China

Time to catch up! I'm writing this on the bus up to the Great Wall right now, will send later! So we are in China! Much different from Japan. We were in Shanghai the first day, I had a field lab to Funan University in the city to listen to some diplomats and professors talk about sino American relations essentially, with a little history mixed in. It was really interesting but too long! 6 hours of lecture!

That night Laura, Christine, Wade and I went out into the Bund, a nicer part of Shanghai next to where we were ported. We were followed by some guys for awhile, we lost them tho over a bridge, it's really weird. Wade was followed all afternoon I guess. We went to a jazz and blues club that night which has been one of the best night time experiences I've had, great band from Boston actually with a really cool mix of people, and we even heard some locals get up and play for "Jam Night".

The next day I flew to Beijing with Semester at Sea (I bought a trip through them so they plan everything for you) and we saw the Olympic buildings the "bird's nest" and "water cube" and saw an acrobatic show! The acrobatic show was incredible! Ill try to post some video.

Yesterday we went to Tien a men Square and the Forbidden City, which was so cool. It was snowing yesterday and was super cold which was a bummer because I had my head stuck down in my jacket and I wasn't taking my time to look at things. But the snow was beautiful on the Square and in the Forbidden City. We went to a government silk factory (quality guaranteed because it's gov owned) and I saw start to finish how the silk is made and bought a wholesale price scarf (about $16 USD)! Ate a fantastic authentic family style lunch, becoming a pro at eating with chop sticks! We saw a Confucian Temple and then went to a 6 story Chinese market (which is mainly for foreigners so they can haggle). Everything is knock off or stolen but the will sell anything from beats headphones, Burberry jackets, north face, Ralph Lauren... You name it. I bought another scarf which I'm taking up to the Great Wall today, some baby fake UGGs because they were so adorable for brand new baby Lillian Hendrickson born Feb 4th! Congratulations Billy and Jenna!

So today if you haven't already figured it out, we are headed to the Great Wall! About a 2 hour drive from Beijing into the mountains. Experiencing my first Beijing smog right now but it should be clearer higher. The traffic is insane. There are basically no rules, cars do not stop for pedestrians and if you get hit as a pedestrian it is your fault.

I'm really enjoying china, can't wait to send you all pictures! Ill try to post some tonight from my phone, sorry the quality will probably be minimal.

Love you all, as always thanks for following, I love seeing your comments and getting your emails!

Sent from my iPhone