2 July: Shayna, Superstar

Day started with a whimper but had a couple of bangs....

Started the day hanging the lobby waiting to bus up and pull out. While so waiting, spoke to a mom and discussed Shayna's Kumon modeling gig; a photo is being used on one of the wee brochures they give out at the various centers. No money, just a What the Hell thing.

Keep that anecdote in mind (as if this entry's title isn't enough hint....

First stop was a pointless one; the Beijing Department Store. Just what Western tourists want to see: luxuries at retail prices. As one of the dads asked our group's guide while congregating to leave: There were more traditional discount stores a block or so away; can we go there? Short answer: No. This stop, we suspect may have been required, so to speak.

At least I saw the Tag-Heuer of which I'd really like a copy....

But it gets better.

Lunch: Too soon -- on one hand, the visit to the TV tower got bagged because of haze and time -- and we were due somewhere at 2:00.

So lunch at the Yun Zun Fu Cabaret: While we ate, showtime! A group of dancers alternating with a man playing handpipes.

And then the 2:00 stop.

Arrived at Qiyi Primary School -- a "model" or special school, I suspect.

Arrive to band and each child being paired up with a student. Shayna's was named Nancy (or "Nancy"). Vert sweet and shy child. Believes knew no English to speak but Shayna claimed that she was just too shy to speak to me in English....

Greetings followed a demonstration of the che ling/ xiang huang/ dou kong zhu -- Chinese yoyo to us lo fan (non-Chinese).

And then the follow-up to the demo; the school's masters teach our kids how to play with the yoyo.

Except there's a ringer in our group.

Shayna.

Who proceeds to bring honor to America with her proficiency.

Tour then continued with a dance presentation and then finished with us == the kids and many of the parents -- singing a few songs for our hosts, "Two Countries" and "Edelweis". With us is the head of our tour, the woman in charge of putting it together every year, Lisa Kifer, who diplomatically and accurately pointed out that while the school spent much time getting its act together for us, we had spent a few hours (actually, a couple of minutes over a few hours) that day getting our act together.

But briefly, about the school: Oldish buildings but very well kept. The course of study seems to be a lot of drilling, somewhat longer days than in America, discipline and a lot of homework.

But there's more to this stop.

The whole thing was being recorded but a large crew from a Chinese TV channel, CCTV.

(Daddy had to throw in that photo.)

After the tour-ending concert, I see the head of English instruction speaking to Shayna. I go up and am told something about a short interview. I hoped it referred to, like, leaving Shayna in Beijing for a year of study.

But nooooooo.

Turns out it was an interview for the media.

Shayna was asked how she got so good with the yoyo. Three years of study and lessons, she said.

She was asked her name, age and where she lived in America. She was asked what she thought of China, similarities an differences. Alike: All the big buildings. Differences: China: Cars and bikes on the roads, US only cars and a lot more of them. And she was asked what she thought of the program. It was good because it gave the kids a chance to see what life was like for kids in another country.

Dinner was back at the YongAn Hotel restaurant. Special of the night: Chinese-style chicken fingers and french fies for the American kids.

And then a very tired group was taken to see an acrobatic show at the Chaoyang Theatre. Many had a great nap. (Shayna and I had seen essentially the same act -- maybe even the same troupe -- last winter.)

Poster's note: One hears about problems accessing certain non-Chinese sites from China, then one actually, like, experiences it. Like, I can post to this blog but I can't, you know, actually see any Blogger blog, including the one I can post to.

And then, this morning, it refuses to upload photos. And God knows we have a choice assortment.

Go figure.

So Plan B.

See the photos here.