June 20, 2010 - Great Wall (and beyond)

Today was one of those days that we couldn't have packed more into it if we tried. We started out the morning with our traditional "East meets West" breakfast. It's a buffet with everything from sticky buns and pancakes to congi, baked beans, spaghetti and cold cut salad. The delegates love it and we never go away hungry!

We started at the cloisonne factory. We had a tour to see how it is made and then had the opportunity to apply color to prepared plates. It was a little like color by number, without the numbers. Our guide watched as we worked, and then awarded prizes to the best three pieces of work. Andrew Shambrock, Alex Dwyer, and Amy took the prizes. The guide was extremely impressed with Andrew's work. He said that in all the time they have had groups come to the factory, he has never had one that was done so well! He said it was good enough to fire.

From there we headed to the Kung Fu school. Some of the students put on a demonstration and then taught some of the moves to the delegates. Ben and Will were able to share what they have learned here in the States with the instructors, who were most impressed. As always, the best experiences with People to People occur when we are able to interact with the native people. The delegates really enjoyed learning the moves and trying to communicate with the students. It was a neat experience.

After lunch we drove to the Great Wall. We went in the afternoon to avoid the huge crowds. It was warmer, but there were far fewer people. We went to the Baderling section of the wall, which is the section American presidents visit when they come to China. The first thing we noticed was the sign erected for the Olympics. We were able to spend about two hours at the Wall. The steps are not narrow, but they are steep and sometimes there are indentations in the steps which make them uneven.

It was hot and humid, but along the side of the Wall was a breeze, so it wasn't too unbearable. The nice things is that the tourists were all able to explore at their leisure. No one was in an extreme hurry to move from one place to another, and there was room if you wanted to stop and take pictures, or a rest.

It was an amazing opportunity, and a surreal one. Ray and I would stop and look at each other and say "I'm on the Great Wall in China!" It was so hard to believe, even as we were walking it. I talked later with some of the delegates, and they had the same feelings. The things we are experiencing are unbelievably amazing.

After we left the Wall, and before dinner, we had a special treat. The bus driver took us to see the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium. He was able to park the bus so we could walk to it, and just beyond it to see the Water Cube swimming complex where Michael Phelps made Olympic history.

Tonight we need to pack up as we will be leaving Beijing tomorrow. We'll be traveling to Xian by overnight train. There may be a delay in the blog as I'm not sure of what service I'll have available to me.