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Outdoor Fun

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Outdoor Fun

[info]cottontimer
10/3/05 09:36 pm
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Jacob the Cat
Stephen is having a blast here in California. We've been outdoors every single day. This is in sharp contrast to our life in Vietnam where we spend most of our time indoors - mostly at home then at various shopping areas and restaurants. Usually, we're only out in the elements once or twice a week when we're walking from point A to point B. No wonder Stephen always wants to walk when I ask him whether we should walk home or take a taxi. (Actually, I'm the one who walks while he's carried.)

Trekking on unpaved paths, scattering dry leaves, tossing bark, and generally mucking about outdoors makes Stephen a very happy boy. My parents' backyard alone qualifies as a mini-nature walk. Yesterday, we went to Tilden Park to ride the steam train and merry-go-round. It was a very special opportunity.

Parks in Vietnam are especially dirty during rainy season when litter is soggy and bare patches of ground are muddy. I'm also afraid of the profusion of mosquitoes which spell dengue fever in tropical climates particularly during this time of year. And of course, playground equipment in the developing country is nothing like what we romped on today at the Lafayette Reservoir in perfect weather. The only truly nice playground we have access to in Vietnam is too far away for regular visits.


Lafayette Reservoir Playground


I overheard one mother say to her daughter this morning, "This park doesn't have water. We went to that park yesterday." Imagine having the luxury of going to a different park every day. I hope they appreciate it as much as we do.


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  • [info]daynema
    10/4/05 05:11 am (UTC)
    I am sure Stephen is not the only one enjoying this trip! ;)

    How come no pictures of steam trains? Looks cool!

  • [info]squarenails
    10/4/05 05:19 am (UTC)
    awww! cali!
    i thought about you guys when i read this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9579649/
    make sure you don't touch no pre-packaged salads there!
    enjoy the break ...

  • [info]methegirl3
    10/4/05 06:02 am (UTC)
    hehe, lafeyette...im not living far from there now! :)

  • [info]dragonfly1867
    10/4/05 06:18 am (UTC)
    the only thing I really miss about living in the suburbs is nice playgrounds within walking distance. We have a few around here, but the ones that aren't in the schoolyards tend to attract adults with suspicious bottles in paper bags, older kids hogging the equipment and just general trash, broken glass and debris--although to be fair, both the adults and kids have been respectful to us. But we have to drive to get to nice parks such as the one you have pictured--although I am grateful that at least they are within a short driving distance.

    • [info]cottontimer
      10/4/05 02:52 pm (UTC)
      Most of the big cool playgrounds aren't within walking distance. California is definitely a driving state!

      I know what you mean about the yucky parks. :(

  • [info]baggyk
    10/4/05 06:36 am (UTC)
    Sounds just like what both of you need. Have an extra breath of fresh air for us.

  • [info]olimomok
    10/4/05 06:44 am (UTC)
    Glad to hear Stephen and you are enjoying yourselves!!

  • [info]bbhome
    10/4/05 10:13 am (UTC)
    I'll bet Stephen can't bear to leave the California when it's time to go home. That's such a nice playground.

    • [info]cottontimer
      10/4/05 02:53 pm (UTC)
      He loves California. The last couple of days, though, he's mentioned Stephen's house in Vietnam so I hope he won't be do distraught when it's time to go home. :P

  • yay playgrounds!

    [info]goodlife_dubai
    10/4/05 12:12 pm (UTC)
    we're soon to be moving to a wonderful building across the street from a playground. i am so thrilled.

    it's weird not being able to go outdoors, isn't it? i mean, 45 degrees in the shade, at four in the afternoon, just doesn't make you want to leave the air conditioning.

    that's 45 degrees, celcius!

    so glad you are all having a lovely time.

    • Re: yay playgrounds!

      [info]cottontimer
      10/4/05 02:54 pm (UTC)
      Totally. We've got it hot and humid in SE Asia and that's not conducive to playground time either.

  • [info]mwana_isimu
    10/4/05 12:16 pm (UTC)
    Paul really enjoys parks, too. We only had one park in Mayotte (yes, on the entire island), but fortunately it was only a 15-minute walk from our apartment. Unfortunately, it had no playground equipment or anything appropriate for small children, but it was still a safe place fo Paul to run around. We've really been enjoying the parks in Urbana-Champaign since we returned home.

