One World, One Dream

We spoke with the Bakers today as they were traveling back from seeing the 80 meter Buddha at Le Shan. Unfortunately the group has no internet access in Chengdu—thus the lack of blog entries. we do k now that they were picked up at the airport by their host families, and at this point they have settled into their hosts’ homes.

As far as the Beijing group is concerned, we hit the road again today to visit the Beijing Exhibition Hall, where a wonderful series of models and diagrams depict the history and architecture of the city. The Olympic models captured our interest—the Water Cube, the Bird’s Nest, and the other stadiums and venues are very cleverly designed, for example the shooting arena is built in the shape of a rifle, and the roof of the velodrome looks like a bike helmet. Later in the day, when we drove out to the Olympic site, we saw that almost everything is still under construction, which is o.k. because the official countdown clock at the exhibition hall said there are 162 days, 10 hours, 23 minutes and 42 seconds left until the opening ceremonies, and everyone we ask says “of course everything will be ready.”

Wangfujing Street was our lunch stop—I think many in the group went off to eat some American fast food with their hosts. It was only a matter of time and I think our kids did well resisting the temptation of KFC and McDonalds during the first week in China. There were shopping opportunities in the main shopping district and I think their hosts may have helped them find a few more treasures. Having our hosts travel with us each day will make tomorrow easier as the Gouldies go “home” for the weekend. There are 2000 students at this school and after morning classes and lunch on Friday the place clears out with the help of 40 (!) school buses, taxis, and parents. All will return on Sunday night and it will be fun to hear their stories from the weekend.

Shenzhen or Bust !!

Well, here we are in beautiful Shenzhen. We left Beijing 11:15 a.m. yesterday (30-40 degress and no vegetation) and arrived in Shenzhen at 2:30 p.m. (60-70 degrees and palm trees). We proceeded immediately to the school where we were greeted by the headmaster and the host families and were treated to a delicious bowl of noodles and vegetables. We think the mushrooms had feet.

The students then departed with very little trepidation to their perspective home stays and had dinner and a good night’s sleep. By the time we arrived this morning, the kids were already engaged in classes and looking very nice in their new school uniforms. They attended two classes, participated in a school wide exercise break, attended two more classes and are now preparing for lunch. This afternoon, we will have a tour of what they call the art troupes in the school. This consists of the chorus, the symphony, and the dance program. The school has many interesting plans for us in the next few days.

Everyone is happy and well and enjoying this grand adventure. The photos included in this blog are just a few of many, and we hope they give you a sense of the kids experience thus far. We’ll blog again soon.

This just in from Chengdu; internet access is limited. The bloggers report that they are working out the kinks and that the group is well, have settled nicely into their homestays and are enjoying the experience!!

- Jim McLaughlin & Denise Manning

A change of Seasons… Feb. 27th in Beijing

The morning started in the Huijia School’s Canteen where we munched on a boiled egg, some noodles, and a steamed roll. With the change in weather and a trip to the Summer Palace you would never know it was winter here. The temperature must have hit the 50’s and the much ballyhooed Beijing pollution gave way, at least for today, to brilliant blue skies.

Our days at Huijia School have been planned entirely by our host students and today’s plan included the Summer Palace and Beijing University. The Summer Palace was built in the 1700’s by Emperor Qinalong as an escape from the oppressive heat of the capital. It is an exceptionally beautiful park surrounding a huge manmade lake, reportedly expanded by 100,000 workers. The park also boasts a painted corridor reputed to be the longest of its kind in the world. Each painting in the corridor is unique and there are literally thousands of them. At the center of the corridor, on the lake’s northern shore, is the Hall for Dispelling Clouds. Maybe that explains the weather. Rising above that, and I do mean above, is the Buddhist Fragrance Pavilion. While we strolled along leisurely the kids were much quicker. Each was accompanied by their Chinese host and maybe it was the promise of Suzhou Shopping Street that made them hustle.

The trip to the Palace was followed by lunch at a hotpot restaurant and then on to the University. Beijing University is generally considered to be the #1 University in China, although Xinhua University also makes that claim from time to time. Sounds a bit like Harvard and Yale. We were greeted at the gate by a former Huijia, and current Beijing physics student. He walked us through the campus, pointing out the sites, including the largest academic library in Asia and a small park that used to be a royal park during the Ting Dynasty-- the last imperial dynasty to rule China. One of the highlights was a quick trip to the sports complex, complete with a turf soccer field and an immense outdoor climbing wall. Our guide told us that he plays on the physics department soccer team, the second best team in the University. Out of politeness we didn’t ask who was first. After the University it was back to school for dinner and after dinner a presentation of martial arts is planned. Judging by the talk on the bus I think all will be asleep as soon as they can. The days are long, full, and tiring, but the kids are taking it all in stride. As we keep reminding them, they may only do this once in their lives and it will be over before they know it.

Back to School Beijing Style

Feb. 26th. The Shenzhen and Chengdu folks left at 8:00 this morning for the airport while the Beijing group had a leisurely breakfast at 9:00 before heading off to see Mao resting in state in his memorial hall. After a quick look out over Tiananmen Square from the gate we braved the subway up to the Lama Temple-- one of the largest Buddhist temples outside of Tibet. The 80 foot wooden Budda, made from a single piece of sandalwood, had a Guiness book of World Records proclamation posted for the largest inside Buddha. The incense and prayers added much to the ambiance as we took it all in. I forgot to mention our lunch in the Confucius Tea Room prior to our wander through the temple. Tea tasting was superb-- not only the tea itself, but the ritual for drinking. Six cabs later (don't ask...we got there!) we were eating fast food noodles in order to get back to the hotel for our 6:00 pick-up by the Huijia School.
At this point we have all been properly greeted and introduced, and settled into rooms. Classes let out at 9:00pm and I suspect there will be many conversations into the night. Tomorrow we are off to the Summer Palace.

