Have just returned home after attending the National Day Reception as a VIP guest of the Jiangsu Provincial Government along with about 400 guests from 19 different countries as well as local influential people. Met many interesting people and was fortunate enough to have an interpreter on hand to assist me as I met the Director of the Education Commission, the Deputy Director of the Economic and Information Technology Commission to name a few......I think I surprised a few with my ability to do the "politics"!!!!

Naturally the room was decorated as only the Chinese know how.....plenty of red and gold....ice sculpture, beautifully dressed tables and a massive golden dragon with pre dinner nibbles around it. Of course there was the National Day cake complete with flags to remind us why we were there!!

I also learned tonight what a small world we really live in. I met a girl form the US who recognised me from my blog!!!! Can you believe it???? I was totally astounded and we had a fantastic chat and intend to catch up when I return from Tibet...she is now living and working in Nanjing!! Try telling me the world is not tiny......simply had to share this with you!!

All packed and ready to head to Tibet very early Saturday morning. All being well with the internet access you can look forward to my next update from Lhasa.

Bye for now. xxx