Forbidden City and Silk

This is Rick, again, posting for Angie, who is in China.

Got a call from Angie from the hotel - breakfast today was good, mostly Western, with some rice and tofu and fish (fish heads, griped one of the group). The Hotel business center is under construction or remodeling, so it's closed. I tried faxing earlier, but kept getting an error message around the end of the city code. 011+86+10+error.

Yesterday they went to the Forbidden City, a sprawling huge maze I guess. They lost two of the group for a while. Advice? Stay with your group. Angie bought some post-cards and kites and books for cheap. They also went to Tienanmen Square which is heavily guarded. Had to sneak pics with Mao in between passes of the guard. Couldn't stay in one place for more than a minute (no public gathering?).

Today they are going to a silk factory and the Silk Market. She asked about ties and comforters and scarves.

She is having a good time and getting to know the rest of her group. Says we need to take the kids when they're older. Me too - being the oldest of the kids in this family.

Thanks again for prayers and thoughts.