Footsteps in China Intro or Index

Back Morning in Chufu: Got up early to see the primary Confucian temple. Was wholly unremarkable: similar architecture as others before. Lots of tablets resting on the backs of tortoises and interwoven trees. Assaulted by vendors again as we made our way to the Confucian family mansion owned by the later generations of Confucius who gained considerable power and wealth. There was a giant scrubbing board approximately 300 years old made in outside stone floor of one of the buildings. There were also doorways through which only family members could pass (servants in the past used another doorway, which later proved problematic when many servants died in a fire because they couldn't escape the flames through that barred door). Had pretty cool replicas of some really old weapons and such. Got a picture for Matt. At lunch at Confucian Six Arts City where we had a show of typical traditional dancing, music, etc. One of the best meals of the trip. Stopped at a pearl shop on our way to Jinan: got talked into buying an interesting braided pearl necklace for myself. Drove to Jinan so we could fly back to Beijing the next morning. Night in Jinan - had a nice dinner before many of us left to get a foot massage next door to the hotel. Was in a room with Caroline, Elizabeth Blakey, Kristin, Annie, Kristy, and Olivia. Was fun to be pampered for only fifteen bucks. Next: The Peking Opera and Jinan Fog.