Day 1: Friday: Travel and Campus
Hello all. We made it to Beijing after a long 14 hour flight. Everything at both Detroit Metro and Beijing Airports went great. They were very accommodating with our large group.
The bus ride from the airport to the campus took about an hour due to the unbelievable amount of traffic on the roads. It seems that stop lights and turn signals are only recommendations. The horn and the size of your vehicle tends to win out at intersections😰
The Haidian campus is beautiful and huge! It has its own zoo, park and train to get around. We ate dinner in the cafeteria and took a short walk around the campus before turning in for the night. We had a lot of 'sleepy eyes' after dinner.
I once against reminded to appreciate the things we have in the USA. Just getting internet service is a trick. I hope to get the computer connected tomorrow (am currently typing this on my phone) and upload some photos for all to see.
Goodnight from Beijing. Also, once we are back in the USA, if the kids send me photos that they have taken, I will upload those to the site.
The bus ride from the airport to the campus took about an hour due to the unbelievable amount of traffic on the roads. It seems that stop lights and turn signals are only recommendations. The horn and the size of your vehicle tends to win out at intersections😰
The Haidian campus is beautiful and huge! It has its own zoo, park and train to get around. We ate dinner in the cafeteria and took a short walk around the campus before turning in for the night. We had a lot of 'sleepy eyes' after dinner.
I once against reminded to appreciate the things we have in the USA. Just getting internet service is a trick. I hope to get the computer connected tomorrow (am currently typing this on my phone) and upload some photos for all to see.
Goodnight from Beijing. Also, once we are back in the USA, if the kids send me photos that they have taken, I will upload those to the site.
Day 2: Saturday: Great Wall and Olympic Park
The sky is overcast all the time due to the smog/pollution. Last time we saw blue skies was when we were in the airplane at 10,000 feet.
We have had an eventful day!
It started at breakfast with foods of an unknown origin and the students were adventurous in trying the options.
The travel began with a two hour bus ride to the Great Wall. Even on the weekends the traffic is terrible. Mileage-wise, it was not far but the traffic is the problem.
Students got their first taste of bartering with the local sales people. To our standards, they are very pushy and persistent, but the kids did great in talking down the prices and came away with some good souviners. It was very cold and windy to start the climb but it turned out to be a beautiful day. We spent the morning and early afternoon hiking the wall before heading back into Beijing.
Once back in the city, we took them to the 2008 Olympic Park and saw the Birds Nest (Olympic Stadium) and the Water Cube (swimming pool and diving). We meet another school group from L.A. and traded travel stories. They are on a similiar tour and we may see them again in Shanghai.
Our evening ended with a dinner at a local eatery. It is family style with a huge 'lazy susan' in the middle of the table that sends the entrees around to everyone. There was octopus, fish-head casserole, tofu, Peking duck, shrimp, pork, rice, frog-leg stew, and some type of noodles that looked like worms. Most of the kids tried many of the entrees. It was fun to see the look on their faces and getting the courage up to try these new things. They all did really well and you should be proud. They stepped out of their comfort zone and "it wasn't so bad!"
The only disappointing news of the day is that we still cannot upload the pictures (I have lots). For some reason, it just load, and we have our IT dept back at Lake Shore trying to help. Everything worked at home, so they believe it is the internet here. The laptop will connect to the Internet but will not load the pages. I'm am going to try to get into a computer lab at the school tomorrow, but being a Sunday it may not work out. Remember everything is in Chinese, keyboard and writing on the screen. I'll need help accessing the correct stuff.
Goodnight from Beijing.
We have had an eventful day!
It started at breakfast with foods of an unknown origin and the students were adventurous in trying the options.
The travel began with a two hour bus ride to the Great Wall. Even on the weekends the traffic is terrible. Mileage-wise, it was not far but the traffic is the problem.
Students got their first taste of bartering with the local sales people. To our standards, they are very pushy and persistent, but the kids did great in talking down the prices and came away with some good souviners. It was very cold and windy to start the climb but it turned out to be a beautiful day. We spent the morning and early afternoon hiking the wall before heading back into Beijing.
Once back in the city, we took them to the 2008 Olympic Park and saw the Birds Nest (Olympic Stadium) and the Water Cube (swimming pool and diving). We meet another school group from L.A. and traded travel stories. They are on a similiar tour and we may see them again in Shanghai.
Our evening ended with a dinner at a local eatery. It is family style with a huge 'lazy susan' in the middle of the table that sends the entrees around to everyone. There was octopus, fish-head casserole, tofu, Peking duck, shrimp, pork, rice, frog-leg stew, and some type of noodles that looked like worms. Most of the kids tried many of the entrees. It was fun to see the look on their faces and getting the courage up to try these new things. They all did really well and you should be proud. They stepped out of their comfort zone and "it wasn't so bad!"
