Fwd: China Up Date

Hi Readers,

I got an email from the Chaperone in China that my daughter is with.

I am sharing this email below:

Sent: 7/16/2009 7:36:12 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: China Up Date

Hello Everyone,
It is not easy to get internet access as I thought. There has only been wireless at the Hong Kong Airport so my I phone has not been much help. Here is the latest update. The trip is incredible and I would recommend traveling to China to all.

July 14
We saw the Giant Pandas. Went to the summer Palace of the Dragon Lady. She had a mable boat we saw and we walked the longest corridor in the world. We took a ride across the lake on a Dragon Boat. After lunch we went to a pearl factory and learned a lot about fresh water pearls. Next was a rickshaw ride through a hutong in Beijing. We visited a woman in her small home who served us jasime tea and talked to us about her life. We learned about her art of painting small glass bottles from the inside out. Finally we boarded the overnight train to Xian.

July 15
We received a huge welcome at the City wall from warrior, the emperor and emperess and dancers. The Students then were able to ride bikes on the wall or walk around the wall. In the afternoon we went to a soccer school where the students played against the Cinese Students. We lost and never even scored a goal. None the less the students had a great time. We went to a special dumpling dinner where all of the dumplings were formed in the shape of the food they held. A pig for pork, fish for fish, a walnut for walnut, etc. This was followed by a Tang Dynasty show with music and dancing at a very beautiful theatre.

July 16
Today, we started by going to a Terracotta Warrior factory and got to make a small soldier. Sonata was the winner and received a beautiful jade necklace. Next we vistied the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Buddist monistary. This was followed by lunch. We then got to meet with the farmer who discovered the Terracotta warriors and hear his story through an interpreter and shake his hand or get a book with his autograph. Then it was on to the amazing Terracotta Warriors. We visited three different pits and learned a lot. Next we went to a tea house. Most of us tasted a variety of teas and learned the properway to serve and drink tea. Finally it was back to the hotel for dinner and a free night. The students are having their bed checks as I email by the other leaders.

All of the students are doing well. There has been a great variety of foods with something for everyone. Almost every meal has been family style or a buffett. The students believe it or not have been waking up early and bed checks have gone smoothly!!! Tomorrow we head for our home stay in a rural village of about 1000 people. The students will be staying in groups of 4 or 5 and they do have western toilets I have been told.!

That's about all for now. When we get to Shanghai I will email again.
Laura

Please excuse the typos I don't have much time until the business center closes!!