Here we are at the party for Ba Yi day. The anniversary of the founding of the PLA (People's Liberation Army) is August 1st. Ba means 8, as in the 8th month and Yi means 1 for 1st. The party took place in the Great Hall of the People. We sat at a table with a couple from South Africa and 6 Chinese Army officers. Everyone was very nice. They toasted endlessly and took many many pictures of each other and us. The food was pretty good and was served family style. A Chinese officer gave a long speech, in Chinese, so we sat and listened. We socialized with other attaches from many countries before going into the reception. It is nice because we all are in the same position so we all are connected to one another. Really, I've not met one unfriendly person.
The other wives and I were picked up at our homes at 2:30. We drove to the embassy to pick up our husbands. We then drove to the Great Hall, past Tianamen Square, and waited around the corner until it was appropriate for us to arrive. The reception began at 5:00 and at 6:15 a voice came over the speaker to say "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming, the reception is now over." Our not so subtle hint that it was time to leave. We were home in time to put the children to bed.