Sounds so exciting! It's one of the places I wanted to go, but never got to, when I was a travel agent.

Had to laugh at being stared at.. Decades ago, my boss was one of the 1st tourists to China. She was walking down Taminen Sq in her red winter coat when she "felt" eyes on her. She stopped, turned around and there were at least 50 people following her, pointing to her red coat and nylons and shoes!!! She offered the little kids some M&M candies but they recoiled in shock, thinking they were medicine pills! She had to bite into them to show the chocolate, then they scarfed them down!!! The food wasn't great (to her) in those days..lots of pickled ducks feet and octopus with the suckers on! And she had to drink bottled water! WOW! Have times changed!!!

Can't wait to see pictures!!! And lots of them!!!