I am back in the States, obviously, and I'm doing great.
I forgot how to be American or something for awhile. I remember standing in O'Hare looking strangely at the unfamiliar American money in my hand. I remember hearing English everywhere and seeing English written everywhere. It was all new at first. While I was waiting to fly back to Buffalo, I heard a girl talking on the phone in Chinese and I got SO EXCITED because I understood her! I started talking to her in Chinese and she was baffled at first and then couldn't believe it. We had a great chat until she boarded her plane. I miss the language so much now. I never thought I'd miss that so much. I miss learning and using and practicing Chinese. I miss China. There, I said it.
I've resumed my American life (sans health insurance) and I'm back at Wal-mart as a cashier again for the summer. There's nothing more American than Wal-mart and I tell you, it makes me miss China. I miss the crazy dirty hot sticky crowded inefficient mess that is Beijing. I love Beijing. I feel like I left a piece of me behind there. When people buy Coke products I always smile because currently they all bear the Beijing Olympics symbol, and I think about how I used to see that little symbol on damn near EVERYTHING in China.
I went to see Kung Fu Panda with Jake today. It was my desperate attempt to get some China. I miss my China. I liked Kung Fu Panda because clearly some of the people on the production team have a thorough knowledge of the language and culture, and it showed subtly. Some of the names of the characters were supposed to be funny, I think, in Chinese. I know I chuckled. I also saw the kid's TV show "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan" on Noggin this morning and my first thought was "WOW that cartoon has perfect tones." I am a nerd, but I was super happy to hear Chinese, even if it was simple phrases on a kid's show.
Coming back has made me reflect on my experience, and while China made me appreciate my life in America a lot more, I still adore the everyday adventures and mishaps that accompany life abroad. Life here is boring and mundane and slow. Every day is the same and everybody is the same now. I miss Beijing, plain and simple, and I could talk forever about my trip to China and never get tired, but I find myself trying to keep my mouth shut about it because I know I'm the only one who knows or cares what I'm talking about. I love China and I want to talk about it ALL the time, but that's nuts, right? Haha, I knew this would happen, but still, it's great to have been there and done that.
I am different now in a way I can't express, but I know that I relate to people differently now. It's like the world has become split into two categories: those who have lived in China and those who haven't. I get so excited when I meet ANYBODY who's been to any part of China. I'm a groupie. Ha ha, I just feel the connection with other people who share that uniquely dirty and wonderful experience of life in China. I will never get over China. NEVER. My heart is there now and forever - it was my first and greatest adventure and let there be no doubt that I will return again. I couldn't possibly stay away now...
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Beijing Zoo
So the Beijing Zoo is quite large. However, given the number of animals they have, not so much. Most of the animals, they have a great number of them, living together in a space far too small. I felt bad for those giant apes in spaces the size of my Chinese dorm room... NOT GOOD. Plus the way the Chinese behave at the zoo is bad because they provoke the animals and tease them and try to get their attention so they can take a million pictures and blind the poor animals. Kids and adults bang on the glass and try to feed the animals (sometimes human food!) and they litter in the animal's habitat. They yell at the animals and scare them.
I felt really bad because the orangutan, who was of course really smart, wanted to go into to his outside habitat, but the door was locked. He got right up against the glass and inspected the locked door through the glass, and he poked and prodded at the door, and I was SURE he would get it open... he was getting so close, but then these annoying people came and annoyed the poor animal and he went to sit in the corner. Poor thing was in this little cramped dark room that is literally smaller than a dorm room. I wanted to help him open the door so he could go outside, but it was locked of course, and silly me, I hadn't brought some bolt-cutters with me to the zoo.
Then there was lots of kangaroos, which was neat. They were all laying lazily in the sun, and the one near me had a joey that was in the mother's pouch, head first with only his big kangaroo feet sticking out. There were hippos and rhinos, too, which are kind of rare to see in zoos, so that was neat, but at the same time I felt bad gawking at these huge wild animals who lived in a space too small for even a human to comfortably live in. At least I was nice about it, though, unlike many fellow spectators who will do just about anything to those poor animals. The Beijing Zoo apparently has no rules about pestering the animals.
I felt really bad because the orangutan, who was of course really smart, wanted to go into to his outside habitat, but the door was locked. He got right up against the glass and inspected the locked door through the glass, and he poked and prodded at the door, and I was SURE he would get it open... he was getting so close, but then these annoying people came and annoyed the poor animal and he went to sit in the corner. Poor thing was in this little cramped dark room that is literally smaller than a dorm room. I wanted to help him open the door so he could go outside, but it was locked of course, and silly me, I hadn't brought some bolt-cutters with me to the zoo.
Then there was lots of kangaroos, which was neat. They were all laying lazily in the sun, and the one near me had a joey that was in the mother's pouch, head first with only his big kangaroo feet sticking out. There were hippos and rhinos, too, which are kind of rare to see in zoos, so that was neat, but at the same time I felt bad gawking at these huge wild animals who lived in a space too small for even a human to comfortably live in. At least I was nice about it, though, unlike many fellow spectators who will do just about anything to those poor animals. The Beijing Zoo apparently has no rules about pestering the animals.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
only in china
So today after my Chinese exam, I said to Lauren, "what do you want to do now that we're done," to which she replied "I don't know...let's go to the Great Wall." Only in China can you say funny things like that and mean it. And we went to the Great Wall today, and climbed it (again). Only this time, we went to Badaling, and it was so much better than the first time I saw the Great Wall.
I'm almost done with my LAST paper! And then, no more China-school!!! I will never be forced, against my will at times, to study Chinese ever again. That's comforting.
Beijing Zoo tomorrow... YAY.
By the way, the pandas in Chengdu are all okay. I wish I could say the same about the people there...
I'm almost done with my LAST paper! And then, no more China-school!!! I will never be forced, against my will at times, to study Chinese ever again. That's comforting.
Beijing Zoo tomorrow... YAY.
By the way, the pandas in Chengdu are all okay. I wish I could say the same about the people there...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
EV71
In case you don't know about the new disease in China, here's the official report sent out by the US Embassy:
Enterovirus 71 (Ev71) Outbreak In Central ChinaAmerican citizens are advised of an ongoing outbreak in China of an intestinal virus called enterovirus 71, or EV71. This virus causes a variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease. There are no specific precautions for this other than the general hygiene recommendations for living in China.
Over 3300 cases and at least 22 deaths have been reported in Fuyang City in Anhui Province. All of the deaths were children less than 6 years old and most were under 2 years of age. A few additional cases have been confirmed in Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province. Hubei Province and Hong Kong have also reported a few cases.
The symptoms of EV 71 are similar but more severe than the common hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Typically, it starts with a generalized illness, poor appetite, and sore throat, followed by a fever, rashes on the hands, feet, and buttocks along with mouth ulcers. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. Although the names are similar, the two diseases are not related at all and are caused by different viruses.
Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness. HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.
For more information here are some useful links at the U.S. CDC:
HFMD page: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htm
Non-polio enteroviruses
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/non-polio_entero.htm
Viral ?aseptic? meningitis
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/viral_meningitis.htm
Enterovirus 71 (Ev71) Outbreak In Central ChinaAmerican citizens are advised of an ongoing outbreak in China of an intestinal virus called enterovirus 71, or EV71. This virus causes a variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease. There are no specific precautions for this other than the general hygiene recommendations for living in China.
Over 3300 cases and at least 22 deaths have been reported in Fuyang City in Anhui Province. All of the deaths were children less than 6 years old and most were under 2 years of age. A few additional cases have been confirmed in Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province. Hubei Province and Hong Kong have also reported a few cases.
The symptoms of EV 71 are similar but more severe than the common hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Typically, it starts with a generalized illness, poor appetite, and sore throat, followed by a fever, rashes on the hands, feet, and buttocks along with mouth ulcers. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. Although the names are similar, the two diseases are not related at all and are caused by different viruses.
Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness. HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.
For more information here are some useful links at the U.S. CDC:
HFMD page: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htm
Non-polio enteroviruses
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/non-polio_entero.htm
Viral ?aseptic? meningitis
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/viral_meningitis.htm
I need to get out while I still can...
I've noticed that a lot of majorly bad things, like international-news-worthy things, have occurred in or concerning China since I first arrived here in January:
1. numerous and continued outbreaks of violence in Tib*t and Sichuan provinces, among others,
2. Olympics-related world drama,
3. the freak blizzard that turned many parts of China into disaster areas for several weeks
4. the recent earthquake in Sichuan that has killed thousands of people,
5. this new disease epidemic: EV71, which has already killed thousands of people
And then there's me with my bad luck in terms of health: I have had my fair share of infections, ranging from something like pneumonia, to a major infection in a blister on my foot, to an infection from shaving my armpits in less-than-ideal conditions (my dorm room bathroom!), and these mishaps have cost me majorly in US dollars, but at least I'm still alive. My minor concerns are nothing compared to what I see and hear about everyday here.
In light of this, I think it's time I get out of here before anything else happens, to me or to China in general. But at the same time I feel like China's so big and has so many people that bad things like this are so common and are bound to affect many people, but the rest of the world rarely if ever hears about these tragedies. For example, I follow the China Daily, the English-language newspaper of China, and every week it seems that I read about a train accident, or a bus falling off a mountain road, or a freak accident along those lines... or there's the everyday tragedies in Beijing that never go reported and nobody cares. Like people getting hit by cars ALL THE TIME. Lauren and some of my other classmates have seen people run over by cars. Nobody stops to help or anything, people just keep driving or walking, whatever. Traffic laws are a joke and nobody gets in trouble for running a red light or just driving whenever and wherever you feel like. People tailgate closer here than I stand to some people when I'm talking to them, and I have seen the riskiest, most daring, most reckless driving here. People don't care about their cars or their safety so much as getting to their destination. Nobody wears seatbelts and when you cross the street you are ALWAYS doing so with the knowledge that you are in fact risking your life. And as I said, if you get hit by a car, poor you. If you call for an ambulance for somebody in an emergency, the ambulance dispatcher will only send a vehicle if you can guarantee a form of payment upon their arrival. A classmate witnessed a man having a grand-mal seizure and the ambulance wouldn't come because it was unsure who would/could pay. This is what happens when you have the world's largest population: people stop mattering. In Beijing you will get a ticket for parking your car in the wrong spot, but NOTHING happens if you hit a person with your car. NOTHING. I have confirmed this with all of my Chinese friends. These kinds of things terrify me.
It's time to come home. I know I get irate about the state of our health care system in the US, but at least I know that if there's a medical emergency, somebody will come to my aid - in the US the payment problems are left until after they save the person's life. But then there's always the people who don't seek medical care when they need it because they can't afford it, and that problem's the same in the US and in China.
I only have a few more days here and it feels weird. I am so excited to see my mom and Jake and Kev, and to finally be home again, but at the same time, I don't know what life is going to be like when I return. China changes you. That's for certain, if nothing else is.
