American Football in Shanghai

We did the 'Chinese' sports last fall so this year it was worth a try at some American sports, like football.  We met the coaches and staff at a Concordia open house and decided that now was a good time to join.  It was 2,500 RMB (~$400) for the season which included 2 practices and a game per week.  The season goes for about 3 months, Sept - Nov.  

The orientation where Mark put on Shoulder pads for the
first time.  You can see he likes them!

Trying on the helmet for size.

The league gave us most of the pads so the kids only had to supply their mouthpiece, practice jersey, cup and cleats.  The practice jerseys are not so easy to find in China so I took a trip to the fake market to buy some pro jerseys.  These are like-real jerseys and I bought 2 for 200 RMB ($32) where these are $100 each back home.

Dags was excited to wear Dad's Patriots jersey.  

Baltimore Ravens - Flacco

The home field is Shanghai Football Rugby Club (SFRC) about 20
minutes from Jinqiao.

Pre-game snack of snickers bars.

1st game under the lights.  Mark was wide receiver

Will was middle linebacker

Will also played Quarterback and tailback

Post-game Dunkin Donuts.

Mark struggled getting dressed for football but always had
a great time once he got there.

Will could have played Seniors or Juniors but since he only
weights 85lbs we thought it was best to be on the Juniors.

I-formation offense.

4-3 or 5-3 defense

Neck streching

There was an exhibition game at the Shanghai stadium for the
NFL experience.

NFL sponsors.  That is Jordon our girl player.  One of the better
running backs.

Before we went on there was an intense Chinese flag football
game.

There were other NFL experience activities.

Typical warm ups

 One of the highlights of the season was a visit from NFL great, Joe Montana.  We spent a Friday night with him watching an NFL game and then the next day he did a clinic.  It was an amazing experience to see and talk with him in such a small venue.

The boy's ball was signed by Joe.

Picture with Joe and some other Dragon parents.

Mark with his friend Colin at the clinic.  We went early to setup.

Joe tossing the rock to the kids.  He hasn't lost his
timing at all.  He looked a bit old though...

Signing autographs.  We had him sign Will's shirt and the football.

Halloween 2013

Halloween continues to invade Asia.  This year we had 100s of children in our compound and went though buckets of candy.  Our compound was open for trick-or-treats on the day of Halloween.   Many of the expat compounds hand out candy and the guards seem to let plenty of locals in also.  We had a few locals want pictures of our setup.

Mermaid, gangster and Tintin

Geared up to trick-or-treat

The whole family costumed up this year.  I was Gru and that's
Dr. Nafario (Despicable Me)

Gangster in a tree.

Our cookey neighbors.

This was one of many gangs of people trick-or-
treating at our house.  

Yings do Hau Lu & Tam Coc, Vietnam

Okay this is the last post for Vietnam.  The last worthy trip to blog is our trip out of Hanoi into the mountainous area.  There were two landmarks to visit - Hau Lu, which is a temple to one of the early emperors of Vietnam and Tam Coc, which is a river through some mountains.  

It was a day trip so we boarded the bus early at 8 am and was home by 6.  It took about 2 hours each way with a 15 pee-break in the middle.  

Our pee-break.  The disabled workers stitching up some artwork
for tourists on the way to the bathroom.

The work was quite good but way overpriced.

I'm lucky I didn't get shot for this one.  There was a few VIPs
going through between these camo jeeps.

Hau Lu entrance.

Another, less-than-exciting entrance.

This was cool!  A foot-long lizard.

They were serving beer, whoopie pies, soda, fruit to the gods.
A happy bunch of gods they must be - or at least happy workers
who get to eat the god's leftovers.

Rice being dried on the street.

Tam Coc - 2-3 to a boat plus the rower.

Talented leg-rowers.  He didn't say a word so
he wasn't much of a guide...

The ladies boat.

Some temple on the mountain.

Under the rocks.

Not much clearance.

It was leaking from the ceiling.

Of course, the souvenir shop at the turn-around point.

What a tough job.  Did anyone tell him the war is over?

A abandoned house.  River access only.

Appetizing...  

An ice cream shop.  The only one we saw in town.

Drinking with the locals.  This was an alley and
I don't think that we were really welcome.  We had
our 60 cent beers and left.

A nice bike ride in the Tam Coc area.

There were people living in the area.

Watch out for the soldiers hiding in the paddies.

We rode on dikes with the farmland below us.

This was a guide, Min.

Cool country-side shot.