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We will post emails and pictures for the WCE 2008 Beijing Olympic Trip, WCE China Basketball/Student Trip, and the WCE China Las Vegas Student Delegation (scroll down past the WCE China Basketball/Student Trip Pictures) as we receive
them!!! Encourage your friends to view the WCE Web Site and
follow the trip!!!
2008 WCE Beijing Olympic Trip
8/12/2008 Tuesday (Seattle) Our 15 Member WCE 2008 Olympic Delegation led by WCE Board President Mike Ritch departed on the 12th August to attend the 2008 Beijing Olympics. WCE Board Members and Coaches will attend
Track & Field Competition and a few Members will also attend Swimming Competiiton. For Nine of the Fifteen Members it will be their first trip to Beijing. Therefore the visit will include a trip to
the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and more. If time allows Emails and Pictures will be posted here on this web site during the trip.
8/13/2008 Wednesday (Beijing) Our 15 Member WCE 2008 Olympic Delegation has arrived safely in Beijing. We are estatic and looking forward to tomorrow when we will climb The Great Wall of China and 3 very excited members will
attend the Swimming Competition.
8/14/2008 Thursday (Beijing) Three Members were able to attend Swimming Competition tonight. Even though it was only a prelim program, 7 Olympic Records were broken. The pool was electric and the Home Chinese Crowd was
gracious to all competitors. Michael Phelps 100 Meter Fly was the highlight of the evening. Tomorrow all Members will attend the Track & Field Competition in the Bird Nest Stadium.
8/15/2008 Friday (Beijing) All Members attended the first full day of Track & Field which included a morning session and an evening session. Our seats were outstanding including several members seated in the 3rd row only an
arms length away from the Track. The Home Crowd in the Stadium (as it was in the pool) is astounding cheering loudly for all Chinese Athletes (no matter their place) and also loudly cheering for all outstanding performances.
It was an exciting day as American Shot Putter (Christian Cantwell) took the Silver on his last throw and American 10,000 Runner (Shalane Flanagan) placed 3rd for the Bronze (the first medal ever for an American Female in the
10,000). Everyone is well and enjoying the games. Pictures are posted below.
8/16/2008 Saturday (Beijing) Jessica Chan and her family (note picture) returned to Guangzhou today. It was very special to have Jessica and her family in Beijing for the Games. Her son Andrew has really grown. Today we also
had lunch with Orin Richburg in between the morning and evening sessions. As always Orin had collected pins for all members along with a few other items. The evening session was highlighted by the Men’s Final in the 100 Meters.
This is usually the most difficult ticket at any Olympics. We were in the nose bleed section, however, at the 70 yard line which gave us a perfect view of the entire race. Tomorrow the Summer Palace and more Track & Field.
8/17/2008 Sunday (Beijing) It was a great day for Swimming and a tough day for Track. Michael's Performances (as well as his teammates) were certainly thrilling. People are talking about Michael everywhere we go. However, Track
had a difficult day. The Jamaica’s Female Sprinters swept the 100 meters, Bernard Lagat did not make the final of the 1500, no American in the triple jump, etc. We are hoping for some success on the Track tomorrow. Excellent seats
in the National Stadium once again! It is fun to watch the local people who are attending the meet. First they ask someone to take their picture in front of the Bird's Nest as they hold up their tickets and once inside the ask someone
again to take their picture as they stand by the track and hold up the China and Olympic Flags. It appears that most locals only get one session or at the most one day at a venue and they are making the most of it.
8/18/2008 Monday (Beijing) It was another outstanding day! Each day starts with an excellent American Buffet Breakfast (no one is losing weight even with all of the walking we are doing). Next was morning shopping at the infamous Silk
Market where bartering skills must be brilliant and you eye for detail must be superb. All Members have found souvenirs and gifts either at the Silk Market or in the Olympic Green at the Super Store. It was also an exceptional day at the
Track. Five medals for the USA including a surprise Gold in the Women’s Discus (unfortunately not Aretha), Silver in the Women’s Pole Vault, and top off by an American Sweep in the Men’s 400 Hurdles. If that wasn’t enough we saw our 3rd
World Record of the Games in the Women’s Pole Vault (Men’s 100 Meters and Women’s 3000 Steeplechase were also World Records). The Olympic Green (the Area where several of the main venues are located including the Bird’s Nest, Water Cube,
etc.) is lit up at night and even after Track & Field Competition has concluded (usually at 11 pm) people continue to take pictures of this Amazing Venue.