1. numerous and continued outbreaks of violence in Tib*t and Sichuan provinces, among others,
2. Olympics-related world drama,
3. the freak blizzard that turned many parts of China into disaster areas for several weeks
4. the recent earthquake in Sichuan that has killed thousands of people,
5. this new disease epidemic: EV71, which has already killed thousands of people
And then there's me with my bad luck in terms of health: I have had my fair share of infections, ranging from something like pneumonia, to a major infection in a blister on my foot, to an infection from shaving my armpits in less-than-ideal conditions (my dorm room bathroom!), and these mishaps have cost me majorly in US dollars, but at least I'm still alive. My minor concerns are nothing compared to what I see and hear about everyday here.
In light of this, I think it's time I get out of here before anything else happens, to me or to China in general. But at the same time I feel like China's so big and has so many people that bad things like this are so common and are bound to affect many people, but the rest of the world rarely if ever hears about these tragedies. For example, I follow the China Daily, the English-language newspaper of China, and every week it seems that I read about a train accident, or a bus falling off a mountain road, or a freak accident along those lines... or there's the everyday tragedies in Beijing that never go reported and nobody cares. Like people getting hit by cars ALL THE TIME. Lauren and some of my other classmates have seen people run over by cars. Nobody stops to help or anything, people just keep driving or walking, whatever. Traffic laws are a joke and nobody gets in trouble for running a red light or just driving whenever and wherever you feel like. People tailgate closer here than I stand to some people when I'm talking to them, and I have seen the riskiest, most daring, most reckless driving here. People don't care about their cars or their safety so much as getting to their destination. Nobody wears seatbelts and when you cross the street you are ALWAYS doing so with the knowledge that you are in fact risking your life. And as I said, if you get hit by a car, poor you. If you call for an ambulance for somebody in an emergency, the ambulance dispatcher will only send a vehicle if you can guarantee a form of payment upon their arrival. A classmate witnessed a man having a grand-mal seizure and the ambulance wouldn't come because it was unsure who would/could pay. This is what happens when you have the world's largest population: people stop mattering. In Beijing you will get a ticket for parking your car in the wrong spot, but NOTHING happens if you hit a person with your car. NOTHING. I have confirmed this with all of my Chinese friends. These kinds of things terrify me.
It's time to come home. I know I get irate about the state of our health care system in the US, but at least I know that if there's a medical emergency, somebody will come to my aid - in the US the payment problems are left until after they save the person's life. But then there's always the people who don't seek medical care when they need it because they can't afford it, and that problem's the same in the US and in China.
I only have a few more days here and it feels weird. I am so excited to see my mom and Jake and Kev, and to finally be home again, but at the same time, I don't know what life is going to be like when I return. China changes you. That's for certain, if nothing else is.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Earthquake and other news
So the TBC staff told us all to send word home that we are okay because you will probably worry because there was a major earthquake in China. However, the affected city, Chengdu, is 1000 miles from here, and though I did visit it once, I am safe and far from that place. I can't imagine what it looks like now, that place is HUGE, and it sure has had "bad luck" this year first with all the angry Tib*tan activities, and now this? Oh my god, and I just thought of this, Chengdu is where the giant research and breeding center is for the pandas!!! I HOPE THE PANDAS ARE OKAY!!!
In other news, finals week is upon me and I have been busy as of late trying to see everything and also finish my papers and study Chinese. However, I will be boarding the plane on Monday May 19th, which is now officially a week away! This past weekend I visited the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace (in the same day...) and tomorrow I'm FINALLY going to the Forbidden City after my Chinese written final. I should have gone much sooner but it kept being cancelled because of rain.
Over the (Chinese)Labor Day holidays, I went with some Chinese friends to Jinzhou in Liaoning Province. We hung out at this amazing hotel right by the ocean. My friend Qi Xu has a good friend that is a big guy in the government of that region, so we didn't have to pay for anything. I have now seen first-hand the perks of the Chinese government... I won't say I wasn't intimidated. The whole time I felt a bit awkward letting this Chinese government man and his assistant pay for everything and show us around their city. Oh well, the hotel was amazing, but the food was NOT. I was stuck for four days in "seafood capital, China" let's call it. If you know me, you know of my fear of aquatic life, which extends to seafood. Needless to say I was very hungry and nauseated at meal times. We went to the beach early in the morning and the tide was low, so there was like this peninsula land-bridge thing that we walked out onto, and we took a boat to an island. We also saw various museums (I've had my lifetime limit of Chinese museums now), and we went shopping, during which time I stocked up on Pepsi Light (the inferior cousin of Diet Pepsi). The train we took to and from Beijing was very nice indeed, and super-fast, unlike the sad little train we took to the Great Wall at Qinhuangdao.
I can't wait to be done with these papers and tests. My plane is departing from the newly opened Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport, and it's said to be the largest terminal in the world. The airport was big to begin with, but it was operating at full capacity and they needed more space before the Olympics... should be an interesting sight to see, anyways.
In other news, finals week is upon me and I have been busy as of late trying to see everything and also finish my papers and study Chinese. However, I will be boarding the plane on Monday May 19th, which is now officially a week away! This past weekend I visited the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace (in the same day...) and tomorrow I'm FINALLY going to the Forbidden City after my Chinese written final. I should have gone much sooner but it kept being cancelled because of rain.
Over the (Chinese)Labor Day holidays, I went with some Chinese friends to Jinzhou in Liaoning Province. We hung out at this amazing hotel right by the ocean. My friend Qi Xu has a good friend that is a big guy in the government of that region, so we didn't have to pay for anything. I have now seen first-hand the perks of the Chinese government... I won't say I wasn't intimidated. The whole time I felt a bit awkward letting this Chinese government man and his assistant pay for everything and show us around their city. Oh well, the hotel was amazing, but the food was NOT. I was stuck for four days in "seafood capital, China" let's call it. If you know me, you know of my fear of aquatic life, which extends to seafood. Needless to say I was very hungry and nauseated at meal times. We went to the beach early in the morning and the tide was low, so there was like this peninsula land-bridge thing that we walked out onto, and we took a boat to an island. We also saw various museums (I've had my lifetime limit of Chinese museums now), and we went shopping, during which time I stocked up on Pepsi Light (the inferior cousin of Diet Pepsi). The train we took to and from Beijing was very nice indeed, and super-fast, unlike the sad little train we took to the Great Wall at Qinhuangdao.
I can't wait to be done with these papers and tests. My plane is departing from the newly opened Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport, and it's said to be the largest terminal in the world. The airport was big to begin with, but it was operating at full capacity and they needed more space before the Olympics... should be an interesting sight to see, anyways.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Gimme a Break!
Gotta love getting emails like this from the US Dept of State:
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Mon Apr 28 2008 09:44:50 GMT+0800 (China Standard Time).
China
April 25, 2008
This Travel Alert updates U.S. citizens about security issues in China and advises American citizens traveling or residing there to be alert to their surroundings and exercise caution at all times. This Travel Alert expires on October 31, 2008.
Any large-scale public event such as the upcoming Olympic Games may present an attractive target for terrorists. There is a heightened risk that extremist groups will conduct terrorist acts within China in the near future. In light of these security concerns, U.S. citizens traveling in China are advised to use caution and to be alert to their surroundings at all times, including at hotels, in restaurants, on public transportation and where there are demonstrations and other large-scale public gatherings. Consistent with our standard advice, American citizens are urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations.
In accordance with these security concerns, Chinese authorities have increased security in China's airports during recent months. For example, Chinese airport authorities recently implemented tighter restrictions on taking liquids, aerosols, or gels aboard flights in carry-on baggage. Such restrictions may apply to food, cosmetics, toiletries and medicine. Travelers should contact their air carrier before their flight to determine the precise regulation in place.
American citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at travel.state.gov.
U.S. citizens planning travel to China should regularly check the Department’s Country Specific Information for China at travel.state.gov for the latest safety and security information, including the updated Olympics Fact Sheet, as well as the U.S. Embassy Beijing website at beijing.usembassy-china.org. Americans planning travel to China are advised to register their presence with the U.S. Embassy at travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats t.o U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or from other countries on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
This Travel Alert is being issued to update U.S. citizens to safety and security concerns.
___________________________________________Yet another attempt to keep US citizens ignorant and in fear of China. Don't go to the Olympics? No, they don't want you to come to China because if you spend any real time here you'd realize that China isn't nearly as bad as they want you to think. The US has hosted the Olympics countless times and they never told us to leave then... plus, I think all Western countries have a predisposed bias against China because of the Western repulsion towards communism. Ever since WWII, the West has HATED any and all countries that have any kind of government that is socialist or communist in nature. China's not a threat to us, guys. This isn't the Cold War anymore.
And one more thing. I want people over there, all comfy and ignorant in the US, to STOP PRETENDING THEY KNOW WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE IN CHINA. People are whining "boycott the Olympics... China's bad, etc etc etc" without really knowing anything. All they know is the Western side of the story concerning Tibet. The only reason the West is so outraged about Tibet is because the country involved is communist and communism is always seen as evil and threatening. What we are currently doing in Iraq is no less inhumane than what outrages everyone about Tibet. But because it's the US instead of China, it's not seen that way. In reality we went in there and attempted to destroy their culture and government because it was seen as a 'threat' to us - the SAME idea that the West believes fueled China's invasion of Tibet.
Human rights violations? Is that REALLY why the US and the Western world is so determined to hate China? No, in reality China is communist and has the largest population in the world - two factors that make it very threatening to us. Furthermore, China is developing rapidly and becoming more and more influential and powerful in the world. This is why all of the sudden we have all of these calls to boycott China and the Olympics. Once the Olympics arrives, people from all over the world will pour into China, look around and realize "hey, this isn't as terrible as they say" and return to their countries with positive reports of China. God forbid anybody LIKE China. I assure you, China cannot be equated with its government. Chinese people are not all evil communists, as the West might like to think. The people are just like you and I. You cannot associate a government with the people in general. The Chinese people didn't choose this - it just kind of 'happened' back in 1949. Now they can't do anything about it, but they know and readily admit the flaws of their own government. I see it like this: I don't want people from other countries associating me and US citizens with the US government and its many flaws, so I will offer the same treatment to other people.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Great Wall Excursion!
So tomorrow morning I am leaving bright an early for the Great Wall. Here's our itinerary...should be good. I am just excited to see the Great Wall, one of the most amazing man-made structures in the world. Pictures will follow.
DAY 1, APR 26, SATURDAY
6:15am Meet in the Lobby of Building 6
6:30am Take bus to the Beijing Train Station
7:50am Train Y509 departs for Qin Huang Dao
11:12am Train arrives in Qin Huang Dao
11:40am Get lunch bag
Take bus to Jiaoshan Great Wall
12:40pm Hike JiaoShan Great Wall
Picnic lunch on the Wall
2:40pm Take bus to Old Dragon Head
3:00pm Free time at Old Dragon Head
5:00pm Take bus to downtown
Group dinner
Take bus to hotel and check in hotel
Free Evening
PLACES AND PEOPLE
Qin Huang Dao(秦皇岛)
As a beautiful coastal city, Qin Huang Dao is known for its freezing-free nice port, historical town of Shanhaiguan and summer resort Beidaihe. Located in the northeast of Hebei Province, Qinhuangdao joins Northeast China and North China as a transportation connection in the middle of Round Bohai Sea Economic Rim. In 215 BC, China's first emperor Qinshihuang arrived in Jieshi (ancient name of Qinhuangdao) on his fourth eastern inspection and sent his people out to the sea to look for the immortal for him. Qinhuangdao thus got its name. And it is the only city in China that was named after an emperor.
