT of them!)

White chocolate cranberry cookie goodness…

Our new oven!

We were thrilled Chelsea was able to join us for our school’s Christmas party. In the morning, a group of us went to the Dragonfly to take part in a little pre-party pampering. Afterward, Claire, Chelsea and I had our hair done at a salon. Note to self: don’t ever waste the money again! Upon seeing our helmetish/little house on the prairie updo’s it was immediately decided that we’d have to redo our hair ourselves. So, we picked up some champagne, headed home and went to work. The weather was incredibly cold that day- so chilly in fact, that Chelsea’s poor fingers looked like this…

So, I made her wear my mittens to help her warm up. Before long, our hair was in much better shape, and we were feeling much bubblier!

The party was held at the historic Peace Hotel on the Bund. It was a beautiful venue, and there was a lovely terrace we could walk out on to view the lunar eclipse that was occurring that night!

Thanks to Chels for these beautiful city shots!

The next morning we headed back to the Bund and Chelsea took our beautiful Christmas card picture- THANK YOU, Chels!!!

Proving here, that white girls can’t jump… at least not at the same time!

Yes, that’s cabbage on the wall behind us… ?

We made our way to Taikang Lu for a delicious Indian lunch!

That evening Chelsea baked even more incredible cookies!

Towards the end of Chels’ visit we joined our friend Kevin and his fiance, Heidi, at their favorite hot pot restaurant. I’m not sure if I can even describe this place- it was crazy! The staff were over-the-top attentive and friendly. Kevin and Heidi ordered dumplings from their favorite dumpling shop and brought them along to cook in the hot pot. Everything was absolutely delicious and wildly entertaining!

We stuck to more basic menu items, but there were plenty of crazy options available…

Making up our delectable dipping sauces… yum!

Once the hot pot is boiling you drop in the meats, vegetables, and noodles you’ve ordered and wait for them to cook up. Then you pull them out with your chopsticks and enjoy!