Hello everyone - yes, I am here - even though Rick has been writing all along. I am still amazed that we are actaully here in China. Every minute is a new experience - from the 13 hour plane ride.. to the luxurios Shangra-la Hotel..to the language (which we have only mastered two words - nihao and xiexie - hello and thank you). I have been sitting and watching - the way the Chinese queue to get onto the train (or I should say - do not queue!); the way that the boy babies do not wear diapers; the way that we have found that we are ignored when in a restaurant (we sat for 20 mins this evening before anyone approached us to take our order, but we did get our check right away!); the way the Chinese are very dedicated to their country.

We actaully had a tour guide tell us that Beijing does not have any pollution, that it is fog - and she seemed to believe it. We watched thousands and thousands of people stand in Tian'an Men Square for over an hour to watch the National Flag lowered for the day. They say that there are just as many each morning of each day. I am not certain that I could imagine people gather in Washington DC each day for that ceremony.

And then, if I close my ears - it is just like any other city in the world - the hustle and bustle - people everywhere, buses, subways, taxis....McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken. There are many tall buildings, and then small neighborhoods squashed in between them. There are fancy cars and bicycles carrying garbage (okay - so you don't see so many bicycles in New York City!!)

We are settled into our friends apartment in the CBD (Central Business District) - and it is much like the business district of other cities - quiet on the weekend - fancy hotels, Starbucks and taxis.

We are trying to set up a photo account - on something like Snapfish so that we can post all of the photos (does anyone have any suggestions for which one to use?) That way we can post what we are doing each day.

I will end this general post and take more time to post some specifics.

Thanks for giving us this opportunity to share our experiences!!