    • [info]cottontimer
      10/4/05 02:55 pm (UTC)
      I feel a little spoiled complaining about not having parks when the majority of the world's children will never know what it's like to have a comfortable life let alone parks to run around in.

      • [info]mwana_isimu
        10/5/05 08:55 am (UTC)
        I felt like children in Mayotte were very happy, having a lot of freedom to run around and be children. I don't think the economic reality really set in until adolescence. It would be nice if they could have that childhood and then better economic opportunities as they got older.

  • [info]calypso72
    10/4/05 12:56 pm (UTC)
    Our area of Atlanta is like that, we could probably go to a different park every night for a month and still be within a couple of miles of our house.

  • (Anonymous)
    10/4/05 01:01 pm (UTC)
    glad you're enjoying the holidays! and for making me realize, yet again, to savour all the good things this first-world country has to offer!
    --Ruth (http://www.ruth.pinayexpat.net)

  • [info]lesliepear
    10/4/05 01:07 pm (UTC)
    Wow! That is a nice park. I'm fortunate we have a park within walking distance of our house. I'm dreading the winter though. I've finally figured out where there are McDonalds with playparks near us and I suspect we will visiting. I usually get a coffee or coke when I go, but that isn't bad.

  • [info]smittenbyu
    10/4/05 02:39 pm (UTC)
    sounds like funfilled days...

    Out of curiosity, I swear I hadn't seen it earlier... what is the red arrow pointing to? ^_^

    • [info]cottontimer
      10/4/05 02:50 pm (UTC)
      I lifted the picture from the Lafayette Reservoir site. Don't know what the red arrow is pointing to. :P

  • [info]amygooglegirl
    10/4/05 04:39 pm (UTC)
    It's good to see Stephen is having fun!

    Enjoy your time in California!

    • (Anonymous)
      10/4/05 10:06 pm (UTC)
      hi! got here from ruth's site.

      your post made me think if moving back to asia is really the right thing. i mean, losing all the neat, safe playgrounds and clean air that our children are enjoying. the snow i so much dislike but loved by my daughter. the freedom of our ears from abusive "car honkers", and much more. aaah, our life's paths are really hard to predict.

      www.justiceabroad.blogspot.com

      • [info]cottontimer
        10/5/05 06:39 pm (UTC)
        Thanks for stopping by! :) I wouldn't say life in Asia is necessarily bad for kids. Living there is much more colorful.

    • [info]cottontimer
      10/5/05 06:38 pm (UTC)
      Thanks! That's a cute user icon. :)

      • [info]amygooglegirl
        10/5/05 08:46 pm (UTC)
        Thank you! :)

        It's a statue in a fountain in Paris. Everything is so colourful, and most of them move around and spray water. I love the elephant, and when it's facing upwards like this it looks so full of hope :D

  • (Anonymous)
    10/5/05 12:29 am (UTC)
    The things we take for granted...

    It sounds like you're enjoying your trip. But I'm telling you, Seattle is even MORE beautiful. ;)

    - Maria over at intueri.org, enthusiastically

  • [info]cario
    10/5/05 01:59 am (UTC)
    I know what you mean about the weather. When we were in California in June, we loved it. We were outdoors most of the time when we were not shopping, just sitting, lazing, enjoying the feel of sun without becoming hot, sticky, oh man, I could go on and on.

    And yes, I could have walked a million miles in the CA weather and not made a peep of complaint. :)

    How long more are you there?

    • [info]cottontimer
      10/5/05 06:37 pm (UTC)
      We have another week here then it's back to Vietnam. My parents wanted us to stay longer but Marv can't take many days off. As it is, he's arriving a week and a half after Stephen and me.

  • interesting ...

    [info]mdmhvonpalj
    10/5/05 06:24 pm (UTC)
    Heh ... looks like my back-yard ... except for the truck and the bleachers.

  • lafayette memories

    (Anonymous)
    10/6/05 05:12 am (UTC)
    I used to walk around the reservoir all the time with my mom---and then with Charlie, in his stroller. Hope the sun keep shining. kc

    • Re: lafayette memories

      [info]cottontimer
      10/6/05 10:58 pm (UTC)
      The weather has been great! We usually visit in November and it's much colder then with occasional rain.
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