Zhangjiajie National Park

Day 2 in Zhangjiajie National Park - some photos from our 5 mile walk.











We even got to see Monkeys playing in the woods!

Jhangjiajie National Park

Jhangjiajie National Park is the equivalent to our Grand Canyon - Check out the photos - it took 2 bus rides (we named "Mr. Toads Wild Ride" and a Gondola trip to the top!) Absolutely breath taking!

A Family Visit in Xiangtan, Hunan

Today we went to Hazel’s home. Hazel and her friend Bessie are 2nd years students at the University. Hazel and her parents invited Greg and me to her home. Hazel is studying broadcasting and Bessie is studying mathematics/economics. They pick us up at the hotel and off we go. Hazel lives in the city so it is a short ride to her house. Her dad and mom greet us, along with Blackie and Pee Pee her 2 dogs. The dogs are a little shy around us; I guess they are not use to our American sent. We sit in a small room where Hazel’s mom brings out watermelon, grapes and "Kirkland" Cashews (the ones you get at BJ’s – Hazel’s Uncle lives in LA and sends them things!) Hazel and Bessie ask us all different questions about our lives in the US. They are particularly interested in dating, and American University life. They really want to come to the United States to study. The US would be very pleased with these talented young ladies. I share with them my pictures of all my students, QMS and my house. They are amazed that it is so big. They think all of my students are cute and they especially pick out one 2nd period student who is exceptionally tall – they can’t believe how grown up she looks...

Hazel’s dad is in charge of the cooking and he creates a feast! I ask Hazel if this is what she regularly eats, she says no. We have chicken, beef, jullianed potatoes, corn soup, rice, and a special dish that has pork and egg pinwheels – this dish is made especially for the spring festival – it is to welcome friends. He also make a steamed fish dish will hot green Chile peppers, I have never tasted such fresh fish before! The fish was so fresh because after Hazel's dad catches it he brings home the fish and stocks his pond in the back yard. When they want fish for dinner he gets his net and scopes it out… talk about fresh! We also have Great Wall red wine (my favorite). We make many toasts and feel very welcomed by this family! Greg and I both agreed it was the best meal we have had since coming to China.

Photos from July 13th Field of Dreams!

This is the threshing machine... Here is Professor Yu drying the rice!




This is the school near Mao's home. He started the school. It is a Senior High School... These signs were hanging in the halls.

July 13, 2006 Field of Dreams

The bus stopped so that we could actually go into one of the fields of rice paddies. We had to walk on very narrow paths to get out into the field. As we walked we see areas that have just been planted and will be fully grown in 2 ½ month. We also see areas that have been harvested and have black burned stalks on them; the purpose is to fertilize the ground. (See Picture) We walked past a wooden machine that is a “Threshing” machine that separates the rice from the stalks it grows on. The left over stalks are what are burned and then thrown on the harvested land to fertilize the ground. The workers work all day in the fields will limited breaks (bathroom breaks are taken in the field!). It is the busiest season right now for the Hunan farmers because they are growing two crops of rice. When the rice has been separated from the stalks it is placed in baskets and carried to the farmer’s home. Here he spreads the rice still in its husk on his driveway. It is his wife’s responsibility to spread the rice out to dry. (See the picture of Professor Yu, taking over for the lady.) When Professor Yu graduated from High School he was sent to the country side for 1 year working in the fields. This was Mao’s plan to re – educate the “City” kids. This mandated re –educations purpose was to teach the “city kids where the food they ate came from.” This also solved the problem of unemployment in the cities. These High school graduates were given these jobs, so they weren’t hanging out in the cities unemployed. It is hard work, especially in this Hot, Hot weather! After the rice with husk is dried the farmer sells his rice to the processing plants where it becomes the rice we eat today. The farmer keeps some rice for his family to survive on and then he sells the rest. The processing plants pay the farmers for the crop he brings in.