GROUP JOURNAL FOR MONGOLIA CHINA KIRGYZISTAN KAZAKISTAN Silk Road Tour Aug

21 August – Wednesday – Adrienne Lipman

6:00AM morning call, to go to the walls.
7:20AM As usual Mike, our elusive traveler, had to be retrieved to see if he was joining us. He did. Barb and Suzie retrieved their luggage so all is well to begin the bus ride to the great wall, good weather. We learned some Chinese phrases and meanings. Our guide explained Chinese letters. Woman arms out, legs crossed, 4 tones in speaking. ma = mother high tone, ma = hemp rising tone, ma = horse falling rising tone, ma = scolding falling tone.

Confucianism is a philosophy in China, nearly a religion.

Along the Highway there are what appear to grow lots of hibiscus plants from white to dark pink with huge blossoms. Near the wall there are lots of small plots of vegetables in small villages, as you would imagine China looking throughout the centuries.

Well, the Great Wall was great no matter how high you climbed. Just being there and thinking about the human cost to build it is difficult to comprehend. We took a group photo before the climb, should have taken one after, how different that picture would look like! Meli even had time to shop! And Bargain!

Another shopping opportunity we didn’t miss at Yulong Restaurant for those that ate FAST! The cloisonné Factory! Everything from Pandas to a “Second mortgage on your home” Treasure. Lunch was ok too. Sent Al back in to get us some musical balls and vases as gifts, as some people spent more that $100 each and did not get “gifts”.

We had to fit in all the activities from our arrival day into today so we don’t miss a thing On to the summer palace! Traffic is really tolerable, not as bad as I expected.

Discussed Chinese politics as related to the world.

Bussed to the Summer Imperial Palace. Big surprise for me. Very Green – still very pretty. The boat Ride across the lake to the other side gave some very impressive views of the buildings. Be sure you feel well when you go. Terrific small pond along the walk with giant leaves. Gave a surreal effect of ancient times – at this point I knew the heat, humidity and my system had given out and I left the group when they went to lunch.

The home visit the pearl factory, bike fixit shop, Patty saw what we think was a Van cat!! Blue eye/brown eye. And kindergarten, joined up again at he acrobatic Performance – terrific. Paul, Phil and Mike went to the Shaolin Warriors Kungfu performance instead. This would have been a good stop for Al also, Got no time. Bused instead of underground train to the Peking Duck Dinner at 9pm. Took ½ hour to go a few feet to make our turn as cars kept cutting in front of us to do same turn. Our driver finally kept only 1 foot between our bus and the van in front, very exciting.

Had a surly waitress we almost brought to tears – never smiled, gave us “evil” looks. Our guide finally had to reassure her and another took over. Good ride home.

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