Day 7 - Formal Welcome

Hey Everyone!

Monday was a relaxed day.  We had a three-hour Chinese history lecture in the morning and the rest of the day was free.  I used the time to blog and write emails to friends and family.  In the evening, we were invited to a formal dinner on campus to officially welcome us along with a few students from the University of North Carolina.  

They are staying in our hotel as well.  The dinner was an excellent sample of traditional Chinese cuisine.  We were served "family style" with plates served on a large rotating disc in the middle of our table.  

Some of the food included a bean curd dish that looked like transparent legos, an entire fish, multiple pork dishes and duck.  The Peking Duck - Beijing's most popular dish - was served thinly sliced.  To eat it, you put duck, slices of cucumbers and sauce into a small tortilla and wrap it up.  It was very good, but it had a strong after taste.

During the meal, each school - Renmin, North Carolina and Mizzou - performed something to represent their own school.  The Renmin kids sang and played a traditional Chinese song using an ancient instrument.  Being a curious musician, I went up afterwards and asked if I could try playing the instrument.  It was very similar to the violin or cello but I could not reproduce anything near to what the original performer played.  North Carolina sang their Alma mater and we sang our fight song.  It was a fun night!

Here's video of the entertainment at the formal reception and some nightlife scenery.  Sarah was among those that led our school in the fight song!

For those that posted comments earlier: we just got the pins and I'm not anticipating trading until we get closer to the games.  Some people are just here on vacation, but I'm really looking forward to asking people if they want to trade!

Ted