Yangi Jingsu, China

Link to Pictures uploaded from Yanji

Saturday, July 04, 2009 06:12PM

Nimen Hao,

Today was a great day. It was an excursion day, which meant we had no meetings, so that is always a good day. We went to Changbaishan, which is a beautiful range of mountains on another part of the North Korea / China border. Don’t worry. There were just rows and rows of mountains. It was very foggy at times, but sometimes the fog moved away and you had a clear view. Tian Chi, one of the mountains in the range is actually a volcano, I think, and it has a lake in the crater. I think that’s right. The guide explained everything in Mandarin Chinese and we had to rely on a translator, whom I could not hear very well. So if you’re interested in the history, google it. But, nevertheless, it was beautiful, and very scary. There were a few points that we climbed up to, and let me tell you that there are NO RAILS. There is just a very low rope that would not do anything if you tipped over but probably brush the bottom of your feet. I was extra careful, although many of the Chinese were not. They were climbing over the rope and going out to the edge of mountain cliffs to take pictures. I couldn't’t believe it! There was literally nothing between them from the edge and the valley. Some of the people in our group even did the same thing. I wouldn’t dare. I like living and am not for getting hurt or fatally wounded in another country. You better believe that I took my precious time and stayed on the right course. People were going around me, which was perfectly fine. Oh, and I forgot to tell you about the ride up to the peak. We had to get into jeeps and they drove completely insane up these mountain passes. They were turning curves and swerving up the mountain roads. This was supposed to be a form of entertainment, but we Americans did not enjoy it. One girl even almost got sick. So, I can say that I have officially been to Changbaishan, and don’t particularly feel the need to go again, because I know what it entails. And guess what, I was a star again. I’m still loving the attention though, but today was a bit much. I was swarmed a couple of times with people actually just grabbing handfuls of my hair. I wasn’t prepared this time and actually got a little irritated, but don’t worry mom, I was nice. We go to Xian tomorrow, which is where the Terra Cotta warriors museum is. We are all extremely excited to see this. We are also sort of glad to be going to a fairly big city again, just because it’s the next place on our list to go I guess. Well folks, I’m off to bed as I have to rise at 5am tomorrow to board a bus for the airport for our next stop. Wish me well and send your prayers.!

Tamara



Friday, July 03, 2009 03:16AM

Hello all,

Guess where we went today? NORTH KOREA!!! Well, sort of. We went to a little town called Tu men on the North Korea / China border. There is a bridge that separates North Korea and China and North Korea was just a 2 minute walk over the bridge. Of course we couldn't go over, but how interesting it was. I have enclosed some pics from your viewing pleasure. I know that I have been a star in every city, but let me tell you that in this little city they must never receive visitors because they looked and looked and looked some more. As usual, I was amused! This city was not on our agenda, but the two schools that we were supposed to visit cancelled on us at the last minute because of, you know what! Supposedly, there is some school in Hong Kong that had a reported case of the Swine Flu and they are being extra careful with tourists. But, I didn't mind. That gave us an opportunity to have some free time, which we hardly ever get, and thus I'm writing you early. Tonight we have guess what, a banquet. I am not really looking forward to it. At these banquets we have to make merry and be social and engage our guests in conversation and entertain them. I am just not in the mood today. I just want to lie down in my room and watch T.V. until I fall asleep. Tomorrow we have to leave at 5:30 a. m. for a 4 hour drive to the national park, hike up a mountain to a waterfall, hike back down, drive four hours back, pack, and board a plane the next day for our next flight. WE NEED A BREAK! They keep telling us to make sure that we get plenty of rest, but HELLO. Sounds like a contradiction huh? I mean, don't get me wrong. I am sooooooooo grateful and excited to be here, but the human body needs a rest every now and then. OK, I just needed to vent a little. Overall, things are great. We are all getting along, mostly (I don't have anything to do with the little discord that there is) and mostly everyone is happy and healthy, including me. So, in my opinion, it's all good. Well, with the little bit of free time that we have I think that I may take a nap. And let me tell you, I foresee alot of those taking place when I come back to the states. Well, later for now. Take care everyone. Until next time.

