My Travel Schedule

May 17 Beijing: Tanzhe Temple, Beihai Park
May 18 Beijing: The Great Hall of the People
May 19 Beijing: The Great Wall
May 20 Beijing: Forbidden City, Summer Palace
May 21 Xi'an: Terro Cotta Warriors, Huaqing Hot Spring
May 22 Xi'an: Museum of History, Forest of Stone-Steles Museums
May 23 Xi'an: Hi-Tech Industries Development Zone, Xi'an Jiaotong University

May 18, 2005 Beijing: The Great Hall of the People

Got up early to make the trip to the Great Hall of the People to meet with Vice Chairman Xu Jialu, he gave an introduction speech on Chinese foreign policy and its deep roots in the Chinese culture. We were then called in turn to receive our gold cups for being grand prize winners.

Then we began a special V.I.P tour of that Great Hall of the People. Each room was special with its own huge wall paintings: in some rooms were the forbidden City, Beijing and Chairman Mao. We also saw the great auditorium which seats 10000 people.

Receiving the award from China Radio International (CRI)

Then we went to the main CRI offices in Beijing and ate lunch. I then spent time trying to contact home via e-mail and phone. I finally got Tatyaner at home and explained that my cell phone did not work. I almost cried when she told me how Anastacia was missing me. She said that otherwise everything was O.K.

L: The "gifts hall".                                                            R: How is the roast duck carved?

I then got several personal tours and meeting around CRI and with all the staff. The offices and equipment are regularly being upgrade. Finally Li Ping brought presents for my family and my students. Then Gao Huiying gave me a tour of the CRI hall of gifts from listeners. They have an entire floor of the building devoted to this effort.

Then we went to have dinner with the CRI leadership at the great Hepingmen Roast Duck Restaurant. There was great food and drink with many toasts given to all.

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