John and Rob pose with two Chinese sales women at the airport, wearing the new craze in fashion in China.
Today we were up and packed at 6:30 AM so the bell boys could take our bags to the bus. Then we all had a western style breakfast before boarding the bus for our drive to the airport. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time, so many of us took advantage of the massage chairs in the airport. After getting checked in we had to say our goodbyes to Michael, Madam Wong, and Julie for this was the end of our trip with them. Our guides so far have have been wonderful, and I think many on the trip will leave with a few more friends then when we all started. We exchanged information, said our goodbyes and headed for Xi'an.
One of the guides welcomes Dr. France with some beautiful flowers.
After an uneventful flight we arrived in Xi'an where we would stay in a youth hostel. We were met at the airport by a number of people with signs and flowers for the professors; we had a very warm Chinese welcoming.
Dr. Chow annouces the schedule for that day to the students, in the meeting room of the Youth Hostel.
Our rooms in the Xi'an Hostel
We had an hour bus ride to the city, and upon our arrival we were greeted by some young adults. The hostel is above and beyond the normal youth hostels of Europe.
Evelyn and Lindsey in their room.
A picture of the first floor of Danielle and Caitlin's room.
The hostel gives us a chance to relax together in the common area. It is relatively new, yet built with the traditional architecture of China. We all were given our keys and went to discover our rooms.
Dr. Chow thanks our hosts
Next, we had some free time in the city before having an Alumni Association dinner with many of the former students of the Center for Chinese Business at West Virginia University.
Dr. Chow annouces the plans for the evening
Adam with a number of the WVU alumni.
The excitement started after dinner when we all walked to what we were told was a very special ceremony that was performed for Former President Bill Clinton on his visit to Xi'an. This ceremony was the equivalent to being given the city key. We walked to the city wall where there was a crowd of people being held outside the gate by security. The group of over 30 walked right through security and we were able to experience another once in a life time opportunity. This is a very ancient tradition, and as Dr. Chow said he was ok to go through the wall because they gave him his visa. We had a quick tour of the South Gate of the wall then returned to the hostel.
Walking into our show, there was a crowd waiting outside.
He was annoucing the special program we had in store.
Walking across the draw bridge.
Some ancient traditions.
Part of our amazing performance.
The whole group after the welcoming ceremony.
Dr. Riley and Dr. Chow with there "visas" or keys to the city.
The steps to the wall at night.
The street by our hostel in Xi'an
The bell tower in the distance.
Exploring the State Wall.
Tomorrow we will be spending more time at the wall. So far this trip keeps giving us more exciting surprises, and apparently over here we're kind of a big deal. Since arriving in China we have been treated like royalty, and they have given us nothing but respect.
