Wednesday, June 21, 2006
China Day 2 Morning
Greetings!
We went to a Sichuan Restaurant last night, and got to drive past "open markets" where kids are joking about going back to try the deep fried scorpions and 'delicate' grasshoppers. I don't think we'll be going back there soon. The bus could not drive us through the narrow alleys, so we got to walk through the Hutong streets and village, two doors were open to see inside. The restaurant was wonderful, everyone loved the food, some chose smaller helpings of the spicier selections, but there was a lot to eat, plenty to drink, and everyone commented that its not the same as American Chinese fare. The choir from Eugene also shared our restaurant, and they offered us a well sung rendition of "Tea for Two". We, of course, had to respond, and the only thing we knew we could do without music was "Let the River Run" and we attracted enough attention that some hired help came to listen. So our sons and daughters have already opened up the airwaves in China with wonderful harmony and great smiles!
Everyone was exhausted, so we all just came back and crashed by 9 pm. Wake up call was 7:30 this morning, but Morgan and I couldn't sleep past 6am. She's in the spa getting some exercise, I'm writing home, and breakfast is at 8 am.
We've broken into 5 smaller groups (for attendance only) to keep track of everyone. The college kids are one, I have Mike and Jon Fisher, Kim and Shannon, and my John. The Owen J people have themselves and Dawn. Kaplans have Graham and Brett, and McCullough/Earls have Sloan and Connor. Its working out great, and people are all being on time.
After breakfast, we head over to the Forbidden City, General Mao's memorial, and Tiananmen Square. We'll see if there's time for the zoo, and we'll be back here to prepare for the Hard Rock Cafe this evening where all the choir members from USA are having dinner to meet. We haven't heard if Eric Whitacre and Hila will be there or not. Rehearsals don't start until tomorrow.
We are doing a small performance this evening in a shopping area. Not sure what that's going to be like. Emily our tour guide is wonderful and very helpful.
Off to breakfast!
We went to a Sichuan Restaurant last night, and got to drive past "open markets" where kids are joking about going back to try the deep fried scorpions and 'delicate' grasshoppers. I don't think we'll be going back there soon. The bus could not drive us through the narrow alleys, so we got to walk through the Hutong streets and village, two doors were open to see inside. The restaurant was wonderful, everyone loved the food, some chose smaller helpings of the spicier selections, but there was a lot to eat, plenty to drink, and everyone commented that its not the same as American Chinese fare. The choir from Eugene also shared our restaurant, and they offered us a well sung rendition of "Tea for Two". We, of course, had to respond, and the only thing we knew we could do without music was "Let the River Run" and we attracted enough attention that some hired help came to listen. So our sons and daughters have already opened up the airwaves in China with wonderful harmony and great smiles!
Everyone was exhausted, so we all just came back and crashed by 9 pm. Wake up call was 7:30 this morning, but Morgan and I couldn't sleep past 6am. She's in the spa getting some exercise, I'm writing home, and breakfast is at 8 am.
We've broken into 5 smaller groups (for attendance only) to keep track of everyone. The college kids are one, I have Mike and Jon Fisher, Kim and Shannon, and my John. The Owen J people have themselves and Dawn. Kaplans have Graham and Brett, and McCullough/Earls have Sloan and Connor. Its working out great, and people are all being on time.
After breakfast, we head over to the Forbidden City, General Mao's memorial, and Tiananmen Square. We'll see if there's time for the zoo, and we'll be back here to prepare for the Hard Rock Cafe this evening where all the choir members from USA are having dinner to meet. We haven't heard if Eric Whitacre and Hila will be there or not. Rehearsals don't start until tomorrow.
We are doing a small performance this evening in a shopping area. Not sure what that's going to be like. Emily our tour guide is wonderful and very helpful.
Off to breakfast!