Day 3 Beijing…Imperial Majesty and Communist Grandeur

Day 3 began with a walk through Tian an Men Square, the world’s largest public gathering place. The square and surrounding buildings stand as monuments to the great people’s revolution of 1949. It is also well known, outside of China that is, for the 1989 protests staged here. The protests were quashed with overpowering force by the People’s Army and to this day most Chinese citizens have no clue that the protest ever took place. For many of the citizens present in the square today the highlight was likely the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the American students. While gathering to visit the Forbidden City our kids were treated like celebrities and asked time and again to pose with family members for pictures in the square.

From the square it was off to the Forbidden City. The sheer scale of the “City” is mind boggling. It just goes on and on for what seems to be an eternity. It is quite a contrast to the huge, but utilitarian facades surrounding the Square. Again, the architecture is beautiful, with ornate wood carvings, bright colors and bronze statues. It’s hard to imagine that it has been less than a century that the City has been open to commoners like us. Until the early 1900’s the only ones who were allowed to enter the walls of the City were the Emperor’s family, servants, and invited guests. Now 40 yuan buys anyone admission.

After the Forbidden City it was off to lunch and then an afternoon of shopping in the Silk Market. In contrast to the Dirt Market, the Silk Market is filled with new goods for incredible bargains…if you’re willing to barter. At dinner the talk was all about who got the best deal on a pair of sneakers or silk clothing. The kids also got a lesson in aggressive sales tactics as the vendors will start with flattery “handsome mister, you want a tie” to hook you and then the not so subtle arm grab to keep you. Only the strong survive but we all made it out with our selves and our wallets fairly intact.

The evening ended with Beijing Hotpot, where you cook your own meets, veggies and noodles in boiling water at the table. All seemed quite satisfied with both the food and the experience. Tomorrow the group splits into three for phase two… school visits. Keep posted for the updates from the various cities.

Day 2 Beijing…Shopping for Dirt and a Little Slice of Heaven

Sorry for the delay in posting but yesterday was a very long day and we started early this morning. Yesterday, day 2 in Beijing, we started with a journey on the Beijing bus system. Try moving 40 adolescents on public buses in a country where you can’t read the signs. We would still be circling central Beijing if not for Kelly, Fei, and Tim, three Gould seniors who have been indispensable in helping us get around. Our destination was the famous “Dirt Market”, really a huge flea market with everything from jade to Mao. We did our part for US – China trade relations and had quite an adventure in the process.

After the Dirt Market it was back on the buses and a trip to the Temple of Heaven. This is a well known Beijing landmark where the Emperor would go to pray for a good harvest. As with all things imperial the prayers were accompanied by great ceremony, including sacrifices, music, fasting, and with any luck bountiful harvests in the next year. The architecture is magnificent, with the entire main building constructed without a single nail. Despite the cold the kids were troopers.

The day ended with a trip to the Chinese acrobats. Everyone had their personal favorites but mine was the young boy who could do handstand flips and land back on his hands. Did I mention that he was balancing on a bongo board while doing it? Well that’s all for Day 2.

Saturday at the Great Wall

We awoke this morning to a clear blue sky. After breakfast in the hostel we left for the Great Wall. Our bus took us on the hour and a half ride to the Badaling section of the wall. The traffic was heavy for a Saturday. It is said that Beijing gains 1000 cars per day to its roads.
Our Gould students, Kelly Chen, Fei Shu and Tim Hsu have been indispensable. They have prepared ahead and have helped us with restaurant selections, reservations, directions, everything!
We have already begun to observe the contrasts that make China so exciting- Beijing's famous hutongs- narrow old alleyways that stretch for miles filled with shops and homes-are being razed to make way for modern buildings, yet all around us ancient landmarks are celebrated.
The road from Beijing to the Badaling section of the Wall begins on highways and moves quickly into the mountains. The students were quiet on the bus as we gained elevation; the enormity of the mountains coupled with the nearly equal enormity of human achievement to construct the Wall, which from many vantage points along the drive could be seen as far as the horizon, had an almost spellbinding effect on all of us.

We arrived at Badaling, secured our tickets and started walking the ramps and stairs of stone. We all learned quickly to politely decline the offers for postcards, hats, carved masks, bracelets, scarves and other souvenirs pressed upon us. The climb is steep, the views were spectacular, and everyone helped to raise the Gould name.

Upon our return to Beijing, Fei ordered for us at a duck restaurant. We ate at 5 large tables. The plates of food just kept coming, and some kids think we should embrace the idea of huge lazy susans on our tables at school. We are eating with chopsticks (no option) and doing very well. We started with plates of pickles, candied dates, lotus, dried beef sliced paper thin, duck liver slices and duck feet in mustard sauce.

Next came steamer baskets with thin pancakes, plates of scallion and cucumber slices, sauce, and plates and plates of duck slices with crispy skin. We rolled everything into the pancake and down the hatch. Then came river fish (eyeballs were a favorite with boys) a beef dish, duck soup, and then we finished up with watermelon.