China trip

Today I've created my blog about our trip to China, which is about six weeks away. When we first starting thinking about and planning this trip, July seemed so far away, but now it's summer. I've begun some reading, mostly fiction by Chinese writers, set in ancient China that's helping me gain a better understanding of history. One of the guide books had a great list of suggested books that I used when I went to the library; some of the titles were available, and I'm working my way through them. One is a history of past and present that my husband is reading now. I borrowed the Cambridge History of China from a colleague who teaches history and visited China last summer; she prepared a timeline that's been helpful in understanding the various dynasties. I have this desperate need to be better prepared for this trip than I have been for some of the previous trips we've taken to foreign countries, because I know so little about China---or I think I do. Maybe I know more than I realize! Anyway, I have a lot of reading to do.

Last night I began to worry about what kinds of clothes to take for the hot, humid weather we'll encounter for the 16 days we'll be gone. I could hardly fall asleep while I made a mental inventory of what I have and what I may need. Do I need to buy more clothes? Yikes! I don't want to take too much, but I do want to have what I'll need. Mostly I don't want to have to stress about this aspect of the trip, but it IS important. After all of the stress about renewing the passports and obtaining the Chinese visas, I'd like to get the clothing thing settled as soon as possible. Shoes are a big concern.