2010-06-28

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This will be my last blog from China. We have to get up at 3:30 am to be ready for a 8 am flight. We will land in chicago aobut 7:30 am. We will get our day back that we lost on the way over. I'll be back to Bryant about 1:30 on Sunday afternoon. I'm ready for some Mexican food and to sit in my red chair. Of course to see all of you too. Very exciting night on a street like Times Square. Lights, people. One of our girls was almost arrested as she shopped because she didn't realize how the store worked. Today was the big conclusion to our trip with a visit to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. I know I haven't done a good enough job explaining the vast size of everything in China. This plaze is massive. They have a very modern performing arts center. Pics to follow soon. Government buildings. Mao's tomb. Its open for three hours each morning to veiw and then dropped back into refrigeration for the rest of the day. On to the big gate where Mao declared a New China in 1949. Through those gates to the Forbidden City. It's called that by the people because no common people were allowed behind the gates. We have been to palaces all over China made like this, but WOW. All 18 million Beijing residents and thier families and friends decided to come today. It is 1,000 acres big. No trees because noting living could be taller than emperor. It was built in 1420 for the Ming and Oing dynasties. Emperors lived here until 1908 when the last Emperor ruled China. There are fifteen layers of bricks under the grounds to keep people from tunneling in. The throne was massive he sat on. The place for the Emperess and his concubines was open for us to see. There were outer courts for ceremonies and inner ones for living. It was soo crowded and the hottest day we have had. It drained me of energy, but of course a must see on a visit to China. Our leader a Chinese history professor from Colorado gave us several brief run downs of what all went on there. We have rested this afternoon and have time for one more trip to the baazar and 300 yuan still to spend. What an experience. Everyone of you should plan a trip to China, they are open and ready for tourist. I'm ready to see everyone and getting going on Cally's wedding.Love ya and see ya in Bryant.

Great Wall

We rode for two hours outside the city to the Great Wall. One of our teachers Cindy was born in Shanghi and left 11 years ago to marry her husband. She is a teacher at Crystal Hill in NLR. Today was her birthday. Cathrine had gotten her a cake and she was so excited. This has been a great trip for her to travel all over her native country. She has been a major help to us, with our communication problems. The Great Wall is 400o miles long and a wonder of the world. We rode a cable car up the mountain. It is like the pyramid when you wonder how in the world they built this. It was built during the Ming Dynasty. Very hot, but I had my pink umbrella. We got back to town and went to the Olympic villiage. Still two years later thousands of people there looking around. We saw the Water Cube, home of Micheal Phelps 8 medals and the Birds Nest. Very cool to see them up close. The plazas were soooo very big. Chinese are amazing architects. Cool buildings every where you turn. Ok, I'm going out for you Drew. Andrew the guy that eats weird food, went to the street we are going to. They went last night and got scropions, and saw all kinds of crazy food to eat. Sheep testicals, a penis of something. Its the second buisiest street in Asia. The first i was on in Shanghi, a life time ago it feels. I dont' know if I will try the food or not. See ya soon

Heifer Village

After I've processd my trip to Heifer Village I realized why it mean so much. Wayne died 20 years ago this october. Then weekend before he went on the hunting trip he drove all our youth from church on the Bus to the Heifer project in Perryville. I was in charge of the children program at the time. Cally was 5 and Drew was 2. We had a fair planned for later that month for the kids to buy animals to send to people in under developed countries. Lynda Boone took over the running of the fair and so many people bought animals in Wayne's memory to give to others. I realized that Wayne's memory was living on in that villiage and will forever because Heifer's goal is for within 10 years you must then give an animal to another family so they can built their income. What a day. That you Jesus for bringing me to that point today. Yesterday we were in the capital city of Beijing. We went to one of the great architectural wonders of the world with the Temple of Heaven. The Emperor would go their twice a year and pray for good crops for the people of China. I stood in the place he stood over 600 years ago. This place went on and on. We bought lots of cool stuff. I wish everyone could see all the stuff others have bought. We went to another pearl place. I bought my hot pink wedding shoes yesterday for $40. or 269 yuan. I'm getting good at this money thing. Last night we had a meeting with the director and talk about current events in China for two hours. I'm going to do a project on tourism in china that I will present at the ArkansasCurriculum Conference in November. We then went on to our Peking Duck dinner. What a lay out. Then our travel director gave out gifts and spoke to each of us about a quality she had seen in us that benifits children and others. Of course you can guess mine!!! That I speak out loud what is on my mind, and its what others are thinking but afraid to say. in other words I think out loud. She wants me to kept talking and figuring China out and to share it with my students. Today we ride 2 1/2 hours outside of town to go the the Great Wall. Tomorrow is Forbidden City home of the Emperor and then its home sweet home. We leave at 8 am and get back to Little Rock at 1 pm. but its a 24 hour deal. so we get back the day we lost on the way over. See ya soon. Love ya.

