Saturday, June 11, 2011

The Great Adventure

Today has been an action packed day. We loaded the bus this morning at 8:00 and headed to the Cloisonne factory for a tour. Cloisonne is also called “Copper-body and Wireinlaid Enamel” which has a very long history in China, going back several hundred years. To create these masterpieces requires an elaborate and complicated process, which takes many hours to complete. We were able to purchase a nice vase in order to one day give to Emma.


After the Cloisonne tour we made our way to the Great Wall. You just can’t comprehend how magnificent this structure is until you see it in person. To stand there on the Wall and look out over God’s creation was just breathtaking, what handiwork. There seemed to be a lot of people there but I think Eli was the biggest star in the crowd of people. We were warned that Eli would attract a lot of attention due to his blonde hair and boy did he ever. He was a very good sport about it. I kind of think he liked the attention. Matt thought it was pretty funny that we had to beg in order to take his picture but for everyone else he was all smiles.


After the Great Wall tour, we made our way to a restaurant for a traditional Chinese lunch with our group. Our guide must have ordered for us and then it was brought out and served family style on a great big lazy Susan. There were some interesting items but nobody walked away hungry, not even Matt.



Yesterday, I had gone out with some of our group to the store in order to get us some bottled water and some Cokes but Matt stayed behind with Eli to rest. I figured Matt needed to have this experience and so this evening we made our way to the store and checked out all the interesting things they had to offer. Let me just say, I get very frustrated with Wal-Mart sometimes but I am so thankful for the stores we have in the states. You think Wal-Mart’s meat department isn’t so great, try shopping with the meat spread out in the open, not covered, with flies crawling all around it. Wow!


We are all pretty tired around here. I think we are going to order us some Pizza Hut and have it delivered, right to our door. Good night and we love you all!

4 comments:

Treelanetales said...

What a neat experience. Your lunch looks pretty good to me too! Praying you are sleeping well now as we start our day here.

Becky and Chad Wesselman said...

Looks like you guys are seeing the sites. And you got to eat at the Friendship restaurant. I don't think I had told you about that!! Our guide didn't eat with us because she said she was going to eat real Chinese!! Loved the pic of you three on the great wall. Definitely a keeper!

China Dreams said...

The factory looks interesting-we missed that on our trip. I know exactly what you mean about the meat; it smells, too, not because it's bad, but just because it's raw and not kept that cool. Hope you are able to get some rest.

Ruby

Erin said...

Awesome picture of you guys at the Great Wall! So neat and special that you were able to see how the vases are made and get one for Emma. I'm sure she will treasure that some day!