Tamara



Thursday, July 02, 2009 06:30PM EST


Hello all,

One word. Karoake! It was sooooo fun. What they do here is give you your own room for your group, and you just have a ball. We had some of our Chinese teacher friends that we have met here join us. It was a good time to be had by all. I didn't take my camera so I can't send any pics of that. I'll get someone else's. It's interesting the kind of song choices that they make. They were singing the Carpenters, old versions of songs that we haven't heard or thought of in years. They had no idea what some of the songs were that we were singing. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all. We also went to visit a high school and met some cool kids. That was a really nice experience. They want to know so much about America and they are so studious. I wish that more of our kids were like that. And, dinner was fun too. Well, that's about it for now. I'l catch up with you all later.

Tamara


Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:21 AM EST

Nimen Hao,

Wow! Yanji. What can I say? Well, first let me start off by saying that Yanji is in Jinsu Province, and not what I said yesterday. The people here have been sooooooooooo wonderful. We were hosted to lunch today by the local university and what a crowd they were. They were soooo much fun. And the food didn't make me nauseous. We even had prawns. After lunch we then sang (the Chinese love to sing), a lot. I led the group in a rendition of "Killing me Softly". There were also some other singers. One was one of the professors from the university, a 27 year old English professor (I know) who sang "I Will Follow Him" because he saw the movie "Sister Act II" the night before and loved it. They were so much fun, I can't say that enough. They are taking us out to Karoake tomorrow. That should produce some interesting stories. Today we also had a city tour of Yanji, and guess who's famous. ME! The reason, well, is because frankly they just don't see African-American people with dreadlocks. I draw a crowd wherever I go, people just come up and start touching my hair. One lady even touched my face. And, I love it! All of the attention is hypnotizing. At home there are tons of people who share some of my qualities. Here there are none. I am a rarity. I like the sound of that. Our guide translated a few times what they were saying, but I think that he got tired after a while because there were just soooooo many people. You know that we had a huge dinner, so I don't need to talk about that. After dinner, however, my roommate and I went for a massage, and oh what an experience. I have never been twisted, and turned, and pulled, and punched, and stepped on, and kneed in the back, and chopped, and pinched, and walked on, etc.... like they did tonight. I am still sore, but in a good way. If that makes since. They best part was a foot massage. They soaked our feet and then massaged them with aromatherapy oils. I almost went to sleep on the table. And, guess how much it cost? $12 US for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Folks, you can't beat that. We are thinking of going back on Friday. Well, we have an early morning tomorrow and a full day so I better get going. Until next time. Enjoy the pics!


Tuesday, June 30, 2009 08:30AM EST

Hello all,

Well, we made it without any trouble. We are in Yanji, Jingsu (?) Province, which is actually about 30 min. away from the North Korean/Russian border. Yikes! But don't worry, we won't be venturing into North Korea. I don't have any pictures today, because we really haven't done anything, but eat. We had a huge welcoming banquet, (lunch and dinner) by our Yanji hosts and honestly, do you really want to see more pictures of food? I'm actually hoping that we'll make it to KFC this week. KFC is HUGE here if you didn't know. The flight here wasn't too bad. The airport here is super small. It's like the airport off of North Liberty St. for those of you who are in Winston. It's sort of a medium size country town with a local University and a few developed areas, mainly downtown. But, there are also shacks scattered here and there. I consider this to be a part of the REAL China, the kind that they don't necessarily want you to see. Well, I'm off to bed. Talk to you all soon.

Tamara

OK,

I just didn't feel right without sending any pics. The crickets and the sea horses are delicacies that I will not be partaking of. And, the masked people are those that I told you about on the plane that come in and check for symptoms of the swine flu.

Tamara

Week 2 of the Trip!

