On March 27, 6:00 PM, members of the American Friendship Force delegation arrived at the Nanjing Ramada for a four day cultural exchange. There we were met by Cang Jian (known to FF members as Jack). Jack is the Director of The Department of International Liaisons at the Jiangsu International Cultural Exchange Center. This organization is FFI’s partner organization for the Nanjing exchange program. Jack has degrees from both Peking and Nanjing Universities. He speaks English, Hebrew and several Chinese dialects and has participated and planned exchange programs to Canada, France, Japan and Russia. Jack became involved with the Friendship Force in 1995 and is a member of the FFI Board of Directors. Since that time China has hosted over 40 inbound exchanges.

The festivities began around 6:45 PM on the third floor of the Ramada where we were given a Reception Dinner. Guests of honor included our ED’s Rosemary Melloy & Darlene Eubanks; Mr. Wantg Shu Qin, Board Chairman of the Jiangsu Hengfeng Investment Group; and Mr. Zhengdong Shi, Grade 1 National Artist, Provincial-Level Collector & Connoisseur. Mr. Zhengdong is also a renowned professional whistler. Also in attendance was the organizer Jian "Jack" Cang; interpreter Cynthia Zheng, and photographer Gao Ziwen. After exchanging gifts and toasts to friendship we enjoyed a delicious selection of Chinese cuisine. Later, Mr. Zhengdong was kind enough to perform several whistling melodies for our enjoyment. We were most grateful for the warm welcome we received, the gracious accommodations and fine meal and entertainment provided.

On the morning of March 28, 08:45 AM, led by Jack and local tour guide Jean we headed for Nanjing #2 Kindergarten. As we arrived we were met by Principal Ms. Zhu Yuhua. After a brief introduction and acceptance of gifts we brought for the school, the principal guided us on a tour of the facilities and answered questions on school operations. On entering the building we watched as the children performed their morning exercises. In one classroom the children sang us a song and, as we exited the school grounds, the children performed a dance using brightly colored fans.

Our second stop was Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum. Known as the "Father of Modern China," Dr. Sen is recognized for his central role in the history of modern China where he sought to bring democrat rule in the early 20th century. Located up 392 steps at the peak of Mount Zijin (Purple Mountain) is his mausoleum where in a marble coffin Dr. Sen lays in stately repose.

Next we visited the Ming Dynasty Tomb complex. The site was chosen by the third Ming Dynasty emperor Yongle (1402 - 1424), who moved the capital of China from Nanjing to the present location of northwest Beijing. He is credited with envisioning the layout of the ancient city of Beijing as well as a number of landmarks and monuments located therein. After the construction of the Imperial Palace (the Forbidden City) in 1420, the Yongle Emperor selected his burial site. From the Yongle Emperor onwards, 13 Ming Dynasty Emperors were buried in this area.

From the tomb complex we were off to the Nanjing Museum. It is one of the largest museums in China. There are eleven exhibition halls: Ancient Chinese Earthenware, Ancient Chinese Jade, Ancient Chinese Calligraphy & Painting, Bronze Ware, Cultural Relics, Folk Art, Jiangnan Silk Products, Ming and Qing Porcelain and Modern Art. The jade exhibition includes the famous full size suit of armor made from small jade tiles held together by silver wire. The folk museum includes full sized mannequins dressed in traditional local costume.

At 5:00 PM we returned to the Nanjing Ramada Plaza Hotel for an included Chinese dinner. Here, we celebrated Pete Peters birthday with champagne that United Airlines presented him as a birthday gift. We also celebrated what would have been Martha & Ed Swartz’s 50th wedding anniversary with a champagne toast and balloons.

Around 8:00 PM we attended a Chinese Folk Music Concert. Performed by the Nanjing Traditional Instruments Orchestra, this group was founded in 1963 and is one of the few professional orchestras in China.

On March 29, 08:20 AM, we arrived at the Jinling University for the Aged. The University now headed by My. Yank was founded in 1984 and created with the aim of bringing knowledge to the elderly students, enrich their life, improve their health, and serve the society. With a student population of over 7000, the University consists of 9 departments: calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, history of Chinese language & literature, foreign language, medical care, home management, recreation, and computer science. Our FF group was treated to demonstrations of calligraphy, English language, music, song, arts & crafts, computers and painting. We received gifts of handmade flowers and traditional Chinese hand painted fans. The visit ended with a spectacular exhibition of song and dance. Women performed several traditional minority dance numbers. The dancers from the school were garbed in elaborate costumes and performed like they were in their teens. I was exhausted just watching them. Also performing were a choir of strongly voiced seniors. All put on a very professional afternoon of entertainment. At their request, our group took the stage and sang the first verse and chorus of "My Old Kentucky Home."

On March 30, 2:00 PM, we checked back in to the hotel. At around 4:00 PM we were at the Confucian Temple area for sightseeing and dinner. The Confucius Temple in Nanjing was originally constructed in the year of 1034 in the Song Dynasty. Located near the Qin Huai River was a place to worship and consecrate Confucius, the great philosopher and educator of ancient China. It is also known as Fuzimiao in Chinese.

On March 31, 05:00 AM, we checked out of the hotel and bussed to the Nanjing airport to catch our flight to Wuhan.

Although our stay was brief, our members were treated to the sights, sounds, tastes and culture of the Chinese people. Thanks again to the untiring work of Jack, the Home Hosts and everyone who labored in the background to make the exchange possible.