This is Kim, Simon our guide, Me and Pat our friend. Simon was once a High School teacher. He taught English. Every morning on the bus he would teach us a couple of new Chinese words or phrases.

Kim trying to haggle a price for some coins. He drew quite a crowd. We found out that the coins were knock offs. The owner of the booth wouldn't give him his money back. We had to settle for a bracelet. I love it. Word to the not so wise. Don't give them money and expect change back you might get counterfeit. Make sure what you're are buying is real. If it sounds like a good deal it probably isn't.

This is the grand canal. The Chinese started construction in 480 B.C. It was finally finished in 610 A.D. They call it the Venus of the East because Marco Polo thought it reminded him of his home in Italy. Most people in China hang their clothing out t0 dry. Very few of them have dryers. Our guide said that that was their national flag. The canal was originally lined with tile and built with slave labor.

Another view of the Grand Canal. It was one of my favorite parts of the trip.