Chongqing

I'm a little late with my blog on Chongqing... it has really been a whirlwind.  The kids had very little time to explore this city but they had some really great press events and stayed in a 5 star JW Marriott! So Monday morning we headed out on the busses for our 4 hour ride.  We stopped a couple of times to use the squatty potties, otherwise it was uneventful until we got to the exit off the highway where we pulled over until the other bus caught up to us AND the police escort with 8 or 9 of the presenter CHERY (a make of car here in China)which escorted us into the city.  When we pulled up, what a surprise!  Children from one of the local schools were there to greet the kids with flowers and a wonderful welcome sign... not to mention the gorgeous hotel!  The kids had about two hours before their first press event; some of them went straight to the pool, some of us went and had dinner! 

The next day was truly one of the best days so far (how many times have we said this? That's a good sign!) we went to visit one of the local primary schools of art and creativity! What an event!  We were greeted with a Marching band (which Matt got to conduct) and the red carpet treatment!  The school's children presented our kids and us parents with gifts. Matt received 2 large scroll with Chinese proverbs on them and I received hand crafted Chopsticks! Matt and the kids then enjoyed watching and participating in ballroom dancing, exercises, music class with traditional Chinese instruments, paper cutting, and calligraphy. Matt even got pulled aside for a TV interview!  Then we had tea in the teachers lounge and on the way out Matt was easily swayed into ping pong... we literally had to drag him away;  it was a long goodbye.  Matthew was exhausted when we got home.