10-10-08 China time 7:15pm NC time 7:15am

Hello Everyone!

Our morning began early as Bin Bin got up at 5:30am! He slept all night :o) and was ready to go!! He really wanted to stay in the room, but we had a full day of touring in Chongqing. We started our tour with a famous taxi ride--most of which he cried. I thought briefly, "Poor taxi driver" until I remembered just how much we are risking our lives riding in these things. If I could scream, I would! I'm sort of kidding---it has been an adventure riding, but in some strange way, these drivers know what they are doing. I feel safer riding than I would "playing Frogger" trying to cross the street.

We stopped first at the Chongqing Town Hall. We only walked around outside. It was a very pretty building. It reminded me of the buildings we saw at the Forbidden City. Our guide also told us that many people gather on this plaza to exercise every morning and evening. There are several places around the city where people gather to exercise. Retirees also gather during the day to dance. I took pictures of this yesterday.

Across the street from Town Hall is the Three Gorges Dam Museum. Samuel Ty did fine until we were inside the museum. He screamed the entire time! The museum was very interesting. However, Samuel Ty did not want to be inside. We obviously left early. He did fine as soon as we walked out of the door. We decided indoor activities were out of the question! Our guide chose to take us to an old part of the city. We walked outside the entire time. Bin Bin did just fine there.

The older part of town was like stepping back in time. Narrow streets, lots of people, small store venders, food venders, steep alley-ways, and even a residential section. I think one thing we have noticed the most here in Chongqing is vast contrast between old and new---side by side.