Bei Dai He(北戴河)
As a famous scenic spot and summer resort attractive for mild climate and beautiful scenes, Bei Dai He is located at the southwest of Qinhuangdao city. About 400 metres above sea level, the beautiful East and West Lianfengshan rise steeply by the seashore. Lush pine and cypresses, secluded paths and winding bridges make the place unique and appealing. Looking down from Wanghaiting (Seaside Pavilion) on the hill top, you can see the misty sea.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Jiaoshan Great Wall(角山长城)
Jiaoshan Great Wall is located about three kilometers north to the Shanhaiguan pass. Flat and wide enough for about 100 persons, the great wall looks like a dragon horn with giant stones standing on it. Jiaoshan is the first mountain peak of the Great Wall from Shanhaiguan. Therefore people call it "the first mountain of the Great Wall".
Old Dragon Head(老龙头)
Lying five kilometers south of Shanhaiguan Pass, Old Dragon Head is the eastern starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. It extends about 20 meters into the Bohai Sea like a dragon drinking water, hence its name. Old Dragon Head comprises the Chenghai Pavilion, the Nereus Temple, the Estuary Stone City, the Jinglu Beacon Tower, Southern Estuary Pass and the Ninghai City.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FREE MORNING
*Watch the sun rise
*Shi Tang Lu sea food market(石塘路海鲜市场)
DAY 1, APR 26, SATURDAY
6:15am Meet in the Lobby of Building 6
6:30am Take bus to the Beijing Train Station
7:50am Train Y509 departs for Qin Huang Dao
11:12am Train arrives in Qin Huang Dao
11:40am Get lunch bag
Take bus to Jiaoshan Great Wall
12:40pm Hike JiaoShan Great Wall
Picnic lunch on the Wall
2:40pm Take bus to Old Dragon Head
3:00pm Free time at Old Dragon Head
5:00pm Take bus to downtown
Group dinner
Take bus to hotel and check in hotel
Free Evening
PLACES AND PEOPLE
Qin Huang Dao(秦皇岛)
As a beautiful coastal city, Qin Huang Dao is known for its freezing-free nice port, historical town of Shanhaiguan and summer resort Beidaihe. Located in the northeast of Hebei Province, Qinhuangdao joins Northeast China and North China as a transportation connection in the middle of Round Bohai Sea Economic Rim. In 215 BC, China's first emperor Qinshihuang arrived in Jieshi (ancient name of Qinhuangdao) on his fourth eastern inspection and sent his people out to the sea to look for the immortal for him. Qinhuangdao thus got its name. And it is the only city in China that was named after an emperor.
Bei Dai He(北戴河)
As a famous scenic spot and summer resort attractive for mild climate and beautiful scenes, Bei Dai He is located at the southwest of Qinhuangdao city. About 400 metres above sea level, the beautiful East and West Lianfengshan rise steeply by the seashore. Lush pine and cypresses, secluded paths and winding bridges make the place unique and appealing. Looking down from Wanghaiting (Seaside Pavilion) on the hill top, you can see the misty sea.
TRAVEL GUIDE
Jiaoshan Great Wall(角山长城)
Jiaoshan Great Wall is located about three kilometers north to the Shanhaiguan pass. Flat and wide enough for about 100 persons, the great wall looks like a dragon horn with giant stones standing on it. Jiaoshan is the first mountain peak of the Great Wall from Shanhaiguan. Therefore people call it "the first mountain of the Great Wall".
Old Dragon Head(老龙头)
Lying five kilometers south of Shanhaiguan Pass, Old Dragon Head is the eastern starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. It extends about 20 meters into the Bohai Sea like a dragon drinking water, hence its name. Old Dragon Head comprises the Chenghai Pavilion, the Nereus Temple, the Estuary Stone City, the Jinglu Beacon Tower, Southern Estuary Pass and the Ninghai City.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FREE MORNING
*Watch the sun rise
*Shi Tang Lu sea food market(石塘路海鲜市场)
China-induced Stress
Sorry I haven't written as of late, but Chinese has become so demanding! The grammar is getting more and more difficult, and I can't even remember all of the characters we've learned anymore, I mix them all up and create my own hybrids... not good on tests. Furthermore, I have a 3 major papers due, one of which is giving me much stress.
My research adviser has been putting a lot of pressure on us for these research papers and the trouble is I can only do so much research here because I CAN'T SPEAK CHINESE. He is being completely unfair in his demands because I have done all I can, read all I can in English. My go-to person, a researcher from Belgium, has been more than helpful, and she speaks Chinese fluently. She has done all the work, in terms of visiting the various superficial places in Beijing that really do little for the parents of autistic children. The people at these places are very unfriendly to foreigners, and of course they don't speak English. Truth be told, they don't do anything real to help the situation, unlike Xingxingyu, which I have visited several times and I know a great deal about. Nothing is ever good enough though, I guess. I am sorry to whine, but it's so frustrating - I've worked so hard and yet I find myself stuck because of the ever-present language barrier. This only compounds my frustration with the Chinese language.
In other news related to my stress. I am worried about money as of late. I have spent so much here on medical expenses because I seem to be a magnet for various China-induced infections and illnesses. Secondly, last weekend some lady took my MP3 player out of my backpack while I was walking. In China it's typical to have many people walking closely to you because it's so crowded, especially on a nice Friday night, so I thought nothing of the lady who was walking very closely behind me. However, later I discovered my backpack open, and my player gone. Now, I must confess I NEED my MP3 player to maintain sanity these days. So I had to buy a new one, because I knew that I could not afford to buy a new one once I return to America. Everyone around me seems to be so cruel these days and I like to block it out with my music. The people I always ended up surrounded by are the ones I would most like to escape from. I don't care if certain people here don't like me - it's mutual, and to be honest, the kinds of people that don't like me are the kind that I don't really want liking me here. Many of my classmates are very privileged and arrogant, selfish and uncaring. I cannot relate to these people who have never suffered, never wanted, never gone without. They judge me because I am different. They make fun of me because I don't party, I am a bleeding-heart for children, and I am a champion for autism. HA HA, that's SO FUNNY, right? They think I'm weird because all of my close friends here are Chinese and I prefer to hang out with them. (Isn't that the point of the study abroad experience??) I am very opinionated, yes, and I know that sometimes I can't keep it to myself, but I only have such strong convictions because of how much I care about people and justice. I don't care if some people here don't like me, but I won't shut up and I won't stop caring about my brother and autism. NEVER. I am passionate about my research and I am a very hard worker. My mother raised me to be independent and passionate and hard-working, and I guess we're a dying breed. Nobody knows what I have been through to get to this point in my life, and NOBODY can make me feel bad about what I have accomplished. They are here because mommy and daddy are paying for college and for their extravagant lifestyles here, but I am here because I had a dream - to go to college, and I worked my butt off to get here. I have full tuition and I earned a Gilman to study abroad. No mean comments and gossip from people completely ignorant of my struggle and my perseverance can take this away from me. I am here because I DID IT. Nobody else. I study autism so fervently because somebody needs to pay attention. My brother answered every question I could ever ask about life, and now I'm trying to get some answers for him... if that's silly then I am guilty as charged. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
I am very stressed and I want to come home now. I miss the people who really care about me and understand who I am and why I do what I do. To all of you, thank you for your love and support and faith in me. I will not let my cruel classmates deter me from my dreams. Lord knows I've encountered worse in my life...
My research adviser has been putting a lot of pressure on us for these research papers and the trouble is I can only do so much research here because I CAN'T SPEAK CHINESE. He is being completely unfair in his demands because I have done all I can, read all I can in English. My go-to person, a researcher from Belgium, has been more than helpful, and she speaks Chinese fluently. She has done all the work, in terms of visiting the various superficial places in Beijing that really do little for the parents of autistic children. The people at these places are very unfriendly to foreigners, and of course they don't speak English. Truth be told, they don't do anything real to help the situation, unlike Xingxingyu, which I have visited several times and I know a great deal about. Nothing is ever good enough though, I guess. I am sorry to whine, but it's so frustrating - I've worked so hard and yet I find myself stuck because of the ever-present language barrier. This only compounds my frustration with the Chinese language.
In other news related to my stress. I am worried about money as of late. I have spent so much here on medical expenses because I seem to be a magnet for various China-induced infections and illnesses. Secondly, last weekend some lady took my MP3 player out of my backpack while I was walking. In China it's typical to have many people walking closely to you because it's so crowded, especially on a nice Friday night, so I thought nothing of the lady who was walking very closely behind me. However, later I discovered my backpack open, and my player gone. Now, I must confess I NEED my MP3 player to maintain sanity these days. So I had to buy a new one, because I knew that I could not afford to buy a new one once I return to America. Everyone around me seems to be so cruel these days and I like to block it out with my music. The people I always ended up surrounded by are the ones I would most like to escape from. I don't care if certain people here don't like me - it's mutual, and to be honest, the kinds of people that don't like me are the kind that I don't really want liking me here. Many of my classmates are very privileged and arrogant, selfish and uncaring. I cannot relate to these people who have never suffered, never wanted, never gone without. They judge me because I am different. They make fun of me because I don't party, I am a bleeding-heart for children, and I am a champion for autism. HA HA, that's SO FUNNY, right? They think I'm weird because all of my close friends here are Chinese and I prefer to hang out with them. (Isn't that the point of the study abroad experience??) I am very opinionated, yes, and I know that sometimes I can't keep it to myself, but I only have such strong convictions because of how much I care about people and justice. I don't care if some people here don't like me, but I won't shut up and I won't stop caring about my brother and autism. NEVER. I am passionate about my research and I am a very hard worker. My mother raised me to be independent and passionate and hard-working, and I guess we're a dying breed. Nobody knows what I have been through to get to this point in my life, and NOBODY can make me feel bad about what I have accomplished. They are here because mommy and daddy are paying for college and for their extravagant lifestyles here, but I am here because I had a dream - to go to college, and I worked my butt off to get here. I have full tuition and I earned a Gilman to study abroad. No mean comments and gossip from people completely ignorant of my struggle and my perseverance can take this away from me. I am here because I DID IT. Nobody else. I study autism so fervently because somebody needs to pay attention. My brother answered every question I could ever ask about life, and now I'm trying to get some answers for him... if that's silly then I am guilty as charged. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
I am very stressed and I want to come home now. I miss the people who really care about me and understand who I am and why I do what I do. To all of you, thank you for your love and support and faith in me. I will not let my cruel classmates deter me from my dreams. Lord knows I've encountered worse in my life...
