John on our team celebrated his 57th birthday. We honored him with a cake and really enjoyed sandwiches from Subway.
Blake and Laura (locals from Xi'an) are the brains behind the work. He is over the Xi'an International School and she teaches English at one of the local universities. A very sweet and patient couple that took excellent care of all of us.
A bon-a-fide STL vehicle. ( We got to ride in it.)
On Wednesday evening we had an English corner at the school. Teachers came with their families and friends and we just hung out and visited for an hour and a half.
The Terracotta soldiers near Xi'an. These were found in the 1970s. A former emperor hundreds of years ago had them cast and buried with him. These are broken from a cave in, but many have been put back together. There are thousands of them. This was a very interesting find.
Between 30 and 40 million Chinese live in cave homes. We visited one on our trip to see the soldiers. It is cool in summer and warm in winter. They've made them rather nice.
Group photo on the Monday of our training. The team is on the front row with the 2 school administrators. The Chinese teachers are in the back.
Going to Jim's apartment on the 18th floor, we came by this tree receiving an I.V. to help it live. Yes, that's a bag and a needle is stuck in the tree..............
On Friday after the training, we visited a junior high school. This is a 9th grade class with 54 students in it. There's room for 60. They sit on little wooden stools that is no more than a board. The students come early around seven. They leave and go home in the middle of the day for a couple of hours to eat lunch and rest. They come back in the afternoon and stay until about 6. They had no concept of school buses. The students take turns keeping the school clean. It is a much different culture. On this day, they were there for some summer session.
A team picture before the folk from Hong Kong leave..........
On the Great Wall with our "Torch" magazine. This is Lee's alumini magazine.
With Jim and the SW team on the wall. It was hot..........
Rita in front of the Forbidden City which is across from Tinamin Square. We were able to find an English speaking Chinese who we paid to guide us through this site. We learned so much more by doing this.
With John, our guide.
David helping some Chinese teachers...............
We were so blessed by going and thankful for everyone and everything involved. Jim was a great host, Jennifer was a wonderful leader, and we met some wonderful people in the "family."
PTL!
