We have been in Beijing now for 4 days. We have seen quite a bit, from the Forbidden City to the Opera. Beijing certainly has more people than Chengdu. However, Beijing doesn't seem to be as in a hurry. You don't here the honking horns constantly, you don't see the taxis weaving in and out of traffic as fast as they can just to get to the next destination, and we certainly aren't starred at as much. But what we do see is the the great desire to sell things, especially to the foriegners. As soon as you walk into a place, it's look here, buy this, etc.

We just got back from 5 days in the Tibetan country. There we experienced how others live. Here in Chengdu it seems that the most important thing is to get where you need to be and get there fast. Everywhere you look you see people working whether is be business men on their phones, taxi drivers weaving in and out of traffic, or people selling food on the streets. Everyone is trying to make money and make it count. After spending time in Kangding and Tagong we got a different look at what life is like for these Chinese and Tibetans.

After spending a week now in China I have learned alot about how simple life can be. At home we are so used to the many amenities that we have such as toliet paper, clean running water, clean air,clean public restrooms etc. Here in China has not been the case. Often times there is no toliet paper in the bathrooms and rarely are they very clean. To us westerners this is a big deal, but to the Chinese this is daily life. I never realized just how many people live in China.

Well we have about 3.5 weeks until we leave for China. After our last meeting, it finally seems real.... we are actually going to China!!!! When looking at the question of values, I am not quite sure if China shares in the same values that we here at PLU do. I am sure without a doubt that China has values that they hold new and dear to their hearts, but whether or not they match up with ours is something that we are undoubtly going to get a first hand look at here in a few weeks. I definitely think they have a strong committment for educating justice, health, sustainability, and peace, but what I am not sure of is whether or not they are along the same lines as ours.

i can't wait to leave