Submitted by stieli on Wed, 2007-04-04 17:27.
by Kayla Humiston
March 16, 2007
Arrival to China! We have all arrived safe and sound.
March 17, 2007
The two major places we saw today were Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City. Tianamen Square is where the new goverment resides and conducts business, much like our Washington monument and white house.
Then the Forbidden City is right across the street and was home to the old emperors and empresses. The Forbidden City had many elaborate buildings and gardens and they were all very old. The best part was the garden with all the trees and flowers. At the entrance to the garden stood two trees that had branches growing together towards the top. The placard said that the the last emperor and empress that lived in the city "wished to be like two birds flying into heaven with one set of wings and like two trees growing into the earth with interlocking branches."
March 18, 2007
This is our second day in Beijing. It was the big shopping day. We went to the biggest open air market in Beijing and had our first taste of bartering. Bartering feels a lot like gambling, and I'm pretty bad at it. I had one experience where I was bartering with a woman for a beautiful hand painted vase. After getting the price lower than initially stated, and much lower than the vase was worth, I ended up paying the woman more than my closing price. This probably confused her but ut was a win, win situation. I still made out well because it was much less than I would pay in the United States, and she got more money that she expected.
After the open air market, we went to have lunch at a fancy looking place that had delicious food! I am amazed at the meals we are eating here! There is such variety and flavor. Also, plenty of vegetarian fare for Sakura and those who love veggies. I will also add that the regional beer, a lager called 'Hans' is pretty good also. I find it to taste a little like Budwiser, which can be a nice mellow taste.
After lunch we went to a second market, and indoor clothing market. Diana and I meandered around from one shop to the next. We didn't make it past the second floor, but ended up with a few good purchases. Shopping is such a huge part of the Silk Road, so I am happy to experience China in this way.
To finish off the night, most of the group when to see a Chinese acrobatics show. I am calling it a night and will stay home to rest.
March 19, 2007
Today we visited the great wall. It was foggy, misty and cold. The steps on the great wall had snow and ice that had not yet melted due to the cold. Climbing the great wall was a lot like mountain climbing. The stairs were old and worn and very steep! Tommy, Judith and I formed what I will call a "rope team" and we got our pictures taken at the "top" of the Great Wall - yeah!
Tomorrow we go to a new city. We will be flying out of Beijing in the afternoon after
a visit to the Temple of Heaven for some Tai Ji exercise! We will be in Xi'an later that day. We have been staying at a youth hostel in Beijing which is really nice! it is clean and I share a room with a kind woman named, Judith. We have bonded a little and shared lots of stories.
Another thing we did today that I could write for pages about was visiting an
orphanage in China. The kids were at school so we did not have the chance to meet them, but we learned about the history of the orphanage and then toured the facility. Lecion was inspired by this place and got contact info to possibly do a four credit project with this orhanage next quarter.
March 20, 2007
The city we arrived in tonight (Xi 'an) is much warmer than Beijing! On the flight to Xi'an I sat next to the window and saw a beautiful sunset. I smiled deep and thanked God for this earth and the chance to live on the sacred soil. I love being alive and am thankful for another year to live. I love the air that the trees provide. I love the trees! I love that today my classmates bought me a cake and it was so delicious and spongy and chocolately covered with love and goodness! There were little chinese birthday candles on it - yeah!
Today we also visited the "Temple of Heaven" in Beijing! I stood at the very "center of the universe" and prayed for peace and love. How many people can say they have done that? Afterward, I felt the most incredible feeling of peace and then I took three of the deepest breaths I think I 've ever taken. I had the thought that God, truth, love, light, joy and peace exist inside the hearts of humans and we can breath in and then exhale to send these gifts to everyone we meet. There is some truth to universal feelings, needs, desires and even a smile can open cross boundaries and bridge impossible divides.
Thank you to everyone we have crossed paths with in Beijing.
March 21, 2007
The first day in Xi'an! I love it here. A city tour, complete with visits to two temples! The Wild Goose Pagoda (Buddhist Temple) and the Temple of the Eight Immortals (Taoist Temple).
March 22, 2007
I saw the Terracotta Warriors and I am in awe!
March 23, 2007
Today the only planned activity on the agenda was to meet and converse with Chinese students. The rest of the day was free time. I learned an interesting part of Chinese culture from a student I was talking to. It is part of Chinese culture to care for your parents when they become old. I also talked to another student, Alice, about mountain climbing. She told me a story of how she climbed Huo Shan mountain with her friends over Labor day break. I was impressed with her skill of speaking English and I felt guilty for knowing so little Chinese. The conversation time with Chinese students lasted for about two hours. After which, we had the night free to spend how we chose.
P.S. This night I saw the moon in China for the first time. The magnolias are in bloom and spring is here. I feel very blessed and fortunate to be here now.
peace,
Kayla