Monday, April 7, 2008
Oh China
My friend Lauren has suggested I tell you about some peculiar differences we've encountered here in Beijing. I mean going out to eat or to the store, primarily. For example, when you dine in many restaurants here in Beijing, on the table there are plates, chopsticks, bowls, and spoons all in plastic wrap, presumably for your use. I usually don't even need these items, but I have learned that you might as well use them because you will be charged for them regardless. Not charged to buy them, but merely to USE them. I have never encountered such a funny concept until China: you are charged for the utensils and dishes that you use with your meal. Also, you are lucky if there are napkins on the table, let alone anywhere in sight in the restaurant. Being in China you quickly learn to always carry an ample supply of tissue purse packs and wet wipes - and trust me, you need them here. Also, there is never salt and pepper, etc. on the tables, but always always always a small canister that contains toothpicks for your use. The seats often have a fabric-plastic cover that is removed once you sit down. Your coat is then placed on the back of the seat, and the cover is replaced OVER your coat. It's kind of funny when someone takes your coat for you and does this. However, I have heard that this is simply a consideration so that your coat does not get any food on it. Still, it's a funny thing to happen to you for the first time.
On to store-shopping. First of all, if you go to a store like a supermarket here, the prices are fixed. I know that's normal in the US, but in China more often than not, price is negotiable. However, at the supermarket, there are departments, as in the US, but for some items you have to purchase said item from its department. If you don't know this and you take the item to the main check-0ut, the cashier looks at you like you are dumb and puts the item aside - you can forget about buying it now. So word to the wise, if you ever go into a Chinese store like this, purchase your office supplies, cosmetics, produce, and electronics all in their prospective departments. Or there are stores like Ito Yokado, a huge department store where there are cashiers on every floor. I had to buy a curling iron here, and so I went and picked one out. The guy gave me a price tag and I then had to go pay for the item at the cashier stand and return with proof of payment. He then gave me my merchandise. It's kind of funny/tedious, but oh well.
Then there are markets. Markets are not for the kind and considerate and reserved person. Here you have to be pushy and say "NO" when all the various merchants yell at you and grab you and try to get you to purchase their goods. Bargaining is tricky with these merchants too, they will try everything to make you feel guilty, but we all know what price we should be paying for these items long before we hear the inflated price given by the merchant. Sometimes bargaining can get ugly or downright hostile, but in the end, stick to your price and walk away if they don't give in. Once you show them that you are walking away, many of them will give in. But you can only use the "walk away" technique on weekdays when the markets are much less crowded and therefore, the merchants are more desperate to make sales. If you can be 'mean' and persistent, you can walk away with some nice stuff for a fraction of the American cost.
On to store-shopping. First of all, if you go to a store like a supermarket here, the prices are fixed. I know that's normal in the US, but in China more often than not, price is negotiable. However, at the supermarket, there are departments, as in the US, but for some items you have to purchase said item from its department. If you don't know this and you take the item to the main check-0ut, the cashier looks at you like you are dumb and puts the item aside - you can forget about buying it now. So word to the wise, if you ever go into a Chinese store like this, purchase your office supplies, cosmetics, produce, and electronics all in their prospective departments. Or there are stores like Ito Yokado, a huge department store where there are cashiers on every floor. I had to buy a curling iron here, and so I went and picked one out. The guy gave me a price tag and I then had to go pay for the item at the cashier stand and return with proof of payment. He then gave me my merchandise. It's kind of funny/tedious, but oh well.
Then there are markets. Markets are not for the kind and considerate and reserved person. Here you have to be pushy and say "NO" when all the various merchants yell at you and grab you and try to get you to purchase their goods. Bargaining is tricky with these merchants too, they will try everything to make you feel guilty, but we all know what price we should be paying for these items long before we hear the inflated price given by the merchant. Sometimes bargaining can get ugly or downright hostile, but in the end, stick to your price and walk away if they don't give in. Once you show them that you are walking away, many of them will give in. But you can only use the "walk away" technique on weekdays when the markets are much less crowded and therefore, the merchants are more desperate to make sales. If you can be 'mean' and persistent, you can walk away with some nice stuff for a fraction of the American cost.
in light of recent events...another comparison, if you will
Ok I don't know how P.C. it is for me to talk about this right now, but the death of Charlton Heston has got me thinking about the difference between America and China in terms of guns. I have talked to just about everybody here that I can about US politics, and guns always come up in the conversation. Chinese people don't have guns. Ever. A policeman has to be on special assignment, such as a drug-bust, and he must account for every bullet. Guns are respected here as the serious and dangerous weapons that they are. I know China also has a violent past, but let me put it this way: Chinese people don't live with the fear that everyday activities, such going to a college class or going shopping at the mall, may put them in the line of fire of a crazed person with a gun. It just doesn't happen here. China's not perfect, but I confess I feel a lot safer here because NOBODY has a gun. Sure people here die just as much as people die in the US, but not from the same violent crimes as in the US. In China I think you're more likely to die from 1. the crazy traffic, 2. the pollution, 3. lack of health care. Of course, the same threats face Americans as well, but the gun factor just isn't here at all. I don't care what anybody says - guns kill people. People with guns kill people. And people with guns kill people easily. The students at Virginia Tech, Columbine, Northern Illinois, and countless other schools, as well as the Christmas shoppers in Nebraska never thought that by going to school or to the mall they would be risking or even losing their lives. It's a sad world when even Sears isn't safe anymore...
Happy Valley and Temple of Heaven
So this weekend was busy for me. The weather here has become downright lovely, and I feel the constant need to be outdoors. Friday was a holiday here in China - Qing Ming Festival. Qing Ming Festival is a festival for people to sweep their ancestors’ graves; it strikes me as being kind of similar to our Memorial Day, where many Americans go to the cemetery to decorate the grave sites of loved ones. Anyways, me and a Chinese friend headed to Happy Valley, and new amusement park in Beijing. This place blew me away. It's set up into various 'sections' that are all themed after ancient cities. There is Atlantis, Shangri-la, the Aegean Harbor, the Lost Mayan City, etc, and the scenery is incredible. It looked like how I envision DisneyWorld, only better for me because I like ancient stuff. The rides were cutting edge too, and I got to go on this one ride that was unlike anything I have ever heard of before. It was both frightening and exhilirating. However, because I went on a Friday and it was a holiday, the place was very busy. I want to go again on a less-busy day.
On Sunday I went with some TBC classmates to see the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan). This was the place where the Emperor would pray to the gods and make sacrifices to the gods as well. I will put pictures in Photobucket, but Google it and you will instantly recognize this building. It's VERY famous. I am still eagerly awaiting our TBC weekend trips to the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and of course, the Great Wall. Now that the weather is nice, I am always out and about, seeing Beijing. I still need to visit the Olympic Stadium and the Zoo, for sure... any other suggestions?
I will keep you updated on my adventures. Zai jian.
On Sunday I went with some TBC classmates to see the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan). This was the place where the Emperor would pray to the gods and make sacrifices to the gods as well. I will put pictures in Photobucket, but Google it and you will instantly recognize this building. It's VERY famous. I am still eagerly awaiting our TBC weekend trips to the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and of course, the Great Wall. Now that the weather is nice, I am always out and about, seeing Beijing. I still need to visit the Olympic Stadium and the Zoo, for sure... any other suggestions?
I will keep you updated on my adventures. Zai jian.
World Autism Day
So last Wednesday was the first ever World Autism Day and I attended a large meeting on campus here at UIBE. The meeting was in Chinese, so I couldn't follow that part, but I did get to see some familiar faces - Ms. Tian Huiping and Cindy, my China autism expert. As you know by now, Tian Huiping is the leading lady behind Xingxingyu (Stars and Rain) and it was great to see her again - she's one of those people you just have to admire. Anyways, she and Xingxingyu were featured on CNN on World Autism Day, along with the great people from Heartspring that I had the chance to meet in March. Watch the CNN video here:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/03/30/vause.china.autism.school.cnn
At the meeting they also showed the documentary film "Children of the Stars," which is about Xingxingyu and autism in China, so here's the site for the film:
http://www.childrenofthestars-film.org/
Fortunately I have my own copy of this wonderful film. I am telling you, you just HAVE to see this movie.
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/03/30/vause.china.autism.school.cnn
At the meeting they also showed the documentary film "Children of the Stars," which is about Xingxingyu and autism in China, so here's the site for the film:
http://www.childrenofthestars-film.org/
Fortunately I have my own copy of this wonderful film. I am telling you, you just HAVE to see this movie.
KTV
If you hang out with Chinese college students enough, you will sooner or later be invited to partake in the universal favorite activity: KTV. KTV is a general term that is applied to all facilities that offer karaoke. And it's not just the awful and embarassing karaoke that we know in the states, that only occurs in specific bars and only by the completely intoxicated. Here, everybody likes to sing, regardless of their level of talent. Karaoke here has gotten high-tech. You and a group of friends get a special private room that is equipped with a huge TV and a computer for song selection. There are two microphones and a large wrap-around couch so that everybody can cram into the room. Now the fun begins. You pick your songs, and yes they have English songs (too many, in fact), and then you basically pass around the microphones so your friends can sing the songs they've picked. For us Americans who still have qualms about karaoke, you can sing with the artist if you prefer. The point of this note is to emphasize just how much Chinese young people LOVE karaoke. I guess it could be a lot worse, like the ways kids in the US find to amuse themselves on the weekends.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sichuan trip!
Last week I spent the week in Sichuan province with my classmates. Sichuan is right above Yunnan, where I visited on my last journey. Sichuan is known in China and throughout the world for several things, including pandas, food, and beautiful women. We flew to Chengdu, the capital city, but we couldn’t stay there because there were many Tibetans rioting in the streets in response to the recent violence and unrest over in Lhasa. Apparently Chengdu, along with Sichuan province, has a considerable Tibetan population. Obviously, our program directors didn’t want us getting involved in that messy situation, so much to my dismay, we only saw Chengdu as we were leaving it. Our first stop that afternoon was Qingcheng Mountain, a famous and important Daoist mountain in China. We took a cable-car up and down the mountain and visited the village located on the rear side of the mountain. Then we had the chance to sample Sichuan’s most famous food: H
ot Pot. Hot Pot requires a special table with a large circular basin in the middle that acts as a stove. A large pot of oil and spices is placed in this basin and the burner is lit. The liquid starts to bubble and then you add various foods, like meat and vegetable, to the bubbling liquid and wait for these foods to cook. It doesn’t take long for the food to cook, and you simply use a spoon or your chopsticks to fish around in the pot for a piece of food. Hot pot is hot in terms of temperature, to be sure, but it is probably called ‘hot pot’ because it is SO SPICY. Sichuan allegedly has the “hottest hot pot” in China, so naturally, after one bite, my entire mouth was searing. Hot pot is not for the weak-stomached.
ot Pot. Hot Pot requires a special table with a large circular basin in the middle that acts as a stove. A large pot of oil and spices is placed in this basin and the burner is lit. The liquid starts to bubble and then you add various foods, like meat and vegetable, to the bubbling liquid and wait for these foods to cook. It doesn’t take long for the food to cook, and you simply use a spoon or your chopsticks to fish around in the pot for a piece of food. Hot pot is hot in terms of temperature, to be sure, but it is probably called ‘hot pot’ because it is SO SPICY. Sichuan allegedly has the “hottest hot pot” in China, so naturally, after one bite, my entire mouth was searing. Hot pot is not for the weak-stomached. Day two of my adventures was great because it featured China’s most famous residents, the Giant Pandas. We visited a world-famous panda research and breeding center outside of Chengdu, and we had the opportunity to take pictures with pandas, which was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Pandas are funny creatures because all they do is sit around and eat bamboo, or sleep. They are so big that they have to be constantly eating to stay alive because the bamboo is digested slowly and its nutrients are hard to extract. In any case, I have learned that pandas are very serious when it comes to eating. One panda tried to take another panda’s bamboo and a panda-fight ensued. During the photo session with the panda, one of my classmates tried to take some bamboo from the panda – a bad idea considering that the panda had a piece of bamboo in each paw so that it could eat contentedly and would not attack us.
