Day Two Pictures!

Peggy Baker has sent some more photos for sharing. Enjoy!

Rickshaw Rides!

Rickshaw rides!

Rickshaw rides!

"We climbed 758 steps to the top of the drum tower with our drum line instructors!"

Happy travelers at Beijing's Drum Tower.

Tea ceremony

Lunch at a noodle restaurant

Giant Panda zoo

Giant pandas at the zoo

Giant pandas at the zoo

Leaving for the concert!

Bari saxes going to the bus

In the hotel lobby

Ben's family members who live in China attended the concert!

EP kids rocked the auditorium when the Chinese band played YMCA. :)

"Hands Across the Sea" - EP kids in black shirts, Chinese friends in white shirts

Saxes across the sea

Flute friends

Bari sax friends

Olivia and her new Chinese friend

Trombone friends

Clarinet friends

Day Two - Concert Day!

What a day!  We started off in the Hutong - neighborhoods of single story homes, some that have been in the family for 200 years.  We had tea with a family in their home.  It was a great experience for the students to see the small amount of space that many of the Chinese people live.  After our visit, we climbed a 600 year old drum tower, then visited the Great Pandas in the zoo!  We had a wonderful lunch in a local restaurant - the food is served family style, and it just keeps coming and coming.  Very delicious!  We went to a crazy shopping mall (the Silk Market).  The Eden Prairie kids are becoming outstanding bargainers!  Our day ended with a wonderful concert with Beijing School No. 166.  They were very welcoming and they were a wonderful band.  We performed first, then they performed.  We finished with a combined performance of Sousa's "Hands Across the Sea."  It was a very meaningful experience for all of us.  The kids made new friends across the sea, and the world!

Happy Campers in China!

 Josh makes a new friend!

More Day One Photos

Chaperone/Photographer Peggy Baker took these photos with her phone. (Click the photo to download the image.)

GROUP SHOT!

"He ain't heavy, he's my band director." - Isaiah B. & Mr. Palmer

I went all the way to China to take a picture of my classmate.

If the city is forbidden, how come there are so many people here? - Lily K. & Kaia M.

Eagles have landed in Tiananmen Square.

Ellie J. & Megan Q. get ready for an adventurous lunch.

Sara(h) smiles! - Sara F. & Sarah P.

Day One in Beijing

We're here - safe and happy AND TIRED!!

After a long flight, we were all safely at the Rosedale Hotel in Beijing by about midnight local time Friday night.  We got up early Saturday, ate a good breakfast (of noodles and kiwi juice!), and set off in our buses to see the crowded city.  We started at Tiananmen Square, walked entirely through the Forbidden City, ate lunch in a wonderful local restaurant, and ended up at the Summer Palace.  Some visited a fresh pearl farm. We probably walked 5 miles today and saw at least one million people! LOTS of people everywhere.  Can't believe it's only been one day!

EP students bartering with a street vendor in Tiananmen Square for a Chairman Mao watch!

 

Second test post.

TEST

Yet another test

This is our tour blog!

This is where we will post updates and pictures of the EPHS Bands China Tour 2013!  Stop by daily and see what we are doing.

Trial post

This is just a test!  We don't leave until March 28!