Email Sent on July 27


Hi Mom,

Tanya and I made a happy discovery. We visited a famous Tea Plantation, outside of Huangxhou City and discovered that the tea plantation is in the Mei Village. This is Dad's village (or at least his ancesters), which is a small village where the homes are neatly kept. The houses are used for a tea room, restaurant and hotel, as well as homes for the villagers. The surrounding hills are filled with tea plants and the scenery is beautiful. We learnt about different grades of tea and learnt that what we drink in Canada is poorer than what locals consider their worst tea. This was such an exciting discovery because we never knew much about Dad's life in China. While there are 'Muis' living in other parts of China and abroad, this is the Mei/Mui village. Now, we know that Dad came from a very pretty and prosperous part of China. It is not a poor village but prosperous as it is frequented by tourists and city people wanting a break from city life. The tea plantation is very old; so, it would have been in operation when Dad was a boy. It is a generational operation, called Mei Dragon Well Tea.

We are now in Shanghai, wrapping up our last few days. We are doing some shopping. I think that we all have gained some weight from eating so well. Tonight, we are taking a boat ride on the Watung (?) river.

We visited the city of Souzhou before coming to Shanghai. This is the eastern Venice as there are canals betweens homes. Very pretty but unfortunately the locals do not keep their city as clean as other cities.

Well, this may be the last email that I send as I am using the computer in Mrs. Mark's niece's condo as we are visiting her and her husband.

See you in a few days if I do not write again.

Love Melodie