The view from our window last term - this was taken in November.
The view from our window now.
Radio connection to the crane operator: the building is so high now they can't see one another.
We've got stairways in the new building.
High-wire walking - and there is not even the appearance of a safety harness!
These trucks - right beneath our windows - deliver bricks and cement blocks, usually around 2 a.m.
She produced a huge meal using this single wok.
Two tables of people prepare to enjoy the feast.
Kids are the same all over the world!
The giant Shiva on the hilltop.
Neusoft Technical University - beautiful new grounds in a classical style.
Lots of room for us on the library steps.
This "retired" engine is on the Neusoft grounds.
Another view of the Neusoft library building.
Jennie shows off her Mom's gucheng.
Jennie's own expertise is on pipa.
Carew was pretty proficient at this, but it's not as easy as it looks.
Our three favorite doctor friends on the boardwalk: Dr. Cui in the lead, Dr. Xia in the middle, Dr. Zhu third.
The Group Photo in the restaurant: note that Jolie has a flower - it was International Mother's Day.
Peter patiently (?) waiting for us to emerge from the fabric market.
Traditional and modern mixture in downtown Dalian, near the ferry docks.
Traditional haircut on the street.
Cynthia, Jolie and Steven near the reservoir in the botanical gardens.
A wedding party, inviting us to have our photos taken with them.
Another wedding party, with the bride in the more traditional red - though this is not a traditional style gown.
Folks (and their pup) enjoying a lovely day in the botanical gardens.
The new convention center at Xing Hai Square.
No - not Disney - we're told the castle is a seashell museum.
Mechanical horseback riding near the Book in Xing Hai Square.
Josh and our crew in front of the Book statue.
This path of actual footprint molds leads up onto the Book Statue. The first prints are the oldest citizens - sometimes with their great-great- grandchild; and the prints are of younger people as you progress.
The bound feet of an elderly "Grandmama" and the small child. This entire monument was done in commemoration of the centennial of Dalian - 1999.
Looking across the Book, from one side to the other. In the "spine" of the book, the path of footprints leads to statues of two children.
The sides of the Book are surprisingly steep - and slippery.
Out kids at the top of one side of the Book monument. Note: there are NO railings, and this is a long way up!
Twin sisters pose with the two children at the end of the footprint pathway. Then they wanted a photo with Jolie.
One can ride around the Square in a horse-drawn carriage - just like Central Park.
Jolie has wanted to get a photo of three passengers on one motorcycle taxi, and has been trying for three years. Josh was here three days and he got it!
These action statues are made of wire mesh, and each depicts some sport. This American football statue is new this year.
The crew posed in front of the hurdler.
A new "toy" in China this year: they say there is about 10 minutes' worth of air in the ball, and you can float or spin in them, for a fee.
The breakwater at the west end of Xing Hai Park.
The Xing Hai Park bungee jump.
A bungee jumper on his way down.
Looking past the mermaid, you can see the bungee jumper hanging upside down, waiting for the boat to pick him up.
These graphic warnings just appeared at the edge of the cliff.
The fishing fleet is beached at Hei Shi Jiao - Black Rock Reef.
Uygur food: charcoal broiled mutton on a stick. Yum!
Uygur bread is one of our favorites: they taste of a bit of onion, a bit of salt, and if you get them hot they're scrumptious.
The young men who cook the bread and mutton are usually Muslims from the northwestern Chinese province of Xinjiang, on the border of Kirghizstan.
The street vendors have moved since Hei Shi Jiao was torn down. Now they're on the street leading to the East Gate of DUFE.
There's a variety of vendors, not just food. You can buy clothing, plants, pillows to sit on....
and of course, DVDs. But these are all Chinese or Japanese - no more English ones are available on the street.
Josh, Jolie and Carew on our exploratory walk around the newly landscaped Hill.
The Hill is so totally groomed and landscaped that it's just about unrecognizable.
We don't know if the University is funding this, or if it is the city of Dalian creating a lovely new park.
On campus, grandpa was roaring down the street, and grandson was screaming - until he saw Peter's camera trained on him. Then he was silent!
We'll miss our beautiful campus. Carew and Peter sit in front of our traditional book statue.
Josh poses with the statue of an ancient Chinese coin.
Recent years have seen the addition of a couple more works of art: this Chinese checkers game....
And the abacus.
This year's graduates are posing with the statue of the graduate.
Women play cards under the dragon claw tree in our little campus park.
Peter and banjo - having a good time.
The old folks at home - ah, yes, this has been our home for eight years and we will miss it.
