Impressions by Dick Troy

I wanted to learn how China evolved from a hundred blooming flowers in the 1950s, to the supplier of inventory for Walmart. A friend mentioned Encore China and Bob Cheung as the perfect introduction to this ancient nation.

We approached China over the North Pole and down over Russia. The sun set off our left wing and returned six hours later, off our left wing. An interesting geography lesson!

I motion with a smile at the young girl with her baby, my gesture asking, "Can I take your photo?" She consents and asks, "Would you e-mail it to me?"

Between 30 to 40 percent of the world's construction cranes strut their stuff in Shanghai. Now I know why the crane is the national bird of China.

Excellent tour guides with so much information. Encore China's reading list prepared us well.

Lots of people-watching, especially the kids.

Supposedly, this is one of the farmers who discover the Terra Cotta Army. He charges for his photo. As I posed, he saw a second camera and tried to cover his face with the fan. Too late!

There was much to see...