My plan for today is to put together some ideas and do the legwork for Judy’s upcoming birthday. After my usual morning of swimming, etc., I headed over to the train. I traveled to Tim’s Texas BBQ, where we’ve decided to eat lunch on Sunday with some of Judy’s friends from BISS. I wanted to make sure they’re open Sunday, and make a reservation if I can. I used the visit as an excuse to get a really good chicken burrito for lunch. I visited with the manager and made a reservation for a large table for Sunday.
After lunch, I headed back to the train and rode to the Liangmajiao Station, so I could walk to the South German Bakery. I saw some nice cakes when I was there on Tuesday, and wanted to order one for Sunday’s lunch. As I’m walking to the bakery, I noticed the roads I planned on using to walk to the flower market were all blocked with police tape. The police and military were blocking all vehicle and foot traffic. This area is near several embassies, and my curiosity is piqued about what’s going on.
After ordering the cake, I took a taxi to the flower market. I wasn’t interested in walking the long detour around the closed roads to get through. The driver kept trying each possible route, but they were all blocked, and he kept muttering about it. After a long detour, I arrived at the flower market. I walked in and began looking for something to liven up Judy’s classroom. After my purchase, I walked out and got a taxi. I tried to tell the driver to make a U-turn, but he wasn’t hearing. We ended up making a long detour with lots of traffic (and lots of driver grumbling).
Back at the apartment, I picked up a vase for the flowers, and went back out. I grabbed a taxi and went to BISS, planning to put the flowers in Judy’s room so she and her students could enjoy them on Friday. I got lucky and she was in another part of the school, so I snuck in, left the flowers, and went back out, undetected. School was out, so no one noticed me. I taxied back home and began putting together some supper. Sure enough, she was pleasantly surprised so “mission achieved”.
My flowers, and chips and salsa from Shannon.