Link to all the Pictures from Week 2

Monday, June 29, 2009 09:36AM EST

Nimen hao,

Hello everybody. Another great day today. We went to visit a school today for migrant workers' children. Let me tell you how great and motivated these kids are. They were sooooooooooooooooo sweet and they were happy. They have virtually nothing, but still they wore smiles on their faces and tried to speak with us in English. They also prepared dinner for us and we sat and ate with them. The little girls at my table were so cute. They were trying to teach me Chinese and I was trying to tell them what was the English equivalent to what they were telling me. I wish that American children can come and see these kids in school. They have a small, modest school with no air conditioning and there are more than 40 kids in a class. And each child is sooooooooooo eager to learn. It makes you appreciate what you have. Well, tomorrow we are going to our next destination. We have to wake up at 4:00 a. m. to be ready to leave by a certain time. Ohhhhhhhhhh. I am going to be sooooooooooooooo tired, but hey, that's life right now. Well all, I am off to bed. Again, it may be a day or so, or maybe more before I can write so don't worry. Enjoy the pics!

Tamara Hughes



Sunday, June 28, 2009 09:58AM

Nimen Hao Everybody,

I hope that everyone is doing spectacular! I am. Today was an awesome day. It first started with a visit to a park, whose name I can't remember. We were able to see some senior citizens doing Tai Chi. Let me tell you that some of those people were 90 plus. So folks, we as Americans have to come up!!! It was so peaceful. We were able to see the Temple of Heaven from afar, but we didn't get a chance to go in. After that was THE GREAT WALL! No words can express. It was so serene up there and I really felt like I was doing something by climbing it, although I only hiked up a small portion of the wall. It is soooooooooooooooooooooo steep, and I wasn't prepared for the altitude. We were wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy up and looking down sort of made you dizzy. There was no railing between you and the edge of the wall so it was a little scary. There was a wall that protected you, but the views from the side were just a little intimidating. I don't consider myself to be afraid of heights, but after that I may have to reconsider. Nonetheless, it was one of the greatest adventures of my life. I can now proudly wear my T-shirt that says, I have climbed the great wall! We took a cable car up and down, which also was a little scary since there is nothing but a cable cord keeping you from plunging down into a deep valley. After the great wall we also had the experience of riding in a rickshaw (I think that's how you spell it.) It was pretty fun. I still don't know how those guys ride those things all day lugging people along, but I applaud them. My driver looked like he was about 15, although he was probably almost 30 or so. Everyone in China looks at least 10 years younger than what they really are in case you didn't know. We then had a local lady to prepare dinner for us in her home. She was an excellent cook and lived in the historical Hutong Quarter of Beijing. After that we came back to the hotel and had meeting that lasted way too long, and here I am now. You guessed it, tired, but content. Tomorrow is our last day here in Beijing. On Tuesday, we are going to Yanji, which they tell us is quite different from Beijing. It's more of a rural place, countryside. So, I'm thinking that things may be a bit underveloped. I don't know if I'll have internet access as freely as I have had here, and I know that we have to be a bit more careful about the water. Beijing, supposedly has spent millions of dollars purifyin it's water system, because of the Olympics of course, but Yanji is in a completely different part of China, so it has not been revamped, so again, I need all of your prayers and well wishes. Well, I'm off to bed. Take care you all and enjoy the pics. I'm so glad that I can share my experiences with you all. I feel like you are here with me!

Tamara



Saturday, June 27, 2009 10:29AM

Nimen Hao all!,

Wow, what a day. I took 58 pictures today, but don't worry. I only sent you half of them. Today was packed full with the good stuff. The first place that we went to was a market. Oh what an experience. You have to bargain for everythng. They give you a price, you give them a much lower price and you go back and forth until you meet somewhere in between where you are satisfied. I usually don't like this process, but today it was fun. I think that I got some pretty good deals on a few things. Although, they could have jipped me. Who knows. The second place that we went to was Tiananmen Square, which is the gateway to the Forbidden City. Thank goodness we were not made to see Mao. Our tour guide also told us that his appearance is very waxy. Ughhh! The Forbidden city though was extraordinary. If you have ever seen the movie, The Last Emperor, then you know about the Forbidden City. It was like going back into time. We later visited a silk factory where we were given a presentation on how silk is made. It was quite interesting, and the silk was beautiful, but it stayed in the store on the rack. It was quite expensive. We then went to see a presentation of opera segments at a tea house. This is kind of like a dinner theater. We saw Chinese acrobatics and kung fu. Of course you know we had a huge Chinese lunch and dinner followed by visits to the squats. Surprisingly though, there were a few western toilets that were available today. I was pleasantly surprised. Well guys, I am pooped. Tomorrow we are going to go to the Great Wall and I am almost beside myself with excitement, but I think that it is going to be hot and humid and I hear that the climb is no joke. Nevertheless, I am excited to go. Well, off to bed.