During my travels I also saw a dinosaur museum, an archaeology museum, and the Dazu grottoes, which are rock carvings made directly into the stone cliffs. Our group also travelled to Leshan to see the world’s largest Buddha statue. Finally, we arrived in Chongqing, a city so big that it became a municipality about ten years ago. China has a couple of large municipalities like this, including Beijing, which don’t belong to any province, but are independent like Washington D.C. Chongqing is interesting, in my opinion, because two major rivers converge here: the Yangzi and the Jialing. This reminded me so much of Pittsburgh. However, I will say that I would not recommend that foreign women venture out into Chongqing alone. I am used to getting attention because I am a foreigner here, but I encountered some people in Chongqing that went beyond fascination and crossed-over into downright creepy and inappropriate – a man on a motorcycle followed me all the way down the street, yelling in Chinese and gesturing for me to come with him. Obviously I escaped from that situation as quickly as possible, but I figure that’s China. Every day is an adventure here and you never know what to expect. All that I know is that I love China and I am sad now when faced with the prospect of leaving.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sichuan - Day 1
Today is Day 1 of the Sichuan Spring Break trip. So far, it's been okay. We started off the day by waking up too early (6 AM) and heading to the airport. But they forget to mention that we weren't flying out of Capital Airport, which is the HUGE airport for Beijing, but instead we went out into lord-knows-where to this other airport that was quite small, to say the least. It was reminiscent of the tiny airport from the Yunnan trip in Xishuangbanna, complete with like 3 gates and a few check-in windows. Not big enough for a huge group of American college students. We formed a line to get our boarding passes that went out the door, the airport was that small. All the Chinese people there were staring, no doubt completely confused why a huge group of foreigners was at this minuscule airport.
So then we boarded the plane and I was surprised at it's size - 3 seats on each side of the middle path. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but it's just so funny: Flying in China is INSANE. The pilots are allegedly trained by the military (ie. fighter pilots) and therefore their style of flying, especially taking off, ascending, descending, and landing, is like a scene from Top Gun. Your stomach does gymnastics on the plane, it's so strange, I feel like I'm in Top Gun and I can almost hear that Kenny Loggins song "Danger Zone," in the background. Anyways, we flew into Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, but we couldn't even stay there, as was the original plan! Sichuan is right next to Tibet and there have been many Tibetans rioting in the streets of Chengdu because of the hostile situation in Tibet at the moment. So obviously TBC wouldn't let us go to Chengdu and I'm really bummed about that.
So we drove out of Chengdu to this famous mountain, Qingcheng, and we hung out in this village, Tai'an Old Town, which was pretty neat. We took cable cars up and down the mountain... the scenery was gorgeous, of course.
After that we went to try Sichuan's most famous cuisine - hot pot. Let me say this, they aren't kidding when they call it "hot pot." There's a basin in the middle of a big table that has like a mini stove in it, and they place a big pot of oils and spices on the burner. When the liquid starts bubbling, we put various foods in the pot to cook, such as meat, potatoes, noodles, and vegetables. This isn't any ordinary sauce the food is cooking in - it's literally brimming-full of hot dried red peppers and other peppers that are dried or in pods. The liquid is LETHAL. One bite and your nose leaks like Niagara Falls and you start coughing like you have TB. Your lips, mouth, and tongue lose feeling at some point. Regardless of this, hot pot is great. There's a smaller pot in the middle of the big one that is "neutral," meaning that it won't destroy your mouth.
Tomorrow is pandas. I can't wait.
So then we boarded the plane and I was surprised at it's size - 3 seats on each side of the middle path. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but it's just so funny: Flying in China is INSANE. The pilots are allegedly trained by the military (ie. fighter pilots) and therefore their style of flying, especially taking off, ascending, descending, and landing, is like a scene from Top Gun. Your stomach does gymnastics on the plane, it's so strange, I feel like I'm in Top Gun and I can almost hear that Kenny Loggins song "Danger Zone," in the background. Anyways, we flew into Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, but we couldn't even stay there, as was the original plan! Sichuan is right next to Tibet and there have been many Tibetans rioting in the streets of Chengdu because of the hostile situation in Tibet at the moment. So obviously TBC wouldn't let us go to Chengdu and I'm really bummed about that.
So we drove out of Chengdu to this famous mountain, Qingcheng, and we hung out in this village, Tai'an Old Town, which was pretty neat. We took cable cars up and down the mountain... the scenery was gorgeous, of course.
After that we went to try Sichuan's most famous cuisine - hot pot. Let me say this, they aren't kidding when they call it "hot pot." There's a basin in the middle of a big table that has like a mini stove in it, and they place a big pot of oils and spices on the burner. When the liquid starts bubbling, we put various foods in the pot to cook, such as meat, potatoes, noodles, and vegetables. This isn't any ordinary sauce the food is cooking in - it's literally brimming-full of hot dried red peppers and other peppers that are dried or in pods. The liquid is LETHAL. One bite and your nose leaks like Niagara Falls and you start coughing like you have TB. Your lips, mouth, and tongue lose feeling at some point. Regardless of this, hot pot is great. There's a smaller pot in the middle of the big one that is "neutral," meaning that it won't destroy your mouth.
Tomorrow is pandas. I can't wait.
bad blogger!
Sorry it's been so long, but I couldn't log into Blogger for quite some time. I am not sure why, but the site kept coming up in Chinese and denying my username and password. But now that problem has been remedied, I will continue to update you on my adventures over here in Beijing.
I am writing this post from a hotel in Sichuan province. We have come here for a week-long Spring Break trip. Details will follow.
I am writing this post from a hotel in Sichuan province. We have come here for a week-long Spring Break trip. Details will follow.
Friday, February 29, 2008
New Canisius blog...
Ok, so Canisius decided to change the format of the student journals. Now it's a blog-style like this blog. Here's the address... note how I'm currently the "featured blogger." Ha ha ha.
http://canweblog.canisiuscampus.net/canweblog/?cat=9
http://canweblog.canisiuscampus.net/canweblog/?cat=9
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Yunnan: Dai Village
Yunnan Trip
DAY 7 (Thursday, February 8th, 2008): Mannuandong Village – Dai People
Today we went to the jungle, well, kind of. We went to a botanical garden and hiked in the woods a bit. On the road we kept passing signs that said that wild elephants lived in the area… that’s wild. We then travelled to the Dai village and met our host families. In this village, they live in houses on stilts… I LOVE these houses because they’re just so neat, the way they’re set up. Underneath the house is open space, except for the stilts, and many villagers parked their cars, tractors, bikes, etc under the house, and had also established homes for their various animals under there. We met our host family and they offered us many fruits (they grow A LOT of fruit) and showed us where we’d be sleeping. They had arranged beds on the floor out of cushy mats and there was a mosquito net draped down over all the ‘beds’ because the Dai village is in a tropical environment, after all. It was hot and humid outside, but inside the house it was cool and comfy. Most families appeared to have many modern conveniences like ‘indoor’ plumbing, TVs, cars, etc. Our family had a refrigerator and what appeared to be some sort of stereo. When I say ‘indoor’ plumbing I mean that they had separate plumbing for each house… the bathrooms were on the second floor with the rest of the house, but you had to go outside to get to it. See the photo album labeled “Dai Village” in Photobucket for a clear picture of what I’m talking about. As I said before, under our stilt house was a (nice) car, 2 motorcycles, chickens, a cow, and a man sitting there, weaving baskets. This man was very friendly and showed us his basket-weaving technique as he worked. Lauren fell in love with the family’s cow – it appeared to be quite young and it was afraid of us, but she managed to get a few pictures of herself and the little cow.
My favorite part of this village stay was hands-down, the family’s 3-month-old baby girl. Once I got to hold her, she was MINE for the time I was there. Literally, I didn’t want to put her down, I felt lonely when I wasn’t holding her, she was just so cute. She had the typical Chinese baby pants on, you know, the kind with a hole in the “underparts”… but they did put a diaper on her sometimes. She was so quiet and cute and smiley, and she even smelled like every other baby smells which leads me to believe that the ‘baby smell’ truly is universal. Even the food was wonderful – we had roasted peanuts, a savory corn dish with lots of herbs, spicy noodles, spicy ‘hash brown’ like potatoes (SO DELICIOUS), and a lot of fruit. We ate dinner with the men of the house, and they kept trying to get us to drink more beer. Chinese beer is not that great to begin with, but it was warm and they kept toasting every 5 minutes… I am being literal when I say every 5 minutes. This family LOVED to toast. It was fun, apart from trying to avoid consuming mass quantities of Chinese beer, and we ate well in the Dai village. There was of course a party with the villagers after we had all eaten with our families, and we all met on the village basketball court… I know that’s a funny concept, but they had one. A bunch of the guys from TBC performed the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way” for the villagers, and we all laughed so hard because they really got into it. Then they entertained us even more with a medley of dances, from the cha cha and the salsa to step dancing and hip hop moves. I slept well that night until the roosters kept crowing randomly right under the house (‘cause that’s where they live, after all). Before we left after breakfast, the old man of the house tied a string around each of my wrists, and did the same for every other person, and said something in what we presumed was a Dai dialect. Apparently this gesture was meant for good luck, among other things, from what the Chinese people told us.
After a tasty breakfast, we said our goodbyes and left for the village temple. The Dai people are followers of Hinayana Buddhism and many young boys go to live in the temple until they are young men, and then they must choose whether they wish to remain at the temple for life, or return to village life and presumably marry and have a family. Most males choose the latter, and we saw only young monks at the temple. We talked to them through a translator about their lives and then they ‘blessed’ us. As our bus left the village, I got to try a locally grown banana and it was fantastic. Our bus took us back to Jinghong for the afternoon and we were reunited with the other group, Group B, which had done the itinerary in the reverse order that we had. We went to a jade market and I found a rice paddy hat, finally, and had lunch in town. All the men at the market would say “hello” and such and try to talk to us in English, presumably to get us to buy their wares. One of them did ask Lauren for her phone number… she told them she didn’t have a phone.
