France rated itself the most arrogant among eight European Union nations

French Are Most Arrogant, Say French In Pew Poll Of European Union Nations

 

France rated itself most arrogant among eight European Union nations, according to a new survey. I find this intriguing because I would expect an arrogant people to be incapable of seeing themselves through the eyes of others.  Read on……………

 

Are the French really arrogant? They seem to think so.

France rated itself the most arrogant among eight European Union nations, a new survey indicates. But in the same poll, France also said it was the least arrogant -- a twist The Guardian called a "display of Gallic insouciance."

The findings in the Pew Research Center's "Stereotyping in Europe" poll were part of an overall survey of European attitudes, titled "The New Sick Man of Europe: the European Union."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the study showed that old notions and animosities still appeared to thrive across borders in the EU's struggle for unity amid debt recovery, the Telegraph notes.

 

 

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, cracked to the outlet: “I am delighted that the Eurocrats have failed to crush national stereotyping, which is what makes Europe a great continent.”

Pew polled 7,646 citizens from Germany, France, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Germany was rated most trustworthy, and it also eclipsed France as most arrogant among the majority of countries polled.

Every nation rated itself as the most compassionate, while Germany was generally considered by other countries to be the least compassionate.

More Europeans could also agree on their dislike for the current economic arrangement. The median of those with a favorable view of the European Union dropped from 60 percent to 45 percent in the past year.

The Huffington Post | By Ron Dicker Posted: 05/14/2013 6:20 pm EDT

Cruise to Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Italy

I will take this wonderful 13-night cruise that visits Israel (my first time), Greece, Italy (including Sicily), and Turkey. I look forward to a relaxing and intellectually stimulating time and to chilling out in my balcony room on a great ship!

Here is the route:

Sept 20 depart from Rome, Italy
Sept 21 Sea day
Sept 22 Chania, Crete, Greece
Sept 23 Rhodes, Greece
Sept 24 Sea day
Sept 25 Jerusalem (Ashdod) Israel
Sept 26 Nazareth (Haifa) Israel
Sept 27 Sea day
Sept 28 Ephesus, Turkey
Sept 29 Athens, Greece
Sept 30 Sea day
Oct 1 Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Oct 2 Naples,/Capri, Italy
Oct 3 Back to Rome and Flight back to Miami

US Economy Collapse Causes Global Market Turmoil

Here is an article published by the BBC:

Traders and analysts describe the effect of the collapse of Lehman Brothers on global markets
Losses on stock markets have continued after the collapse of fourth largest US investment bank, Lehman Brothers, which has filed for bankruptcy protection.

European stocks fell again; the UK's FTSE 100 was down 2.44%, France's Cac down 1% and Germany's Dax down 1.58%.

Shares in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong fell more than 5%, having been shut on Monday for public holidays.

Lehman, which may be about to sell its core assets to Barclays, is the latest victim of the global credit crunch.

Banks hit
The FTSE 100 of leading UK shares fell 127 points to 5,077 shortly before midday. The Dax index of leading German shares was down 96 points at 5968 points and France's Cac 40 was down 45 points at 4,124 points.

Big banks can no longer be under any illusion that they can make big, stupid financial bets and expect taxpayers to pick up the bill Robert Peston, BBC business editor Japan's benchmark.

Nikkei 225 index dropped 5% to a three-year low, shares in South Korea and Hong Kong shed almost 6% in value and Shanghai's index fell by about 3%.

Markets in Taipei and Singapore were also sharply down, and the pattern was repeated in Australia and New Zealand, although the falls were smaller.

The US stock market on Monday had its worst day's trading since 9/11, with the Dow Jones index ending the day down 504.48 points, or 4.42%, at 10,917.51.