Until tomorrow,

Tamara


Friday, June 26, 2009 09:33AM EST

Hello all!

Well today, you guessed it, was full of lectures. But, we went to one of the best places that I think that we have been to thus far. This school, the Beijing School of Language and Culture, treated us like royalty. We had an elegant room that was fit for government officials. We had an even bigger banquet, that had the most delicious food that we've eaten since we've been here. The Vice-President came to give us an official welcome. And, they gave us gifts. They were soooooo nice. After that we went to a presentation on AIDS in China. It was really interesting, but somehow we ended up discussing the H1N1 virus (AKA SWINE FLU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). The doctor was quite comedic. And, after that, we went to the Bird's Nest and the Bubble thingy (you know, where they swam for the Olympics.) It was pretty cool. But, we didn't get to go in because we were late. AGHHHHHHH!!!! I was bitter, but I'm over it now. The squat toilet was visited several times today, I'm kinda over that now. And guess what we ate. No go ahead and guess. No, no, keep guessing. You're wrong, CHINESE FOOD!! :) My playful banter probably suggests how tired I am, so with that said, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow we're going to the Forbidden City and Tian' an Men Square. A little interesting fact: Mao (I think that's how it's spelled) is buried in the Square in a building. Well, actually not buried, preserved. Every night he is lowered into a chamber that contains (I forget what it's called but whatever that gas is that's used to freeze dry things) oh yeah, nitrous oxide I think, and he is frozen. For the viewing pleasure of the visitors he is lifted up and thawed out. So he hasn't changed since they buried, no preserved him back in the 70s?. Now, we've heard that recently because of all of the freezing and thawing on a continual basis that his ear fell off and they had to sow it back on. No, I'm not making this up. Also, supposedly, the soldiers there make people line up to go in and see Mao. Now, this isn't really something that I want to see, but hey. I guess you only live once, right. We'll see how that plays out and I'll see if I can get some pictures.

Off to bed,

Tamara

Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:02AM EST

Nimen hao all,

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! for those of you that didn't know. And what a great birthday it was. In case you're wondering I'm the big 30 now!!! The ultimate gift for me was already granted. This experience! It is just such a blessing. The more I think about it the more honored I feel. All the group members sang happy birthday to me in whatever language they teach. The languages were French, Spanish, Swedish, Japanese, Russian, German, Portuguese, and Lakoi (a Native American language). It was quite the experience. We also went to McDonald's today, which was quite a treat and different and the same at the same time. They still have all of the favorites, but they have other things. For example, instead of apple pie they have mango and taro pie. I had the mango pie and it was pretty good. I also had a QP with cheese, but it had cucumber (not pickle) and some kind of orange spicy sauce on it. It wasn't too bad, just different. It was so nice getting a break from Chinese food, although I think that our program director didn't like the idea of us wanting to go to McDonald's. I guess he just sort of gave in unwillingly. I don't know. As for the days events, you know what they were. Meetings, seminars, presentations, etc... We went to two of the best Universities here in Beijing. I have included pictures for your viewing pleasure. And, let me say, I had to break down and use the squat toilet, AGAIN!!!!! I feel like that's going to become the norm in a little bit. The first university had no western toilets, and we were there for a LONG TIME........................ And, it's close to 92 degrees and we have to drink plenty of water because we have to walk miles in a day. And, this time the stalls had no doors and I absolutely refused to go in front of people so I had to lock the door. Well, let me tell you that they were banging on the door and even tried to pull it open a few times, but I succeeded in keeping them out! :) Well, afterwards I unlocked the door and I proceeded to wash my hands and what do you know, a girl comes in and does what she has to do. I just couldn't believe it. Talk about cultural differences. Also, I didn't tell you this before, but when children have to go, they let them go, anywhere, in public, at anytime, in any manner, on any surface, grass, street, sidewalk, etc... (Make an inference). That's all I'll say about that. Well, I think that's enough for the day. Oh, and thank you all so much for the emails. I read them every night. I can't really respond to everyone right now because I have to share this Internet access with my roommate and I don't have that much time to write. Oh, and Mr. Downs. You can do the blog for me if you like. I don't think that I can get to it. Talk to you soon.