LONG Day

It was a long day yesterday and it seems a lifetime ago. We woke up in Shagri la and it took until 2:15 in the morning to get to Beijing. Long delays and a two hour wait in a HOT airplane. Boarded and reboared. Crazy, but a safe flight here. We are in a 6 star hotel here. WOW top notch. We had to be ready for heifer villiage at 10. I had no idea when I got on the bus how my life was going to change. I won't be able to tell you in words and my pictures won't express it, But it was a life changing day. I don't remember the last time I've been so emotional. We rode for 3 hours outside of the city and then stopped for lunch. We saw lots of farming of wheat going on with machines this time. But very interesting they lay it on the roads to thrash. They don't mind if cars or buses run over it, then they scoop it into bags. We ate a great lunch. I'm getting so good at chopsticks and using eastern bathrooms. I'll have to adjust when I get home. We then rode for another hour. We kept going through what we thought was a viliage. But they would get smaller. Our guest from Heifer works at a university and in her free time donates to Heifer, we picked up a man at lunch that is a vet that also volunteers fof Heifer. We changed buses to make it down the road. The bus barely could and they are so proud of the paved road. Heifer started working with this villiage in 2007. We were just sitting there and all of the sudden we hear a band playing. The whole villiage has turned out to meet the Americans who have come to see what they have done with Heifers help. I burst into tears. There were about 20 women dressed in their red and green costumes dancing as four men played cymbols and drums. They held fans. They had us walk into town as we headed the parade. People were lining the streets and were so happy to see us. They danced for 20 minutes, we gathered under the trees in their town square where their community center has been built. The head leader had written a speech and he was so nervous to read it for us. Everyone had come in from the fields to greet us with their children. We gave them our gifts and then we made our way to the school. Another wow. All the child were lined up to meet us and were clapping as we walked into the school grounds. These familes live on about 150 per year. Which is about 1000 yuan, This school is for grades K-4. If they go to high school it cost the family 10,000 to send them. There were about 40 kids and 4 teachers. I was so moved I can't even begin to tell you. We gave them some sports equipment and the faces lit up. They then marched to their rooms and we got to go in and see what they were learning. Precious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone wanted to shake our hands and hug us and get their picture made with us. We then were marched through the villiage in a parade to see the sewing shop Heifer helped them start. They had about 20 machines and they are making down coats to sell. Great set up. We then went to visit two homes to see how the animals Heifer gives them can help. This is such a small space to tell you the impact this day had on all of us. I'm having to pay to type this and must go, but believe me you will hear more about Heifer and this villiage. I'll never eat another walnut without thinking of them. Great day.

Shangri la

Great day in Shangri la, China. I had a little altitude problem of sick stomach and head, but it has gone away. We went to Guishan national Park. I felt like I was in Yellowstone, but with Chinese trees and animals. It was so funny this morning to stop and wait for pigs to cross the road. We got up close with the Yaks. We did a 3 miles walk around a lake that was totally peaceful. Our bus ride was so scary. The views were spectacular. Pictures won't do them justice. Wonderful park. Then on to monastry. Its a Tibe

