Blog #200!!!!  I never expected to get this far.  Some days, it’s really tough to try and make something interesting out of a boring day.  The longer we’re here, the more mundane it will become.  I’ll try to kick my life up a notch or two if it really begins to drag.

I’m determined to find a fan today.  Lilly is coming around 9:30, so I plan for an early swim, followed by lunch, and a trip to Sundan in Sanlitun for a fan.  I’ve bought lots of electronic items in the past at Sundan (our clothes dryer, etc.)  They’ve got everything!   WRONG!  They don’t have fans.  They tell me they’ll begin to arrive in a month.  I’m beginning to fear for Judy’s sanity if I can’t find a fan, soon.  We’ve got 80’s in the weather forecast for this week.

While I’m at Sanlitun, I noticed some kind of activity in the square.  There’s a big elaborate set-up for the new Captain America promotion.  There are signs touting an appearance by Chris Evans.  After a google search, I find out he’s the “stud” in the movie.  Not sure when it all happens, but there is definitely a crowd waiting for something.

One of the fans actually has a shield?

Check out the two cleaning staff hand polishing the stage on the far right.

I head into the Yashow Market next door, looking for a couple of items.   Judy has been discussing my lack of a decent “light” jacket”, and she needs a small computer rolling bag for airline travel.  I find several rows of luggage shops.  It seems I can buy any TUMI bag I want for around $24, and that’s before I start negotiating.  I put everyone off by telling them I’m not buying today, until my wife sees the bag.  This isn’t Walmart.  There are no returns.

I find the floor with all the men’s wear, looking for jackets.  I see a few that aren’t bad, stopping at a shop with lots of Polo and Armani jackets.  I’m trying to figure out what kind of price I can get.  She says 300rmb (divide by 6 for dollars).  I tell her I’m probably not buying today, and she forces me to quote a price (jamming the calculator in my hand).  I tell her 100rmb and I ‘ll buy today.  She whines and moans, and moves down to 150.  After 5 minutes of her whining and me trying to move away, we settle on 120 rmb, so I’ve got a new coat, after all.

Back home I head out to Metro and make my grocery run for the week.  This should get us through our Hong Kong trip next week.