2/26/05
***OH NO*** I got up this morning, checked email, took a shower and noticed my laptop is emitting a loud *click*click*click* and the screen was frozen. Sure enough, my HARD DRIVE DIED. Of all the times for that to happen!
Luckily, through the generosity of our new friends and traveling partners, Matt and Michelle, we are still able to update the website through their computer. So if updates don't happen every day, you know that we are having some technical difficulties.
On to today...
After getting up and having breakfase at the hotel, we boarded the bus to the Great Wall of China. It was cold (~30 degrees), ut not too windy and fairly clear. The wall was AWESOME!
Here's us with Matt & Michelle & their daughter Mackenzie:
After the wall, we got back on the bus and drove to cloisonné factory. We took a tour and learned about the very intricate handcraft. The artists take copper plates, vases, and other things and painstakingly create patterns on the surface with small pieces of copper wire. After several repeats of this process, the outside surfaces are polished smooth, revealing the beautiful designs outlined in copper, kiind of like a very complex stained-glass window.
When the design is complete, the designs are filled in with enamel pastes of various colors and fired in a kiln.
After several repeats of this process, the outside surfaces are polished smooth, revealing the beautiful enamel designs outlined in copper, kind of like a very complex stained-glass window on the surface of each piece.
Next, we went for a fantastic chinese lunch:
Lastly, we went to see a Chinese acrobat show. What a busy day! We need to get some rest for more touring tomorrow.