Central banks around the world have been carrying out emergency measures on Tuesday to keep markets liquid. The moves came as the interest rates at which banks lend to each other rocketed - as they did at the start of the credit crunch.
Overnight sterling Libor increased from 5.5% to 6.8%, and the dollar Libor rate increased from 3.1% to 6.4%. The Bank of England put an extra £20bn (25bn euros; £36bn) into short-term money markets "in response to conditions in the short-term money markets" - four times the sum seen on Monday after Lehman's collapse

The Frankfurt-based European Central Bank said it had provided 70bn euros ($100bn; £56bn) in an emergency operation to keep money markets supplied with liquidity
The Bank of Japan carried out two injections of a combined 2.5 trillion yen ($24.1bn; £13bn)
Australia and India also pumped cash into their money markets
And Japanese-registered Lehman Brothers Japan and Lehman Brothers Holdings have applied to the Tokyo District Court for bankruptcy protection
Bank stocks were hard hit again across Europe; in London HBOS was down about 12%, and Royal Bank of Scotland was down more than 7%
Barclays Bank - which today said it was in talks to take on some of Lehman's US operations - was one of the big fallers, down more than 5%
In Paris, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, and BNP Paribas were all down by nearly 4%, while in Germany Commerzbank dropped 8.6% and Deutsche Bank fell 3.7%
'Crisis'

On the currency markets, the dollar slid to a four-month low against the yen before recovering slightly. At 0820 GMT, it was down 0.7% at 103.70 yen having earlier dropped to 103.62 yen.
The euro was down to $1.4234, having hit $1.4482 on Monday.

The collapse of Lehman, which had incurred billions of dollars of losses from the failing US mortgage market, has raised fears that other financial institutions could be hit.
"We're in the middle of a crisis," said YK Chan at Phillip Asset Management in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, there were fears that AIG, one of the world's largest insurers, could also face collapse.
The State of New York announced a "multi-billion dollar financing plan" on Monday to stabilise the insurer's finances.
'Rough spots' ahead
On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the US was "working through a difficult period in our financial markets right now as we work off some of the past excesses".
Henry Paulson was upbeat despite the turmoil He said Americans could remain confident in the "soundness and resilience" of the US financial system. But he warned that uncertainty remained and it was likely that there would be further "rough spots" ahead until the correction of the US housing market was completed.
Mr Paulson said he was committed to working with regulators in the US and abroad, as well as policymakers in Congress to take the necessary steps "to maintain the stability and orderliness of our financial markets". But he gave no details of what such steps might mean.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/7617976.stmPublished: 2008/09/16 11:26:48 GMT

Peace Sign-50 Year Birthday Celebration

My non-denominational church, Unity On The Bay, where EVERYONE is welcome, is conducting a ten-day marathon of activities, films, lectures, discussions, book studies, music, prayer, meditation, and other activities to help us embody peace. Our minister informed us today that the Peace Sign turned 50 this year. He shared the story of its origin meaning "surrender".

The following is an excerpt from "A history of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) (CND) logo" by the CND in UK.

One of the most widely known symbols in the world, in Britain it is recognised as standing for nuclear disarmament - and in particular as the logo of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). In the United States and much of the rest of the world it is known more broadly as the peace symbol.

It was designed in 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist and a graduate of the Royal College of Arts. He showed his preliminary sketches to a small group of people in the Peace News office in North London and to the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War, one of several smaller organisations that came together to set up CND. The Direct Action Committee had already planned what was to be the first major anti-nuclear march, from London to Aldermaston, where British nuclear weapons were and still are manufactured. It was on that march, over the 1958 Easter weekend that the symbol first appeared in public.
What does it mean? Gerald Holtom, a conscientious objector who had worked on a farm in Norfolk during the Second World War, explained that the symbol incorporated the semaphore letters N(uclear) and D(isarmament).
He later wrote to Hugh Brock, editor of Peace News, explaining the genesis of his idea in greater, more personal depth:I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya's peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it.
The symbol almost at once crossed the Atlantic. Bayard Rustin, a close associate of Martin Luther King had come over from the US in order to take part in that first Aldermaston March. He took the symbol back to the United States where it was used on civil rights marches. Later it appeared on anti-Vietnam War demonstrations and was even seen daubed in protest on their helmets by American GIs.

