Saturday, July 11, 2009 10:26AM
Hello all,
Today was a great day. We visited different institutions, and surprisingly we had to do an individual presentation, which we didn't know about, to a class of about 40 teachers about K-12 Education and American Culture. There were two 1 hour sessions. Talk about overwhelmed! Well, we first got over the initial shock and I think we did pretty well. Of course afterwards everyone wanted to take pictures of all of us. They even asked us for our autographs, which was a little weird. But, we did feel extra special. This lasted from morning till afternoon. Then we had the rest of the day off. I went shopping with a few of the girls from the program, and afterwards we went to Pizza Hut for dinner! What a welcomed change. I am almost to my limit with Chinese food. I don't think that I'll want it again for at least a year after we return, or maybe more! Well, tomorrow is the big day for our train ride. Our director told us that we only have two minutes to get off of the train after it stops, so we're not too happy about that. We also have to keep our luggage in the car with us and there is a possibility that we will not be in the same car. And, people supposedly smoke, drink, and walk around scantily clad in the cars. And, there is a possibility that there will be men in some of our cars! I don't like the sound of that, but I'm hoping for the best. Well, I'll try to write again in about two days. I'm sure that I'll have some interesting stories for you about the train. We've already been briefed about the toilet situation, which I will not mention right now. Well, hasta luego!
Tamara
Hello all,
Today was a great day. We visited different institutions, and surprisingly we had to do an individual presentation, which we didn't know about, to a class of about 40 teachers about K-12 Education and American Culture. There were two 1 hour sessions. Talk about overwhelmed! Well, we first got over the initial shock and I think we did pretty well. Of course afterwards everyone wanted to take pictures of all of us. They even asked us for our autographs, which was a little weird. But, we did feel extra special. This lasted from morning till afternoon. Then we had the rest of the day off. I went shopping with a few of the girls from the program, and afterwards we went to Pizza Hut for dinner! What a welcomed change. I am almost to my limit with Chinese food. I don't think that I'll want it again for at least a year after we return, or maybe more! Well, tomorrow is the big day for our train ride. Our director told us that we only have two minutes to get off of the train after it stops, so we're not too happy about that. We also have to keep our luggage in the car with us and there is a possibility that we will not be in the same car. And, people supposedly smoke, drink, and walk around scantily clad in the cars. And, there is a possibility that there will be men in some of our cars! I don't like the sound of that, but I'm hoping for the best. Well, I'll try to write again in about two days. I'm sure that I'll have some interesting stories for you about the train. We've already been briefed about the toilet situation, which I will not mention right now. Well, hasta luego!
Tamara
Friday, July 10, 2009 04:52AM EST
More China News
Hello all,
I just learned that there was an earthquake in Hunan Province yesterday that killed many people and destroyed almost 10,000 homes. DON'T WORRY!!!! That is far away from us, and we are not going to go there. It does seem that everything happens in China, but China is huge. It is a little bigger than the U.S, so just imagine being in N.C. and there being an earthquake in Las Angeles. It's the same sort of comparison. We are in a very mountainous region and away from the coastline, so there are no big faults and there is not a potential for some kind of typhoon (hurricane) or another. Today was a relatively easy day. We went to a little village about an hour and a half away from our hotel. It was quite quaint. It was a village of artists. Painters, sculptors, food artists. We visited an art gallery of a world renown painter. I forgot her name (I have her card) but she was awesome. One of our members bought about six paintings. She also did a demonstration for us while we were there. She actually painted a picture in front of us. It is the picture of the panda bears. After that we had lunch in the home of one of the food chefs. She gave us a tour of her home, which by Chinese standards was a nice home. The beds are flat and hard. Actually it's a raised platform, of wood and brick. And, there's a compartment underneath the bed for hot stones or brick to keep the bed warm. The bathroom also had a western toilet, which we loved and there was no shower. The bathroom was the shower. There was a showerhead hookup on the wall. I have included pictures for your viewing pleasure. After the tour she made us lunch. Let me tell you, you have not had noodles like the ones that this lady prepared. I didn't know noodles could taste that good. She made them. FROM SCRATCH! She rolled out the dough, cut them, boiled them, right there. It was so interesting. I thought that I may be able to do that at home, but I think that I'll leave that to the professionals! :) And so now, we're back at the hotel awaiting dinner and preparing for our next destination. We don't leave until Sunday night, but the train service is coming to get our bags tomorrow, so we have to pack tonight. You know how I am about my bags. I need some of your prayers now, that we arrive safely and that all of our things arrive safely with us. Well, I'll end this one for now. Until next time.
