Today we went to the "old" Summer Palace with the kids. Who knew they had two of them and that there was one older than the one we saw yesterday? It was a bit more run down than the one we saw yesterday, but we experienced a "Shadow Puppet" Show. It was really cool. I cannot even begin to accurately describe the puppets but they were by far the most amazing puppets I have seen. They are made from cow or goat hide and then painted with things similar to food coloring. They then hook sticks to them and that is how they move them around. It was really intricate and very different than any thing else I have seen here. We didn't understand much of the show because it was all in Chinese, but just watching the puppets captured our attention. The kids we have been working with are absolutely amazing and such troopers. After the puppet show we walked the grounds of the "old" summer palace in 90 degree heat with 95% humidity. We were all pretty sweaty, but not one child complained.
The most interesting part of the trip were the squatty potties that we had to use. I have seen some in other places, and even had to use one on occasion, but these were not my idea of fun. There was a moment there when I wished I were a man. I felt so bad for the little girls that had to use them, but not one of them complained or fell in for that matter. You see a bit more of the poverty in the area we were in today and the squatty potties definitely resembled the area we were in.
We have all been so blessed by the team work that we are experiencing among our team and ELIC. The teachers that they have coming in this year are so excited to go and do the work that has been set before them. One of the coolest stories is about a couple that has come here with their daughter from India to teach English. I have loved hearing how they came here and their desire to get into the lives of the Chinese people.
Thank you all for thinking so often of us. We feel it each day.
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