Simpler to draw than the Picasso peace dove, it became known, first in the US and then round the world as the peace symbol. It appeared on the walls of Prague when the Soviet tanks invaded in 1968, on the Berlin Wall, in Sarajevo and Belgrade, on the graves of the victims of military dictators from the Greek Colonels to the Argentinian junta, and most recently in East Timor Although specifically designed for the anti-nuclear movement it has quite deliberately never been copyrighted. No one has to pay or to seek permission before they use it. A symbol of freedom, it is free for all.

addition:

Here is an article posted in The New Times

Peace Out

Just give it a chance at Unity on the Bay’s Peace-a-thon.
BY PATRICE ELIZABETH GRELL YURSIK

Christian or Muslim, Jew or Hindu, agnostic or atheist — we can all agree on one thing: This world is in need of a whole lot less war and a whole lot more peace. Although world peace might seem like a tall order to anyone with an IQ higher than your average pageant queen’s, there are folks actively working toward that lofty goal. But for every aid worker toiling in a refugee camp, or public official trying to bridge communication between rival factions, there’s a government waiting to invade another country for bull____ reasons, or a fundamentalist ready to blow harmony to smithereens. Why can’t the world just do what John Lennon asked, and give peace a chance? If you want to try, head to Unity on the Bay (411 NE 21st St., Miami).

Its Peace-a-Thon aims to use the power of collective hope to target a specific problem. The church is of Christian denomination, but its message carries beyond religious boundaries. Because September 11 is the Unity World Day of Prayer, and September 21 is the United Nations International Day of Peace, Unity on the Bay plans to embrace global unity and spiritual diversity for the 11 days in between.

Celebrations will include a concert with Deva Premal & Miten this Sunday — tickets for which cost $25 general admission in advance, $35 at the door. There’ll be a consciousness day-spa this Saturday that includes meditation, workshops, labyrinth walks, massages, Reiki, and Johrei. And this Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., like-minded individuals are simply welcome to come to the Return to Self Silent Retreat. There’s a “suggested love offering” of $30, and pre-registration is required. Visit www.unityonthebay.org or www.peace-a-thon.com.

American Profiled in Israel Airport Because of His Name

Here is an interesting article about an Ameican who was profiled in Israel's international airport because of his name. He was forced to dance to prove he was not a terrorist threat--despite the fact that he traveled with his famous professional dance troupe.

American performer: Israeli security made me dance

By JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press WriterTue Sep 9, 3:28 PM ET

A performer with the famed Alvin Ailey dance troupe on Tuesday said he was twice forced to perform steps for Israeli airport security officers to prove his identity before he was permitted to enter the country.

Abdur-Rahim Jackson, an eight-year veteran of the dance ensemble, said he was singled out by Israel's renowned airport security because he has a Muslim name. He called the experience embarrassing and said at one point, one of the officers even suggested he change his name.

"To be greeted like this because of my name, it took me back a little bit," said Jackson, who is black.

Israel is the first stop on a six-nation tour celebrating the New York-based dance company's 50th anniversary. Earlier this year, Congress passed a resolution calling the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater a "vital American cultural ambassador to the world."
Jackson said he was pulled aside from other members of the troupe when they arrived at Israel's international airport on Sunday night. He said he was taken to a holding room, where he was asked about the origins of his name. When he explained he was part of the dance group, he was asked to perform.

"I stood up. I asked what type of dance?" he explained. "He said, "Just do anything.' I just moved around."

Minutes later, he said a female officer put him through a similar interrogation and asked him to dance again.

"The only time I'm really expected to dance is when I'm performing," he said.
Jackson said he received his name because his father was a convert to Islam. Jackson said he was not raised a Muslim, does not consider himself religious and is engaged to a Jewish woman in the troupe who has relatives in Israel.

