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.