8/19/2008 Tuesday (Beijing) With the morning free a number of our Members rode the subway with Peter Thompson (IAAF Official and former Issaquah HS Track & Field Coach) to learn more about Beijing City, enjoy a Duck Lunch, and then return to
the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) for more Track & Field. Once again it was enjoyable night of Track & Field as the USA Team added another Gold Medal and Bronze Medal to their Collection. (Unfortunately Lolo Jones hit the 9th hurdle and dropped
from first to fifth in the last 15 meters.). The local Crowd continues to amaze us each night with their support of the athletes, kindness to all, and appreciation for any exceptional performance.
8/20/2008 Wednesday (Beijing) With no morning session of Track & Field, our members toured the Forbidden City (the largest, most well preserved, ancient buildings in China as the Forbidden City was off limits to everyone for 500 years); enjoyed a
local lunch and local dinner; and returned to the Bird’s Nest for the evening session of Track & Field. With excellent seats in the second tier we watched as the Women won a Silver Medal in the 400 Meter Hurdles and the Men collected a Bronze in the
200 Meter Run. Watching Usain Bolt break Michael Johnson’s 200 World Record as he won his second Gold Medal of the Games was truly the highlight of the evening.
8/21/2008 Thursday (Beijing) The morning session of Track & Field was highlighted by the Men’s Decathlon. American Brian Clay and Trey Hardee started with outstanding performances in the 100 Meter Run and Long Jump to place first and second after two
events. Although it rained all day (actually poured buckets in the morning) our Members enjoyed shopping at a famous local market, tour the Temple of Heaven (which is the perfection of Ming architecture and where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties
would worship and pray for bumper crops), once again dined on local cuisine, and in the evening enjoyed an exciting Acrobatic Performance.
8/22/2008 Friday (Beijing) It was another full day of Track & Field, starting with the second day of the Decathlon. USA’s Brian Clay had a second outstanding day. Watching each event was thrilling as Brian captured the Gold Medal. In between sessions we
shopped, walked around the Olympic Green, and continued to take as many pictures as possible. The evening session was highlighted by the World Record in the Men’s 4 X 100 Relay as the Team from Jamaica ran an astounding 37.10. We have posted more pictures below!
8/23/2008 Saturday (Beijing) It is our last day in Beijing. Tonight we will view the last day of Track & Field which will end with the 4 X 400 Relays. USA Coach Orin Richburg was able to secure a Closing Ceremonies Ticket which we are giving to President Hu
from the Guangzhou Sports Training & Technical College. This is a magnificent gift from Orin and WCE to Coach Hu. Michael Xiao (one of our exceptional Tour Managers from Guangzhou) has joined us in Beijing for the last 3 days of the Games. Watching him visit the
Olympic Green & Stadium for the first time was priceless. Time to pack and get ready for our return to the USA Sunday!
8/24/2008 Sunday (Seattle) We have returned from our incredibly successful and extremely rewarding trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The last competition we were able to watch was the Women’s & Men’s 4 X 400 Relays winning the Gold Medals. Th prefect ending to a
prefect trip. Prior to our flight from Beijing to Seoul our Delegation Members were able to spend 20 minutes speaking with LaShawn Merritt (USA Gold Medalist in the 400 Meters and 4 X 400 Relay). LaShawn was extremely gracious. Our trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics
was truly a life impacting experience. Everyday was AWESOME!
Pictures are below:
2008 WCE Basketball/Student Trip
6/24/2008 Tuesday (Seattle) Our 56 Member WCE Basketball/Student Delegation led by Coach Ed Lundberg departed for Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Beijing, China. The Guangdong Education Department will host
School Visits and a Tour with Local Students (who speak perfect English) in Guangzhou, China and the Guangdong Sports Federation will Host International Basketball Competition also in Guangzhou, China. Emails
and pictures will be posted here on this web site during the trip.
6/25/2008 Wednesday Hong Kong (8:45 am Seattle Time 11:45 pm Hong Kong Time same day) We have just spoken with Randy Li (our outstanding Hong Kong Tour Operator). Our 56 Member Basketball/Student Delegation has
arrived safely in Hong Kong and will shortly be on their way to the Regal Riverside Hotel where they will have a very quick meeting and will then get a well deserved night of rest. Tomorrow the delegation will enjoy
the Hong Kong Island Tour (Hong Kong’s most important sights). Their adventure has begun. We will continue to post updates however we may not receive pictures for a couple of days.
