China - A Part of Me
Visiting China was a mind-changing experience. Ten days, three major and two minor cities only gave me a taste for more. We arrived back on Friday. As this was a school trip, I was along to report and log the experiences of the group of nine Advanced Studies students, one mom, and three faculty. I created a web rather than blogging as, until I am FTP the blog to a private web, there was concern about Blogger's links to other webs.
Considering that I never really expected to go, I am enormously grateful for having had the opportunity. The students were remarkably gracious - not one word of complaint about food even when we adults were quietly grumbling. The toilets became a common whipping boy and we began rating those that were not rated by the state. Our fearless leader, aka The Emperor, was a stitch; he had three pair of brightly colored corduroys which were more effective than the flags most guides carried. After all his warnings about watching our bags and wallets, it was he who left his in a taxi. $$$ plus all cards, ouch!!
China had modernized. The Good Earth had left its mark with me. I had certainly been to Hong Kong and Taiwan, but in my mind the mainland should have been backward. While Beijing was gray and somewhat lifeless, huge and congested, I enjoyed its stately presence and its people were friendly; our Holiday Inn was as good as any Manhattan four-star hotel. One evening I sat in the coffee shop with my mocha latte (better than Starbucks) using their free wireless (hopelessly slow) all the while listening to a three piece jazz group play absolutely dreamy cabaret songs. It was surrealistic. On the streets it was more like the old Soviet Union but everywhere folks were busy and enterprising.
Our Chinese flight to Xian was notable for the four attendants who bowed to us before serving, in stark contrast to the shabby, brusque United counterparts. The students had a mind altering experience spending the night at the public 4000 pupil high school. Unfortunately, school was not in session and their students had voluntarily returned to meet ours and participate in a simulated class day. The difference in school size from 4000 to our high school size of 350 was enormous. One of our best meals of the trip was prepared by the school kitchen staff, also a marked contrast to our Aladdin food service.
Xian was lovely. One could imagine how nice it must be when the weeping cherries are in bloom. The terracotta warriors were a highlight of the trip (Our library had a great book about them that allowed me to keep up with the guide). I supported the Chinese economy at the silk and jade factories bringing home three silk comforters and some jewelry. We went to dinner with CiCi's fellow teachers (this year's Chinese teacher) who were extremely gracious.
Shanghai was a city's city. Immense, it is largely rebuilt since the PRC; it is modern with skyscrapers as far as you can see. In each city we had excellent guides with us at all times which added greatly to the experience. The last, a man in his 50s had a good perspective on all the changes he had seen. He was very entrepreneurial and had listened to all the bankers and financiers who had come his way and made a nice profit in the stock exchange. Everywhere everyone seemed very proud of their country and eager to prosper.
I am left wishing I could have traveled to more provinces and especially, seen the mountains. This is the language for the 21st century. With all the talk of globalization, we need to be emphasizing Chinese culture, history, and language to better prepare our students.
The link to my web describing the trip is on our school's website and listed on this sidebar.
Considering that I never really expected to go, I am enormously grateful for having had the opportunity. The students were remarkably gracious - not one word of complaint about food even when we adults were quietly grumbling. The toilets became a common whipping boy and we began rating those that were not rated by the state. Our fearless leader, aka The Emperor, was a stitch; he had three pair of brightly colored corduroys which were more effective than the flags most guides carried. After all his warnings about watching our bags and wallets, it was he who left his in a taxi. $$$ plus all cards, ouch!!
China had modernized. The Good Earth had left its mark with me. I had certainly been to Hong Kong and Taiwan, but in my mind the mainland should have been backward. While Beijing was gray and somewhat lifeless, huge and congested, I enjoyed its stately presence and its people were friendly; our Holiday Inn was as good as any Manhattan four-star hotel. One evening I sat in the coffee shop with my mocha latte (better than Starbucks) using their free wireless (hopelessly slow) all the while listening to a three piece jazz group play absolutely dreamy cabaret songs. It was surrealistic. On the streets it was more like the old Soviet Union but everywhere folks were busy and enterprising.
Our Chinese flight to Xian was notable for the four attendants who bowed to us before serving, in stark contrast to the shabby, brusque United counterparts. The students had a mind altering experience spending the night at the public 4000 pupil high school. Unfortunately, school was not in session and their students had voluntarily returned to meet ours and participate in a simulated class day. The difference in school size from 4000 to our high school size of 350 was enormous. One of our best meals of the trip was prepared by the school kitchen staff, also a marked contrast to our Aladdin food service.
Xian was lovely. One could imagine how nice it must be when the weeping cherries are in bloom. The terracotta warriors were a highlight of the trip (Our library had a great book about them that allowed me to keep up with the guide). I supported the Chinese economy at the silk and jade factories bringing home three silk comforters and some jewelry. We went to dinner with CiCi's fellow teachers (this year's Chinese teacher) who were extremely gracious.
Shanghai was a city's city. Immense, it is largely rebuilt since the PRC; it is modern with skyscrapers as far as you can see. In each city we had excellent guides with us at all times which added greatly to the experience. The last, a man in his 50s had a good perspective on all the changes he had seen. He was very entrepreneurial and had listened to all the bankers and financiers who had come his way and made a nice profit in the stock exchange. Everywhere everyone seemed very proud of their country and eager to prosper.
I am left wishing I could have traveled to more provinces and especially, seen the mountains. This is the language for the 21st century. With all the talk of globalization, we need to be emphasizing Chinese culture, history, and language to better prepare our students.
The link to my web describing the trip is on our school's website and listed on this sidebar.
posted by Karolyne Lucero, EdD at 11:03 AM
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