In Aaron's Eyes:
What a great time! Not only did we get to take a week off our job, we got to spend the week with my family. I don't know what could have been better. We had feelings and experiences on all sides of the travel feelings and experience spectrum. All in all, I think everyone left China with a little more appreciation and knowledge. Examples:
1. Utter happiness. Ely and I made a welcome sign for my family that we took to the Shanghai airport. We were so excited to see them, so we had to run to find them once we got to the airport. When they spotted us, they ran too. I can't get that picture out of my mind. The Boss (Nick) has definitely lost his first step, but he still got to us rather quickly. There is no better feeling than knowing you are a part of a really special and loving family.
2. Shear Terror. In Hangzhou, we had car trouble, undoubtedly brought on due to the 100+ degree weather. We pulled into a makeshift mechanic shop, where we waited on the curb for several hours. After a heated debate, we decided to improvise and get to Shanghai by train. So we split up and took taxis to the train station. I am not one to brag about having my where with all in China, but I knew the taxi driver was taking us in the wrong direction. So I asked him to turn around. Now most sane taxi drivers would attempt to satisfy this request by looking for the next proper turning lane or intersection. Once again, my American intuition failed me. I constantly need to remind myself, we are in China, not the US! So, our taxi driver tried to make a Nascar move on a busy freeway, then gets pinched up into another car. After realizing, shit, he got in a small wreck, he looked at me as if it was my fault. Rather than wait to give our depositions to the police, we decided to flee the scene, grab our luggage out of the trunk, and get another taxi. Easier said than done. We were in the middle of an 8 lane freeway. This particular freeway had no proper walkway---essentially just for cars. So there we are, Mom, Dad, and Me, in the middle of a busy freeway, lugging our large large luggage, in 100+ degree heat, in China, surrounded by the Chinese Gordon, Earnhart, and Andretti! It felt like the Frogger videogame. All in all, there was probably no better time for self-reflection than this.

3. Relaxation. Our Chinese buddies fortunately took pity on us "sorry excuses for world travelers." Rick and Kevin volunteered to be our unofficial tour guides in Suzhou. It was a worry-free 3 day section of the trip. They both have cars, which was a double whammy. Super convenient. It also really helps to go out to dinner with locals, especially if you are foreigners, as we obviously were. We tried some of the best foods Ely and I have had yet. Our friends ordered things in which they considered delicacies. You, on the other hand, might only consider even dissecting (let alone eat) these parts of the animal body with a sterile scalpel and rubber gloves. The most notable example was the infamous duck tongue. I hold the view that this is the worst food in China. My students and Chinese friends will hold strong, claiming that this is delicious.
3. Physical Uneasiness. We really put our tummies to the test--even the intrepid travelers Ely and I felt the heat. I don't know if there is something along the lines of Montezuma's Revenge in China. If there is, we definitely did something to make ole' Montezuma angry. Admittedly, Dad lost the battle early, followed by me, Nick, Mom, etc. A lot of the food is just unfamiliar for Western stomachs. Its a lot of fun experimenting and all, but it seems that it will all eventually catch up to you!

Most travel books cite street food as a definite no! Ely and I disagree. We have had some of our most culturally enriching experiences in such atmospheres. So, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to show our family this environment. Less well-known travel books say that you haven't really experienced the local cuisine until you get a case of the shits. So...depending on the way you look at it, we might have checked off more goals from the Traveler's Checklist than we initially planned.
4. Separation Anxiety. Like I said before, when we first got here, it was a very exciting time. Everything was new and fresh. This maybe helped with the sadness of separation from our families. 7 months later, the novelty of being here has worn off a little, so when my family left, we didn't have any other feelings to fill in the gap. Only sadness :( I guess if this sort of sadness is the worst of my problems these days, I consider myself to be a lucky guy.
5. Still Hungry. In a literal sense, we really stuffed ourselves on the trip. It was essentially a trip dedicated a lot of the time towards international foods. However, this is not the kind of hunger I am talking about.

My mother refers to my desire to be away from home as wander lust. Being away has been really difficult. However--though my wishwashiness is all apparent at times--it has made me stronger and has aroused my adventurous spirit. The wander lust has yet to be tamed. I don't know exactly what it will take, but I am worried that when I return home next year, I will have a strong desire to go somewhere else. What can you do? There are seriously two different people inside of me. One tugs on my to be rational, practical, logical, to start the 401k and Roth
IRA, to advance my career and education, to get the house, the 2.4 kids, and the white picket fence. The other one is pulling me in the opposite direction, wanting to delay my re-entrance into the real world, to see as many countries as years old I am, to be a drifter with nomadic tendencies, to just relax and learn more about the world. Its tough to say who will win the battle at this point. I hope to satisfy both people, but it will be a challenge.
6. A feeling of success. I feel the trip was a success. I think everyone learned quite a lot about China. Most of the food is delicious, some isn't so good. The people are kind, we were in good company. Check, Check, Check. I think I have said this before, but we could meet in the unincorporated village of Darr and have a good time. It was pretty nice that everyone was willing to travel half way....no....maybe 2/3 of the way around the world just to see us.

I won't try to compete with the self proclaimed "International Traveler," as far as trying to sum up our trip. He could have co-founded Lonely Planet guidebooks for all I know. And he (Nick) is always prepared for capturing the essence of travel beauty, never leaving his camera out of hands reach. So I will hand it off to him.