Jackson said he did not plan to press the matter further, saying the numerous apologies he has received from American dignitaries and his Israeli hosts is "enough for me." The Israel Ports Authority said it had no comment because it did not receive a formal complaint.
The incident was reported in Israel's largest newspaper and on an Israeli television news and interview program. "The security guards should be sent home or (the airport) will become a mental asylum," said Motti Kirshenbaum, a veteran commentator and host of the Channel 10 TV program.

Israel is constantly on the alert for attack because of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and extremist Islamic rejection of the Jewish state's existence. Security is strict at all entry points and inside the country.

Israel is famous for the effectiveness of its airport security. But a key element in its security checks is ethnic profiling. The practice has been criticized by Israeli human rights campaigners as racist because it singles out Arabs for tougher treatment.

Such profiling is illegal in the United States, but Jackson said that the only place he has had the similarly humiliating experience of being forced to dance in the past was at a U.S. airport when he returned from a vacation in the Dominican Republic. He did not say when or where that took place.

Jackson said that since the Israeli airport incident, the reception in Israel has been "amazing."
"We're only here to bring positive light to our lives and the people here," he said, calling the group's multicultural appeal "an amazing bind you can't touch, you can only experience."

Sikh Temple in Delhi

On a cloudy Sunday, I have watched several episodes of Andrew Zimmerman Bizarre Foods. Andrew is a chef and writer who travels the world sampling foods indigenous to different cultures. He exposes us to varied ingredients, preparations, dining customs and foods we'd (sometimes) never think of consuming. Today, I have watched him explore cities I know such as Hani and Delhi and countries I have yet to explore such as Malaysia (Durian fruit) and Iceland (putrified shark).

He visited the famous Sikh Temple in Delhi to show us the large communal kitchen staffed by volunteers, that feeds 4000 people, twice a day. Importantly, everyone is welcome to dine inside this Sikh temple.

Here is my journal entry from a visit to that temple in Delhi in September 2007.

Our first stop was to a Sikh temple. Before entering the temple, we were required to remove both shoes and socks and to cover our heads. They gave us all orange bandannas to cover our heads.

As usual, we encountered a beautiful mosaic of colorful people at this phenomenal temple. We were there on Sunday, one of the most popular days for a visit, and it is also a popular family gathering. People from all faiths are welcome to enter the Sikh temple and worship the Sikh Holy Scripture. Every person, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, culture or nationality is welcome here. Sikhism is also known for its community kitchen. It is designed to provide food to all devotees, pilgrims, and visitors and is a symbol of equality, fraternity, and brotherhood. People of all walks of life share the same food sitting together in one row. The community kitchen is staffed entirely by volunteers, who prepare and serve the food. It was so beautiful to witness this bustling activity.

So what is Sikhism?

It is a branch of Hinduism, and one of the world's newer religions. that was founded in 1469 in northern India. It is strictly monotheistic believing in one supreme God. The religion consists of practical living, in rendering service to humanity and engendering tolerance and brotherly love toward all. They believe in are earning an honest living in leading a normal life Sikhism does not accept the idea of pessimism. It advocates optimism and hope.

The five symbols of Sikhism are as follows:

1. uncut hair and an untrimmed beard hair covered by a turban

2.a sword

3. a comb,

4. a steel bracelet

5. and undergarment.
All Sikhs (men) can be identified by these five symbols with them at all times.

The temple was spectacular, with gold domes and a large iridescent blue wading pool surrounded by worshipers.

Again, we formed a prayer circle and Father Leo led us in prayer, amidst a river of onlookers. It was a beautiful experience.

China Letter #7

Here is the last in a series of letters I emailed home from my China trip Fall 2006.

Of note, my letters were posted in the Miami Herald.

