Hello Friends and Family,

Our travels are going great. So far we have made it to: Beijing, Qingdao, ShangHai, Xiamen, and Zhangpu (NanPu). We have done little touristy stuff and have focused the majority or our time on our students which has made or travels amazing. We have been able to see the real China and no that which created to impress foreigners. NanPu, which is where we are at now is a very small and remote village in the mountains. We are living with one of our students and had the chance to spend the Chinese New Year with him and his family. Which, if you don't know, is the largest and most important holiday of the year. We have spent a lot of time with the local school children here playing ping pong (table tennis), badminton, pool and basketball. Everyone is so amazed at our white skin and light colored hair. Our student and his family have also taught us how to play Majong. We are still learning but they all say that we are naturals. We have learned how to pump our own water out of the well for showers and drinking water. Carrie has learning how to make a few dishes. But the most amazing thing that we have learned is that a motorbike can hold four people. But that is four Chinese. We could only fit two Americans and one Chinese on our bike. Well, we hope you are all enjoying the cold weather of the winter and staying safe. We will try and post a picture slid show of some of our pictures but I am not sure if it will work. Once we get back to Qinhuangdao we will be able to share our photos with all of you. Miss you all a lot.