Tamara Hughes

Week 1 Trip to China

LINK TO ALL MY PICTURES FROM THE 1ST WEEK

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 08:55AM

Hello family and friends, and colleagues

Let me begin by saying that I am feeling much better today! And please pray that I stay that way! Traveling to different places can play little games with your body. But anyway, today was a great day. First we started with our usual meetings, meals, etc... but, we finally had a chance to go out with the locals. We visited a very high end mall today. They had jewelry for $50,000. I'm not kidding, and I'm talking U.S. dollars. Needless to say, no one purchased anything in that place. We also visited a famous school today and we had a chatting session with some Chinese students that were learning English. I have never seen a group of individuals who were so passionate about learning English. They did not want us to go. They asked me all sorts of questions about the NBA, Washington, D.C., studying, and my hair. Some of them even touched it and begged me to show them how I did it. The whole trip was so very interesting. They even publicized this event locally, so maybe you'll see me in a picture in a newspaper somewhere, or maybe not. Also, there is a girl with us who is 1/2 Chinese who has relatives here in Beijing. Neither she or her mother has met this side of her family, but it was arranged for her to meet them tonight. It was so very touching. Also, I had to use a squat toilet today for the first time. Let me tell you that I will do anything in my power to keep from doing so EVER again. And, a squat toilet is just that. A SQUAT TOILET! I have included a picture for your viewing pleasure. We also walked around the plaza tonight before we came in. That was pretty fun. I have included a picture of that too. Well, that's about it for the day. Off to bed, finally!
Tamara

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:56AM EST

Nimen hao,
Well today was quite an interesting day. We first visited the Ministry of Education where we had a presentation on the Chinese version of the Department of Education. The chairman could not speak English so he had to have someone to translate the whole presentation. So he would talk and then the translator would talk. This lasted for about an hour and a half. And, then questions proceeded after that. Well, we went through about three of these today, and after the 1st one they all seemed to run together. Everything is so formal here. And, it’s about 90 degrees, but it’s OK. We also went to a museum where we saw all kinds of artifacts like Ming Dynasty vases and Buddha statues, all of which are well worth more than $50,000 I would presume. I have included many of those pictures for your viewing pleasure. And, we eat Chinese food everyday three times a day. Now, I like Chinese food just as much as the next person, but I’m just now realizing that we are in China and in China they prepare Chinese food. ALL OF THE TIME!!! From the pictures that I am sending you, you will see ALL OF THE FOOD that we are served EVERY DAY for THREE MEALS A DAY, with variations of other Chinese foods. In many cases, things that we don’t normally eat. Some of the things that I ate today include cow stomach, jellyfish, fried bean curd in dough, tree ears (kind of like a mushroom), lotus root, Peking Duck, etc… They put all of the food on the table and they bring new stuff and take old plates away. They put these things on the lazy Susan and everyone takes a little from each plate. The jellyfish was quite interesting. It was kind of crunchy. We never finish all of the food and I feel sort of bad for having access to all of that food and there are poor people literally right outside, but they want to please us (Americans) and so if that means order more than enough food then that is what it means. Well, a little later in the day I was feeling a little strange and what do you know, I had to purge. After I did, I felt much better. That’s just what happens to me. After the first few days in a new country I get sick, and then everything is all better again. I guess it’s just new food, new germs, and we are still suffering from some serious jet lag. Which brings me to the end of this email. I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired and I am going to try to get eight hours tonight so that I can function tomorrow. And, I don’t think that I will be eating the cow stomach, the jellyfish, and anything else strange tomorrow. Although, our director did say that when we get to the southwest of China that we will probably be served dog. :o !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No comment!!!!
Good night!
Tamara