Letter #7

-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 1:00 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China letter #7 Shanghai

>
> From: ? ??
> Date: 2006/11/02 Thu PM 07:17:05 EST
> To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
this was sent from Shanghai airport using someone else’s account because I had problems sending it!
>
Hi Friends
>
Well it’s a sad day. We are on our way back home.
>
We fell in love with Suzhou! Our guide recommended an alternative tour--
of the traditional canal villages. We toured via wooden boat thru the old
section along the canals observing people live the way they have for
hundreds of years: washing clothes in the river, fishing, traveling etc. It was one of the highlights of our tour. In the villages, we watched men playing cards, playing music, singing, and slicing eel and fish.. I found my ideal Kitsch Chairman Mao item: a Mao alarm clock! When the alarm goes off, his arm swings holding up the red book. I also bought a little red Mao book with English translation.
>
Next, we took a 2-hour bus ride back to Shanghai. We had scrumptious Mongolian bar-b-que for lunch.
>
Then, we headed to the vast old town for shopping. It is actually called China Town!
>
We had our farewell dinner then watched a famous acrobatic show. The show’s finale consisted of six motorcyclists riding inside a brass globe AT THE SAME TIME. Phenomenal!
>
We all learned its best to buy a second piece of luggage after the last intra-China flight because within China, only one piece of luggage is permitted for air travel.
>
Our hotel was the historic Peace Hotel built by the Sassoon family in 1926. It is perfectly located right on the Bund. It is known for its art deco design; rooftop garden with panoramic view of Shanghai’s lighted skyline that goes on forever; and for its jazz club with 75-year old jazz artists
from New Orleans.
>
Shanghai is so massive with so many high-rises and bright lights, it makes Manhattan look like a small city. They spend 4 million per night just to illuminate the buildings.
>
I heard on the news that Beijing just hosted a summit with Africa where they hosted 48 of 52 African national leaders. China is aggressively pursuing trade partnerships with all of Africa, even the controversial Sudan and Zimbabwe. It’s nice to have access to international news!

BTW, there is 2008 Olympics logo paraphernalia everywhere!
>
I am typing fast-as usual!
>
What a wonderful vacation, filled with learning, new experiences, and meeting great people. I have walked more on this trip than I have in several years.
>
I hope to return!
>
Thank you for coming along.
>
Love,
>
Karla
Shanghai to Beijing to JFK to Miami
Arrive 10PM November 3, 2006

2008 Olympics Mascots--The Friendlies

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, the Five Friendlies also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals--the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow--and the Olympic Flame.

Each of the Friendlies has a rhyming two-syllable name--a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.

In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life. The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among the Five Friendlies, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.

When you put their names together--Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni--they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of the Five Friendlies as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.

The Five Friendlies also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature--the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky--all stylistic rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

China Letter #4

Letter #4 reprinted from Fall 2006

-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 9:00 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China Xian Letter #4

Hello Friends Letter # 4

We saw an extraordinarily exquisite performance yesterday evening. It is called The Legend of Kung Fu-a tale of a young boy initiated into the Buddhist monastery for training to become a king fu warrior. It was ballet, kung fu, drama, and “cirque du soleil”-all rolled into one stunning spectacle! It was spellbinding!

We departed this morning for out flight to Xian, the first capital of China. We toured the famous Terra Cotta Warriors, the 7000 life-sized warriors protecting the emperor’s tomb. It was discovered in 1974 and opened to the public 5 years later. Many of the statues were crumbled and anthropologists have painstakingly pieced together 1500 warriors and horses. It was quite impressive to see how the Chinese, like other rulers, prepared their tomb for an abundant and happy afterlife. All the emperors were incredible ego maniacs—I suppose that is part of the job description.

We had a dumpling dinner with more than 30 kinds of dumplings in all different animal and vegetable shapes. All our meals are family style. We will tour the City Wall and new China museum tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we will fly to Chengdu where we will tour the Giant Panda research center, the next day.

