"They shared their food with us, basically rice," she said, adding she had eaten more porridge in the past three days than in her whole life.

Penelope Edwards, another member of the travel group, said she would never forget the Sichuan people.

"I was so cold on the second night when it was raining and someone gave me some dumplings with sesame fillings. It made such difference. They were smiling at us and I felt so warm," Edwards said.

She said despite losing their homes and being distraught, the people showed them kindness, help and support."I met a group of Tibetan students and they invited me to eat and sing."

The two women were also touched by the staff of the Wolong center who risked their lives to save pandas.

(China Daily May 19, 2008)