It is Saturday and so normally there isn't any school. However, today there was a test for the Senior 2 students. It is one of the tests that colleges look at when admitting students---it isn't the most important test (College Entrance Exam) but it is a big deal. Mr. Feng had assigned his vice principals to take care of this for him so that he could take me out touring the area, but we stopped by there in the morning and I couldn't believe how formal it was. There were district officials there making sure that everything was followed as it should be. There was a rope up that you weren't supposed to cross unless you were an official. I didn't know what they said so I was just following Mr. Feng and then got yelled at…but then Mr. Feng introduced me to all of the district party officials and I then had free reign J

We met Shelly Berman and a few folks from the school that he is shadowing and we spent the entire day touring the area. We went out in to the countryside about 100 km to a shrine for Siddharta Gutama (Buddha). Supposedly one of his finger bones is enshrined there and it was an enormous temple that was built. There is probably a mile long pathway that leads you up to the temple and all along the way are statues (both large and small) that represent different Buddhist gods and tell Buddha's story. It was incredibly lavish and enormous. The ironic part was that to the side of this expensive shrine were the poor, dilapidated housing in which the workers lived. The temple itself was enormous, shaped like two praying hands and it was interesting to see so many Buddhists come to worship and to burn inscense.

In the same complex was the old temple that actually houses the finger bone. It is a large pagoda and is surrounded by beautiful ancient temples. It was more inspiring to me than the newer shrine. You could feel the history and the monks still live in the older section. Buddhism is interesting though and I really enjoyed learning more about it and reading some of the sayings and scriptures along the paths.

Then we went to an emperor's tomb or mausoleum. It was the tomb of the only female emperor in Chinese history. It was a few ancient structures that remained on top of a small mountain. It was crazy to realize that these structures were nearly 1500 years old. I was most impressed by the surrounding countryside though and I really enjoyed seeing the leveled hills growing wheat. I learned that the Chinese in the northern part of the country grow wheat and eat noodles because it is more dry and those in the south grow and eat rice because it is more wet. The housing, the fields, the crops, the people---it was great to be able to go into the countryside. Although the smog was pretty heavy still…

We finished the day with a dinner at a restaurant around a table in a private room with the lazy susan full of food. It was great. Mr. Feng's assistant principals joined us and his executive secretary. They are wonderful people and I really enjoy being around them. We were able to make our own dumplings and it was fun. It was actually really nice to spend time with Shelley. Mostly just to have someone else to speak English to and to share our experiences. I am looking forward to getting back together with everyone.

Tomorrow is Easter and I am incredibly sad not to be home. I also think it is crazy that I am here in this country and no one knows that it is a celebration of the Savior and His resurrection. I am going to be going with Mr. Feng and his wonderful wife tomorrow to do some more touring, but am happy that we aren't leaving until much later in the morning so I can have some time to read and study the scriptures and try to feel the Spirit a bit. I will miss seeing my wonderful kids though as they dye eggs, find eggs, see what is in their basket. Big fat sigh…