Today we started with a lecture on the educational state of schools in China at the International University of Xi'an. It was interesting for them to point out some of the difficulties that come from having such a centralized government controling education. However, it is also impressive to see what they are able to accomplish for their kids. It is such a different system than ours and definitely doesn't all for education for all students, but they are conscious of their deficiencies and trying to figure out how to continue to improve.

We spent the afternoon touring a high school and then a K-8 school. It was so fun to be around the kids and they were incredibly welcoming. They loved trying to speak English and were so generous. I was able to play basketball with some boys, learn calligraphy, dance, and listen to them sing. The staff were wonderful and they really treated us like royalty. I felt like Kobe Bryant when I was surrounded by 10-15 elementary school kids who had notebooks out that they wanted me to sign. Pretty great.

We ended the night with another banquet dinner with the school staff. They took us to a very expensive hotel and we had another meal around a lazy susan. I admit that the food is great, but I am already getting weary of their generous hospitality. That sounds funny, but they are just so generous and the food never stops coming. They also like to toast with alcohol, which has been interesting since I don't drink. They have a hard time believing that I really don't want more beer or wine or vodka...until I share with them that it is because of my religious beliefs. It is funny to watch some of these Chinese administrators drink themselves into a stupor. They definitely want to show us a good time.

Tonight we went to a section of the city that is in one of the developmental zones of Xi'an. They have done a lot to develop different areas of the city to improve tourism and the economy. It was pretty amazing. It had a giant mall, an music hall, fountains, statues, and LED ceiling that was probably 3 or 4 football fields long. They definitely know how to put on a show--reminded me of the Beijing Olympics. Impressive stuff.