Due to the tight schedule we have had and the students' need to use my 3G enabled iPad to send emails, it has become almost impossible for the student find the time to write the daily updates. So from now on I will try to update you on our latest progress in China. I will write to you every two or three days and will try to send you photos daily as we go along the trip.
We spent the last two days in Beijing climbing the Great Wall and shopping at the Silk Market. The night before we visited the Great Wall (6/18) we went to the Heaven & Earth Theater to watch the acrobatics show. The show was pretty amazing with the actors and actresses doing all these things that defy the law of physics. As we were not allowed to take photos, we have nothing to share with you except words of mouth from your children in the future.
Before the show started, Jack Grover and Maggie went along with some Chinese children one third of their height to beg free balloons from the clown. The show was about to start, and these two youngsters realized they had no chance of getting anything from the clown as all other children were lined up before them. While Jack was walking back towards his seat, he heard the clown tell him to go back. jack was promptly invited onto the stage where he used a hammer to strike a virtual button to start the show. So he was a star for that night!
On the 19th we drove to the Great Wall area. On the way there we first visited an emperor's tomb and a jade factory where a few children bought a few small items. The kids loved the Great Wall. Most of them climbed up to the top. Even Zosha climbed up to the first arrow tower. There was an optional Kungfu show tonight. Only Sam and Sean chose to go. Each paid 140 yuan for admission but claimed it was well worthy of the money.
Day 4 (6/20) in Beijing was light on schedule so we did not have to get up too early. First we were taken to a silk factory and shop where the kids were shown how silk was made. Jackie bought a silk comforter. The kids were amused by the discovery of a silk Packer underpants. Then we drove to the renowned or notorious Silk Street. This place has seven floors where you can hunt bargains for name brand merchandise ranging from T-shirts to electronic toys. After shopping was done, the kids were divided into groups of 4 and received instructions to explore Beijing on their own by using their Chinese skills. Some went to the Temple of Heaven, which is located just two blocks away from our hotel. Some went to see the Birdnest. They all came back safe and sound.
Day 5 (6/21) today we had to get up at 4:30 a.m. In order to catch an early flight to Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province. We almost couldn't make it due to the fact that two students kept the group waiting for more than 15 minutes. After some minor incidents such as cigarette lighters hidden in the checked-in suitcases (which is not allowed in China), we made it just on time. The flight was more than 3 hours long, but after the Chicago-Beijing flight, this did not bother us a bit. Upon arriving we were greeted by the local tourist guide, a young lady named Murphy. We ate a bland tourist meal for lunch and were sent to the hotel located in the northern surburb of the city. After two hours' rest, we gathered in the lobby and took bus route #10 to the city center. The fare was only one yuan, approximately 13 pennies for the 10-mile ride on a double-decker. We all came back to the hotel for dinner, some went on their own searching for cheap food on the street, some 10 students went with Mr. Yu to a fancy restaurant next door to the hotel. We ordered plenty of food and they were all very delicious. The cost was 45 yuan per person, around $7.00. There were a few video arcades around the hotel. Some boys were believed to have spent quite some time in these facilities.
[how silk is made]
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