Perspectives from Bus #1

Hello from Hangzhou, Wednesday was certainly a busy day for us. We spent most of the day touring Suzhou - a "medium-sized" city with only 5 million people. Our first stop this morning was the Lingering Garden, one of the four classical gardens of China. Next we went to the largest silk factory in China... yes, there were silk linens and clothes to purchase. After lunch there, which actually included some western cuisine for Bob and Keith Ori, we went to the National Embroidery Institute, to see how silk becomes some of the most fabulous works of art ever created. From there, we boarded our bus for Hangzhou, a three hour trip. Watching the countryside change mile by mile, was truly spectacular. We arrived at the Hangzhou Holiday Inn about 7:30PM. I (Bob), Keith and some of the guys wanted nothing to do with the typical Chinese dinner cuisine, so 13 of us found Pizza Hut about 3 blocks away. It felt more like a Denny's, but yes, we did find a Supreme, Hawaiian, Vegetarian and Pepperoni pizza and of course, Chinese beer.

While on the three hour tour (sounds like Gilligan's Island, doesn't it), we asked each member of Bus #1 for their thoughts and perspectives on the trip so far - to include in the blog:

Chris-toe-fer (Brian Clark): The reason there are so many Chinese is they will eat anything - pig stomach, ox tail soup, snake wine. Why, after 4000 years, have the Chinese not invented a beer glass any bigger than 3 ounces?

Kathy Schneider: It amazes me how the Chinese people throw nothing away and find a use for everything, including chicken feet and pig snout.

Bob Nystuen: Any stop we make that has "Research" or "Institute" or "Factory" in its name means we spend "big money" in their gift shop.

Bob Schneider: Chinese people are opportunistic, enterprising and CAPITALISTIC!

Bev Aronson: Beautiful country, gentle people... extend our credit card limit by 500,000 Yuan.

Susan Kuhlman: Buttercup needs more bean curd soup.

Shannon Nalty: Fortunately I did not "see" the ladies of the evening outside the Hard Rock Cafe in Beijing the other night--I liked the guitars better! And one more thing--it's amazing how many scooters we see, and the lack of helmets.

Colleen Unterreiner: Two words--Discipline and Obedience.

Sue Ori: Normally when I see a box full of puppies, I think "adorable". . .but today at the Suzhou market I thought of something else. . .

Lily (one of our tour guides): We know this is not us commenting, but we loved it so thought we would include it--She said: The Cantonese will eat everything with wings but an airplane, and everything with legs but a table.

Denise Nalty: Climbing to the top of the Great Wall was a humbling experience--truly breath-taking, literally!

Joe Unterrineiner: China's Awesome!

Hayden Avery: Chinese children are so adorably cute.

Pete Nelson, DDS: So many smiles. . .so many dental problems!

Keith Ori: My wife is sure a lot taller in China. As for the food. . .I think we ate Sponge Bob Square Pants last nite, with a side of bean curd!

Carol Nelson: I have enjoyed seeing how happy the people are and how they will make eye contact and smile at you.

Nancy Kimball: China is not a good place to be a chicken--even in the shell, you're not protected.

Wendy Lalum: "How would you like your eel served?"

Grogan Robinson: Watching the silk embroidery and seeing the end product was almost incomprehensible.

Randy Avery: I want to know who gave these guys their drivers' tests??? And you know, we are all movie stars in China because they all want their pictures taken with us.

Mark Lalum: A pedestrian crossing? It's just open "hitting" season for man.

Char Avery: I had to buy a new bag to bring back all the purses I bought--"Only One Dollar!"

Jim Kuhlman: I have an all new appreciation for snake wine.

Alan Aronson: I need ice, cold beer and tonic water.

Shannon Lund: I have a new appreciation for clean tap water and clean Montana air.

Carol McElwain: Has anyone seen my camera, my purse, my sunglasses???

Margaret Lekander: The toilets are a true balancing act.

Pam "one dollah" Kennedy: I feel I have done my part to help stimulate the Chinese economy.

Tom McElwain: What the hell is a blog?

Tom Lund: Chinese food can be described as--the good, the bad and the ugly.

Thelma & Louise: What's that sign say Thelma? I don't know Louise--I don't read Chinese!

Well we hope you enjoyed a taste of China from our friends on "Kal Bus 1"--we have become close buddies these last several days, have shared some good laughs, have new nicknames for many and have amassed some great "one-liners" which we will use over and over again once we are back home. I did not include my impression in the list--from reading the blog you know by now much of what I have observed on our adventure here. But to conform somewhat to the title and plan of this blog--Kim says: Sights, smells, smiles, sidewalk sellers--trees, traffic, tales of ancient times, this is a tremendous experience, to be continued next time. . .Good night from Hangzhou.