What ever happened to Lorraine and Cindy's blog?

You would think, with all the freaking rain I complain about, that I would have LOADS of time to sit and blog to you about all of our daily adventures.  You know, to tell you the truth, I would think that too!  But for some reason, blogging is a lot like writing in a journal - and therefore, my commitment is sporadic!  It doesn't mean that I don't love and miss you - because I really really do!

So - I should probably tell you a little about Beijing and Boston.  Keep in mind it will be the super short version, but I will include pics - so don't be sad!  Beijing was a very cool experience.  I know this is going to sound - un PC - but being surrounded by so many Asian people was the strangest thing.  I mean, we have all known lots of Asian people, but it is not usual, in our Western cultures, for them to be the majority!  It was really cool.  And there were millions of

 people - every time we went out to explore the city.  That was also a different experience.  Paris is crowded - but nothing like this! 

So - I got there the weekend before my program started and I met up with some of my participants.  We went sight seeing and had some really cool experiences!  We started out by going to the Tower of Heaven.  The coolest part about this place was that people were spontaneously creating music everywhere!  There were bands that were playing traditional Chinese music and there were little choirs all over the place.  As you walked into the park, you were just overwhelmed by the sounds!  People were also dancing everywhere.  I really loved that.  The band above was my favorite!  They had this little old guy playing the symbols and he was the cutest thing ever.

We went up to the tower after enjoying the music

So - after that we tried to meet up with some of the others for dinner.  We had a hard time finding a restaurant that could accommodate a large group, so we ate in the alley (from the first picture at the beginning of this blog).  Now that was an adventure!  I won't lie to you, I was worried all the time about what I was eating.  I didn't want to offend my pets!  But I am pretty sure all I ate was either beef or chicken - with noodles and rice.  It was nice - and I didn't ever have to go to the hospital (like in Turkey)!  

The next day, we met up with more people and went sight seeing and shopping.  I bought pearls and jade and cucci sunglasses and a dulge and gabanna bag.  (notice that the miss-spellings are definitely on purpose)!  It was great.  I got to see the Summer Palace.  That was probably my favorite, even though it snowed.  It was truly beautiful and relaxing!  

My most relaxing experience came later in the journey, when we signed up for 2 hour massages, that cost less than 20 US Dollars!  It was GREAT!  Much more relaxing than my Turkish Bath experience!  They gave us little silk pajamas to wear - so there was no nudity involved - thank God!  :-) I promise my participants that what happens in the program stays there - so I can't post all my pictures because I want to protect my word!  But there are some cute pics with all of us in PJs that I can show you in person when you visit!

We also got to see the Forbidden City and of course, The Great Wall.  What an amazing job I have huh? 

 

So, I will leave you on that note!  I will try to get better - but I make no promises!  :-)  I love you guys and miss you so much.  Don't forget to SKYPE - Love Lola