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.