Tamara
Thursday, July 09, 2009 07:56PM EST
More China News
Hello all,
I just learned that there was an earthquake in Hunan Province yesterday that killed many people and destroyed almost 10,000 homes. DON'T WORRY!!!! That is far away from us, and we are not going to go there. It does seem that everything happens in China, but China is huge. It is a little bigger than the U.S, so just imagine being in N.C. and there being an earthquake in Las Angeles. It's the same sort of comparison. We are in a very mountainous region and away from the coastline, so there are no big faults and there is not a potential for some kind of typhoon (hurricane) or another. Today was a relatively easy day. We went to a little village about an hour and a half away from our hotel. It was quite quaint. It was a village of artists. Painters, sculptors, food artists. We visited an art gallery of a world renown painter. I forgot her name (I have her card) but she was awesome. One of our members bought about six paintings. She also did a demonstration for us while we were there. She actually painted a picture in front of us. It is the picture of the panda bears. After that we had lunch in the home of one of the food chefs. She gave us a tour of her home, which by Chinese standards was a nice home. The beds are flat and hard. Actually it's a raised platform, of wood and brick. And, there's a compartment underneath the bed for hot stones or brick to keep the bed warm. The bathroom also had a western toilet, which we loved and there was no shower. The bathroom was the shower. There was a showerhead hookup on the wall. I have included pictures for your viewing pleasure. After the tour she made us lunch. Let me tell you, you have not had noodles like the ones that this lady prepared. I didn't know noodles could taste that good. She made them. FROM SCRATCH! She rolled out the dough, cut them, boiled them, right there. It was so interesting. I thought that I may be able to do that at home, but I think that I'll leave that to the professionals! :) And so now, we're back at the hotel awaiting dinner and preparing for our next destination. We don't leave until Sunday night, but the train service is coming to get our bags tomorrow, so we have to pack tonight. You know how I am about my bags. I need some of your prayers now, that we arrive safely and that all of our things arrive safely with us. Well, I'll end this one for now. Until next time.
Tamara
Thursday, July 09, 2009 07:56PM EST
Major Eathquake in China
Hello all!
I hope that you all are doing excellent. I can’t complain. Today was an adventurous day. We began the day with a bike ride around the city wall. It was a loooooooooooooooong way, about 7 miles. It was fun though. It brought back childhood memories. We were like little kids on those bikes. We then went to a little shopping area and bought a few things. The area was really nice and the people that were selling things didn’t hassle us at all. Usually we’re bombarded by people and we can’t get out, or we have to push the vendors out of the way to move on. But they were like ok, if you like it you buy and if you don’t it’s ok. You would not imagine the things that we have to go through at most markets to buy wares and things. After that we came back to the hotel for lunch, and then a few girls and I went to the town square for a little free time. Oh, what an adventure. We first went to the post office to mail some things back home, which I did not but I’m kicking myself now because my bag is extremely heavy. After that we broke off and three of us went to Starbucks. It was sooooooooooooooooo nice and cool. And, the bathroom had toilet paper and it was a western toilet and not a squat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh we were in heaven. After that we went to the Muslim quarter, which was really interesting. There were signs in both Arabic and Chinese and women wearing head scarves and men wearing their Muslim hats (I forget what they’re called). It was quite a cultural experience. There was also a mosque there. It was definitely a different culture within a culture. Soon after, we went to McDonald’s, which was a welcome change for all of us from Chinese food. We then proceeded to take a taxi back to the hotel, which was a task in itself. Firstly, we waited for about 10 minutes politely. But when people started jumping in front of us to steal taxis we had to be a bit more aggressive. Soon, we caught on and jumped in front and made our way into one. The driver was not so happy when we showed him our hotel card. I was yelling at us to get out of his taxi, but we refused to move. Eventually he took off and screamed and yelled things at us, and at people in the streets the whole way back to the hotel. It’s a good thing that we didn’t know Chinese because I’m sure that we would have gotten an earful. He got over it though was we kept on talking and didn’t pay him any more attention. What an event. We made it back safely to our hotel and he actually smiled and waved us goodbye. Talk about multiple personalities. A few minutes earlier he was Dr. Jekyl and then all of a sudden Mr. Hyde. (That may be reversed, but you know what I mean.) And that was my day. Pretty eventful, huh. Oh, and another thing that was brought to my attention when I called home the other day was the Uygur situation. Let me tell you how while in China, you only know about the good things that are going on. We don’t see at all what you see there, so we have absolutely no idea of how serious things are. We have seen bits and pieces of things on T.V. and have seen a few things in the paper, but it is not presented as this huge thing. Actually, the way that we see it, is that it is no big deal and that the Chinese government is in control and things will be resolved quickly. Strange huh. And, consequently, I guess, J facebook, all blogspots, google, and a fair amount of other websites have been shut down here. Hmmmm. Also, a few of the girls were watching T.V. two mornings in a row and when the newscasters began to comment on the Uygur uprising the screen went black for about 15 seconds, BOTH TIMES! Coincidence? You be the judge. And, the other night some of the girls went close to the Muslim qtr. and they were asked for their passports by the police. Luckily, one of our guides were with them and he could vouch for them. I find it all very interesting. Well I won’t say anything else about that. It’s time for bed so I’m going to skidaddle. Don’t worry, we are doing fine and no one is being either detained or quarantined. Until next time!