Then it was off to the Xishuangbanna airport in Jinghong to board the plane to Lijiang in northern Yunnan. I am not lying when I say that this airport was smaller than small. At least, the first part where you check-in was tiny. After you get past security, if you can call it that, then it was bigger, but still, it was a very small airport. Note: carrying around a rice paddy hat all day, including through airport security, is very awkward… people look at you funny because it’s not a normal thing to just be carrying around. In China I should add that for departing flights, you have to wait at the gate and then get on a bus which takes you to the plane, which is parked somewhere on the tarmac. You get off the bus and get in line at the portable stairs that they have wheeled over to the plane parked in the middle of nowhere. It’s kind of funny to me: I don’t know if they do this kind of thing in any other countries? Our plane ride was a bit rough, shall we say, but that’s to be expected…the Chinese are awesome at some things, but flying is not one of them.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Yunnan: Xishuangbanna - Jinghong, Day 2
DAY 6 (Thursday, February 7th, 2008): Xishuangbanna – Jinghong, Day 2
First let me explain the Xishuangbanna Autonomous Region: PARADISE. It’s right near the Chinese southern border and it’s within the Tropic of Cancer, so the weather was spectacular – we wore sandals and short-sleeves and it was glorious. We visited Manting Temple and Park – it was an absolutely gorgeous place and we rode a Dai bamboo boat on the lake. It was a lot more difficult that it looked, that’s for certain! We met Megan and Tracy for a birthday dinner at Mekong Café in Jinghong, and that made me feel a bit better. This café was super cute – the tables were very low and we took off our shoes and sat on floor pillows. It was open air and the summer-like air felt so great. The food took forever to arrive, but it was good when it did. We then raced back to the hotel to catch the bus to see the Dai song and dance show. The show was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen – it was simply spectacular. The costumes, scenery, music, and dance, all in the traditional style of the Dai people, were gorgeous. There was a part during the show when we all got soaked because it was a song from the Dai Water Splashing Festival, and so they gave us all water to splash each other with. It was a blast (there’s an after-photo on Photobucket). Afterwards I found an Internet café and I read all of my wonderful birthday messages, which made me feel a lot better. I then took a taxi back to the hotel and packed for the next homestay. The taxis in all of Yunnan are SO MUCH CHEAPER than in Beijing, I was in shock. There were fireworks going off literally everywhere, it was like a battlefield in the streets. Everybody had some kind of firework in their hands, even little babies. And they’d throw them right near other people – it was terrifying.
Yunnan - Xishuangbanna: Jinghong
DAY 5 (Wednesday, February 6th, 2008): Jinghong - Chinese New Year’s Eve, My 21st Birthday
My birthday/Chinese New Year’s was awful. First I was sick, then lonely. We got into Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna, at night and did laundry in the shower. Lauren and I stood in the shower in our dirty clothes and soaped them up with our Tide detergent bar and then scrubbed them with a laundry scrub brush. It was a challenging task, messy and time-consuming, and the results weren’t even that great. After that we went out in search of food but everything was closed because of the holiday and we ended up eating in a random hotel’s lobby, ordering off the room service menu. How wonderful. After that I was left all alone and I sat all alone on the dark patio of the fourth floor of the hotel and watched the fireworks, but I couldn’t enjoy it or anything because I still remembered that it was my birthday and that I was alone and sad. My friends knew it was my birthday, they just chose to make their own separate plans, but oh well. I couldn’t find a phone to call home so I finally called Kevin on my cell phone so that I could talk to at least one person who cared about me and my birthday. It was one of the most lonely days of my life – there I was in beautiful Xishuangbanna, during the biggest holiday in China, my 21st birthday, and I was by myself. I was miles and miles away from everybody that actually cares about me and it hurt. I kept thinking about what I would have been doing for my birthday had I been at home. Not sitting by myself, sobbing on the phone to my boyfriend who was thousands of miles away, that’s for sure.
It was the worst birthday ever, as you can imagine. My story gets better from there, though.
Yunnan - Hani People
DAY 4 (Tuesday, February 5th, 2008): Nanuo Village – The Hani People
On the road from Jianshui to Nanuo, we stopped at a nice town called Yuanjiang and we drove over the world’s highest bridge. The bus ride up into the mountains was both frightening and nauseating because of all the sharp turns, bumps, and close-calls with oncoming traffic on the narrow mountain road. Once we arrived in Nanuo, we immediately dropped off our stuff at our appointed guesthouses. We stayed in guesthouses here because the Hani houses are very small, and I mean SMALL, and therefore the families could not accommodate us. The guesthouse I was assigned to was nice – it had three floors, electricity, a TV, and a bathroom INSIDE and on the 3rd floor!
After dropping off our stuff, we had to meet the entire group to hike the rice terraces – this task only sounds nice. It’s actually quite dangerous considering the terrain we were treading was so rocky, uneven, and unstable – you really have to watch every step or you could easily break your ankle. I think I almost did many times. And you have to walk dangerously fast to keep up with the guides, so we were practically running on this unsafe ground so that we didn’t get lost. I will have to get some pictures from somebody else because I didn’t have the chance to stop and take any, it was that rushed. We hiked until we came to a small village in the middle of nowhere (unless you count mountains and rice terraces) and had a break for tea and some strange fruits. We then ‘hiked’ back a different way up a mountain – it was kind of like déjà vu for me. I kept getting sicker and sicker the more we hiked and the higher we got. It was very physically demanding, and I finally kind of just fell-over into the dirt. The two TBC guys in charge of staying at the back to make sure everybody kept going had already been waiting for me because until this point I had been walking very slowly because my legs felt like lead and it was hard to breathe or to walk. I walked in a weird crooked line, and I suppose it looked like I was drunk, but I fell over and started shaking and shivering and retching. I have this weird blood-sugar thing like hypoglycemia, in which my blood-sugar will without warning plummet and I get really sick like this. Of course this had to happen on the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. The two guys had two lollipops so I had those but I was really bad. Luckily a vehicle happened to come up the road and they stopped the driver and asked him in Chinese to send someone to come get me because I was really sick and could not walk any further. In a few minutes a man on a motorcycle came to get me. It was frightening, riding on a motorcycle on a narrow winding mountain road while being that sick. He took me to a small group of TBC kids who were waiting for the bus to come get us, and a nice girl gave me a granola bar. I thought I would be fine after resting for awhile… so the bus finally took us back to the village and we were able to go to the guesthouse and get ready for dinner and the village party. I tried eating an orange because orange juice is really good for low blood-sugar, but I bit into the orange and it tasted like bitter-sour poison. Lauren tried some of it and said it tasted fine to her, but I just brushed that off.
The whole group met and we began the ascent up the steps that scaled the side of a large hill. I made it about 2/3 of the way up before I fully passed-out. I remember feeling sick while I climbed and I remember grabbing onto somebody and falling over. How embarrassing. I remember somebody grabbing my purse from me while a bunch of people laid me down on the steps. I remember Peg asking what happened but I couldn’t talk… that’s happened before and it’s not cool. Some Hani people came down to see what was going on and one of the ladies kept asking if she could carry me the rest of the way up. Let’s be honest here, no tiny little Chinese lady could ever carry me. After that people kept talking at me but everything was spinning. I must have looked REAL great - I remember shaking, shivering, babbling nonsense sounds, and dry-heaving and people forcing things into my mouth. Everything tasted awful, even, gasp, chocolate. Nothing tasted sweet at all, even the highly potent sugar water they gave me. They said there was a ton of sugar in it, but it tasted like salty corn water to me…I remember slowly feeling a bit better and regaining my speech, which lord knows I hate not having. I hate getting that much attention, it’s embarrassing, but there I was in the Hani village with my own entourage of TBC staff and Hani villagers. They eventually got me up and with one person on each side of me, including front and back, they made me walk down all the stairs again. Peg made me stay in the TBC staff guesthouse, which of course was the nicest one of all. They put me into a bed and left to get food. Peg made me drink Coke, which I hate, but it didn’t taste like Coke normally does so it was okay. I basically sat there for a couple hours with Peg and Jia and ate candy and crackers and we talked. Jia has a Master’s in anthropology and she used to work for National Geographic, so naturally I loved talking to her. Some Hani lady brought me rice and this spicy meat that was just like beef jerky – it was really good. Then everybody left and I tried to sleep but it was really cold there and I woke up shaking a lot and feeling sick like before, so I shoved a Snickers into my mouth and lay down until I felt better.
The next morning was my birthday…wonderful. The sunrise was awesome though, because being so high up in the mountains, we were above the clouds and it was one of the most beautiful sights you could ever imagine.I found out that I was lucky to not have been at the Hani party at the top of the hill. Apparently once you reached the top, there were people waiting there who tipped your head back and poured bijou into your mouth, whether you wanted it or not. Bijou is like sake, but apparently a lot more potent and a lot more foul tasting. I hear the food was even worse than the Yi village as well.
We boarded the bus and I got about halfway down the mountain road before I started dry-heaving. They made me sit in the front seat and eat stuff, but I felt like puking. When the bus stopped for everyone to take a little break on the side of the road, I just got out and found a spot to kneel and attempt to puke. No luck. Somehow I managed to fall asleep and we stopped again in Yuanjiang for breakfast. They let me stay on the bus to rest, and I ended up going on an adventure with the bus driver; we drove all over town looking for the stranded Bus #2. We then had to wait around in Yuanjiang for a few hours, and I was fine with that – the fresh air was a nice change from the bus. After that I was okay, well, not sick anymore, anyways.
On the road from Jianshui to Nanuo, we stopped at a nice town called Yuanjiang and we drove over the world’s highest bridge. The bus ride up into the mountains was both frightening and nauseating because of all the sharp turns, bumps, and close-calls with oncoming traffic on the narrow mountain road. Once we arrived in Nanuo, we immediately dropped off our stuff at our appointed guesthouses. We stayed in guesthouses here because the Hani houses are very small, and I mean SMALL, and therefore the families could not accommodate us. The guesthouse I was assigned to was nice – it had three floors, electricity, a TV, and a bathroom INSIDE and on the 3rd floor!
After dropping off our stuff, we had to meet the entire group to hike the rice terraces – this task only sounds nice. It’s actually quite dangerous considering the terrain we were treading was so rocky, uneven, and unstable – you really have to watch every step or you could easily break your ankle. I think I almost did many times. And you have to walk dangerously fast to keep up with the guides, so we were practically running on this unsafe ground so that we didn’t get lost. I will have to get some pictures from somebody else because I didn’t have the chance to stop and take any, it was that rushed. We hiked until we came to a small village in the middle of nowhere (unless you count mountains and rice terraces) and had a break for tea and some strange fruits. We then ‘hiked’ back a different way up a mountain – it was kind of like déjà vu for me. I kept getting sicker and sicker the more we hiked and the higher we got. It was very physically demanding, and I finally kind of just fell-over into the dirt. The two TBC guys in charge of staying at the back to make sure everybody kept going had already been waiting for me because until this point I had been walking very slowly because my legs felt like lead and it was hard to breathe or to walk. I walked in a weird crooked line, and I suppose it looked like I was drunk, but I fell over and started shaking and shivering and retching. I have this weird blood-sugar thing like hypoglycemia, in which my blood-sugar will without warning plummet and I get really sick like this. Of course this had to happen on the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. The two guys had two lollipops so I had those but I was really bad. Luckily a vehicle happened to come up the road and they stopped the driver and asked him in Chinese to send someone to come get me because I was really sick and could not walk any further. In a few minutes a man on a motorcycle came to get me. It was frightening, riding on a motorcycle on a narrow winding mountain road while being that sick. He took me to a small group of TBC kids who were waiting for the bus to come get us, and a nice girl gave me a granola bar. I thought I would be fine after resting for awhile… so the bus finally took us back to the village and we were able to go to the guesthouse and get ready for dinner and the village party. I tried eating an orange because orange juice is really good for low blood-sugar, but I bit into the orange and it tasted like bitter-sour poison. Lauren tried some of it and said it tasted fine to her, but I just brushed that off.
