The weekend went by in a flash. It was spent catching up on last minute visits and saying final goodbyes before leaving to go back to the US. By the time my departure rolled around, I was sad to be leaving but also excited to return home to see my family and friends. A highlight from the weekend was the stroll Ed and I took in a park near my hotel. The park was beautifully landscaped and filled with people. I've noticed that Chinese parks are a popular destination for people of all ages.They dance, sing, stroll, fly kites, exercise, and engage in a multitude of other activities in public. It is fun to watch. Ed and I stopped to admire two elderly gentleman practicing calligraphy on the cement using a wet sponge. One of the men noticed us and offered me the sponge. I only know the Chinese character for "ren" or "people". But it was enough to get an artistic dialogue going. We spent ten minutes exchanging glyphs on the sidewalk, laughing and making meaning. It was a wonderful way to end trip and an enduring reminder of the power of art and images to connect people across languages, geography, and culture.

Street calligraphy - the symbol for "ren" or "people"