Banquet for international teachers @University‏

Hello-
It is Saturday night and we just got home from the banquet for all the international teachers at Qingdao University.
It was one of those long, drawn out things. We had to meet at 4:15 this afternoon on the steps of the campus library. After that, we went to a"reception" in a room where they talked to us - thru an intepreter, and gave us each a really nice teaching contract for the year. Then, we boarded a bus and went to a restaurant for a Chinese dinner. It was not as fancy as last night and the food was not nearly as tasty. The fish that was served was so fishy tasting and really salty. And, it is always so appetizing to walk into a restaurant and have the assortment of fresh sea life swimming before your eyes, as well as fresh silk worms to eat! And grubs! They are considered a delicacy. :( Yuck!!!! You just have to close your eyes and nose as you pass them!
The dinner went on and on and there was plenty of Qingdao beer for everyone. Don't know if you realize it, but Qingdao is known, world wide, for its famous beer!
The meal was a 12 course ordeal and there was only one dish that I really liked, which was a sweet potato dish. They usually serve 2-3 fish dishes and some of them are repulsive. They always end the big meal with a whole, fresh fish - head and all! It is so upsetting to have a fish set before you, with the head still attaached, eyes and all, as well as all the gills and bones....
On the way home, it was raining, so I thing that tomorrow will be a rain day. We both have class tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. and we are so tired this week. They may give us a week off, but, believe me, we pay dearly for it.
The visa's STILL are not here. We are told they will be here tomorrow. We shall see. Yes, we are all pretty panicky. Many prayers will be rendered tonight for the return of our passports, as well as the visa's.
We will miss you all this week, while we are gone. I will keep a journal, as best as I can. I know there will be many exciting things happen to us. I can hardly wait for the camel ride. Not to mention the donkey ride!
Our tour will begin with a 5 hour plane ride to Urumiqi tomorrow afternoon. Urumiqi is a sprawling metropolis in the Xijiang Ughur region. Then we go to the Heavenly Mountain and Heavenly Lake, by boat. We will visit the Ughur area and shop at the famous Er Dao Qiao bazaar. We will then visit the ancient city of Jiaohe, with the ancient well irrigation systems, and visit a Urgur family. Then we will travel by train to the Tuyugou Valley village to enjoy the pure and original Ughur customs. On to the Pachikli Grottos and Gaochang by donkey cart! On the train again to Dunhuang, sleeping on the train. In Dunhuang, we will ride a camel to the desert and Crescent Moon Lake. Then on to Xi'an - the great ancient capital of China and eastern end of the silk road trip. While in Xi'an, we will see the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Horses at the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. Also the Great Wall!!! There will be a chance for us to shop at a muslim market at the bell tower. Then on home Sunday night. We will all be so tired, I am sure. But, I am the only one who does NOT have a class on Monday morning, after we arrive home.... Lucky me.
We have tried to call everyone tonight, we will try again tomorrow morning.
Hope all is well with everyone. We love and miss you.
OXOXO Mom