Funny Story

I just saw Cally in her wedding dress and I cried. She picked it up today and sent me a picture. I have to start with a funny story from last night. They have paid for all our meals, until last night. So several people gathered at an outdoor place around the square. Mellisa and Amy ordered fried shrimp and onion rings. You should have seen their faces when this plate full of shrimp arrived. They were the size of houseflies, but they had huge black eyes. They were wild river shrimp and they lived up to their name of shrimp. Another night three girls ordered pizza a 24 in. Well it was 24 in around. smaller than a salad plate. On to today. First off remember my spelling is bad when I am not in a hurry and tired, but I'm both all the time on this trip. Today set a record for the best day. We faced a 7 hour bus ride through the Himalayas. The road was narrow, winding, steep with small guard rails. There were hundreds of buses on this road to Shangri la. We could see why right from the begininng. It was the most beautiful sceneryI've ever seen. My pictures won't do it justice. I didn't want to close my eyes and miss a thing. I tried to take it all in. The terraces where they farm were perfect and all done by hand. Their fields were artwork. People were working with their baskets on their backs. Yaks, cows, pigs, sheep and goats were roaming and they were herding them. So many different styles of homes. One stop was the bend of the Yaneze(sp) river, this is the start of the river which is so important to them. Then on to Tiger Leaping Gorge. We walked 5K to the rapids, they had to blast out the mountain to make walkways. Have I told you how many people stop us and want to have their picture made with us. We are like rock stars. They love Melissa our youngest member. She has curly hair and big cheeks and they love her. Also, all women carry umbrella's young to old. They work so hard to keep their skin light and we pay to tan, How crazy is that. Ok, I'm just now starting to get a handle on all these ethic groups. 56 in the country. The main one is Han. We were with the Naxi in Liliang and we moved through another group today and on to the Tibetian group. Each group has their own language. The main language of China in Mandrian. More on all this after I get home. Our guide now is Tibetian. Their are 6 million in China. They changed the town name to Shangri la in 2007 from Zhangdian. So after all these villiages we were expecting to arrive in a hut to stay in, but we have a great hotel. We quickly moved in and met for dinner, and then on to a show. We had Tibeitan food. Yak cheese and sugar to dip it in, raw barley grains, soybeans, barley wine, yak butter tea. Then our guide took barley flour and mixed it with his hand with yak butter tea. WE then took a scoop and rolled it into a ball and rolled in sugar. He says they eat it everyday here. Then they put on a Las Vegas Show. The costumes were great. In the end so young Tibetian guys sang Tibet pop. We loved it. They guys are good looking. Last year in russia we didn't see 10 good looking guys in a month. Asian men are very nice looking. By the end of the show we felt like we were in Branson. Oh yea they brought out cooked pig and we pulled off pork and dipped it in some spice. China has got the tourism thing under control. We are going to a national park tomorrow. Oh yea its really cold here, I'm using one of the scarves I bought. This was an indesribable day. I loved it.

Black Dragon Pool

We went to Black Dragon Pool today and had a beautiful walk through a park. I bought a painting that a guy did with his finger and fist of his hand. This is a major art lovers paradise. We learned all about the Naxi people and their religion of donga. Very interesting stuff. They believe in a Shaman and he was the only one that could read the language and write it. So now to not lose this the Chinese are paying to help keep this alive. We got to see him writing. They made thier books out of a tree that only grows around here so the insects didn't get to the paper and it has lasted for 1,000 years. We then ate another lunch around a lazy susan. with dishes glore. We had our first free time of the trip. of course we spent it shopping. Just to give you someidea of the things I've bought, jade, pearls, silk, pashminas, earrings, batists, tea pot, silk needlework, She told us to write it down when we came but I didn't and now I don't what all is in my huge bag I bought. Have I mentioned Lost Horizon, If I haven't you need to rent it and watch. It's a book by James Hilton about this area. Its a great story that been made into a black and white movie and a musical. More dancing tonight and packing to drive 6 hours on a bus into the mountains, to about 12,000 ft. Zhongdian is the name of the town. See ya soon.

