- Trip back went smooth. 6 hours flight went back rather quickly between reading and napping as it was an overnight flight. I got to my mom’s place at 9am with the girls still in PJ and hugging me for long. So nice to be back home. Home is really where my loved ones are.
- We are staying in split homes. My inlaws live 30 min from where my mom’s place. None of the homes can fit all of us. So I am staying at my mom’s with the girls. Sofia sleeping with grandma, Lizzy and I sleep on a floor mattress. Hubby stays at his parents’, and come to “visit” us everyday. It is not ideal but I don’t see the point of renting a place just for one month when the whole point of coming back is to live with the family. Yet, when hubby leaves, I feel a bit sad.
- I am in love with my new running route. Last time I came here was 2019, and this place was totally different. The government really invested in building the running/walking trail alone the Suzhou river, and that’s just quarter mile from where I am staying. I absolutely enjoyed my run yesterday despite almost 90% humidity.
4. The girls are having fun. They are “living” like locals, going to places by foot, or my metro. Not as convenient as in Jakarta when daddy drives them everywhere. They are observing how people live differently than us. They are amazed by how clean is the metro. They see foot shops everywhere. They see everyone live in small apartments (relatively speaking). That’s the whole point of traveling, isn’t it? Not just going to touristic place but to open eyes to see the subtle differences.
5. We might not do touristic trips this time. I feel tired somehow and want to stay in one place for a while. Our original plan to travel within China is postponed. Instead, we will do short trips near Shanghai, and explore Shanghai more. The city has so much to offer so we will take advantage of that. And most importantly, see our extended families many times.
Our New Journey 
I would have done the same thing if I were to travel to Russia- stay with family. It is so special to share my parents’ place with my kids. I hope one day the war will be over and I could go with them. The metro in Moscow is very beautiful too.
This idea of “living like a local” is tremendously beneficial for the kids. That is why I don’t like staying in “resorts” that cater to tourists but prefer airbnbs. I appreciate your take on culture very much!
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Glad your trip back went well! Sounds like the girls are having a great experience. I think you are making the right call in just focusing on family and doing more local things. You guys have been VERY busy with travel recently, so it is probably just as well to stay put and enjoy the family and relax some. Besides, you don’t ever want to travel SO much that it loses its feeling of being something “special”!!! (in my opinion)
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It will be nice to focus on soaking up time with family on this trip, especially after a very go go go season of life with other fun touristy trips! It’s nice that improvements have been made that have improved the city, especially for runners!
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Ooh, I’m glad you have a good running route! I’m sure there’s lots to see in and around Shanghai- I would also opt to stay closeby and see the family as much as possible. I’ll be interested to see what you guys end up doing!
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Enjoy the time with your family! I think you found the best solution, even if it means you’re “staying apart” during your visit. As long as you can see each other and spend time together 🙂
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