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Wrap up
I think we would all agree that this trip was a wonderful experience. The sickness was a disappointment, but it did not stop anyone from doing the major things we were looking forward to.
Our main purpose on this trip, as in our life, was to give glory to God. We thank him for giving us the opportunity to do that at the camp and throughout our time in China. The group got along wonderfully and really looked out for each other.
As I mentioned previously, we truly appreciate everyone who supported us on this trip, through their financial support, time they donated, and their prayers.
Our eyes were opened to a different culture in a new and exciting way, and our faiths were strengthened through our time together.

We spent a little time looking for more souvenirs and then quickly headed to the subway before it closed for the evening. When we arrived the automated ticket machines were down for the evening, so we had to rely on Jeremy’s Mandarin to ask for help. Thankfully he was able to communicate with the workers to help us purchase the tickets and we made it back to the hotel safe and sound.
It would be a short last night since our wake up call was coming at 5:00 AM, but we were all happy to have a good final night in Beijing.
The pictures on my Flicker page have been updated. Check it out.
Next: Wrap up

Day 10
Before the sun was up sickness had hit our group again. Two girls woke Mr. Sievert up early in the early morning hours letting him know they had gotten sick. Their stomachs were not well but they did not want that to deter them from seeing the Great Wall. Before our flight they took some Dramamine and Tums. This helped them rest most of the flight and bus ride to the Great Wall and all were able to make the climb up this amazing site.
We spent over an hour and a half hiking on the Great Wall and were thankful for the sunny, clear day and the breezes that came through the mountains. The wall is pretty steep and all of us got a good work out while we were there.
Next we headed back to Beijing for a tea ceremony where we learned the about this important drink in Chinese culture. We tried many different types and learned the different ways to make the different types of tea.
The evening itinerary had called for a trip to the Olympic Park to see the Bird’s Nest and then enjoy our final evening meal in at the hotel. However, it was getting late and everyone wanted to head back to the Silk Market for one last round of souvenir shopping. So after the Olympic Park visit we returned to our hotel to unpack our bags from Xi’an and then made our way to the subway for a half hour ride to the Silk Market.
By the time we got there we had about an hour to shop. Everyone made the most of it, buying last second souvenirs. This time most of us were more adept at bartering and were able to get better prices. After a quick supper we were on the subway back to the hotel again. About a third of us returned directly to the hotel with Mrs. Leyrer while the rest of us went to the Wanfujing night market with Mr. Sievert. The night market is a mixture of food vendors and trinket merchants. The big draw last time St. Croix students were there was the deep fried scorpions. They are still living when you purchase them and then the vendor cuts of the stinger and deep fries them. Kara, Karissa, and Ben had to try them since their older siblings had done so three years earlier. The fried treat seemed to go down OK, but I don’t know if the students would want a steady diet of them.
We spent a little time looking for more souvenirs and then quickly headed to the subway before it closed for the evening. When we arrived the automated ticket machines were down for the evening, so we had to rely on Jeremy’s Mandarin to ask for help. Thankfully he was able to communicate with the workers to help us purchase the tickets and we made it back to the hotel safe and sound.
It would be a short last night since our wake up call was coming at 5:00 AM, but we were all happy to have a good final night in Beijing.

Day 9
Today was a day filled with history. After morning devotion and breakfast, we were on our way to the Terra Cotta Warriors. Our local guide, Jessica, gave us a lot of wonderful information about the warriors which were built during the Qin (pronounced "Chin") dynasty. The first emperor unified the seven states of China, connected the existing walls to create the Great Wall and build this massive tomb with over 6,000 terra cotta figures to serve him in the afterlife. All of this was done at great expense of both resources and lives. Besides the oppressive building projects, he also unified the written language and standardized the weights and measures and the currency. Jessica said he was a complex figure in Chinese history doing some very good things and some very bad things during his reign. The museum is amazing and the students had a lot of opportunities to get good pictures of the earthen warriors. We even saw two of the five men who had discovered the burial site while digging for a well on their farm. Now they take turns signing souvenir books for people.
After the morning at the Terra Cotta Warriors we went to a number of different museums. We stopped at a art museum and learned the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. We all practice writing Chinese characters will ink, paintbrush and rice paper. Some got the hang of it pretty quickly while others had a little tougher time. All really enjoyed trying though. After the art museum we were taken to a history museum. This was interesting but was beginning to be a lot of information for one day. Our last stop before supper was the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This is an ancient Buddhist temple set up in the middle of the city. We spent time in the square around the pagoda and then said goodbye to our Xi’an local guide, Jessica.
We were on our own for the evening dinner and the students all ended up at the same location, Papa Johns. Mr. Sievert was ready for some American cuisine too, so he headed over there. Mrs. Leyer wanted to enjoy real Asian cuisine and found a great restaurant on the square. The kids enjoyed the pizza, a little taste of home.
Then it was back to the hotel and early bedtime since we would be flying back to Beijing on an early flight.
Next: Day 10