6/26/2008 Thursday Hong Kong (7:30 am Seattle Time 10:30 pm Hong Kong Time same day) We received an email from Randy Li (our excellent Hong Kong Tour Operator) with PICTURES informing us that our Student Delegation had an outstanding
day (86°F today although raining) in Hong Kong. After their American Buffet Breakfast, the delegation spent the day touring Hong Kong's major sites (Victoria Peak for a spectacular view of Hong Kong, Repulse Bay with its
magnificent Buddhist Statues, and the Floating Village of Aberdeen Bay where some residents have never stepped on land). After the tour some members visited Tsim Sha Tsui (a tourist shopping area) before returning to the
hotel. Tomorrow our members will enjoy the Hong Kong Walking Tour.
6/27/2008 Friday Hong Kong (8:15 am Seattle Time 11:15 pm Hong Kong Time same day) Today our Student Delegation took the Hong Kong Walking Tour which includes a KCR (light rail) & MTR (subway) Ride to Kowloon to visit
Nathan Street (view pearls at a wholesale outlet, barter for clothes, sun glasses and more), and enjoyed a ride across Victoria Harbour (the #1 Container Harbor in the World) on the Star Ferry. After lunch the delegation
took a Double Decker Bus Ride to Mong Kok to visit Bird Alley, Flower Market, and Women's Street Market. This evening Coach Lundberg held a “Travel to Guangzhou, China Meeting” to prepare all members for their bus ride to
China tomorrow. Tomorrow we should receive our first pictures from Guangzhou, China!
6/28/2008 Saturday (8:55 AM Seattle Time 11:55 PM Guangzhou Time) We have received our first PICTURES from Jessica Chen (our exceptional Tour Organizer in Guangzhou)!!!! Our delegation has arrived safely in Guangzhou, China.
They traveled from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, China by Bus (this bus ride allows students to view the China Countryside with its joint venture factories and growing cities). After their first Cantonese Dim Sum Lunch and checking
into the spectacular White Swan Hotel (send emails to the White Swan Hotel), our Students visited to the Guangzhou Sports Training & Technical College (the Cradle of Olympic Athletes and 2008 Olympic Training Base). The delegation
watched the Chinese Olympic potentials training (track & field, diving, gymnastics, etc) and demonstrations (martial arts, etc) and our Girl’s Basketball Team played their first game. Everyone enjoyed their visit and some members
even challenged the Chinese kids to table tennis! The delegation also enjoyed a buffet dinner at the Sports School. Please view the pictures below!!
6/29/2008 Sunday (7:55 AM Seattle Time 10:55 PM Guangzhou Time) We received an email with pictures from Michael Xaio (our excellent Tour Manager) in Guangzhou, China! According to Michael it was an outstanding day. Our Students
(after the best American Buffet Breakfast they have ever had) toured Guangzhou City’s most important sites (including the Five Ram Statue which is the symbol of the City of Guangzhou; the Guangzhou Museum; and Guangxiao Temple)
with the local Students from Peizheng Middle School (who speak perfect English). Everyone enjoyed Lunch at McDonalds, dinner at Lianxianglou Restaurant, and shopping at Nine Pedestrian Road (a local street market) all with the
local students. For many of our members it was their first “bartering” experience. Tomorrow our Students will visit the Kindergarten and Peizheng Middle School and more pictures!
6/30/2008 Monday (8:55 AM Seattle Time 11:55 PM Guangzhou Time) Jessica Chen (our Excellent Tour Organizer in Guangzhou) emailed more pictures and we have spoken with her. Jessica informed us that visiting the Kindergarten and
Peizheng Middle School is always an outstanding day. In the morning our delegation visited the Kindergarten where our delegation sang, danced, played games with the children in their classroom, and exchanged gifts! In the afternoon
our members visited True Light Middle School. The time spent at True Light was really impressive for our Students. The True Light Middle School Students put on an exciting performance, including folk dancing, calligraphy, playing the Zheng
(a kind of Chinese traditional instrument). Our Students also joined in the games and practiced calligraphy and other arts. Our Students also enjoyed a campus tour and gift exchange with the True Light Middle School Students while our
Girl’s Basketball Team played another basketball game (overtime lost by 2 points). In the evening our delegation attended a Banquet with officials from Peizheng Middle School, True Light Middle School and the Guangzhou Sports Training & Technical College
Guangdong School including a 14 course Cantonese Banquet, speeches from Guangdong Officials, and a gift exchange. Everyone had a wonderful time at the banquet! Tomorrow 49 Members will fly to Xi'an while 7 Members will visit
Foshan. It has been a life impacting visit to Guangzhou.