Buddism

i'm sooo glad that I worship the one true God and not all these gods of Buddism. I just couldn't keep it straight and I'm sujre I'd be in trouble all the time. It's very interesting to learn about the major religions of the world and opens your mind. I'll be glad to have some deep discussions with you when I return. We met at 4 and went to a palace. so cool. They go on and on , building after buidling. Beautiful orchid plants, huge. Wonderful stories of the naxi people. Great view when you climb to the top, so glad I've been working out. Melissa and I are just discussing the go go go society, both Russia and China take time to sit and relax and enjoy part of their day. Im going to try to not jump back into the fast pace life I led. WE then went to dinner and coming home I had SO SO SO much fun. They had a pot with burning logs and people in old costumes dancing around it. about 50 people doing a circle dance. Three of us joined in. some cute young girls saw us struggling and came over and taught us the dance. By this time there were over 100. it was such a great time. Everyone wanted to dance with the Americans and get their picture made with us. This is a picture taking society. Off for a good day.

Himalayan Mountains

Ni ho from Lijang in the foothills of the Himilayan Mountains. Look for me on the map by burma and Tibet. Iwas to tired to email yesterday. Everyday I think is the best and it keeps getting better. I wish I could tell you all details from how I sleep to how we eat to how we go to the bathroom. It's all completely different and wonderful to experience they differences, but to see how freiendly the people are here. Yesterday we had a mix up and got to the airport for a 9 oclock plane to find out we didn't leave till 2:30. The beauty of that is that I wasn't in charge, being a teacher and single parent its so nice to not have to be in charge of anything. They took us to a Buddist temple and we sat in the tea garden and got zen for awhile. Lucky me got a window seat to fly over mountains. Neat to see rice paddies from air. We landed on tarmac and had to walk to airport much smaller city only ! million. Way down from 20 illion. We could see blue skies for the first time we had been here and WOW clean air. Didn't know I missed it so much. This is home to the Na Xi people one of the oldest and best kept ethnic groups in China. Our guide is NaXi and so cute. If Cally didn't have Cory I would be bringing him home with me for her. They have never had war in these area and just believe you should enjoy live. I can see why people from all over China are now flocking here for vacation. We are staying in Old Town. 1200 years old. FANTASTIC> The most peaceful place I've ever been even tought I'm with millions of people. I love the food here, more like what we think of Chinese food. Everytown is different. SHopping is so great I can't think of an adjective to describe it. I've gone nuts and you bargin also, so it makes it so much fun. Today we went to NaXi village, I got to see them making silking weavings. Since I love needle crafts it was for me. Then they told me the one I picked out was plum blossoms that stand for a strong personality I knew it ws made for me. It blooms in winter when others don't, My favorite expression has alwasy been Bloom Where You ARe Planted. So I love it. Thanks mom for giving me the money to buy it. Then we climbed a mountain. Oh yeah. it 7,000 ft. here so alittle light headed and tough. We climbed to see a 500 year old tree. Great story. When the Red Army came in to destroy eveything. This man stood in front of this tree and wouldn't let them take it. For the last 50 years he has lived by the tree and taken care of it. We got to see him 94 years old. Now the Chinese government has given him a pension for saving the tree. I have so much more to tell butno time. We are going to a manison and then to dinner. and of course more shopping. I've bought a new bag to bring it home. mainly textiles. I know it won't mean as much to others, so I will show, but its mostly for me to remember this great experience. Part of this program is to teach Arkansas about China, even our commounity. So I wish I had more time but must get ready to go eat again. Love to all. I miss my family, writing this makes me feel close to you. See you soon.

