Where Are We, Kansas?

True and I went for a weekend trip with his team, which had been invited to play a tournament. If you look at the picture above, with the beautiful grass, the fence and the suburban homes beyond, it looks like it could be anyplace in the U.S. 

But we were in China, just outside of Shanghai in an area that has been developed for expatriates. It was really disorienting.

The school was beautiful - nicer than any I have seen before. The sports fields were as nice as any in the U.S.

True and his teammates played gallantly.

But they didn't do very well, despite the coach's patient, pleading advice.

Alas, you can't win them all.

But for True and his friends, staying in a hotel with minimal parental supervision was reward enough.