7/1/2008 Tuesday Guangzhou (8:00 am Seattle Time - 11:00 pm Guangzhou) Our Students (7 Members who are still in Guangzhou) visited Foshan City (home of Chinese Martial Arts & Lion Dancing) including a visit to the Foshan Ancestral
(Zumiao) Temple (recognized as the "Oriental Art's Palace" with historical and cultural relics, watched Martial Arts demonstrations and viewed Lion Dancing), visited a Folk Art Academy (this art form is amazing), and toured the
Nangfeng Ancient Kiln (built 1506 - 1521,this rare furnace with a 400 year history and still in use). Tomorrow, our delegation will return to Hong Kong by train. (Michael Xaio, our excellent Tour Manager, sent us a few pictures
from today’s visit to Foshan.)
7/1/2008 Tuesday Xi'an (8:55 AM Seattle Time - 11:55 PM Xi'an) Today our 49 Member Delegation flew from Guangzhou to Xi'an in the afternoon and in the evening our Members enjoyed the spectacular Tang Dynasty Dinner Show (a
performance of Chang'an music and dance originated in China's Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago). Tomorrow our delegation will see the Terra Cotta Warriors!
7/2/2008 Wednesday Hong Kong (7:00 am Seattle Time - 10:00 pm Hong Kong) We have received another email from Randy Li (our outstanding Hong Kong Tour Operator). Our 7 Member Delegation returned to Hong Kong by Express
Train (this train ride offers members an opportunity to view farming by water buffalo and hand as it has been done in China for thousands of years) and checked back into the Regal Riverside Hotel. In the afternoon the
delegation stopped at New Town Plaza Shopping Centre for lunch and shopping and took rapid transit from the hotel to Kowloon to visit Nathan Street (a local shopping area). Tomorrow the delegation will visit the Great
Buddha on Lantau Island.
7/2/2008 Wednesday Xi'an (7:55 AM Seattle Time - 10:55 PM Xi'an) More Pictures! We have received another email from Jessica Chen (our Exceptional Tour Organizer). It was a spectacular day. Our delegation toured the Terra-Cotta
Warriors (the Eighth Wonder of the World) Museum built on the site of the excavation in 1975. The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this
site; altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at
the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and vigor. Our Students also visited the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an (It is the most complete city wall that has survived in China,
as well as being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world) and toured the Provincial History Museum (which is an absolute must for every visitor to the city). The delegation is having a wonderful trip!!!
Tomorrow Beijing!!
7/3/2008 Thursday Hong Kong (7:00 am Seattle Time – 10:00 am Hong Kong Time) It was the last, busy, spectacular day in Hong Kong for our delegation. Today our Students traveled to Lantau Island to visit Tian Tan Buddha (also
known as the Big Buddha, it is the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha). This tour includes an exciting 30 minute gondola ride to Lantau Peak (the second highest mountain in Hong Kong) before climbing the 268 steps
to the Buddha. In the afternoon the delegation had time for some last minute shopping on Nathan Street (a tourist area in Kowloon Peninsula known for shopping). At the end of the day a “Return to Seattle Meeting” gave Students
all the necessary information for packing and preparing for their final flights. For Parents Meeting the Delegation tomorrow: First check (call Northwest Airlines at 1-800-225-2525 or go online at www.nwa.com and check the Flight
Status of Northwest Airlines Flight #8) to make sure the flight is on time. We will meet the delegation at International Baggage #1 or as they walk up the stairs from the South Concourse. Remember they will need 50 – 60 minutes
to clear US Immigrations and US Customs after their flight arrives. We will see you at the airport tomorrow.
7/3/2008 Thursday Beijing (7:30 AM Seattle Time - 10:30 PM Beijing Time) We have received another update with more pictures from Jessica Chen (out Outstanding Tour Organizer in Beijing). Our delegation flew from Xi'an to Beijing today and after
lunch the delegation checked into The Lake View Hotel. This afternoon they visited the Summer Palace (with its immense park, royal gardens, Kunming lake, and the Hall of Benevolence & Longevity). In the evening the delegation
enjoyed a spectacular Acrobatic Performance (this 2000 year old art form captures one's imagination). Tomorrow they will visit the Great Wall of China.
