Fung Fu, Jade and Hutongs

Today was a more restful day and we really enjoyed it. The morning tour was to a Kung Fu school and the kids were just amazing. Then we went to a jade factory where they had beautiful and very expensive jade things, from jewelry to works of art carved in jade. We drove by the Olympic park and buildings that they are building, but it was drizzling rain and foggy so we could not see as well as we'd have liked. We saw the arena where they will hold the opening ceremony on the way in the other day though and it is an awesome structure-shaped like a big birds' nest! It will be fun to watch the olympics next summer and see the places we have been to. The kids from the Kung Fu school will be part of the ceremonies so we may even see them again! We came back to the hotel for a short break and then we went to the Hutong tour which we really enjoyed. The rain had stopped by this time and today was a really nice day temperature -wise. Hopefully, the rain will not show itself tomorrow when we are at the Great Wall. We have been so lucky with the rains in that there have not been many and when we've had them, they have not mattered.
The Hutong tour was so much fun, riding in the pedicabs they call them. I think they are modern day versions of the Rickshaw. Our driver was Chang and he spoke some English and was really nice. We had a long ride through the narrow lanes and houses, by a man-made lake and back. We stopped and had tea with a family in their home in this area. The house was over 200 years old and was very neat to see. The man was a retired archeologist and it was very interesting to ask questions, with Steven being our interpreter, about life and what it had been like to live through so many changes and the revolution in China and all. His wife served us tea and some neat snacks. The other group visited with an artist in his home the same way.

A group of us met and had our free Coke together at the bar area and just talked for an hour or two and that was fun. Then we had a club sandwich in the hotel western restaurant and boy was it good. We just didn't want to see any more spicy food or noodles for today! It was a good day and I feel more rested after the hot and tiring day yesterday.

We are all enjoying this trip so much but think we are in agreement that we wouldn't want to live here. But what a fascinating place to visit and experience! Tomorrow is the thing I have been looking forward to the most-the Great Wall.

Oh by the way, the bargains just keep coming.