Beijing Day 2-The Summer Palace and Xiangshan Park

We started a beautiful second day in our hostel getting ready and eventually heading down to see if Lorilei was ready to head out for the day. The divide that had started on day one due to hunger continued on as we let the other 3 see the forbidden city which they had never gotten to the day before. Once everyone was ready we met up and headed for the metro. We used our trusty map and picked the appropriate metro stop for the summer palace. Once we had gotten our tickets we hopped the metro and headed out. After we got of the metro we started our search for the entrance to the park. Once we had been ambushed by a couple of tour guys who we promptly turned down it was fairly obvious where the entrance was so we headed into the park. The summer palace was huge and gorgeous. A large portion of it was water which provided some beautiful views and great picture taking opportunities. Once in the park we headed along exploring the area with all of its historic properties, informational signs, and beauty. We wandered for awhile talking as we went and taking pictures as we headed along. After awhile we found an area which was home to a grand hallway that was very long and displayed several beautiful images along the whole thing. We were able to capture several images that were painted along it and take in the beauty of this hall, along with the beauty surrounding it as it was an outdoor hallway and also had excellent views of the waterfront.

          After we had been wandering and enjoying for awhile once we had seen many of the buildings and much of the history we started looking for our way out. Along the way we ran across a man who was doing water calligraphy. He had a giant brush and would use just water to write on the walk and once the water dried the calligraphy would go away and the sidewalk would be good as new. We spent a minute watching him and enjoying then we headed along. Also along our path we ran into another man who had a type of game with two sticks of wood and a spinner where you would try to flip the spinner off of the wood and catch it again. We stayed there for a few minutes as Lorilei and Dayna tried it out then headed on. After a few more minutes we found our way out and found a bus that would take us up to Xiangshan park. We hopped the bus and were on our way. It was a bit of a long bus ride but we talked or slept along the way.

          Once we got off the bus we searched for the park. It took us a few minutes and asking someone where the park might be but we found it and headed up. Just outside of the park there were many vendors so we stopped for a minute as some of us found something to eat and then we headed into the park. We hiked around for a bit and took plenty of pictures, however, after awhile Dayna’s foot started to hurt her so she and Ashley decided to stay down at the bottom. Looking at the clock Nick, Lorilei, and I decided we wanted to try and amble to the top then back down before we had to head back to our hostel for our plans for the evening. So up we went as quickly as we could go, trying to make the best time we could. After awhile Nick let us know where we were regarding the time. We didn’t want to hold him back as we weren’t sure if we’d make it to the top so I passed off my camera to him while we kept Lorilei’s camera and we sent him on his way, with plans to meet at the top. Lorilei and I ambled up the mountain, Trying to race to the top, climbing numerous stairs, some steeper than others. At one point along our way we got stopped by some Chinese men to take some pictures with them. After a few Lorilei got away but I got stuck with them for a little longer then finally was let free. Once I was free I could still see Lorilei but barely so I continued to amble up. After a bit I had lost Lorilei close to the top, eventually I found her though and we took a couple of pictures at the top and searched for Nick. After a few minutes unable to find him we headed down the mountain climbing down numerous stairs and jogging along for the bottom. After a little while we finally made it to the bottom and a few minutes later we found Nick. After waiting for a few minutes Ashley and Dana came along so we were ready to head out. We let Lorilei and Nick head off for a minute as Lorilei wanted one of the medallions they were selling at the park. After waiting for them for about 15 minutes they finally emerged and we headed for the buses in a bit of a hurry. Of course the bus they were starting for us made an awful sound, so after waiting for a bit we tried to get a taxi to a metro stop, but to no avail. We headed out and found another bus which we took to the metro which we took back to Tiananmen square and then ran to our hostel from there. However, by the time we got back it was too late for our night plans, luckily, we were able to reschedule them to the next night.

          After our long days adventure we headed out in search of some food. We found some food and filled up. Later Lorilei, Nick, and I decided we wanted some ice cream. As we headed out we ran into Luis and Dylan and they showed us a different area than the one we were used to and we went there for ice cream. After ice cream a challenged was issued and a piggyback race ensued with Nick on Lorilei’s back and Luis on Ashley’s. The race started and it looked promising until down Lorilei went flat into the cement, all of this caught on video. After this another race ensued with Lorilei on Nick’s back and Ashley on Luis’s. The race started and before Nick could make it all the way up from getting Lorilei on his back down he went to with Lorilei tumbling over his shoulder, tucking and rolling, unfortunately not caught on film. Needless to say Luis and Ashley won both races. The physical tax from running up and down a mountain that day had just been too much for Nick and Lorilei. After that we decided to call it a night so we headed back to the hostel to turn in so that we could wake up to another day in Beijing.

Bejing The train ride and day one.

Beijing-the train ride and day one

   The adventure continues. Wednesday night after we were done eating Lorilei and I quickly grabbed a bite to eat and then headed up to our room where we finished packing and we headed out to get a couple of things before we left for Beijing. We took a long and painful bus ride to Wal-Mart and got what we thought we needed for the train ride to Bei Jing,then we hopped a bus to the train station. At the train station we stopped in at the McDonald’s to grab an Ice cream before the train left for Bei Jing. Then we headed into the train station to wait. In the station we met up with the rest of our group and waited to board the train. On the train we found our seats and got situated, then we visited with people in other cabins.  When my cabin was set up I visited Lorilei’s cabin, where all eight of us talked for a little bit. Six of us decided to take "The Color Code" personality test. Katelin read the questions and Zac kept track of everyone's answers.We got our results and then I headed back to my cabin. 