7/4/2008 Friday (6:00 am Seattle Time) Randy Li (our excellent Hong Kong Tour Organizer) informed us that our delegation departed from Hong Kong as scheduled. The delegation changed planes in Tokyo (Narita) and should arrive as
scheduled in Seattle. However, Parents Meeting the Delegation: First check (call Northwest Airlines at 1-800-225-2525 or go online at www.nwa.com and check the Flight Status of Northwest Airlines Flight #8) to make sure the flight
is on time. We will meet the delegation at International Baggage #1 or as they walk up the stairs from the South Concourse. Remember they will need 50 – 60 minutes to clear US Immigrations and US Customs after their flight arrives.
We will see you at the airport today. Welcome Home!
7/4/2008 Friday Beijing (7:30 AM Seattle Time - 10:30 PM Beijing) We have spoken with Jessica Chen (our exceptional Tour Operator) and she has informed us that everyone is happy and having a wonderful trip. Today our Delegation
stood on The Great Wall of China. Each Member was able to climb 80 meters up the Great Wall for a breath taking view at an elevation of 1,000 meters and on their return to Beijing the delegation visited the Ming Tombs (large animal
sculptures) and visited Xiushui Market also known as the Silk Market where the shopping is outstanding. In evening they returned to the hotel to relax, enjoy the swimming pool, and email home. Tomorrow the delegation will visit the
Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. It will be another full day. (We will post pictures after we return from the airport.)
7/5/2008 Saturday Beijing (8:00 AM Seattle Time - 11:00 PM Beijing) Today our delegation visited the Forbidden City (the largest, most well preserved, ancient buildings in China as the Forbidden City was off limits to everyone for 500
years) and enjoyed a special dinner at the Hard Rock Café Beijing. For Parents Meeting the Delegation tomorrow: First check (call Northwest Airlines at 1-800-225-2525 or go online at www.nwa.com and check the Flight Status of Northwest
Airlines Flight #8) to make sure the flight is on time. We will meet the delegation at International Baggage #1 or as they walk up the stairs from the South Concourse. Remember they will need 50 – 60 minutes to clear US Immigrations and
US Customs after their flight arrives. We will see you at the airport tomorrow.
7/6/2008 Sunday (6:00 am Seattle Time) According to Northwest Airlines our delegation departed from Beijing as scheduled. The delegation changed planes in Tokyo (Narita) and should arrive as scheduled in Seattle. However, Parents
Meeting the Delegation: First check (call Northwest Airlines at 1-800-225-2525 or go online at www.nwa.com and check the Flight Status of Northwest Airlines Flight #8) to make sure the flight is on time. We will meet the delegation
at International Baggage #1 or as they walk up the stairs from the South Concourse. Remember they will need 50 – 60 minutes to clear US Immigrations and US Customs after their flight arrives. We will see you at the airport today. Welcome Home!
Pictures from the 2008 Trip are below:
2008 WCE China Las Vegas Student Trip
6/10/2008 Tuesday (Las Vegas) Our 11 Member China Las Vegas Student Delegation led by Ms. Kristi Schaffler and Mr. John Grainger departed from Las Vegas as scheduled, will transfer planes in Seoul
(Incheon), and arrive in Hong Kong as scheduled. This Student Delegation will visit Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Beijing, China. The Guangdong Education Department will host School Visits and a
Tour with Local Students (who speak perfect English) in Guangzhou, China. Pictures and emails will be post on this page during the trip.
6/11/2008 Wednesday In transit from Las Vegas to Seoul Incheon (crossed the International Date Line) and Seoul Incheon to Hong Kong.
6/12/2008 Thursday Hong Kong (7:30 am Las Vegas Time 10:30 pm Hong Kong Time on the same day) We have just spoken with Randy Li (our outstanding Hong Kong Tour Operator). Our 11 Member Las Vegas Student
Delegation arrived safely in Hong Kong, transferred to the Regal Riverside Hotel, held a very short meeting, and took time to clean up. In the afternoon after lunch the delegation took rapid transit
from the hotel to Kowloon to visit Nathan Street (a local shopping area to view pearls at a wholesale outlet, barter for clothes, sun glasses and more), rode the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour
(the #1 Container Harbor in the World), and walked along the Victoria Harbour Waterfront. Tomorrow (after a well deserved night of rest), our delegation will enjoy the Hong Kong Island Tour! Their adventure
has begun. We will continue to post updates daily!