Panda

Fun experience seeing the Panda's Homeland. We went to the Chengdu's Panda Breeding Research Center. I've seen panda's before at the Washington Zoo and the Memphis zoo. These were so lively and happy. They were busy eating their morning bamboo. We saw about 20 of them. There are only 1,300 left in the world. They have been around since the wooly mammouth, but they changed their habit and went to being a veggie eater and it saved them. They are changed again and they is why they are endangered. Many Many interesting facts about panda's learned today. I may be begining to speak Chinenglish. You must work hard to understand what they are saying, but they are always smiling as they are trying. We went from there to another new experience. I didn't like the food at all but enjoyed the experience and knowing what these people are famous for. It's called Hot Pot. We sat at a bar and had a small conveyor belt running by in front of us. We had our own pot of boiling soup with a divider one half mild and the other spicy. You then would take small plates off the conveyor belt of all kinds of fish heads, livers, kidneys, brains, ells, stomach lining. gizzards, squid, and thank goodness shrimp. you would drop it in the hot pot and let it cook and then dish if out with your chopsticks, I mainly ate watermelon and cookies, but it was a neat experience to see. If you go with two or four you just sit at a table with a hot pot in the middle. Oh another thing was chicken feet. Now this was a very nice place and they are famous for it. Sorta like fondu. Just not for me. We went to another museum, it was great I'm learning so much and each place just reinforces it. We got home aobut 4 and went straight to the KFC. Sorta like home, just sorta. We have to be up super early to fly to Lijiang. We are suppose to see blue skies for the first time.

Having a Blast!

I have so much information, but please make plans to visit China. It is a very colorful country so different , but they are happy to have people visit. I have to say I haven't seen the sky since I've been here. Totally smog covering everything. I thought at first it was big city. But even now we are in a smaller city only 5 million. We drove out of the city yesterday and saw rice paddies for the first time. We still couldn't see the sky. When we go to That L word place I've told you about. we will be in the mountains with clean air. I'm off to an exciting day.

Ni Hao

Ni Hao, from Chengdu, China, home of the Giant Panda. I will get to see the panda tomorrow but it cost 150 to hold and since animals aren't my thing I doubt I do it, would rather have shoes. Lots of fashion over here just wAY to small. Today was great again. We went out to another city, with a history of 5,000 years to visit another school. They were so excited to have us as guests. They had been working on their speeches for two weeks. I cried when the middle school girl talked about her dreams of seeing the statue of liberty. They had gifts and food for us. We talked and asked questions for some time. Then went and saw the 50 students who had come in on their holiday to show us a class in action. They did a whole English lesson on Father's Day and the Dragon Boat Festival. Wonderful and then we had time to talk. Dr. Morton loved the video so much she wanted to make sure they saw it, so the teachers from our group, their teachers and the students got to see it. They loved it and made all the work seem so worth it. Some of the kids were already singing the song before we left. They then took us to a great great lunch, I mean at least 25 dishes. We sat at a table of ;men teachers and our bus driver helped us talk with them. We then had a wreck to deal with and had to drive two hours out of the way. We then went to a tibetian museum. Get stuff. Dinner was awesome, I can sorta eat with chop sticks. This part of the world eats spicy food, much better to me. The on to the Sichuan Opera, we saw puppets, shadow figures, wonderful and beautiful dancers and acrobats, fire breathed and world famous changing masks opera. Loved it. Now back to crash at the room. Tomorrow is the panda visit, but it's 150. On the next day we fly to Lijiang, this will be in the foothils of the Himilyan mountains. I'm so excited to add these mountains to the list of the ones in the world I've been to. We will be very close to Burma/ we may be out of contact with the rest of the world for awhile, not sure yet. I'm off to bed. Love to all.

EVERTHING

Hey everyone, I can't read my previous blogs because I'm having to send them to Cally to cut and paste to my blogs. I still haven't finished our time in Shanghi, but I want to tell about today,because I'm getting behind. Everyday is filled with so many new experiences that I want to write down to remember what I've done. Today we left the hotel at 7 am to fly to Xien. I mean EVERYTHING in Shanghi was new for the World Expo. This plane we flew in was super new. The meal was quite different on the plane. It was warm rice cereal, pigeon eggs, bean shoots, a roll with fish cheese and thank goodnes for watermelon. We knew we had changed cities as soon as we got off the plane. This was the China I thought I was going to. Xien is a city of 9 million. It is the start of Chinese history, where the first dynasty started. Where the silk road began 2500 years ago. We saw mounts in the distance of tombs that they havne't excavated yet. Archiology (bad mispell) is new to this country.Most things only started around 1978 at the end of the cultural revoluation. We went to the sister city to a museum--it was great like a peaceful garden-lovely plants and trees. The best part was people watching out in the streets. Everyone loves looking at us. You can tell not many Americans come to this town. The street was tree lined with bicycles, mopeds of all sorts, carrying people, vegatables and objects, small vans, cars all mixed in together, I have NO idea how they keep from killing the bicycle and walkers in this country. WE had the best time talking with the school children as they walked by. One boy had his nephew in arms. He had on the baby clothes they wear with no behind cover. Old men were on the streets playing a game like dominoes. We had fun buying ice cream and trying new flavors. On the hour bus ride into the city I rode in the front seat and was totally entertained. There are No lines for traffic, just move in and about how every you want to, big buses, small cars, people walking and bikes. Wild. We have a great hotel, 4 star. I took a nap and then we went on the crowded streets of the busy city. Much dirtier.