The only disappointing news of the day is that we still cannot upload the pictures (I have lots). For some reason, it just load, and we have our IT dept back at Lake Shore trying to help. Everything worked at home, so they believe it is the internet here. The laptop will connect to the Internet but will not load the pages. I'm am going to try to get into a computer lab at the school tomorrow, but being a Sunday it may not work out. Remember everything is in Chinese, keyboard and writing on the screen. I'll need help accessing the correct stuff.
Goodnight from Beijing.
Day 3: Sunday: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
An absolute beautiful day today in Beijing. We were close to 'home' as we visited Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, which is the heart and soul of Govt for China (similar to our Washington D.C. area). This area is the most crowded we have visited yet in Beijing and if you refer to my previous post, you will notice my comment about 'lack of personal space.' This is their culture and not meant to be rude, but it takes some getting used too, for us Americans in a foreign land.
One of the things that we have noticed these past few days is the interest in us by the Chinese. They want their picture taken with us and are not afraid to just run up and stand next to us while a friend takes a picture. In particular, the blond females and the Bross' as they are very tall. At one point, they stood for 10 minutes while a line of Chinese had their picture taken with them. In one instance, Mrs. Rathburn was given a baby to hold so they could get a picture with her.
The Square holds tens of thousands of people and it was packed today. Being the center of Govt, with the Great Hall, The Museum of History, The Monument to the People and the Forbidden City, it is very heavily guarded and secure. Everyone was went through an inspection before being allowed to enter the square. I am not sure if the pictures will do justice to how large it really is.
The Forbidden City is the original home to the empore rsof China and most recently of Chairman Mao, who is memorialized on the wall--pictures will show what I mean. It was surprising how large this walled compound is and is home to over 8000 temples inside. It is over 25 thousand acres square.
After visiting these two areas, we went for a lunch at a local restaurant and were served the largest meal to date with more interesting things to try. Your kids are getting more adventurous with the food each day...this good because we will soon be heading out to the local 'Beijing Snack' street with the spiders, beetles, scorpions, etc.. on a stick. I will make sure to get pictures of the kids trying these delights:)
The evening was spent back at the school enjoying a dinner with some of the Chinese Teachers from the school, while our teachers and administrators were having the traditional dinner and gift exchange with Chairman Li.
All went well and the students are in bed for the night.
One of the things that we have noticed these past few days is the interest in us by the Chinese. They want their picture taken with us and are not afraid to just run up and stand next to us while a friend takes a picture. In particular, the blond females and the Bross' as they are very tall. At one point, they stood for 10 minutes while a line of Chinese had their picture taken with them. In one instance, Mrs. Rathburn was given a baby to hold so they could get a picture with her.
The Square holds tens of thousands of people and it was packed today. Being the center of Govt, with the Great Hall, The Museum of History, The Monument to the People and the Forbidden City, it is very heavily guarded and secure. Everyone was went through an inspection before being allowed to enter the square. I am not sure if the pictures will do justice to how large it really is.
The Forbidden City is the original home to the empore rsof China and most recently of Chairman Mao, who is memorialized on the wall--pictures will show what I mean. It was surprising how large this walled compound is and is home to over 8000 temples inside. It is over 25 thousand acres square.
After visiting these two areas, we went for a lunch at a local restaurant and were served the largest meal to date with more interesting things to try. Your kids are getting more adventurous with the food each day...this good because we will soon be heading out to the local 'Beijing Snack' street with the spiders, beetles, scorpions, etc.. on a stick. I will make sure to get pictures of the kids trying these delights:)
The evening was spent back at the school enjoying a dinner with some of the Chinese Teachers from the school, while our teachers and administrators were having the traditional dinner and gift exchange with Chairman Li.
All went well and the students are in bed for the night.
Day 4: Monday: Exploring the Early Elementary Classes and Beijing Zoo
Today, we spent the morning on the campus visiting the classrooms. We viewed a majority of the lower elementary classes and the programs they incorporate into the class day. They all do calisthenics each morning then separate out to their special classes: swimming, piano and tae kwon doo are just a few examples. Each student gets 30 minutes a day with a private piano instructor and they have built 180 private piano rooms with a grand piano in each, for the students to practice on (there are pictures of the piano buildings that I will post on the blog site--the buildings look like castles).
A few of our teachers taught their lessons today (P.E and American History) and those went well. It was interesting to see the classes/students and how they reacted to American Teachers.
This morning we had the flag raising ceremony and almost 3000 students from the middle and high school came out onto the field for this every Monday occurrence. It was quite the site to see all of these students in one of three uniforms they are allowed to wear, line up in rows and columns without any announcements by the adults. Mr. Loria was the guest speaker and he thanked the students and school for this 8 year relationship.
A few of our teachers taught their lessons today (P.E and American History) and those went well. It was interesting to see the classes/students and how they reacted to American Teachers.
