I guess I should put upthe post about Baiyun mountain and the dinner and the foot massage too now that I have a little time to do this. Ling Ling sleeps a little late and I have been getting up early for the past several days. She is still sleeping now.
We made arrangements to meet Irishman and Sunny for the first time a couple days ago and spend the day together climbing Baiyun mountain. We also agreed to have dinner together afterwords.
We met up with Irishman and Sunny at the metro station near my hotel here. After all our introductions were made we headed off to the park for our walk. When we parked I thought that we would not be too long for our walk because it did not look that long. What a mistake that was. I was amazed at how far we had walked when we reached a viewing point and I saw a bridge we had parked near. It looked like it was 10 km away from where we were. I thint we were only about 1/3 of the way we walked too. I liked the scenic views and the company and conversation was good too. We got to know Murdock and Sunny quite well as we walked and talked throughout our hike up the mountain. I think we have made the beginning of a good friendship.
We reached a place where there was a gold statue and a tree with loads of red ribbons hanging from it. It was a type of wishing tree I cannot remember what it was called. Murdock, maybe you can help me out with remembering. Anyways, you write down your wish for the year on this red ribbon and then throw it into the tree. It is supposed to be renewed every year too. Ling Ling and I wrote down our wishes on the ribbon and I threw it into the tree. I got it to stay up on the first try too. (I have not had any explination on what happens if it falls out before the year is done or if your throw noes not stay in the tree the first time...
We trekked on a little further to another area where there is several posts in the ground with chains attached to it. Apparently couples that are in love put a lock on this chain and leave it. I think it is supposed to symbolize a couples locked hearts together or something like that. As I did not have a lock with me we could not do this. *note to anybody else coming here, bring an old lock with you if you want to do this.*
We soon decided to turn back and head back down the mountain after taking in the views and taking some photos. On the walk down we also made plans for having dinner together. There was also talk about getting a foot massage. This sounded good as my feet were feeling a little tired and I had a sore toe that was bothering me for the past couple months.
When we got back to the car we headed off to the dumpling restaurant. We ordered several dishes, and a couple beers my first since New York airport, and had an enjoyable time eating. I must admit I am not too adventerous an eater and I do not eat a lot at meals but I think I tried everything at the table. I really liked the dumplings! And the beer was good too.
With our appetites supressed for the moment we headed off to the massage parlor. I have never had any type of massage before so this was my first. We arrived there and we told the lady at the counter what we wanted and we were escorted up the stairs to a room with 4 nicely padded reclining chairs. The buckets were filled with some slightly hotter than I like water and our feet placed into them. While we were sitting there relaxing there Ling Ling, the attentive woman that she is to me, told the girl doing my feet that my toe had been bothering me. Truthfully speaking the pain from my toe was almost unbearable to walk on by the end of our hike. In walked the attendant with his light and instruments. He looks at it and says that he can fix it but it may hurt and it may bleed. Irishman and I talk about this and during this time he packs up and leaves the room but I decided to go ahead and give it a try I was a little aprehensive about what he may be doing. He returns and proceeds to do what ever he wanted to do. It did not bleed or hurt too much, thankfully, and he packed up his stuff and left the room. We had our foot massage finished up and left the place and took Sunny and Irishman to the metro station so they could return home. The next day I noticed that my toe no longer bothered me. I and my feet were very happy!
I think all in all we had a very good first meeting with Sunny and Irishman. I was a little worried about what the women would be like with eachother but Ling Ling told me she liked Sunny and Irishman very much. We both think they are very nice fun people to be with.
I have not said too much about my thoughts and feelings for Ling Ling but I am constantly amazed at the care and attention I am receiving from this woman. I find myself feeling more and more love for this woman as we spend more days together. I am at a loss for the best words to try to explain how she makes me feel. All I can say is that she is perfect for me! I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Feeling her love for me and hopefully giving her and showing her the same love back. The happiness and calmness I have in my heart now is all due to her. I hope that I give her the same feelings back.
Dave C
