Beijing Subway and Silk Market

Today was the final day of preparation before the ELIC teachers and their families arrive. We met with the director here and finalized all our plans for the next few weeks of serving. I cannot believe the amount of preparation that goes into training the new teachers and getting them accustomed to Chinese culture. I have a whole new respect for the work that ELIC does over here in Asia.
After meeting this morning we took off to experience the Silk Market. It is a building that is about 7 stories tall and houses way too many little shops. It was unbelievable. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I heard, "Hey Lady..You want to buy?". My dad says he imagines that this is what hell might be like with little demons grabbing at you saying "Hey Lady....you want?" The people selling things grab at you and pull you into their little domain. I learned to barter and even made one of them mad when I wouldn't pay the price that she wanted. She told me I was not a nice American and I was trying to rob her...funny thing is she sold me the item for the price I wanted it for.
Once we had found all the items we were looking for we headed over for a Starbucks...that's right I said Starbucks. I thought after being in what some might call hell for awhile I should be able to experience a little bit of heaven. It was great to have an iced tea with ice in it. I took a picture of GG and I enjoying our iced tea.
Starbucks was great and just the break we needed before we headed down into the pits of the subway to return back to the hotel. Our ride to the Silk Market was not too bad, but the ride home was interesting. We hit the subway about the time people were getting of work. I realized that the other night I ate what was similar to sardines, but today I experienced what it's like to be a sardine. It was unbelievable how many people they can shove on one car. I realized that if I have any issues with not having personal space I was soon going to have to give that up. It was packed, but what I loved was watching the people give up their seats for the elderly. My dad soon realized that he was one of the elderly. He wasn't too sure about that.
Everyday I grow to love this place and it's people more and more. I can see why so many of the teachers for ELIC are here. They truly have a heart for this nation. I am excited to hear the stories of the families and people that are here to teach and how they made the decision to come to China. We begin our program tomorrow.