The Half Time Show We are now half way through or trip. Kim: Favorite Experience (China): Hiking the Great Wall of China, and better yet, sleeping on the Wall is something I'll never forget. Eating dinner with our guide's family our first night was also such a cool experience. Favorite Experience (Tibet): Seeing the various religious sights and learning a bit more about Buddhism has been very interesting. (I'm thinking about converting when I get back home) Also, seeing first hand the extremely different life styles of Chinese and Tibetan peoples has been an eye opening experience. For the most part, they are very poor, but I do not feel that they regard themselves as such. Not So Favorite Experience: I was sick for most of the first 3 days after arriving In Lhasa. Altitude sickness is NOT fun. It really wore on me after awhile making the trip very difficult for me and for poor Jon. Thank goodness I've felt only minimal symptoms the last two days. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for when we get to Mt. Everest and we have another jump in elevation. Comments: I've convinced Jon that next summer's vacation will be in the USA. We were talking about Europe next year, but I don't feel I'll have recovered from this trip by this time next year. This has been a trip that I'll never forget and I'm glad that we are here, yet I'm counting down the days until we get back on that plane and head east. Jon: Favorite Experience (China): Without a doubt waking up on the Great Wall was the best experience. Favorite Experience (Tibet): I have been waiting for a long time to visit the Potala and it didn't dissapoint. We may have seen temples that have been more ornate, but looking at it while standing on the sidewalk or riding by in the Land Cruiser leaves you breathless. Not So Favorite Experience: Having Altitude Sickness the first night in Lhasa. Comments: I have always liked the historical buildings and objects of the Chinese. Ever since I came here for the first time in 1997, I have been fascinated by what I have seen. Even though I had been to some of the places in Beijing before, I still like to see them again. Touring Tibet has been fascinating. It is even more awesome in person. Seeing pictures and documentaries, do not adequately do these places justice. I know I have used the words beautiful, awesome, and unbelievable many times to describe what I have seen. However, I feel that they fit what we see. This trip has met and exceeded my expectations. The weather has cooperated so far. I glad thatI have Kim as my travel companion. I would not want to travel with anyone else.