Day 4 Saturday, Old Town Suzhou

Today we explored the older areas of Suzhou gaining glimpses of life joining the old and new worlds. Canals built a thousand years ago are surrounded by original housing and new modern construction. Ceramic roof tiles weathered with age stand next to glass and concrete buildings lacking the character of its neighbor. As with the architecture, modern inhabitants of Suzhou are on the run with cell phones to ears while the old timers stroll leisurely in alleyways or play chess in the park. I was heartened watching an old couple holding hands while shopping at the food market.

The food market we visited was an incredible smorgasbord of smells and sights. One of students' tasks today was to find a fruit or vegetable not available in the United States. With the food traveling great distances to reach our grocery stores this was not as easy as it sounded.

Some students were caught off guard seeing the conditions chickens were kept in before being sent to the butcher block and then seeing them hanging from meat hooks out in non-refrigerated stalls. The vendors were interested in speaking with the students asking where they were from and what they were doing in China. I found them all very friendly. Many were camera shy until I snapped a photo of their neighbor then showed it to them. Some were surprised to see their picture right away and asked if it was a digital camera. Although many things may be made in China not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the product.

Unfortunately, one of our family members became ill and needed to take a rest. Our tutor led us down a tree-lined alley near his house where we could sit in the shade.

It was a nice peaceful break giving us all a chance to take a breather from our busy activities. This detour was a good reminder for us all to keep hydrated and slow down and enjoy the adventure.

The rest of the day we snacked on local treats and did a little shopping through vendor-lined streets. Here we found stone beads, a man making sculptures out of boiling sugar, round wooden whistles and too many other trinkets to mention.

Despite the illness we had a fun-filled day and an evening of rest before we travel to Hangzhou tomorrow morning for a day of hiking, bicycling, and fun.