The whole group met and we began the ascent up the steps that scaled the side of a large hill. I made it about 2/3 of the way up before I fully passed-out. I remember feeling sick while I climbed and I remember grabbing onto somebody and falling over. How embarrassing. I remember somebody grabbing my purse from me while a bunch of people laid me down on the steps. I remember Peg asking what happened but I couldn’t talk… that’s happened before and it’s not cool. Some Hani people came down to see what was going on and one of the ladies kept asking if she could carry me the rest of the way up. Let’s be honest here, no tiny little Chinese lady could ever carry me. After that people kept talking at me but everything was spinning. I must have looked REAL great - I remember shaking, shivering, babbling nonsense sounds, and dry-heaving and people forcing things into my mouth. Everything tasted awful, even, gasp, chocolate. Nothing tasted sweet at all, even the highly potent sugar water they gave me. They said there was a ton of sugar in it, but it tasted like salty corn water to me…I remember slowly feeling a bit better and regaining my speech, which lord knows I hate not having. I hate getting that much attention, it’s embarrassing, but there I was in the Hani village with my own entourage of TBC staff and Hani villagers. They eventually got me up and with one person on each side of me, including front and back, they made me walk down all the stairs again. Peg made me stay in the TBC staff guesthouse, which of course was the nicest one of all. They put me into a bed and left to get food. Peg made me drink Coke, which I hate, but it didn’t taste like Coke normally does so it was okay. I basically sat there for a couple hours with Peg and Jia and ate candy and crackers and we talked. Jia has a Master’s in anthropology and she used to work for National Geographic, so naturally I loved talking to her. Some Hani lady brought me rice and this spicy meat that was just like beef jerky – it was really good. Then everybody left and I tried to sleep but it was really cold there and I woke up shaking a lot and feeling sick like before, so I shoved a Snickers into my mouth and lay down until I felt better.
The next morning was my birthday…wonderful. The sunrise was awesome though, because being so high up in the mountains, we were above the clouds and it was one of the most beautiful sights you could ever imagine.I found out that I was lucky to not have been at the Hani party at the top of the hill. Apparently once you reached the top, there were people waiting there who tipped your head back and poured bijou into your mouth, whether you wanted it or not. Bijou is like sake, but apparently a lot more potent and a lot more foul tasting. I hear the food was even worse than the Yi village as well.
We boarded the bus and I got about halfway down the mountain road before I started dry-heaving. They made me sit in the front seat and eat stuff, but I felt like puking. When the bus stopped for everyone to take a little break on the side of the road, I just got out and found a spot to kneel and attempt to puke. No luck. Somehow I managed to fall asleep and we stopped again in Yuanjiang for breakfast. They let me stay on the bus to rest, and I ended up going on an adventure with the bus driver; we drove all over town looking for the stranded Bus #2. We then had to wait around in Yuanjiang for a few hours, and I was fine with that – the fresh air was a nice change from the bus. After that I was okay, well, not sick anymore, anyways.
Yunnan - Jianshui
Yunnan Trip
DAY 3 (Monday, February 4th, 2008): Jianshui
Jianshui is a lovely place. Our hotel was a former temple converted into a hotel, if you can imagine that, and the town itself is quaint, with cobblestone streets and decorative archways at the end of each side street – a picturesque Chinese town. We walked around and people shamelessly stared at us, as per usual, but here I could understand why – this place is truly Chinese in character, not a bit of touristy feel to it. We searched for food for what seemed like forever and ended up at the 2nd largest Confucius temple in China – it was quite the sight to behold. After photographing the temple and its surroundings, we continued our wanderings until we finally found a restaurant on a side street, and low and behold, other TBC people were there as well. It must have been one of the only restaurants around, or perhaps one of the only ones open at that time. See, in China, restaurants close between meals oftentimes, and you can’t even tell what places are restaurants because they pull down those metal security things that look like garage doors or the things they use to close mall stores at the end of the day. Fortunately, the restaurant strangely had an English menu, and we got to sit outside on the balcony and watch the people walking in the street below. It was like a brisk summer night, and it felt good to be outside in the fresh air in considerably warmer weather. I got some chao mian and gongbao jiding because I hadn’t eaten in a long time and it was great. I love gongbao jiding, except they put cardamom in it and when it touches your tongue it gives a bad taste and a numbing feeling. I’ve learned to pick it out of the food because trust me, you don’t want that in your mouth. I eat a lot of gongbao jiding here in China – it’s chicken with these little dried red peppers that are super hot, peanuts, onions, and some others spices in a sauce, and yucky cardamom. I love it over mi fan (rice), but it can’t be too sweet, or else it tastes like maple syrup or something… I’ve had both great and awful gongbao jiding, but in Jianshui it was AWESOME. Speaking of awesomeness, we tried hami melon ice cream – I’m in love. It’s pale green and tastes like an unidentifiable tropical fruit (hami melon, obviously), and it’s basically the best fruity ice cream flavor. Period.
Yunnan - Yi Village
DAY 2 (Sunday, February 3rd, 2008): Shaochong Mushan Village – The Yi People
The bus ride from Kunming to the village was BUMPY. When I say bumpy, I mean it – it was like a carnival ride that wouldn’t end and I think we all kind of wanted to barf after being on that bus ride. It was impossible to read/write/sleep, etc and you pretty much had to just sit there and try not to puke. The mountain roads were dangerously winding and narrow for a big bus, especially considering that there was often opposing traffic. We passed a market and village on the way and everyone outside was in complete awe of the three huge buses carrying loads of ‘white people.’ They all stopped what they were doing and watched intently, so we waved as we passed. When we arrived at the village they welcomed us with a traditional song and a dragon dance: two Yi ‘specialties.’ As soon as we got off the bus we realized: We’re not in Beijing anymore. The skies were bluer than blue and the air was clean and fresh. The land was green and lush, and the sun was bright and warm… like I said, NOT in Beijing anymore. The Yi people fed us lunch – not so good. Then we met our host families and they took us to the houses we’d be staying in for the night. The house I stayed in was nice; it had an open courtyard in the middle, which appeared to be the typical style of Yi homes. The rooms were nice, but the straw mattresses did a number on my back, that’s for sure. After stopping in at our host homes, we all ‘hiked’ up a huge mountain – which literally destroyed me. It was a very steep climb and I felt dizzy and ready to pass out and vomit for the entire ascent (You’ll see why later…). When we finally reached the top, we saw a huge lake, by which we camped for the afternoon. The Yi women from the village performed songs and dances for us, and I took videos that I will post. Yi women sing in very high voices, but I think it sounds pretty. They then taught us their Dragon Dance routine – these girls are the national Dragon Dance champions, by the way. We were fed dinner up on the mountain, which turned out to be leftovers from lunch. Let’s just say I didn’t eat any but some Ritz crackers that day…I have pictures of the food if you don’t believe me when I say it wasn’t edible. There were many times during the Yunnan trip where once you saw the food, you weren’t hungry anymore. Your stomach learns not to expect food anymore after a few days in villages, and you lose interest in food. The village ‘party’ was okay, except it dragged on forever and as soon as the sun went down, it was freezing cold there. We were all frozen as we walked back to our host homes in the pitch-black darkness. Going to the bathroom in one of the community outhouse squatters was bad enough during the day (trust me, it’s BAD), but going at night is just a bad idea altogether… you can’t see anything and you really need to watch where you step. Sleeping was a challenge, between the most painful sleeping surface in the world and being frozen. We had no electricity in our room for the night, so a lady from the house lit a candle and allowed some of the wax to melt on the wooden dresser before standing up the same lit candle in the puddle of wax. Fire hazard if I ever saw one. Two people had to share one bed and the lady was laughing at us because we were all ‘so huge’ to her… She was about the size of grade-schooler in the US.
The villagers slaughtered a pig right in front of us right after we had finished eating. Not cool. The poor animal was squealing in agony as it was tied down and brutally murdered. I didn’t watch, but apparently they just shoved a knife into its neck and let it slowly bleed to death. It was the most awful sounds ever - I covered my ears and felt sick. It took forever for the poor animal to die, and I was so angry because so many people raced over with cameras to watch the entire slaughter process. There are so many pictures and videos of that poor pig’s death circulating around TBC now… I don’t agree with that. I don’t think it’s right to photograph something being tortured and dying in agony, but I guess a lot of people find that entertaining and photo-worthy. I eat meat, I just don’t want it to be tortured and its suffering made a spectacle.
But back to my stories. Sleeping was difficult if not impossible, and we awoke for breakfast sore in places we had never felt before. We then waited around the village for awhile because there was to be a wedding ceremony later and we were waiting to witness the groom coming from another village to get his new bride. We had seen the bride at the party the night before, and she had looked MISERABLE. Poor thing – I wonder if she had ever met her groom before the wedding day? While we waited, we climbed up on the rooftops of the Yi houses; you can walk from house to house because the Yi build their houses close together and kind of like steps (there are pictures on Photobucket). After that, we finally left because there was no sign of the groom and he was already very late. We then rode the bus down yet another winding bumpy mountain road, of to our next destination, Jianshui.
Yunnan - Kunming
Ok, I am finally typing out my journal entries from Yunnan, now that I feel better. Here is the first of MANY.
YUNNAN TRIP
Day 1 (Saturday, February 2nd, 2008): Kunming
Today we flew from Beijing to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. We flew via AirChina, and this domestic flight was WAY nicer than those in the US. There was constant drink service and breakfast… and the flight was only 3 hours. The only thing that was worse than US flights seems to be the take-off and landing portions of the flight because they ascent and descent are SO STEEP. You feel like you’re in an awful carnival ride. There was a lot of wild turbulence, too. When we arrived in Kunming, we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful sunny warm weather. Lauren and I explored Kunming for the entire afternoon. Literally everybody stared at us… much moreso than any staring we encounter in Beijing. Kunming doesn’t seem very cosmopolitan, like Beijing, so I think they don’t see nearly as many Westerners there. Many people blatantly pointed, gestured, and whispered to their friends. There is huge park and lake in Kunming that we had fun getting lost in. There’s an ‘island’ part in the middle connected by walkways, and we went over there and observed various song and dance performances – many of the performers belonged to ethnic minority groups. Yunnan province is the home of over 26 ethnic minorities in China, which is why we traveled to Yunnan in the first place. There were tons of old men gathered around tables playing Chinese Checkers and Mah Jong – you see this a lot in Yunnan.