Early flight tomorrow out of Xi’an; we leaveDay 8
We woke with everyone feeling much better. We started the morning again with a buffet breakfast in the hotel at 5:45 am. I will tryrestaurant and then we were on our way to catch up the last two daysSummer Palace. It was a beautiful place with 75% of the grounds covered in Xi’an aftera man-made lake. We toured looked at the architecture and statues and were beginning to pick out the symbolism on our hike upown now. In one of the Great Wall tomorrow. I hope all is well in America.courtyards we were greeted by a tai chi teacher that was arranged by our tour guide. We will be flying homelined up in rows and then began the day after tomorrow.
My apologies - we've been having late nightsexercise that so many Chinese people practice. It was very relaxing and early mornings. Tomorrowpeaceful even if we fly home at 10:10 AM which meansdidn’t get all the moves exactly correct.
After the Summer Palace we headed to the airport for our flight to Xi’an. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then took the hour and fifty minute flight to the ancient capital city. When we arrived we were greeted by 7:10 AMa local guide, Jessica, who explained the rich history of the city dating back to well before Christ’s birth. She took us to the ancient city walls which have been preserved, and we were able to go for a wake up call at 5:15 AM. I will update thisbike ride on top of the flightwalls. The weather was much cooler after a morning rain which broke the humidity that has been with us most of the trip.
After the bike ride we headed to the Xi’an hotel for a hot pot dinner. We were brought into two rooms which had individual burners at each seat. There was a pot of water boiling for each person and overwe chose from noodles, vegetables, meat and eggs to drop in the next few days. I willwater. We were also uploadable to make our own dipping sauce mixture with a number of different oils and sauces. The food was very good.
After taking our bags to our rooms and our evening devotion some of us went out to explore the picturesarea while others went to bed, exhausted from the flicker account. If you know someone onsickness yesterday and the trip, please ask them about it. They would love to share their story!busy day today.
Next: Day 9

Early flight tomorrow out of Xi’an; we leave the hotel at 5:45 am. I will try to catch up the last two days in Xi’an after our hike up the Great Wall tomorrow. I hope all is well in America. We will be flying home the day after tomorrow.
at 10:10 AM which means call at 5:15.5:15 AM. I will

Early flight tomorrow out of Xi’an; we leave the hotel at 5:45 am. I will try to catch up the last two days in Xi’an after our hike up the Great Wall tomorrow. I hope all is well in America. We will be flying home the day after tomorrow.
by 7:10 AM and a

Early flight tomorrow out of Xi’an; we leave the hotel at 5:45 am. I will try to catch up the last two days in Xi’an after our hike up the Great Wall tomorrow. I hope all is well in America. We will be flying home the day after tomorrow.
My apologies - we've been having late nights and early mornings. Tomorrow we fly home at 10:10 which means to the airport by 7:10 and a wake up call at 5:15. I will update this on the flight and over the next few days. I will also upload the pictures to the flicker account. If you know someone on the trip, please ask them about it. They would love to share their story!

Early flight tomorrow out of Xi’an; we leave the hotel at 5:45 am. I will try to catch up the last two days in Xi’an after our hike up the Great Wall tomorrow. I hope all is well in America. We will be flying home the day after tomorrow.

The Silk Market was a bustling, seven floor market with anything you could want. Everyone had fun bartering and seemed to get better with each transaction. Mrs. Leyrer, who had stayed back at the hotel, brought the students who had been sick to the market via subway. The ride was a little rough for their stomachs, but it seemed worth it as each of them were able to get some souvenirs.
We then headed back to the hotel, closed the day with a devotion, and backed our bags for the flight to Xi’an. Tomorrow would bring a trip to the Summer Palace, a Tai Chi lesson, and a flight to Xi’an. More on all of that later.
Next: Day 8