    In my cabin we worked on figuring out the sleeping arraignments. The cabin held six people, five Americans and one Chinese. We gave the one Chinese person their own sleeping arraignment. I put my stuff in my place on the train and set up everything I would need for the night, then I tried to sleep. It wasn't the most comfortable situation, but it was far more comfortable than I was expecting. After some time I woke up and looked at my watch because I wanted to gauge where we were on our journey. We still had quite awhile left on our journey, so I went back to sleep for about an hour, then woke up again and started to get my stuff together to get off the train. When we reached our destination we all got off the train and started to try and get our bearings in Beijing. We wandered for a few minutes looking for the metro and eventually found it.We took the metro to the stop at Tian An Men square and walked to our hostel from there. When we got to the hostel,  we got out our passports and the money we needed and started the process of checking into our rooms. When we were done with that we went to our rooms to put our stuff away and continue on with the day.

  After everyone in our group was squared away we headed out to Tian An Men to see the square and all that it had to offer. We left our bags at a bag check and made the quick trek through Mao’s mausoleum to see his body. When we were done with that we looked around and tried to make our way into a couple of the other buildings we were planning on visiting only to realize that they closed earlier than we had initially thought. So we talked as a group and ended up splitting into two factions, a few of us were starving and wanted food, while the others wanted to explore a little bit more.We split and my group headed for the forbidden city. We spent several hours just marveling at the wonders provided by the forbidden city. While in the forbidden city we saw the jade nine dragon screen and many of the other wonders that the city provided.

 After we were done in the city we quickly headed out to grab a quick bite to eat, then met the rest of our group at the flag lowering ceremony in Tian An Men square. After the flag ceremony we headed to the night market for some more food, but we didn't find anything we liked, so we headed elsewhere to eat while a couple of our number headed back to the hostel, because they had already eaten. After we were done eating we headed back to the hostel and called it a night, rejuvenating our bodies and minds for yet another day in the city of Bei Jing.

Halloween

Halloween

          Today has been such an amazing day in China. So much has happened I hardly know where to start. While China itself doesn’t really celebrate Halloween, our school does so. I dressed up as a peasant/Cinderella and we met with one of our native coordinators at 7 this morning. We got the supplies we needed and went into the classes and painted the children’s faces. I had so much fun with them talking to them and painting all of their faces. Once we were done painting all of their faces we headed over to the track where all of the students in the school were going around the track in a form of a costume parade. I talked to a bunch of them and had tons of fun. After awhile I was just walking around the track when I was commandeered by two Chinese girls who grabbed me one by each arm and said teacher come with us. They led me back to the rest of their class to the front of their line and had me dance with them. We went around the track doing a version of the bunny hop with me talking to them and them showing me all of their little Halloween knick knacks.

          Once we were done on the track I followed them back into  the outdoor area of the building where all of the classes were held, at which point one of the girls grabbed my arm and said teacher come with us you are with class five grade five, so I went with them and we headed up to their classroom. They got a bunch of balloons that they were blowing up with a balloon pump and they played stomp the balloon. I played with them and they had tons of fun with me trying to stomp my balloon. I went around and talked to a bunch of them and just had a good time hanging out with a bunch of Chinese children. After awhile we were done playing games and I left to go to lunch.

          After lunch they had an assembly of sorts and they had a costume fashion show of sorts with all of the classes. They played some American music and jammed out. We jammed out with them for a bit and sung and danced. A couple of times they had us come to the front or on the stage to sing and jam out. So I just had fun with it and danced and had tons of fun. I also spent some time dancing with the children and just hanging out with them. After we jammed out on stage I found class five grade five in the auditorium and they all gave me hugs and it was just a ton of fun. After that I went back down to my seat where some of the grade two children were sitting and had some fun with them. Over the course of this five minutes I was told “teacher, I love you”, “teacher, you are beautiful”, and “teacher, you are cool”. I  had so much fun with the kids and it was just a great time. As I was leaving the auditorium I saw the class five, grade five kids once again and got hugs and high fives, while one of the girls grabbed me by the arm and led me with her for a minute. They were all talking to me and I had so much fun. I have been adopted by class five, grade five and I love it. I had so much fun with them and I can’t wait to see all of these cute, smart, amazing kids on campus.

          Once all of the hubbub was over I  headed back to my room and grabbed my laptop. I texted some family members and friends using my google voice number. I talked to my friend Jessica for about a half hour to an hour and we got caught up and I’m so excited for everything that is going on in her life. I have had such an amazing day today already. I still have dinner and then something some of my friend’s are doing called dead Annie to look forward to. I can’t wait to see what else this day has in store for me and I’ll be sure to write about it all as soon as it happens. I have always loved Halloween and it’s been amazing to celebrate Halloween with such amazing children. I love these Chinese children so much and can’t wait to see what they will soon become.