Title: Six Pretty People Pass the time Pondering the Pagoda

Another amazing day! We got up early for a hike to the Longguan Pagoda. It was a really pretty hike but Mom and I could only get so close before we had to turn back. The rest of the group was able to continue. We are all on different schedules and Mom and I are the only ones that have a Saturday morning engagement with the previously mentioned twins (more to come on them later). But after a humid hike, we readied ourselves for an hour of fun with 3 year olds, George and Eugene.

One of the workers at the center has become our personal guide. She is so kind to us and has really taken us under her wing. She invited Mom and me to her home (she isn't married so as is tradition in China, she lives with her brother and sister-in-law), they all had never had foreign guests so they were very excited to host us. It was really touching to see the effort that was made on our behalf. They are so gracious and hospitable. Susan's nephew wrote us a letter and decorated it on a big piece of construction paper. He was so eager to show us. It was so sweet! Then we ate, and ate, and ate! Susan's father does all of the cooking and he was very proud of a certain dish, of course we had to finish that one! After lunch, we sat down and ate snacks. Then they invited us to take a nap, then we got up and had more snacks and played UNO, then we had more snacks and carrot juice. Then we toured the apartment grounds and were given gifts. It was very special. We didn't eat dinner tonight

After Susan's, we ran back to grab our materials and went to the center for a 4-6pm class. We have Rolly, Fly, and Judy in that class. Did I mention that a lot of the Chinese give themselves very interesting English names? I suppose that there are a lot of the same name so they want to be unique. They are succeeding in that! There is a Dolphin, Fish, Fanny, Sunny, boys named Vicky and Trinity, and a Happy. Then you have the very old fashioned names, there is a Hilda, Doris, Judith, Dorothy, and Sally May. I love the variety! It is fun to meet all sorts of new people.

So the lady that I met at the BBQ that asked me to give her an English name showed up at the center tonight. She has never been before and so it was really neat that she had the opportunity to hear a special message. The name I selected for her was one her friend already had, so I have to think of another one. She has invited me to dinner on Monday night. I told her yes, but my mother has to come along since I promised my Brian and Dad that I wouldn't ever leave her side. So she-who-has-yet-to-be-named, will pick us up on Monday night. I have until then to come up with a suitable name.

I continue to be impressed with how friendly people are to us. I have made a lot of new friends.

(The pictures are of the pagoda, our group, Susan's family at lunch, and her nephew with his letter to us)