Today the group set out for China via Northwest Airlines. Luckily we got the 12- hour direct flight from Detroit to Beijing. China is exactly 12 hours ahead of Detroit's EST. We did not have to change our watches. The flight was long but it could have been worse. We got our first usage of chopsticks on the flight and enjoyed three different movies. We landed in Beijing at 2:15 p.m. and after going through customs and baggage claim we met our first tour guide named Mr. Ying. He was very energetic and helpful throughout our entire trip in Beijing. We checked into the guesthouse at the Beijing Foreign Affairs College. Then we had our first official Chinese meal at a local restaurant. The meals were served family style with a lazy Susan in the middle of the table. It became a struggle at times turning it around without dumping the contents all over the next person. "Mind the Gap!!"

Later we attempted to sleep but most of us still on EST woke up very early the next day. Luckily we were able to walk around the area and enjoy the people participating in Tai Chi. Later, some of us also learned to do this in the mornings with the help of Mr. Ying.