I am a rockstar!!

Now I know what its like to be a Rock Star. We were treated that way on our school visits yesterday. They met us at our vans, snappiing pictures and cheering. The first school had a professionally made banner WElcome Arkansas Teachers to Chendug No 20. Teachers and students went over the top. First we met with principals and teachers and exchanged gifts. They told us about their school. They showed us a video and then I showed them our school. I made sure they understood it was for fun, not daily activites. They loved it. Amy filmed their reactions. Marha loved it also, she thought we had made it just to showcase our school for this trip. She insisted I showed it at all the school we went to. next they took us up to room and 6 kids playing incrediable instruments, then an accoridion player, a dancer, then a group of dancers. WOW. T^hen we went next door and they taught us to play the instruments. Then down stairstairs where they had centers set up. I've never felt so much love being thrown at me by kids. They were painting tshirts, doing oragami, calligraphy and making red knots. We joined in the girls and boys wanted to speak English with us. SOSO SO FUN> They had to pull us away to put us in the van for the next stop. We went to two more schools during the day. Next stop three 8th grade guys took me on a tour of school and we exchange so much information. They bought me a gift with their own money. Wishing me luck and to make much money. Last school it was just teachers we met with and saw more of classes. all three different and wonderful. You mind in going in all directions and you are rethinking every teaching philosphy you have ever had. Great experience. We went to a Cheap Cheap market that was WILD. I bought 10 braclets for about 11,00. Things we would pay 10, a piece for at BJaxx's. Now I know where they get them. We ate at Pizza Hut. Listen my friends. I'm so happy to know I have stock in Mc Donalds' and listen to my advice. Go get KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut stock. There are MILLIONS of people here and they love those three place. Love to all. Bye. Byew

Chendug

We are now in Chendug I have no idea if I spelled that correctly. It's in the mountains, but there is so much smog I can't see down the street. There are 5 million in city and 20 million in the area. This is home to the panda. I don't know if you remember the earthquake that hit here two years ago, but it destroyed many peoples homes in the villiages about 50 miles from here. Their leader was killed and they are aftraid it will effect the people and they won't retain their culture and langauge. From what I understand there are 56 spoken languages but only one written language. Today we are visiting three different middleschools. This is their Dragon Boat festival week. There is a story, just like their are millions of stories about the Dragon boat, but most people are on vacation for a week. There are special boxes of food being sold. I'll learn more later. The school are getting together to meet with us on their vacation. Wow. We are excited. WE have brought all sorts of gifts for the schools to show case arkansas and our schools. I brought copies of the DVD so they can see American schools and teenagers. We visit schools and a university on Tuesday. Wednesday we go to a Panda research center. We will get to hold one, I'm sure it will be a highlight. We are off to schools and its 7:00 am. Talk with you soon. Love ya.

