Hello from China!

a quick update! I have seen the Great Wall–we were the only group on the wall–went to a very remote section of it–awesome! saw the Peking Opera–not so good, sorry. and today I experienced Tiananmen Square–quite amazing to be where so much history has happened! saw Mao’s corpse–I don’t think it is him–too orangy! Then went to the Forbidden City–amazing! structures were over 700 years old! I touched the very stones the emperor supposedly touched! and saw the golden dragon throne!

I met Yu Hua tonight–he is the writer of To Live—remember the movie? He is such a humble, terrific human being. I assumed he would be great but had no idea he would be so gracious and wonderful! I got to give him a gift! a big deal in China! His first visit to the US was to Iowa so it made sense that I give it to him…it was Grant Wood’s stone City painting–very cool!

the people here are amazing! so lively and curious! I have had my picture taken several times with people because of my blonde hair–people like to touch me too–I guess I’m good luck or something?!?

Hope you are all having a great summer! will post more next week! MRs. S.