6/13/2008 Friday Hong Kong (7:00 am Las Vegas Time 10:00 pm Hong Kong Time same day) We spoke with Rosita Cheng (our excellent Hong Kong Guide) and our Student Delegation had an outstanding day in Hong Kong.
After their American Buffet Breakfast, the delegation spent the day touring Hong Kong's major sites (Victoria Peak for a spectacular view of Hong Kong, Repulse Bay with its magnificent Buddhist Statues, and
the Floating Village of Aberdeen Bay where some residents have never stepped on land). After the tour our members visited Tsim Sha Tsui (a tourist shopping area) and Women’s Street (a local market for clothes)
before returning to the hotel for a “Depart for Guangzhou Meeting” and packing. Tomorrow our delegation will ride the bus to Guangzhou, China and we will receive our first pictures from China!
6/14/2008 Saturday (8:00 AM Las Vegas Time 11:00 PM Guangzhou Time) We have received another email from Rosita Cheng (our outstanding Hong Kong Guide) informing us that our delegation has arrived safely in Guangzhou
(Rosita traveled with our delegation from Hong Kong to Guangzhou). And we have spoken to and received an email with more pictures from Jessica Chen (the exceptional Manager of the Guangzhou International Exchange
Center in Guangzhou) who informed us that our delegation has had an unbelievable first day in Guangzhou, China. Today our Students traveled from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, China by Bus (this bus ride allows students
to view the China Countryside with its joint venture factories and growing cities). After their first 10 course Cantonese Lunch and checking into the spectacular White Swan Hotel (send emails to the White Swan Hotel),
our Students visited to the Guangzhou Sports Training & Technical College (the Cradle of Olympic Athletes and 2008 Olympic Training Base). Our Students watched the Chinese Olympic potentials training (track & field,
basketball, gymnastics, etc) and demonstrations (martial arts, etc). Everyone was so excited and surprised to see them training and enjoyed it very very much. Some members even challenged the Chinese kids to table
tennis! It was a great day! Enjoy the pictures below!!
6/15/2008 Sunday Guangzhou (7:30 am Las Vegas Time - 10:30 pm Guangzhou) We have received another email with PICTURES from Jessica Chen (our Excellent Tour Manager). Jessica informed that it was another unbelievable day.
“Today is an exciting day for the group to tour and make friends together with the local students: in the morning we met the local students at Peizheng Middle School and toured the beautiful campus. We visited the Yuexiu
Park – the biggest park in down town city - with the Five Ram Statute and Guangzhou Museum. After lunch at McDonald, we visited Guangxiao Temple - the oldest Buddhist Temple in Guangzhou - and a Guangzhou Traditional
Mansion as well. When we shopping along the Up-and-Down Nine Pedestrian Street, the heavy rain came. According to our Students, there were more green trees and the most heavy rain they have ever seen in their life!
After the delicious dinner at famous Lianxianglou Restaurant, it came to the difficult time for everyone – time to say goodbye! The Students kept exchanging emails and gifts and hugging their new friends. No one wanted to leave!
Tomorrow the Students will visit the Kindergarten and True Light Middle School!” More Pictures are posted below!
6/16/2008 Monday (8:55 AM Las Vegas Time 11:55 PM Guangzhou Time) PICTURES! PICTURES! PICTURES! Jessica Chen (our exceptional Tour Organizer in Guangzhou) has emailed more pictures. Visiting the Kindergarten and True Light Middle
School is always an outstanding day. In the morning our delegation visited the Kindergarten where our delegation sang, danced, played games with the children in their classroom, and exchanged gifts! After their visit to the
kindergarten our delegation toured Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall. In the afternoon our members visited True Light Middle School. The time spent at True Light was really impressive for our Students including a campus tour
and gift exchange with the True Light Middle School Students. In the evening our Students enjoyed a 14 course Cantonese Banquet (including Famous Roast Suckling Pig), speeches from Guangdong Officials, and a gift exchange.
Everyone had a wonderful time at the banquet! It has been a life impacting three days in Guangzhou. Tomorrow our Members will fly to Xi'an.
