China 4/2/07
Everything that begins has to have an ending. Wow. This has been quite the adventure. For me stepping way out of my comfort zone from my small town roots, to actually going to a foreign country.
I would recommend to myself and others to have at least a working knowledge of the language of the place you are visiting, but even without that this trip was very doable. The people here both on the campus and off are accustomed to foreign students. With patients both from natives and yourself, alot of pantomiming and gestures and most things can be understood.
I got to see may ancient places both of worship and grandeur, that even as a tourist, I was wishing they weren't so touristy. I would have enjoyed more quiet time and opportunities to take all the sights in at a bit slower pace. I do love that I can now say that I have seen and been in the Forbidden City and that I have climbed on the great wall. I would like to come back sometime and get off the tourist path. I would like to see some forgotten temples that are not as touched by tourism.
I very much appreciated the hospitality here, but got a bit frustrated with the "you the tourist" gap and what Chinese people (guides) thought we would want to see. That being said I still enjoyed most everything although some days were maybe at times too full.
The last stop was a Buddhist temple, one of the biggest in east China, and although there were quite a few people, I was able to watch Buddhist monks in prayer and chant, and walk around and see wondrous statues carved in the rocks around the temple. There were actually three temples, the lower, middle and top. The highest temple had a wonderful view, and the walk up the carved steps was like taking a spiritual journey. Although Buddhism is not my belief system, I felt a peaceful presence there and enjoyed what the Chinese Buddhist were willing to share with me.
It was a fitting end to the trip.
Things I will miss
1. Great history and monuments that have been around for longer than my country has been in existence.
2. Wonderful fresh food and fruit.
3. Hearing lots of people speaking a language that I recognize but do not know.
4. Bright colorful clothing and people taking time with there appearance.
5. Driving that is aggressive and an art form to behold, if not a bit frightening
6. Having a foot/body massage with clothing on that last for 110 minutes and is amazing.
7. Street food that smells wonderful on the street and tastes even better
8. People randomly singing (and well) on the street
9. Bartering in the markets (oh yeah! Loved it)
10. Milk tea drinks (milk and tea together sooo tasty)
The things that I won't miss
1. The pollution in the cities. Sometimes so bad that the sky cannot be blue.
2. No smoking banns, so people smoke inside/outside when ever they want.
3. The language barrier for the times that pointing and limited words don't work.
4. Squatting to go the bathroom. Chinese bathrooms are an experience!
5. Being grabbed by pushy sales people at the indoor market. Wow. Fingers of doom!
6. Eating parts of animals that I am not comfortable with (feet, brain, eyes) (optional of course)
7. Being sick on the trip
8. The hostel shower that got the whole bathroom floor wet and never dried again ()
9. The cold weather on the Great Wall, ice and fog not our friends that day.
10. The nine hour plane ride to get here.
I would recommend to myself and others to have at least a working knowledge of the language of the place you are visiting, but even without that this trip was very doable. The people here both on the campus and off are accustomed to foreign students. With patients both from natives and yourself, alot of pantomiming and gestures and most things can be understood.
I got to see may ancient places both of worship and grandeur, that even as a tourist, I was wishing they weren't so touristy. I would have enjoyed more quiet time and opportunities to take all the sights in at a bit slower pace. I do love that I can now say that I have seen and been in the Forbidden City and that I have climbed on the great wall. I would like to come back sometime and get off the tourist path. I would like to see some forgotten temples that are not as touched by tourism.
I very much appreciated the hospitality here, but got a bit frustrated with the "you the tourist" gap and what Chinese people (guides) thought we would want to see. That being said I still enjoyed most everything although some days were maybe at times too full.
The last stop was a Buddhist temple, one of the biggest in east China, and although there were quite a few people, I was able to watch Buddhist monks in prayer and chant, and walk around and see wondrous statues carved in the rocks around the temple. There were actually three temples, the lower, middle and top. The highest temple had a wonderful view, and the walk up the carved steps was like taking a spiritual journey. Although Buddhism is not my belief system, I felt a peaceful presence there and enjoyed what the Chinese Buddhist were willing to share with me.
It was a fitting end to the trip.
Things I will miss
1. Great history and monuments that have been around for longer than my country has been in existence.
2. Wonderful fresh food and fruit.
3. Hearing lots of people speaking a language that I recognize but do not know.
4. Bright colorful clothing and people taking time with there appearance.
5. Driving that is aggressive and an art form to behold, if not a bit frightening
6. Having a foot/body massage with clothing on that last for 110 minutes and is amazing.
7. Street food that smells wonderful on the street and tastes even better
8. People randomly singing (and well) on the street
9. Bartering in the markets (oh yeah! Loved it)
10. Milk tea drinks (milk and tea together sooo tasty)
The things that I won't miss
1. The pollution in the cities. Sometimes so bad that the sky cannot be blue.
2. No smoking banns, so people smoke inside/outside when ever they want.
3. The language barrier for the times that pointing and limited words don't work.
4. Squatting to go the bathroom. Chinese bathrooms are an experience!
5. Being grabbed by pushy sales people at the indoor market. Wow. Fingers of doom!
6. Eating parts of animals that I am not comfortable with (feet, brain, eyes) (optional of course)
7. Being sick on the trip
8. The hostel shower that got the whole bathroom floor wet and never dried again ()
9. The cold weather on the Great Wall, ice and fog not our friends that day.
10. The nine hour plane ride to get here.