Monday June 22, 2009 10:19 AM EST

P. S. I need for someone to call my mom to let her know that I made it safe. I don't know when I'll be able to get a phone card, and now that I took my laptop she doesn't have Internet access at home.

:)


Saturday, June 20, 2009 07:12PM EST


Hola, or should I say Nimen hao (Mandarin Chinese for Hello to more than one person),

I know that you are dying to know what happened with my luggage. Well, I am happy to report that I have it. Thank the LORD!! And, I have since changed my clothes. So, thank you for the prayers. Thanks for the emails too. I appreciate all of the concern and good thoughts. Things have been going very well. Today was another day filled with meetings and the like. Tomorrow is the big departure day and we have been inundated with details. One detail, which I particularly did not want to hear was the new policy on American travelers in China. Imagine this: Once you arrive in China on your plane the doors will not open for you to get off, but for masked men in suits with face covers to get on. We have been informed that they will have on this protection to protect them from the H1N1, AKA SWINE FLU! They will then go around to each individual person on the plane, probably about 150 or so, and check temperatures and signs of the virus. If a persons' temperature is elevated then not only will that person, but all the people sitting three seats to the right, left, three rows in front, and three rows behind will be QUARANTINED for up to 7 days. Well, once again pray for us. We'll see how it goes down. I'll leave you with that thought. And, I'll try to email when I arrive in China, but it may be a day or two.

Adios, (I don't know the word for goodbye in Mandarin yet).

Enjoy the pictures!
Tamara


Friday, June 19, 2009 10:57AM EST


Hello Everyone,

Well, today will make the first full day that I have been in San Francisco, and what a journey it was. Yesterday, at the airport in Greensboro, there was some sort of weight issue going on on the plane so they asked for 10 people to give up their seat. They were going to provide an alternate route and give a free plane ticket to anywhere in the continental US. Well, naturally, no one wanted to give up their seat, and they announced that the plane could not take off until the issue was resolved. I would have taken them up on the offer, but the earliest that they could get me to San Francisco would be 8:00 p. m. and my program was to begin at 5:00. So, I declined. Slowly but surely people began to volunteer, but it took about 40 minutes. So, guess what happened... I missed my connecting flight. Let me tell you, you have never seen anyone run through the airport like I was running, and I had only seen it in movies, but yesterday, that mad, crazy person trying to make their connecting flight was me. And oh what do you know, as I was running up they shut the door right before my eyes. Can you imagine. Well, anyway, I was booked on a later flight, about 3 hours later. Not too bad right. Well, the plane was packed, but surprisingly comfortable and I arrived in San Francisco quite content and ready to go. As I was looking for my luggage in the baggage claim I noticed that it was nowhere in sight. I checked with one of the attendants and what do you know, it hadn't arrived yet. So, here I write to you with the same clothes on from yesterday. Same everything. Although, I hand washed and hung my unmentionables so they are OK. And, this morning was the first time that I washed my teeth with a washcloth, because my toothbrush is in my other bag. But, all is not lost. They're supposed to be delivering my bag today at 1:00. Please pray that it all works out. So, that was my first half day in San Fran., which by the way is a pleasant, cool 58-72 degrees. What a difference from NC. There isn't even air conditioning where we are staying for these first three days before we leave for Beijing, nor is there a TV. But, it's all good. We are staying in a center that used to be a Catholic Convent, that is currently used for recovering alcoholics and other people on retreats. I find that very interesting. And it's very quiet. I have some pics attached. Well, I'll end this one here and keep you in suspense until my next update. Pray for me and my group and I will do the same for you all. Off to breakfast!

Tamara