We started out today with our now typical giant buffet breakfast at the hotel. We really try to stock up at breakfast because it is not always easy to find something that you are willing to put past your lips after you leave the hotel! Not that the local food is bad, it's just that you can't always determine what it is or where it came from.

We met with Angela around 10:00 am and boarded the bus for a morning of shopping and sightseeing. First stop, the "Pearl Market". This was a huge complex with the bottom floor housing the "Western" looking jewelry store with displays of all types of jewelry. We did not stop here but headed up to the third floor. This is the warehouse for the first floor and has much better prices. From under the counter, young Chinese girls began to pull out hundreds of strings of pearls that sold for between $100 and $150 each. After a couple of special purchases we were ready to head out again.

Hmm...Which Should I Buy?

Strings of Pearls

Second stop was a museum and government-run gift shop. Lots to look at but didn't make many purchases. It seems that I didn't bring enough cash to purchase any Ming Dynasty vases!

Hi Everyone!

Think I'm About Ready for a Nap!

Hi Preston and Christopher,
We miss you.

Hello Wes,
Hope all is going well in your new classes. Will call you when we get home. We miss you too!