My first earthquake. For about 30 seconds my hotel room on the 11th floor was swaying back and forth. It was like, What do you do, Panic, wait and see if it gets better. I turned off my computer as the battery was low and went out in the hall where a lady was also a little concerned. Luckily she spoke English. Then a loud speaker came on and said, “Do not panic, our hotel is Earthquake proof.” Yea right! It appeared to have stopped but I grabbed my key and took the elevator down to the lobby and sat down there for about 45 minutes eating my dinner of snacks,homemade bread from Shanghai, dried banana chips, a small Pringle box of wheat chips, and some M&M’s. I then asked the hotel clerk if it was safe to drink the water in Japan. He said, “yes”, I said, “I have been in China for a month and it was not safe to drink unless boiled.” I then went back to my room where my computer quickly died and I called the front desk and luckily they had a power adapter, yea! So that is why I am able to type now.
It was sad leaving Nanjing this morning but I am excited about getting home. My train to Shanghai went well, my guide met me there and then took me to the airport although he left me waiting in the wrong area to get my boarding pass. I sat there for 1 1/2 hours until I checked myself and it was 4 gates away. I cleared the Chinese customs and Japanese customs and now have to spend the night here before leaving at 11:00 am and arriving at 10:45 am the same day. How is that for saving time. Reminds me a little of the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.
I am actually a little tired as I got up at 5:00 am this morning so I will write some follow up once I get back to the farm.
Amber and Lydia at the Ming tomb in Beijing. This is the 3rd emperor who moved the capitol from Nanjing to to Beijing. He built the Forbidden City and also was the son of the first Ming emperor but defeated the 2nd emperor who was the grandson of the first emperor. The first emperor liked his grandson from another son better.
Another Photo
Dragon at Yuyuan Garden. This is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying.
Wow, what a journey you’ve had! Hope you have a safe trip home.