Visit to Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf School is quite impressive. A beautiful campus overlooking the ocean. Unfortunately, the ever present haze has prevented us from yet enjoying an ocean view but we've seen the water up close and can imagine there is more out there somewhere. We met some of the teachers. In the picture are Karen, Justin's girlfriend, Sam, and Thomas, the art teacher. Thomas is extremely knowledgeable about China, its art and history. We had dinner with him and his wife last night (I'll ask Karen how her name is spelled correctly, so I won't massacre it here.) On the basis of what he told us, we will go to Shenyang tomorrow instead of to the Wall bordering Korea. in Shenyang is the palace of the Manchu emperors. It dates from the 17th century. In Shenyang is also the East Tomb - one of the most impressive royal tombs in China. Thomas was shocked that Justin hadn't visited the palace or tomb - Justin is a little Philistine - he said he did go but when told the admission was 50 RMB, he decided it was too much to pay to see an "old building." (I can hear Jennifer groan.) May I offer the explanation that my poor, culturally deprived son was a science major. I now have a goal for the trip - to instill some degree of cultural appreciation in him during the trip.