Amber's Journal: Day 1

Ok, China distance-wise isn't the farthest away we've been...but culturally this trip was worlds away! My first clue really was getting our visas from the consulate--it was a lot more difficult getting permission to go to China than anywhere else we've been!

Arriving in China we basically tumbled from the airport transport into the arms of our new bestest buddy Steven who whisked us right to the welcome dinner for our trip!  Over tasty exotic nibbles we got to meet our rogues' gallery for the trip.  (Oh man I want to find someplace that has sweet rice dumpling-things like we had at that dinner!) 

Highlights of the welcome dinner was Jennae and Steven dressing us all up as Emperors and Empresses in fancy yellow robes. I also loved the waitress we had who was dressed up as a lady from the Imperial court (she even had teetery little Manchu "flowerpot" shoes that mimicked bound-footed women's walk) who did a tea ceremony for us.