The sad part of our stroll through Kunming was all of the (presumably) homeless invalids and persons with physical deformities, and often times these people were missing arms or legs or suffered from other physically debilitating conditions. Many of these people were on little boards that had wheels on them, like a skateboard, and that was their source of mobility. It breaks my heart to see how these people are treated by society – discarded like trash, forced to survive on their own by begging or “performing” on the streets, like the man who could paint beautiful calligraphy with a paintbrush in his mouth – he had no arms. These people have become a spectacle and are pointed at, photographed, and ostracized. I know this may sound naïve and mean, but I’m glad I haven’t seen anybody in Beijing like that… it’s so heartbreaking and I always wonder about these people, like where they came from, who they are, how they came to be here, on the streets of Kunming. I doubt Beijing takes that much better care of its invalids, I just think they’re hidden more in Beijing because of the Olympics frenzy and China’s efforts to make sure that Beijing presents the best possible image of China because it’s in the world spotlight.
On with my thoughts, though. The hotel we stayed at was nice by anyone’s standards…it had twenty-some floors, which makes it the biggest hotel I’ve ever stayed at. There was a huge beauty salon and spa, two restaurants, a nightclub, and more, all within this hotel. In the rooms it was funny to see all of the amenities that are not complimentary, like special creams and ‘washes’ as well as you guessed It, Chinese condoms. Apparently there is a prostitution problem in China, and you can tell in Yunnan. There’s always expensive condoms in every room and all kinds of antiseptic ‘washes’ labeled “for women” and “for men” and if you read the back, it will tell you of the rather personal nature of these products… plus you get random phone calls in your room, and once you answer, the person hangs up. I’m told that these are prostitutes calling the rooms, and if a female voice answers, they hang up. You’ll notice that many of the hotels have “hourly” rates prominently listed in the hotel book… right near the notices that say no gambling or prostitution, among other illegal activities, in the rooms. The Chinese make me laugh sometimes with these kinds of funny contradictions; they don’t want you inviting prostitutes into their hotels, but they provide you with all kinds of amenities in the likely event that you do have a ‘guest.’
I think I’ve disturbed you enough with that information, let’s talk about Kunming. Kunming does have some Western conveniences, like Diet Coke (haha, that’s all that really matters to me…). Lauren and I ate at this lovely café with armchairs and couches as the seats around the tables. It was so comfortable and the food was cheap and Western and tasty. I got spaghetti and they provided me with my beloved Kraft Parmesan Cheese! I didn’t want to leave because this was the first time I had ever sat in a comfortable chair in all of China. Lauren and I shared a parfait that was good, but different, considering the presence of a crunchy layer of cereal. Apparently cereal is a big ice cream topping here in China, as it seems to inevitably appear in any ‘sundae.’ Later that night, TBC took us all to see “Dynamic Yunnan,” a theater performance featuring music, costumes, and dancing from some of Yunnan’s many ethnic minority cultures. I fell in love with Yunnan then and there… it’s enchanting and magical, kind of unreal and quaint, like something out of an old book. After the show we found a café and bar that was open late near our hotel and we had the BEST TACOS in all of China. Then it was back to the hotel to pack for our first village stay; this was a difficult task as I hardly knew how to properly prepare myself for a village stay, having never done one before. The beds in the hotel were rock-hard, as usual, and I found myself missing my “Beijing bed” because I bought mattress pads at Wu Mei, which softens it a bit. I got to take a REAL shower, not like the ones in my room at Beijing where I have to hold the showerhead and ‘hose’ myself off in sections (Rinse. Shampoo hair. Rinse. Condition hair and wash body. Rinse. It’s a task, for sure.). Breakfast at the hotel was not-so-good: it was an odd blend of bad Chinese food and even worse attempts at Western foods. Then it was onto the bus for a 5-hour bus-ride to the Yi Village…
fireworks
Ok so due to the holiday, there have been fireworks going off all day, non-stop. When I say non-stop, I MEAN IT. It sounds like a Civil War battlefield outside or something. Bang Bang Boom Boom Bang Boom. It might sound like gunshots, but I need to remind myself I'm not in America anymore. Chinese people aren't gun-obsessed. They're fireworks obsessed. I'm not joking at all or making light of the problem...while Americans have a gun problem I assert that the Chinese have a firework problem. First of all, they set off fireworks all the time here, most of the time with no apparent reason. I'm not lying when I say a day hasn't gone by when I haven't heard a firework. Secondly, they let anybody purchase fireworks and use them. Anybody includes toddlers. I have seen so many kids way younger than Jake playing with fireworks and related products. In the villages in Yunnan, the kids would THROW the fireworks at us and laugh. Scary. Fire in general seems to be "not a big deal" because I see kids with lighters and matches everywhere. You can buy fireworks anywhere here, too. I bet the Chinese just put "fireworks"on the grocery shopping list like milk or bread because they use them so much and you could buy them at the same place.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Happy Lantern Festival!
Today is a holiday called "Lantern Festival" - it marks the end of Spring festival and usually, during this time family members in China will get together. They eat a special food named “Yuan Xiao” – a ball-shaped, sweet-tasting food with sesame powder inside. After dinner, people try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns. TBC informed us of this holiday today, and if you want to know more, here's some websites:
http://www.chinesesavvy.com/savvy/subjects/186.html
an unexpected "adventure"
So last night I journeyed to a hospital, of all places. I've been sick ever since I got back from Yunnan, and I thought I was slowly getting better, but I started feeling really 'off' last night so I gave up. Nobody speaks English to help me or give me Western medicine, so I went to a Western hospital in Beijing and let me say this, I have never been to the emergency room in and out so quickly. They have us beat in efficiency, that's for sure. So I meet the doctor and he listens to my lungs and says that I have "almost pneumonia," if you will. Wonderful. He gave me a ton of prescriptions, which I promptly received at the hospital, with ENGLISH instructions. I was so happy to finally get some help. The only thing is you have to pay up front, but HTH Insurance will reimburse me because that's their preferred hospital in Beijing. The price was reasonable for all of the medicines I received. And I'm glad I went when I did because if I had waited a few more days, I might have had to be admitted and I can't even imagine how much that would cost...So that's my story and I would HIGHLY recommend the more than competent staff at United Family Hospital in Beijing to any person in need of medical attention in Beijing. I hear SOS International is completely incompetent and awful here, and the wait is notoriously long. Just for future reference.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
pics are up
I'm FINALLY done editing my Yunnan pictures. Here's the Yunnan collection, use the side menu on the left to view sub-folders of the different cities and places.
http://s275.photobucket.com/albums/jj296/katieinbeijing/Yunnan/
http://s275.photobucket.com/albums/jj296/katieinbeijing/Yunnan/
Monday, February 18, 2008
sorry for the delays
I know you are all dying to hear about the Yunnan trip, but I've been so sick I haven't found the time or energy to type up the saga that is the Yunnan adventure. Give me a few days to sleep this off, and I promise to deliver a detailed account of my journeys. Until then, I'm going back to bed...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
i got a HAT!!!
Here is a funny picture from Yunnan. I am still drafting the novella that is my entry about Yunnan. Enjoy and stay tuned.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Yunnan trip itinerary
Here's my Yunnan "Minority Cultures Trip" Itinerary. As you will see, we're gonna be busy (and tired) for the next two weeks. I don't think I'll be able to contact anybody, via phone or internet, during this time. I am still investigating the possibility of phoning home... the 8th is Jake's birthday and I wanna talk to him!
So there you have it, this is where I'll be and what I'll be doing while I'm MIA for the next two weeks.
Day 1, Feb.2, Sat –Beijing Kunming
5:30am Depart from the lobby of Building
Take bus to airport
7:25am Flight CA1403 departs forKunming
10:50am
Take bus to hotel
Check in hotel
Lunch on your own
Free afternoon
Dinner on your own (suggestion: Cross-Bridge Noodle)
7:30pm
8:00pmYunnan
Take bus back to hotel
Breakfast on your own
Lunch and dinner on your own
Free dayCangshan Mountain
So there you have it, this is where I'll be and what I'll be doing while I'm MIA for the next two weeks.
Day 1, Feb.2, Sat –
5:30am Depart from the lobby of Building
Take bus to airport
7:25am Flight CA1403 departs for
10:50am
Take bus to hotel
Check in hotel
Lunch on your own
Free afternoon
Dinner on your own (suggestion: Cross-Bridge Noodle)
7:30pm
8:00pm
Take bus back to hotel
Breakfast at hotel (2nd floor)
Prepare a pack for overnight village stay
Group lunch
Meet host families
Learn folk dance and dragon dance
8:00am Wake up
10:00am Take bus to Jianshui (2hr)
Check in hotel
Free afternoon (suggestion:
Free evening (suggestion: folk song performance at
6:00am Morning call
Breakfast at hotel (next to lobby)
Prepare a pack for overnight village stay
7:00am
7:30am
Bus stops at Yuanjiang for group lunch (around
3:00pm
Check in guesthouses
3:30pm
7:00pm
8:00pm
Day 5, Feb.6, Wed – Nanuo - Jinghong
6:00am Wake up
Check out guesthouses
Bus stops at Yuanjiang for group breakfast (around
Bus stops at Ning’er for group lunch (around
Check in hotel
Evening free
Breakfast on your own
Free morning
Lunch on your own
Free evening (suggestion: Dai song & dance show)
Breakfast on your own
Prepare a pack for overnight village stay
Meet host families
8:00am Wake up
Breakfast at your own host family
9:30am Walk to village temple
Talk with monks
Free afternoon (suggestion: rafting – RMB 130 on your own)
Dinner on your own
Take bus to hotel
Check in hotel
Breakfast at hotel (next to lobby)
9:00am Take bus to hiking start point
Hike up to Wenhai village on the
12:00pm
9:30am Bike to visit Joseph Rock’s former residence (2hr)
Lunch on your own
10:00am Walk to visit Paper-making, Bronze-ware & Tea workshops &The Nature Conservancy Center
Lunch on your own
Dinner on your own
Free evening
Day 10, Feb.11, Mon – Lijiang
8:00am Morning call
Breakfast at hotel
Prepare a pack for overnight village stay
Prayer ceremony
Lunch on your own
Pictograph class at village school
Meet host families
8:00am Wake up
Breakfast at your own host family
Boat tour on west lake
Three-course tea at Bai village
Check in hotel
Free evening
Breakfast on your own
Lunch and dinner on your own
Free day
Day 13, Feb.14, Thu – Dali-Kunming
8:00am Morning call
Breakfast on your own
Lunch on your own
Check in hotel
Dinner on your own
Free evening
Day 14, Feb.15, Fri – Kunming-Beijing
Breakfast at hotel (
Lunch and dinner on your own
Free day (suggestion: feed seagulls at
12:
Take bus back to UIBE
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