Home Stay

WangfuJang Street, the 'Times Square' of Beijing.









The young man who tried to scam us for $$ for his supposed trip to the US next month.





The Great Dragon Wall in Beihai Park. A really great park across the street from our hotel.





Bridge at Beihai Park.





Great dumplings for lunch.




We couldn't stomach scorpions and sea horses for lunch, though.





This was a wonderful library at the Center for foreign Studies.





Starbucks in Beijing. They don't open till 10:00 AM, so we don't get to have our morning coffee very often.
Nihau to all,

Last night we went to a wonderful acrobatic show! The acts were really amazing, way better than you would see in the States. Let's see, most of this week has been spent in lectures and driving around on the bus going to different restaurants. Today we are packing up for an evening home stay. I'm taking a personal day tomorrow (we're allowed one during the trip), After my home stay, I'm going out to the Summer Palace instead of a day of lectures. Tomorrow night we take a night train to Xian. Prof. Rick & Ming are not sure about internet connections in the hotel, so it amy be a couple of days before I can write more. I am ready to leave Beijing, it is really interesting, but now it's time for a new place. One night a few of us went out for Outback cheesy fries ( I know, I'm weak), then we walked around Tianemen Square at night, very cool, lots of fountains and lights. Of course, I forgot my camera!!!

Yesterday we had a free afternoon and a few of us went to the 'Times Square' of Beijing. We had a nice walk around, saw some kids on a field trip enjoying a McDonald's lunch, and I had a scrumptious frozen berry ice cream sundae at Haagendaas! We thought about a snack of deep-fried scorpions, but decided to pass that tidbit up.

While we were looking for a taxi, we got scammed by a student artist. He was very friendly and personalble, talked with us for several minutes and then invited us to see his art at the exhibit. We went and looked, he asked which we liked the best, etc.. We knew we were being scammed when another young man came in with another group of tourists and started the same spial. We high-tailed it out of there pretty fast.

So, I will write when I can with more photos. Matt, still waiting to hear from you. Kristi & Dad, Thanks so much for taking care of Mika and the cats!! It helps to know that they're doing OK. I do miss them...and all of you also.

Steph