Tamara
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 07:46PM EST
Hello all!
I hope that you all are doing excellent. I can’t complain. Today was an adventurous day. We began the day with a bike ride around the city wall. It was a loooooooooooooooong way, about 7 miles. It was fun though. It brought back childhood memories. We were like little kids on those bikes. We then went to a little shopping area and bought a few things. The area was really nice and the people that were selling things didn’t hassle us at all. Usually we’re bombarded by people and we can’t get out, or we have to push the vendors out of the way to move on. But they were like ok, if you like it you buy and if you don’t it’s ok. You would not imagine the things that we have to go through at most markets to buy wares and things. After that we came back to the hotel for lunch, and then a few girls and I went to the town square for a little free time. Oh, what an adventure. We first went to the post office to mail some things back home, which I did not but I’m kicking myself now because my bag is extremely heavy. After that we broke off and three of us went to Starbucks. It was sooooooooooooooooo nice and cool. And, the bathroom had toilet paper and it was a western toilet and not a squat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh we were in heaven. After that we went to the Muslim quarter, which was really interesting. There were signs in both Arabic and Chinese and women wearing head scarves and men wearing their Muslim hats (I forget what they’re called). It was quite a cultural experience. There was also a mosque there. It was definitely a different culture within a culture. Soon after, we went to McDonald’s, which was a welcome change for all of us from Chinese food. We then proceeded to take a taxi back to the hotel, which was a task in itself. Firstly, we waited for about 10 minutes politely. But when people started jumping in front of us to steal taxis we had to be a bit more aggressive. Soon, we caught on and jumped in front and made our way into one. The driver was not so happy when we showed him our hotel card. I was yelling at us to get out of his taxi, but we refused to move. Eventually he took off and screamed and yelled things at us, and at people in the streets the whole way back to the hotel. It’s a good thing that we didn’t know Chinese because I’m sure that we would have gotten an earful. He got over it though was we kept on talking and didn’t pay him any more attention. What an event. We made it back safely to our hotel and he actually smiled and waved us goodbye. Talk about multiple personalities. A few minutes earlier he was Dr. Jekyl and then all of a sudden Mr. Hyde. (That may be reversed, but you know what I mean.) And that was my day. Pretty eventful, huh. Oh, and another thing that was brought to my attention when I called home the other day was the Uygur situation. Let me tell you how while in China, you only know about the good things that are going on. We don’t see at all what you see there, so we have absolutely no idea of how serious things are. We have seen bits and pieces of things on T.V. and have seen a few things in the paper, but it is not presented as this huge thing. Actually, the way that we see it, is that it is no big deal and that the Chinese government is in control and things will be resolved quickly. Strange huh. And, consequently, I guess, J facebook, all blogspots, google, and a fair amount of other websites have been shut down here. Hmmmm. Also, a few of the girls were watching T.V. two mornings in a row and when the newscasters began to comment on the Uygur uprising the screen went black for about 15 seconds, BOTH TIMES! Coincidence? You be the judge. And, the other night some of the girls went close to the Muslim qtr. and they were asked for their passports by the police. Luckily, one of our guides were with them and he could vouch for them. I find it all very interesting. Well I won’t say anything else about that. It’s time for bed so I’m going to skidaddle. Don’t worry, we are doing fine and no one is being either detained or quarantined. Until next time!
Tamara
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 07:46PM EST
Wow! Today we went to the Terra Cotta Warriors museum. What an awesome sight. You have to google this if you don’t know about it. This is a very famous excavation that is still in progress. I believe that it has been in progress for about 40 years or so, but don’t quote me on that. We also went to the place where they make replicas of Terra Cotta warriors. That was pretty fun. We got to take pictures without Terra Cotta heads to make it look like we were the warriors. Today was a good day. We also went to a University for a tour, which was no fun because it was raining. We drove for about an hour and we only stayed for about 30 minutes or so. It was uneventful. But after that, we did come back to the hotel for dinner at around 6:30, and we had a free evening. I’m glad that we’re getting more time lately. More of us are getting sick. I hope that I am not next. Well, there is another Fulbright Group here that just arrived yesterday. We will both be staying here together for about 3 days. Well, guess what happened to them when they arrived in Beijing? QUARANTINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, three of their members were QUARANTINED for SEVEN77777777777777777 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine? They said that they were in a 105 degree room, because the Chinese officials believed that if there is no air ventilation then the SWINE FLU cannot spread, and they had no interaction with anyone except for health officials. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD that that did not happen to us! It was sort of a running joke for us, but for this new group it was a reality! Although we knew that it was a possibility, we didn’t really think that we would be affected. Oh how things are not what they seem. Well, I’m glad that we dodged that bullet. Anyway, enough of that. We’re here now and past that, unless the U.S. begins to quarantine people coming in that display symptoms. J Well, I’m off to bed. Tomorrow we go to ride bikes on the city wall and we are also going to the city square, the famous drum tower is there. Have a good day all.
