Dinner in the country

http://www.chinaclayart.com/Sanbao%20Institute%20webpage/2000Page_Organization.htm

This link will take you to an artist colony in the country, at the foot of the mountains that surround Jingdezhan. By the pond pictured we drank tea after dinner. It was hard to believe we were 10 miles from the city. The Millennium Wall was all constructed of shards and pieces of ceramic. Amazing. Our dinner companions were 2 adults and 5 children who far outshown our chopstick skills! One girl sang and lovely Chinese song for us and we repayed with Scarboro Fair - the only thing I could think of not in the Lutheran hymnal. I have to get out more.

We walked around town today when only the Americans and chickens ventured forth. 12-2pm is nap time in China! In fact 3 or 4pm is about reopening time and they are still going strong at 10. In this heat, clothing and baby washing are done on the sidewalk outside the shops. Men carry buckets on shoulder poles next to motor scooters so quiet you do not hear then until they honk. There is a dumpling place on the next street that is so popular people pull up in cars, shout out the orders and have it brought out. I saw 2 cars and a scooter waiting. Early McDumpling.

Friday as the end of a work week is something I have not experienced for years. I may go back to work just to get the Friday Feeling every week! Of course we give a lecture to middle school sutdents tomorrow - 45-60 minuts on "phrases we use everyday in America" - any suggestions?