This morning we had the flag raising ceremony and almost 3000 students from the middle and high school came out onto the field for this every Monday occurrence. It was quite the site to see all of these students in one of three uniforms they are allowed to wear, line up in rows and columns without any announcements by the adults. Mr. Loria was the guest speaker and he thanked the students and school for this 8 year relationship.
Day 5: Tuesday: The Summer Palace
The morning was cold and foggy but we enjoyed the morning at the Summer Palace. This is a huge resort built for the emperor with a man-made lake dug by servants. Hopefully you will be able to see the beauty and scale of this palace through the fog of the pictures. The students were able to climb to the top of the palace, dance with locals playing 'time-period' music and explore the islands on the lake.
The afternoon was spent in classes and exploring a local market across the street from the school. They went to a Korean BBQ for dinner and most all the kids were raving about the meal.
. On Wednesday, the kids get to do their shopping and practice their negotiating skills with the merchants. The kids are nervous and excited about this; but don't worry us adults will be with them to make sure they get good deals.
The afternoon was spent in classes and exploring a local market across the street from the school. They went to a Korean BBQ for dinner and most all the kids were raving about the meal.
. On Wednesday, the kids get to do their shopping and practice their negotiating skills with the merchants. The kids are nervous and excited about this; but don't worry us adults will be with them to make sure they get good deals.
Day 6: Wednesday: The Temple of Heaven and Beijing Snacks
Today was a bright and sunny but chilly day. We will take it over the weather you are having back home.
Today was a more relaxed day with a tour of the Temple of Heaven park. Students got the chance to dance tai chi style with a whole group of elderly people and get their picture taken on the worship stone in the temple. The excitement really gathered strength when we headed toward McDonald's for lunch. I think we scared the staff when everyone rushed the counter😄
After lunch we went to the Pearl Market were the they could bargain/negotiate prices on everything. Students did pretty good but some also found out they need to check the quality of their purchases before leaving the stores. Quality is not #1 here, but some refused to believe the staff on verifying their purchases. Don't worry, the sales people argued but did exchange any faulty products.
Our next stop was to the market street with the Beijing snacks(ie. Scorpions, starfish and beetles). Most all the students did try one of the snacks. We have some great pictures.
Afterwards it was off to dinner at a local restaurant and home to the campus.
Today was a more relaxed day with a tour of the Temple of Heaven park. Students got the chance to dance tai chi style with a whole group of elderly people and get their picture taken on the worship stone in the temple. The excitement really gathered strength when we headed toward McDonald's for lunch. I think we scared the staff when everyone rushed the counter😄
After lunch we went to the Pearl Market were the they could bargain/negotiate prices on everything. Students did pretty good but some also found out they need to check the quality of their purchases before leaving the stores. Quality is not #1 here, but some refused to believe the staff on verifying their purchases. Don't worry, the sales people argued but did exchange any faulty products.
Our next stop was to the market street with the Beijing snacks(ie. Scorpions, starfish and beetles). Most all the students did try one of the snacks. We have some great pictures.
Afterwards it was off to dinner at a local restaurant and home to the campus.
Day 7: Thursday: Botanical Gardens and BBall game
The morning was a cold rainy start to the day but we still made it to the Botanical Gardens. We were about two weeks early for the full bloom but I hope to post pictures of the gorgeous flowers that were in full color.
The afternoon plans changed due to the weather so we took the kids to a more Americanized mall to walk around. Once they had their fill, we came back and competed in a basketball game against the Haidian team. We lost but came on strong in the 2nd half to make it close.
Tonight, the kids will have some time with the middle school students and then go pack for their weekend trip to the host family house.
The afternoon plans changed due to the weather so we took the kids to a more Americanized mall to walk around. Once they had their fill, we came back and competed in a basketball game against the Haidian team. We lost but came on strong in the 2nd half to make it close.
Tonight, the kids will have some time with the middle school students and then go pack for their weekend trip to the host family house.
Day 8: Friday: Xiangshan Peak, English Class and Home with Host
Beautiful day today. Sunny with blue skies and a little chilly. This worked out well as we climbed the peak to the top. It was a 2 mile climb and over 160 flights of stairs. The views were amazing and the kids loved it; as they had to work hard to get their - it even tried my abilities and I run marathons.
The afternoon was spent in an English spoken class (science, math history) with their host student. Then the grand time arrived as the parents came to pick up their student and yours. Lots of nervous excitement on both parts and all went well! Pictures posted soon of each of your students with their host.
Students will be with their hosts until Monday evening and return around 8pm local time. We spend one more night in the dorms and then leave on Tuesday for Shanghai.
There will not be any posts this weekend as the kids are all gone! Sorry, but you are going to have to 'drag' it out of your student as to what they did over the weekend😄