Game on

The Summer Palace was one of our favorite spots in Beijing.  On a hot day in the city, it feels like a refuge.  I can see why the Emperor, the Queen (and his many other wives.) enjoyed this as a vacation home.  The lake was our favorite and you could rent six-person paddle boats to go around the lake (which of course we did.)  The girls couldn't wait.  They were so excited.

The lake is very crowded with boats, mostly these paddle boats, like the one we rented. 

People are leisurely moving along on the big lake and enjoying the beautiful sites.  That is until, we arrived.  The girls decide they want to paddle and steer (Parents, this was our first mistake!)  So our Skipper (Keylime) and Gilligan (Tie Dye) are all set.

Our crew wants to go through the bridge (that you can see in the background of the picture) so they paddle over there.  Oops, just hit one boat.  Sorry.  They are pedaling like madmen, changing seats with each other, and constantly yelling out instructions to each other (so what, have they become boating experts now?)  Oops, just hit another boat (Um, this is not a bumper boat ride!)  The girls are laughing so hard.  Of course, every other boat is pointing and laughing at the girls trying to steer this boat.  This is a quiet lake and only adults are gently paddling on the lake.   I think it is safe to say that they don't see many young girls paddling the boats.  This is not a ride at an amusement park.  (Although my two yahoos think it is.)

So in true H style, the girls feel they need to race someone.  So they set their sites on a boat full with six adult Chinese men.  The Skipper (Keylime) begins to shout commands to her sister on how to beat the other team.  Oh, my children are so delicate!  The girls are pedaling, and pedaling and trying to catch this boat.  Keylime's face is red from shouting out commands.  The men now realize we are approaching them.  They smile and laugh, oh such cute American girls.  We have now engaged them to be in our race.  Game on.  The two boats were neck and neck for awhile.  M is chanting, "USA, USA!"  Oops, just hit their boat.  Who won?  It's hard to say, but the girls did the red, white and blue proud.