Just checked into the Holiday Inn in Hebei and took that BEST hot shower!  We were all a little worse for wear after being up for almost 36 hours.  We had not even left Shanghai yet and the girls were already making a shower schedule.  Somehow, I was picked to be first.  I didn’t understand why such an honor was bestowed upon me, but I wasn’t going to complain nor question it!

Our guide is a cute girl named Cherry.  She isn’t quite Ting Ting from when we were in Beijing last year, but she seems to have a lot of motivation and always has a smile on her face.  I think the week should go well with her.

The hotel is very nice, albeit the room is a little on the small side.  But we can make do.  The real test of a hotel in our world is the breakfast buffet in the morning!  It is on the 29th floor.  We will hold final judgement until the morning.  The other thing that is always important is the presence of a swimming pool.  And, there IS one on the 6th floor.  So, it looks like we are pretty set for the next five days.

I will post some pictures as soon as I can either figure out what is wrong with my card reader and/or buy a new card reader.  I tried to upload some pictures earlier today and it didn’t seem to be working.

I think we will try and get some sleep tonight.  The beds feel soft, but we probably wouldn’t be too picky.  Kim told us all about how her little Abby needs to have all this cushy stuff to sleep on.  Yeah, right.  Tomorrow I will post the picture of her deep in sleep on a hard bench at the airport.  You take what you can get!

We will post more tomorrow.  Have a great Saturday!!

Cameron