Grand Epoch City Aug 5th 2008

Today we remained encamped at Grand Epoch City.
We had a standard breakfast with rice, noodles, watermelon. Today they had the bread with red bean paste inside- yummy. The rice was warm and was mixed with eggs.

While the milk was in a pan the first day, with bowls nearby, now they have it figured out. The milk is in pitchers by black coffee.

The schedule wasn't as tight this morning and allowed for the kids to go back to their rooms before the morning practice.

The elevators before the practice remain somewhat problematic. Some instruments take up more space than others.

I had an opportunity to visit with the doctor on call at the clinic at the hotel. One of the chaperones needed some medication.

This clinic did not have the medication that we needed. They did offer us some Chinese herbs.

Ultimately, we hired a cab and went to a nearby hospital with a translator. Unlike the hotel clinic, this place was clean. There was a smashed cigarette butt in the stairwell. The walls were a military green. There was no wait for the doctor- a real cute girl who could pass for eighteen.

The picture on the wall was interesting.

We were able to get the medication for 3 yuan- or about a sixty cents.

The pharmacy filled a prescription for the other patient there- eight grocery sized bags full of something that smelled like eucalyptus. Our translator told us that this was primarily a respiratory hospital.

All in all, the visit was a pleasant surprise, with no waiting. The physician did not require an exam, and let us get the appropriate medication.

We made it back to Grand Epoch City in time for pictures.

Many of the Modesto High School gang gathered for a group shot.

After dinner, there was a social period with an exchange of pins. This was followed by a show from the Chinese. There were the flying hat dancers. It looked like sports acrobatics done while juggling hats. Next was Kung Fu Fighters, and this was followed by a magician. The magician was rather anticlimactic.

Our World Projects host, Kirk, then thanked all the schools, and handed Olympic Orchestra pins to our directors for distribution. Then the kids were allowed thirty minutes of "free style dancing".

They should be done by now- so it's time for a bed check.