I can't believe I'm saying this but all my samples are done! I truly thought I was cutting this trip too short only being 7 days to the normal 11-12 days. "More preparation ahead of time DOES pay off." say I, the master of PROCRASTINATION! lol.
So, with a few hours to spare I headed off for shopping in one of China's largest cities, Shenzhen. Above is a street vendor skillfully making these ambered candied animials. He was selling them for 5RMB=about $.80 or so!
Another street vendor selling mini fish in heart bags.
I've been drinking instant coffeee this whole time and was beside myself with glee seeing Starbucks! They even served it in mugs. Why don't they do this in the US?
I spent most my time in bookstores and office supply stores searching for little goodies to use in art projects.
Something I've been trying to work on is looking for patterns and design in everything and taking pictures so I can remember to apply them later. Just something you may want to try if you aren't already. It's kind of like a scavenger hunt!
Shenzhen from up high in a building.
I'm happy to say that I'm heading off to the airport and returning home! I can't wait to hug and kiss my family, go running and cycling with my friends, prepare for the holidays, go to church, drink real coffee, breath fresh air and prepare for my studio sale!
Thank you my friends for partaking in the journey once again. For helping me through the lonesome times with your emails and comments!
I have had quite a bit of trouble with my outgoing mail and I've been getting a lot of "notices" I don't understand. So, if you have commented and never got a response from me I'm really sorry it may have gotten lost in cyberspace.
-michelle
I have loved your pictures. Someday I would love to travel internationally and so until then you are my eyes to China. Welcome home soon!
Posted by: Teri Leigh | November 16, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Thanks for entertaining us with your travel tales!
Posted by: eryn | November 16, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Yay for Starbucks!!
I'm pretty sure that you can ask for your coffee in a mug here if you are staying in the store.
Those sugar candy creations are AMAZING!
Glad you had a great trip!
I'm excited to come to the studio sale!!!!
Posted by: Trish | November 16, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Oh no! You're coming home...already?? No more pictures of fish and slim? LOL! I always enjoy your China pictures, and it does seem (to us) that you just got there! Your family will be delighted to see you. Welcome back!
Posted by: Deb | November 17, 2008 at 05:39 AM
did you tasted the animal candied??? look very nice..hihi..but very sweet I think.. anyway, hope you had a safe journey d[^_^]b
Posted by: liYana | November 17, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Thank you so much for all the great photo's ! You are so good at capturing that special something. I so enjoy seeing some of the things that you have seen :)
Hugs
Posted by: Patty W | November 17, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Patterns. Too funny, I do the same thing - I take photos of random stuff, (crud on window sills, corrugated metals, cracks in sidewalks) so that I can remember them later too.
LOL
have fun in China - can't wait to see you in April!
Sonya
Posted by: sonya paz | November 17, 2008 at 08:35 AM
God Bless and Have a safe trip!
Posted by: Flassie | November 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I've been reading your blog daily, catching up on the daily slime balls er, whatever you called that last dish~! LOL
Welcome back~! You can have ALL my Starbucks *cringing at coffee* I think the majority of coffee drinkers are too mobile to sit in the place with a ceramic cup ;-)
I wish I was closer to go to your sale. Hope it's a good one~!
Posted by: Kate Young | November 17, 2008 at 10:05 AM
DANGIT! I missed it...your whole trip. Oh I'm a bad friend. I didn't know you weren't staying as long. So when I realized yesterday that I STINK as a bloggy friend right now I thought I would have time to make it up to you. But I DON'T. I'm sorry!!!
That's awesome that you are on your way home already. Gary was missing you on Sunday!
Posted by: shannon | November 17, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I always tell them to put my latte in a cup -- i.e., a real honest to goodness cup, too, not that paper thing. LOL. They know me now. But good coffee at home: priceless.
Those fish are great, aren't they? I grinned all over when I saw them.
And I loved that view of Shenzhen!
Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us, Michelle. It has meant a lot.
Candace
Posted by: candace | November 17, 2008 at 07:44 PM
The amber candied fish are so exquisite. I cannot believe this talented artist can only sell his creations for 80 cents.
Posted by: linda | November 19, 2008 at 05:01 AM
glad you made it home safely. that was a big trip! i bet it was beautiful there. fish in bags? what 's that about?
best wished on your studio sale....it sounds hectic.
Posted by: meg duerksen | November 19, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Love the fish!
It was nice to see you on Sunday. You always look so youg, cute and energetic.
Posted by: Purple_Kangaroo | November 24, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Are those candies made from caramel? how did he make those cute animal candies, how about the little fish are they real?
Posted by: Suzy Lounge | September 21, 2010 at 03:53 AM