Let me point out that the blog is out of order. The download times can be long and as much as I enjoy sharing my trip and the wonderful world of Chinese teas it is sometimes difficult to sit and blog vs being out to see new sights!

Barb and I eventually met up in Nanjing late Friday evening. Her day had been much more stressful than mine so we decided to grab a bite to eat, chat and get to sleep in preparation for Saturday. One of the things that both of us really wanted to do is find a bookstore that stocked Chinese books in English so off we went to the Foreign Languages Bookstore. We ended up in the wrong store with limited titles in English and not what I was looking for. However while strolling around the store a young lady, Lilian, approached Barb and was excited to practice her English, like so many students we have met. Long story short she will accompany us tomorrow to the temple and get plenty of practice.

Eventually we arrived to the Foreign Language bookstore and much more of what I was looking for. So many interesting books how will we get them all home? Our luggage has already well exceeded the weight limits for flying! I picked up a couple of interesting books on tea written by Chinese Authors/Experts and have the young man in the store searching for another that was written as a follow up to the well known "Tea Classic". We spent a good part of the day wandering around the store reading.

We left and headed to an area called "1921" a young, hip hang out for students. Nanjing is not just beautiful but also heavily populated with young people and has a high energy that you can feel as you walk around. We stopped in for tea at the "Tea Station" and enjoyed a green oolong and a delicious dinner. I have to tell you ordering in a restaurant can be amusing if no one speaks English and you speak no Chinese. You can never be sure what you are going to get! Everywhere we go people notice us and this was no exception we met a group of young men who seemed really nice and cooperated, actually posed when I wanted to take their picture!

We strolled the city back to the hotel and called it a day. Tomorrow is the temple which we are really looking forward too, Beth

We Meet People Everywhere We Go

Having Tea in a Chinese Victorian Style Tea House

We Are Ready for Tea

The Beautiful Tree Lined Streets of Nanjing

Which Way Should We Go?
Just Read the Street Sign.