Sleepover on the Great Wall

Sometimes, I stop what I'm doing and think, "wow! We ARE in China!"

As we've lived here now for about 10 months, daily life isn't much different from

what it was in Iowa.  To be sure, running errands is a bit different--having to arrange a

time with the driver instead of just hopping in the car and running to Walmart.  But I'm used to it now and it seems almost normal.  It's beginning to seem normal to plop down $50-worth of Chinese money for 3 boxes of cereal, some cheese and a carton of sour cream.

It's beginning to seem normal to be able to leave the apartment for my Chinese lesson or to go do something with my friends and leave the ayi folding laundry or washing the windows.

(Or to sit here at the computer while she does the breakfast dishes.  Nice!)

But then, something very unique comes up,

like the invitation from the Christian Fellowship (the non-denominational congregation

that is associated with the school) for the high school students to have a 

sleepover on the Great Wall.

 A chartered bus transported them the two-hour drive to Jixian. 

 The only problem?  There was a forecast of rain

so I had purchased plastic shower curtains to go around their sleeping bags, (especially to

keep them clean from the "China black grime").

But the group ended up sleeping in the guard towers, out of the rain completely. 

The next day was spent exploring the Wall, the nearby town, and

"affirming" the seniors in the group (hence the reason for the church's involvement).  

That basically meant the group (about 25 total), 

took time to tell about the good things they've noticed about a particular person.

 So yes, we are in China!  And yes, we are having marvelous experiences!