Peng Liyuan (left) shows US first lady Michelle Obama (center) how to hold a writing brush as Obama's mother, Marian Robinson (second from left), watches at a traditional calligraphy class at the Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University on Friday. [Photo/Agencies]

US first ladies in China

Michelle Obama starts landmark trip

On an early and bright Friday morning of blue skies, people began gathering outside the Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University, each wearing excited and anticipatory looks on their faces.

By 9 am, dozens of people had arrived. Among them were university students, the media, Beijing residents and US students currently studying in China.

Ben Carlson, who is from Oklahoma and came to China a month ago to study Mandarin at Beijing Normal University, said he wanted to catch a glimpse of the US first lady.

"I'm here to see Michelle Obama. They told me she's coming," he said with a smile, pointing at the residents who were also standing and waiting outside the school gate.

Carlson said he has never seen Michelle Obama and her daughters in person.

"I can't see them in the US, so I want to see them here in China," he said with his cellphone in hand preparing to take pictures.

Carlson said he currently lives in the apartment building for overseas students at Beijing Normal University, which is located in front of the high school and from where people have a good view of the campus.