Terra Cotta Warriors Museum

Yesterday we went to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum. Great story if you don't know it. A farmer in a small village was digging a well with his villiage people when he dug up a warriors head. That was in 1974. It was an amazing sight to see. We went to three pits and saw them in different stages of excavation. Great movie to put it into place in my mind about the first emperor of China. I can't keep the Chings and the Changs separate so I'm not sure of his name. You will enjoy pictures as you as I can post them. I had a great time bargaining with the local people for statues. I could have bought one made of clay from the tomb, but instead I paid a dollar for a hollow one. Don't think anyone will know the difference. We then went to a jade factory, we have also been to a pearl shop where they cracked open a clam to show us how they find them, We also went to a silk factory where we saw step by step how the worm goes through stages and how they get the silk from the worm. We learned about different areas that Jade comes from and how to tell real jade from fake. Sorry, but I'll probably have fake jade when I return. We then went back to town, of course every bus ride is full of stories from our guide. I said we don't have as many stories in US, Cathrine said, we have 200 years they have 2,000 years of history. I just hope that when I leave here my good luck and my bad luck are balanced out. We have learned so much about the one child law. They have SO many laws to follow. Back in town we went to a Mosque, there are 70,000 Chinese Muslims. It was so cool to see. Of 5 major religions I've been to three in the last days, Christian, Islam and Buddism. There was a baazar going on outside the mosque. Many of our group got lost in it. It was just like in the movies, wares everywhere and people trying to get your business. I had fun bartering with them. We went on to a dumpling banquet. Banquet means many dishes. Most meals have 12 dishes of food on lazy susan. They brought in dumplings in bamboo steamers baskets stacked at least 12 high. So many different dumplings. And other dishes. I have to say this was My Worst meal. I didn't realize how picky I am. We had warm rice wine and a hot pot in the middle of the table at the end of the meal. The hot pot was a soup. that they lit a fire under it to warm it at table and threw in dumplings for 6 kinds of luck. Soup at EVERY meal even breakfast. A professor from UALR construction manager is here for the summer teaching English and he and his wife came and ate with us for some good ole Arkansas conversation. He had also worked in Russia, we sat next to each other and enjoyed talking. Russia. Ok, I had it explained to me like this. Russia changed politically and then was hoping to change economically. China changed economically first and then is hoping to change politically. China is soooooooo far ahead of Russia. These are busy people. I enjoyed going to the park this morning at 6:30, I was the only American there. Everyone was busy exercising in some way badmiton. ti chi, dancing. something with silver balls. music was playing and everyone was moving. it was great. I just finished breakfast and we are going to a museum in town and then fly ot chendung. Home of Panda Research center, we are also going on school visits tomorrow. She says food will be much more spicy here. Xien is not a rice town, but noodle town. We had a great visit to Wal Mart and took lots of pictures. I'm sorry I can't read what I've already written about so this is much more random than ever. You all know I'm a random person. Love you to all. I reccommend Chinese travel to all.

Xien

It's Saturday monring here and only Friday night back home. I'm having a wonderful time, international travel expands your mind like nothing else on earth. The smallest details come alive. I'm sorry I typed a bunch last night and lost it as the computer needed to reconfigure. So I don't have time to write a ton now. A small recap of days

World Expo in Shanghi--was there with 1/2 million people, it took us a couple of hours to get a handle on what to do there. Each country aroud the world has a hall to tour and then a palvion that showcases the conitnent. Things to buy and foods for each country. WOW is all I can say.

Next day we flew to Xien, the oldest country in China, 2500 years old, back to the first dynasty. ONe highlight was going to a museum in a small town outside big city and people watching. The tree lined street was filled with bicycles with people, fruits, supplies all hanging on them. mopeds carrying people in all poosible ways, small vans buses all going in different directions with no lines on streets with unbelieveably no accidents. We visited with school children, teenagers, and old people. They were very curious about our white skin as we loved talking with them. Babies are soooo cute. Their little clothes have the back cut out, bare butts for potty training. We then moved to a wonderful hotel. A 4 star. This trip we eat like kings and places are nice nice nice. Not to discount Russian trip at all, just completely different. All meals are familiy style with a lazy susan in the middle of the table. You have a small dish sett up. small plate, tea cup and rice bowl. About 12 disdhes of food are set out at different times. I've tried Many new foods. Lotus root, all sorts of vegatables. Many things have been offered that I have't tired. pigeon eggs, all sorts of fish. We went to Wal Mart in Xien last night. Great fun, we took as many pictures here as any museum. Lots of crazy things for sale. So many people everywhere, so noisy on the streets. This morning outside of our window I saw the exercises going on in the park. We are headed to the Terra cotta soilders today. In 1974 a farmer unearthed these on his farm. He was totally unable to read, but now makes money signing his name at the museum everyday. We are going to a dumpling dinner tonight, don't know what that means, but It's not southern dumplings I'm sure. I miss everyone, but I'm trying to take it all in. Love to you all.