Tamara
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 07:13AM EST
Hello all,
Things are going well. We are still having a good time. Today was a lecture day, so nothing really exciting happened. Just a bunch of information. It was interesting though. And, we only had two lectures today, so we had the evening off, which we loooooooove. And guess what I'm going to do on my evening off. Yep, you're right. SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't had a good night's sleep in sooooooooo long. We've been getting 5, 6, and sometimes 7 but never more than 8. So, hopefully tonight I can get 8. I would feel so much more energetic. Well, that's about it. Oh yeah, we can see the sky today! Oh, maybe I didn't tell you about that. In Beijing and here in Xian there was and is terrible pollution. On many days you can't even see clear to the sky. But today, we can see clouds and a slightly blue sky. Yeah, I know. It's really crazy. It's sunny, but you just can't make out what's going on up there on some days. OK all. Talk to you soon.
Tamara
Monday, July 6, 2009
Things are going well. We are still having a good time. Today was a lecture day, so nothing really exciting happened. Just a bunch of information. It was interesting though. And, we only had two lectures today, so we had the evening off, which we loooooooove. And guess what I'm going to do on my evening off. Yep, you're right. SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't had a good night's sleep in sooooooooo long. We've been getting 5, 6, and sometimes 7 but never more than 8. So, hopefully tonight I can get 8. I would feel so much more energetic. Well, that's about it. Oh yeah, we can see the sky today! Oh, maybe I didn't tell you about that. In Beijing and here in Xian there was and is terrible pollution. On many days you can't even see clear to the sky. But today, we can see clouds and a slightly blue sky. Yeah, I know. It's really crazy. It's sunny, but you just can't make out what's going on up there on some days. OK all. Talk to you soon.
Tamara
Monday, July 6, 2009
Hello everybody,
Yesterday was a travel day and we went straight to bed after we arrived at the airport, checked into our hotel, and ate dinner. We've had a little time to process everything, so here we are in Xian. Wow! I like Xian. What a fantastic place. Xian is huge. We were driving north for about one hour and we were still in Xian. It is very interesting because it is a mixture of old and new. There is a wall that goes around the city. It is an original wall that was built during the time of the Ming Dynasty about 500 years ago. There is so much history here. There are also tons of shopping malls and historic places to go to. This is the city where we will see the Terra Cotta warriors. We are all very excited about that. This is also the city that the drum tower is located in. I have an excellent picture of that. This morning we went to visit a local primary school. It was excellent. I needed to see some little kids. They were sooooo cute. They had a little parade for us welcoming us to the school. There was a band and everything. They also presented us with gifts. They told us things like, "You are very beautiful", "I love you" and "I will miss you when you go". At first I was extremely moved, but after about the fourth or fifth time from different students I realized that it was a part of the script, which made all of us laugh. But, they were still sweet and cute, and I think genuinely happy to see people that they had never seen before. Little children just brighten up anyone's day. Good little children that is :). We then went to an amazing vegetarian lunch. I must say that the food here is excellent. It's the best that it has been since we have arrived in China. It's not at all extremely spicy and dangerous looking. Although there are still different dishes, you don't feel like you could possibly be sick. The food here is really savory. It's very similar to te food at home actually. After lunch we went to a Chinese Herbal Medicine Museum. It was fascinating. We learned about the different herbs and roots and barks, etc... that the Chinese have been using for years to treat, aid, and heal all kinds of ailments and diseases. The guide said, and I don't know this to be fact, that Licorice Root is proven to reduce the chance of contracting HIV by 98%. I thought that was interesting. After the museum we then went to dinner, which was at the most famous restaurant in Xian. It was a dumpling restaurant. Let me tell you, these dumplings were delicious!!! They're not at all like the dumplings that you taste in Chinese restaurants at home. They were homemade, steamed, real deal dumplings with all kinds of fillings. We of course were served about 17 different kinds (it wouldn't be China if we didn't have a bajillion courses). We then walked around the sqare a bit, which we later found out was the roof of an underground mall! This city is really beautiful at night. All of the historic buildings are lit and of course the modern buildings have huge time square looking screens on them. And, the hotel that we are staying in is FABULOUS! And, that brings us to now. Which, you guessed it, I'm tired, dog tired, but content. So, with that said, I'm going to end this one for now. Actually, I'm going to go to the gym and try to work off some of those dumplings. Wish me luck!
Tamara
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