We walk LOTS here. Everyone says they are losing weight because of the healthy diet and extensive walking.

10 others will join us in Chengdu for the rest of the tour. Our little honey moon couple (Xavier and Kristina) will leave us after Chengdu. We all get along very well, laughing all the time.

I will get a nice message tonight.

Have a good day.

Karla
Thursday
Day #4
Xian, China

Spanish Team Boldly Offends China

Spanish basketball team poses for offensive picture

By Chris Chase

Spain's Olympic basketball team posed for an advertisement prior to the Games which appears to show all its players slanting their eyes, a move that could offend its Olympic hosts in Beijing. The ads, for a Spanish courier company, appeared in the Spanish-language newspaper La Marca.

As the uproar over the picture has grown today, more information about the advertising shot has come to light. The ad was sponsored by a Spanish courier company, Seur. Spain's team, ironically, also is sponsored by Li-Ning Footwear, a Chinese company founded by Li Ning, the final torchbearer who was hoisted along the top of Beijing National Stadium during the Olympic Opening Ceremony finale.
The Spanish-language paper El Mundo has a piece debating whether the ad was racist that basically calls out the British press for trying to smear Spain's good name. But they miss the point. Whether the picture was made in good fun is irrelevant. It was a ridiculous idea that was bound to upset a lot of people.
It's baffling that nobody involved in the picture -- from the photographers to the players -- even seemed to consider that this ad would be looked at negatively. Did it not occur to somebody that it might not be a good idea to mock a large portion of the continent before the world's largest athletic competition that, by the way, happens to take place on that continent. Were they not aware of an invention called "the Internet" that allows pictures taken in Spain to be transmitted all over the world for the eyes of everyone?
And now that the inevitable controversy has hit, they're still defending themselves when a simple, "the ad was in poor taste, we apologize" would have sufficed. This story would be slowing down if the Spanish Basketball team had apologized immediately. Now it's just picking up steam.
The Organization of Chinese-Americans has released multiple statements condemning the picture. George Wu, deputy director of the group, said, "it is unfortunate that this type of imagery would rear its head during something that is supposed to be a time of world unity." Response in Beijing has been muted so far.
Madrid is thought to be one of the frontrunners to land the 2016 Summer Games (the site will be announced next year). Could this controversy hurt Spain's chances of landing another Olympics?
Interestingly, the Spanish basketball team took on China tonight, winning 85-75 in overtime. No word on whether Pau Gasol was on the receiving end of any elbows from Yao Ming. The Chinese crowd did have a message for the Spaniards though, booing vigorously during the game.

China Letter #3

E-mail Letter #3 (from Fall 2006 trip)


-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:56 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China letter #3

Hello Friends Day #3

Yesterday, we had the privilege of climbing the only man-made structure visible from space and China’s greatest symbol of pride “the great wall”. Construction began 2000 years ago and millions of Chinese built, maintained and guarded it over the centuries. It was built to protect Chinese from tall invaders from the north.

This trip is neither for the faint of heart— nor for those with a fear of heights. Nothing could have prepared us for the steep inclines and the rugged terrain. We toured a less commercial, less populated entrance: Mutianyu. It offered unspoiled views of the majestic mountainside peppered with fall hues. It took our breath away!

On the way down, we were bombarded with some of the most aggressive souvenir vendors ever—(more than Greece, Guatemala, and Nassau’s straw market combined).

The finale of our day consisting of seeing Peking Opera and feasting on Peking Duck, the traditional way. Amanda, our lovely tour guide, a trained opera singer, taught us some tunes on the way back to our hotel. We cheerily agreed that none of us should quit our day jobs.

Our day lasted from 7AM till 10PM.

Today will be our last day in Beijing and our day will include a visit to a children’s classroom and the home of a Chinese family, among other activities. Tomorrow, we will fly to Xian early in the morning.

Please forgive typos---the keyboard menu is all in Chinese characters!

Have a good day!

Karla in China.