September 14, 2007

Last evening we went to the acrobatic show to view spectacular balancing, contortionism, and balancing in mid air on 2 open spinning wheels. Today we went to the Cloisinne factory to view the 8 hour process for even the tiniest pieces. We then travelled an hour into the mountains to view one of the oldest sections of the Great Wall. Since it is the Autumn Festival highlighting the full moon, families are on holiday and sightseeing in large groups. It is impossible to describe the massive scale that the Wall comprises. Some took the gondolas up to the top while others of us walked as far as we could. You literally walk bent forward or backward as the incline steepens. The view is spectacular and the mountain air clear and cool. Families actually stop midway, spead out a cloth and picnic in the middle of the crowds. Several of us with light colored hair have become photo-ops for the locals! We got to see firsthand toddlers, diaperless with split pants, urinating in the lot, as well as the "squatty- potties" in the bathrooms. Fortunately there was usually one western style toilet on the end.On the way back we had a traditional family style meal at the local jade factory complete with a tour. Since our driver still had a placard for the OLympics we were also able to tour the Olympic village, seeing the Water Cube, the Birds Nest and 3 large skyscrapers with giant screen tvs on the outside that control all. Current olympic events were being televised as we drove by.