Leaving Xian

Haven't been able to get on the internet for a couple day and this will be a fast entry because I am paying by the minutes to use the computer.

We arrived in Xian on Saturday afternoon after the bumpiest bus ride ever. We went straight to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. It was a fascination afternoon and we hope to read more about them when we return to the states.

The drive to the hotel was about an hour afterward. The Bell and Drum Hotel is just off a large plaza in Xian. The hotel accomodations were nice and the beds and pillows felt wonderful to sleep on after the rock hard ones in Pingliang. McD's, KFC, and Subway all within walking distance as well as the largest shopping mall I have ever seen (9 stories of sheer chaos).

Sunday started with a wonderful americanized breakfast at the hotel before breaking into groups to discover Xian's historic sites. We went to a Mosque, the Bell Tower, The Drum Tower, and some people walked to and on the ancient wall surrounding the city. Everyone gathered for games in the big plaza nearby and we drew an enourmous crowd. Dinner was "dishes" )plate of various Chinese food) at a restaurant within walking distance. When we returned to the hotel one of the OTC staff members collected copies of everyone's pictures to go through in the coming months and disseminate on disks (we added over a thousand...yikes....we have our own work cut out for us).

Today we gathered for breakfast and then had a final wrap up session with the students. It was very emotional to say thank yous and good-byes. After lunch at American places the students left on the bus to go back to Pingliang or wherever they live for Spring Festival Break.. THey don't return to school until March.

Now we have free time for a little longer before our final wrap up session with Dennis. His wife, Heather, flew back to the USA yesterday to be with her mother for surgery so she won't be with us for the rest of our trip. After dinner tonight, we board the train to return to Beijing. Some are flying out tomorrow after we arrive. The rest of us have scattered departures between tomorrow and Friday.

As soon as we arrive in Beijing we will be going to the Great Wall, then Tienemen Square, and the Forbidden Palace. It will be a long and wonderful day.

Don't know about internet access but we will try when we can. Please keep Shaun in your prayers...he came down with a stomach something yesterday and went ahead and started antibiotics. He is feeling a little better today but has a ways to go. Otherwise we ar doing fine. Tired but contented with our time here and full of stories to share...like Sullivan getting a plate full of icing shoved in his face by a student...but those are for another day.

DD, We love you and can't wait to see you on Thursday. Lots of hugs and kisses. Thanks again, Mom and Dad for taking care of her.