O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!
This photo was taken while we were walking through Metro, Dalian's version of Costco, where we do our bulk shopping once a month or so. Lots of Santa pictures in evidence as well. No Santas in the malls asking kids what they want him to bring, at least that we have discovered. The kids in schools do understand the concept of him bringing gifts. When I asked them what they wanted forChristmas, one student immediately replied "Money!" Ah, the Spirit of Christmas!
For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. A... ... read more 
