We had a great asian breakfast buffet for our start.  Because Hailar is a destination for Koreans and other Asians, their food was available at the buffet.  Don’t ask me what was what, however.

Our entourage proceeded in 2 minivans to the edge of town to tour a forest park.  Since there are grass lands as far as one can see in all directions, trees are unusual and a result, I am told, of limestone underneath this small area.

We then went to a World War II park.  Just past the outskirts of town was Japan’s largest fort in an attempt to block a soviet advance to retake Manchuria.  At the time of the War, the area was mostly Mongols for whom I suspect the concept of nation state was foreign.  Anyway, the Russians, Mongols, Koreans and a handful of Chinese banded together to fight and defeat the Japs.  Unlike Europe, each country did not have it’s own army, but all served as common troops.  Many of the local Hans are here because their ancestors were rounded up by the Japs and sent to work in coal mines and such as slaves.  Most died.

After spending the morning in dry but 90+F heat, we all met at a hot pot restaurant for a luncheon that was quite an affair.  Jimmy’s entire office flew up and we met them and sat at a table with Jimmy’s boss and his wife.  They spoke excellent english as he attended John Hopkins and then lived in the United States for 30 years or so.  At the table was Jiao Jiao’ father’s boss, a party big wig in charge of legal affairs and the party hosted the luncheon.  So, I guess the wedding has now been wrapped up into the Chinese stimulus program.  The party chairman and his lieutenant stopped by to greet us as well.

After lunch the ladies wanted to go shopping in the 90+ heat until I finally said enough is enough and we all headed back to the hotel early to cool off.  Andrew, Peter, Tom, Annie and Adam stayed.  Andrew and Pete bought Mongolian Wolf  furs complete with heads, teeth, paws, and tails to hang on their walls.

This being a quiet day, we then all met for a dinner I hosted, or rather paid for, in the hotel for the immediate family.  We exchanged gifts, the women all cried, particularly Cary, and their were lots of very nice and very emotional toasts and talks.  Cary can spell out the details later.  Jimmy and the boys are still attending the rehearsal for tomorrow.  We get started tomorrow at 7:30AM.