6/17/2008 Tuesday Xi'an (8:00 AM Las Vegas Time - 11:00 PM Xi'an) We have received another email with pictures from Jessica Chen (our Exceptional China Tour Organizer) and our delegation has arrived safely in Xi'an. Jessica
informed us that it was an outstanding visit to Guangzhou and everyone is looking forward to seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an. Today our delegation flew from Guangzhou to Xi'an. After checking into the Tianyu Gloria
Plaza Hotel Xi'an, our delegation visited the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China) and enjoyed the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, a performance of Chang'an music and dance originated in Chinese
Tang Dynasty. The delegation is having a wonderful trip!!! Tomorrow our delegation will see the Terra Cotta Warriors!
6/18/2008 Wednesday Xi'an (8:00 AM Las Vegas Time - 11:00 PM Xi'an) We have received another email with PICTURES from Jessica Chen (our Exceptional Tour Organizer in Xi'an) “It was a spectacular day. Our delegation toured the
Terra-Cotta Warriors (the Eighth Wonder of the World) Museum built in 1975. The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Life size Terra Cotta Figures of Warriors
and Horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. In the afternoon we visited the Ancient City Wall of Xi'an (It is the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the
largest ancient military defensive systems in the world) and toured the Provincial History Museum (which is an absolute must for every visitor to the city) and had lots of fun on the wall. Tomorrow Beijing!! We all are looking
forward to visiting the Olympic City---Beijing!!!
6/19/2008 Thursday Beijing (8:55 AM Seattle Time - 11:55 PM Beijing Time) We have received another update with More Pictures from Jessica Chen (our Exceptional Tour Manager in Beijing). Today our delegation flew from Xi'an to
Beijing and after lunch the delegation checked into The Lake View Hotel. In the afternoon they visited the Temple of Heaven, which is the perfection of Ming architecture and where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would
worship Heaven and pray for bumper crops. This evening they enjoyed a traditional Peking Duck Dinner (the most delicious dish in Beijing) at Quanjude Restaurant. Tomorrow they will visit the Great Wall of China.
6/20/2008 Friday Beijing (8:55 AM Las Vegas Time - 11:55 PM Beijing) We have received another email with pictures from Jessica. Jessica informs us that it was another Fantastic Day! Our Delegation stood on the Great Wall of
China. The delegation was able to climb 80 meters up the Great Wall for a breath taking view at an elevation of 1,000 meters and on their return to Beijing the delegation visited the Ming Tombs and the Walk of the Spirits (large animal
sculptures). Our delegation also visited Xiushui Market also known as the Silk Market where the shopping is outstanding. In the evening the delegation enjoyed a spectacular Acrobatic Performance (this 2000 year old art form captures
one's imagination). Today our members celebrated Kirsten's birthday as she climbed the Great Wall of China. Tomorrow the delegation will visit the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. It will be another full day.
6/21/2008 Saturday Beijing (8:55 AM Las Vegas Time - 11:55 PM Beijing) We have received another email from Jessica Chen (our Excellent Tour Manager who is traveling with our Student Delegation). According to Jessica everyone is having
an outstanding trip. Today our delegation first visited the Forbidden City (the largest, most well preserved, ancient buildings in China as the Forbidden City was off limits to everyone for 500 years) and then they toured the Summer Palace
(with its immense park, royal gardens, Kunming lake, and the Hall of Benevolence & Longevity). Tomorrow our delegation will return to Las Vegas. For Parents Meeting the Delegation tomorrow: First check (call Korean Airlines at 1-800-438-5000
or go online at www.koreanair.com and check the Flight Status of Korean Airlines Flight #9) to make sure the flight is on time. You will meet delegation at International Customs. Remember they will need 45 – 60 minutes to clear US Immigrations
and US Customs after their flight arrives.
6/22/2008 Sunday (7:00 am Las Vegas Time) Korean Airlines shows that Korean Airlines Flight #9 will arrive a little early at 3:41 pm. However, Parents Meeting the Delegation today: First check (call Korean Airlines at 1-800-438-5000 or go online
at www.koreanair.com and check the Flight Status of Korean Airlines Flight #9) to double check the flight arrival time. You will meet the delegation at International Customs. Remember they will need 45 – 60 minutes to clear US Immigrations and
US Customs after their flight arrives. Welcome Home!!!
Pictures from the 2008 Las Vegas Student Trip are below:
WCE Reminder:
If you receive an exciting email or picture from one of our delegation members, please forward the email or picture to the
Washington Cultural Exchange Office and we will post it! Our email address is start@wce.org.
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