Nihao (Hello). Today I am going to China. Really and truly. I'm not even joking!
My daughters' dance company, Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre (RMBT), was invited to participate in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic's Arts Festival as goodwill ambassodors for the United States. For nearly two years, we have been planning, rehearsing, and funding raising, and rehearsing, and fund raising, and rehearsing, and fund raising. Did I mention rehearsing and fund raising? I can't believe the day to go is finally upon us.
It is my understanding that the Olympic Arts Festival "opens" the Olympic season. It should be very exciting. The girls will be performing at diplomatic functions, sight seeing, and soaking in Chinese culture through dance exchanges and other events. We begin our two-week journey in Beijing, travel to Guilin, and then on to Shanghai. (You can read more about it here, if you want.) My two older girls were invited to go. I was asked to go as a chaperone. I am giddy and nervous all at the same time. I have never traveled over seas before. I have never been away from Mr. Handsome and the triplets for more than a few days. And last, but not least, I have never eaten donkey tail or seahorse on a stick!
Here is a peek at the front of the T-shirts we will be wearing to the Great Wall, Tian'an Men Square, and the Forbidden City.
I have a few posts ready to publish while I am away. I'm not sure if I will have internet access. If I don't respond to a comment in a timely manner, you will know why.
If you think of it, pray for our health and safety. I hope we can represent this great nation of ours in a way that makes you proud to be an American. I will tell you all about it when we get home.
Bao Zhong (Take care),
Cassie
Since I wrote this post, central China has been rocked by an earthquake. Our agenda seems very small in light of the enormity of the quake. When the details of the earthquake were first surfacing on news channels across our nation, I no longer wanted to go. But I have changed my mind. Maybe RMBT can bring some measure of joy to a nation that is recovering from a such a devastating loss. Sometimes little things can mean a lot.