China 2009!

CHINA!! What an incredible trip. In 12 days, we visited 8 cities, flew 3 times, cruised the Yangtze River for four days, saw the Great Wall, Terra Cotta Warriors, Tiananmen Square, learned how to play the real Mahjong, set one ship cabin room on fire (with my Chi - oops), and had four knives thrown at us (by Chinese acrobats at Tanner during a performance - hilarious). Also, we now understand the very personal nature of the term "Traditional Chinese Massage" - we DO NOT recommend it, by the way. We went to a handmade oriental rug factory, a Chinese silk embroidery shop, a Jade workshop, and numerous museums.

We learned a great deal about what it's like to live in a Communist country, which of course made us so very grateful for just everything. We are so blessed to live in such a place. Our guide "Nancy" (actual name: Yuen) was very open about Chinese policies, customs and traditions, including the "one child policy" and other aspects about life there that just seem so foreign (sorry there's just no other word for it).

After 26 hours of travel and numerous Swine-Flu-Related airport delays, we were exhausted, very jet lagged, sad to return to the real world, but happy to be home. What a WONDERFUL trip!!