Long day

For blog, I typed a Long long blog and then I lost it at the last minute, Now I'm too tired. Sorry. So far it's been a hassle to write this year and I hate that. maybe things will change.

--- On Thu, 6/10/10, Cal

Shanghi

Great day in Shanghi, wonderful city. We started the day going to the Shanghi museum. I know that China is only showing us what the country wants us to see, but so far I like what I see. As I look around the architecture is incredible I've seen about 20 skyscrapers I've never seen before. This city has ALL been built in the last 20 years. After the cultural revolution ended in 1978 things started to change. I've heard so much history I just can't keep it all straight. At times I think their system is ok. But then I hear a story that blows my mind. They do like to brag a lot, so this museum is top ten in world. We saw bronze, jade, calligraphy, seals and the best part pottery. An Art lovers paridise. The building was out of this world. More later

First Day

Hey everyone from China, I won't be able to blog much because it's blocked. I'm emailing this to Cally and then she is copying and pasting it to my blog. Shanghai took 14/1/2 hours on a plane to get here but I think it's the greatest city I've ever been to. There are 20 million people here, twice the size of NYC. Most of the areas we are in have been built in the last 20 years. It's very clean and the people are friendly. We walked down one of the main shopping streets last night and looked across the river to what looked something like Manhatten. There were skyscrappers all around us with neon lights, very beautiful. We are staying at the Pacific Hotel one of ten of the historic ones here, built in 1928. The food is great. Every table has a lazy susan in the middle the they put the food in the middle and we spin. This morning we went to a 400 year old garden. Then to lunch, a Methodist Church and a Buddhist temple, to a pearl store where we saw them crack open the oyster, then to a silk factory. Dinner and then an Acrobatic show. WOW what a day. Every minute is so new and exciting. The colors, smells and sounds. Jimmy is our tour guide and knows so much information that he shares with us. Tommorow we are going to the greatest museum in China. Then we are going to the World Expo. It is like the World's Fair. It will only be open for 6 months and they have spent years getting ready for it. We'll spend 6-8 hours there. We fly out the next day. I'll try to post again as soon as I can

First day of freedom

Since today is my first day of freedom from the routine of school, it has me thinking about freedom. I have No idea what sort of restrictions we are going to face on our Internet use. I've heard we won't be able to use facebook. I don't have any idea if I'll be able to blog everyday like I did last summer. I couldn't quit laughing when Drew told Melissa he was worried about me going and not to let me do something crazy...like I don't have to worry about him everyday. I promised I would only do half as much as he does in college. I'm feeling overwhelmed today, with so many projects I need to work on at home, but hey these opportunities don't come along all the time and I just have to go. I'm sure all this mess will still be here when I return. I"ve about got my small suitcase filled to the brim. I've heard I need to take chocolate and dollar bills.

I have three weeks until I leave for China. I can't believe I'm going around the world again. This time I'm going with Marha Morton from UALR and the Bringing China to Arkansas program. It is funded by the Freeman Foundation. I'm trying to remember the lessons I learned from my travels to Russia when it comes to packing. I'm only taking the small rolling travel size bag this year. I'm NOT going to carry everything I think I'll need. I'm in a totally different place in my life this summer and I'm also leaving the Monday after school is out on Thursday. It is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I'm leaving. I'll only be gone 20 days this time compared with 31 before, so this seems like a short trip. I've spent a day at UALR learning Chinese History, language, and culture. I"ve already decided to stick close to our guide. From what I understand on this trip we are staying in hotels NOT college dorm rooms. I've spent about 10 hours reading and doing reports on China. I've had my students write letters about life as an american teen and do some art work. Mrs. Reeves has written a letter to share with our schools we visit. I'm looking forward to another adventure. I have no idea about what is ahead, but that is the exciting part. Now, just to finish these last days of school.