Well, today is Monday, Nov. 3rd. and tomorrow I head out to the city of Guangzhou where I will stay one night in a hotel 1 km from the Baiyun International Airport. This has been a great trip and I have mixed feelings about leaving as the folks here are so friendly. I consider them good friends at this point, we've shared some wonderful times with work and play and eating together. Food is a very big thing in China and there are all sorts of rituals surrounding its consumption. For example, the guest is always seated in a place of honor. Great care is taken to see that the guest is served first and that the teacup is always full. Often the food is dished out onto your plate by another at the table. One could easily get used to this life!
Yesterday I wanted one last great adventure so asked my good friend Shane if he would accompany me to the city of Seh Hui (su hway) where there is a hugh international JADE outlet. We must have taken about six buses and taxis up past Ding Hu Mountain into more mountains to a large city. The arrays of jade were staggering and Shane helped negotiate some great prices for some nice items...future gifts.
Today, my interpreter Jeff wanted me to experience his kind of food from HUNAN province where it is very hot (laaa). We went to a local place that was nice and clean. It was my gift to him and a few of his friends: two journalism & communications professors and one Japanese professor who, it turns out is from the city of Anyang where the Oracle Bones were discovered. If I had time I'd put a link here to that story, it's a great one.
Not much more to say except I will sign off and now try to upload some new pictures. Thanks to those who took some time to check my blog and also to those who wrote a couple of notes. See you in the States and may the best man and woman win in the elections tomorrow! Frank
