Our last day has been busy and adventurous. My late-night packing needs leave me short on time for the blog, but I know everyone will be leaving grateful for the kindness of the host families, our tour guides, the Bayi students and staff, and the people of Beijing. Without them we could not have had such memorable and rewarding week.
Monday, April 22, 2013
April 18 Sé
Today we traveled to the Great Wall. Although you hear stories about it and see pictures, nothing can really compare to standing at the highest peak and seeing miles in every direction. Standing on a wall made in the Ming Dynasty, it was incredible. I accomplished my goal of running up the Great Wall of China, which turned out to be a challenge due to the steep slopes.
Even though being so far away from home might be a mission, my host family created such an environment that it made me feel welcome. They make special Chinese dishes for me which shows their willingness to make this trip memorable. I'm having a great time connecting with my host and look forward for them to come visit us in America.
April 18 Photos
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| Great Wall celebrity |
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| Great Wall climbing |
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| Great Wall snacking |
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| Dumplings after the Great Wall |
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| Gossiping at Pizza Hut dinner |
April 17 Kylee
Today we visited the Migrant Workers School. The trip was delightful however it was hard to enjoy the cute faces of the boys and girls when you saw their conditions. With only a tuition of $200 a year, there is little money to put into supplies. The surrounding neighborhood is extremely poor and it reflects in their school. The classrooms are small, rundown, and falling apart. The playground is old, with nothing but two ping pong tables, two basketball nets (without the nets) and a piles of wood and trash. Despite this, the children enjoy what they have and make do. It's both sad but also inspiring. The visit was an effective way for some of us to truly appreciate what we have.
April 17 Photos
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| Tai chi showdown |
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| Grade 7 English class |
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| Grade 7 English class |
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| Donating dictionaries at the migrant worker school |
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| 'Duck duck goose' at the migrant worker school |
April 16 Ben
The trip to the Summer Palace was wonderful! It was peaceful to walk along the roads that the emperor had walked long ago... The history here in China is an immense and powerful thing (very moving)... The stories and the history you can see before your eyes is a wonderful gift that we are so lucky to experience!
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