China!
My apologies if you're reading this twice, but the internet is pricey....kinda, i'm on a budget, and its just a copy of an email sent out to some people. Miss everyone and hope everything is good, as china is fantabulous!!!!!!!
I'm sitting in an internet cafe and the internet is 1 yaun per minute (roughly 8 cents a minute) so excuse the haste in which this is written. The flight over to china was good, and I met around 40 members of the GYLS confrence that I am here with, though by the fourteen hours, the cramped quarters were a bit much and the grim custom officials and squat toilets were a welcoming sight.
Beijing was a very good experience, as the city is crazier than NYC. The drivers are the worst I have ever seen and the city seems to stretch on for forever. The food was nice for the first few days, but the the novelity of chinese food (or just food here in this case...) is beginning to wear off, although I am quite proficeint at using chopsticks now. The great wall was nothing short of magnificent. We lucked out on the weather the day we went, as it was a perfect temperature and clear skys. Typically the wall cannot be seen streaching into the distance due to smog, but it could be seen dissappearing into the horizon. Climbing the wall was enough exercise to cover me for the rest of the trip, as at times it was as steep as a ladder, with uneven steps, and a slanting platform. I thought they were kidding that the walk back down was the hardest, but they weren't. Other highlites of the city were embassys we visited, and the seeing the minister of foreign affairs speak, not to mention the Peiking Duck, one served with the head still on (I guess he Aflacked on too many times) and the other not, as well as our free evening at leisure at which we are allowed to explore the cities on our own. Its nice to go out with a very small group and absorb the culture in a restaruant or tea house without giving off the 'stupid american' vibe.
The flight from Beijing to Xi'an was delayed, crowded, and beyond turbulent, and a guy in my group had an allergic reaction to a snack on the flight, and I was asked to help give an epi-pen. (who'd of though camp counselor training would actually be used in real life emergencies?) So the flight was a memorable event at least.(and yes Neej is okay now)
Today was my first full day in Xi'an, and we're staying in a 5 star hotel. It is the most luxurious setting you could ask for. The food is also much better in this city with more veggies and options. Though the population is over 7 million, it has a humble feel, as there aren't as many high rises, things arent as hectic, and the area surrounding it is farmland, as well as the history that the city contains (it is over 3,000 years old.).
We saw the Terra Cotta warriors today, which was another awe inspiring sight as well it should be, being a world wonder. The thousands of life sized warriors, horses, chariots, and the suspicion of the size of the temple and burial chamber beneath (which is supposed to have a mercury river - test have shown the mercury content is high so its probable) show hope that once excavated, we will have an 8th world wonder. Though I must admit, after seeing the great wall, this sight was not quite as impressive....
I've attended a tea ceremony, and will be coming home with Oolong tea, as well as black leechy tea with roses, and many other goodies, though I am looking forward to Shanghai where the market places are supposed to be remarkable, and it is the place to get good jade.
I hope everyone is well and in good health, as I am doing fine here.
I miss you all, and see you soon!
I'm sitting in an internet cafe and the internet is 1 yaun per minute (roughly 8 cents a minute) so excuse the haste in which this is written. The flight over to china was good, and I met around 40 members of the GYLS confrence that I am here with, though by the fourteen hours, the cramped quarters were a bit much and the grim custom officials and squat toilets were a welcoming sight.
Beijing was a very good experience, as the city is crazier than NYC. The drivers are the worst I have ever seen and the city seems to stretch on for forever. The food was nice for the first few days, but the the novelity of chinese food (or just food here in this case...) is beginning to wear off, although I am quite proficeint at using chopsticks now. The great wall was nothing short of magnificent. We lucked out on the weather the day we went, as it was a perfect temperature and clear skys. Typically the wall cannot be seen streaching into the distance due to smog, but it could be seen dissappearing into the horizon. Climbing the wall was enough exercise to cover me for the rest of the trip, as at times it was as steep as a ladder, with uneven steps, and a slanting platform. I thought they were kidding that the walk back down was the hardest, but they weren't. Other highlites of the city were embassys we visited, and the seeing the minister of foreign affairs speak, not to mention the Peiking Duck, one served with the head still on (I guess he Aflacked on too many times) and the other not, as well as our free evening at leisure at which we are allowed to explore the cities on our own. Its nice to go out with a very small group and absorb the culture in a restaruant or tea house without giving off the 'stupid american' vibe.
The flight from Beijing to Xi'an was delayed, crowded, and beyond turbulent, and a guy in my group had an allergic reaction to a snack on the flight, and I was asked to help give an epi-pen. (who'd of though camp counselor training would actually be used in real life emergencies?) So the flight was a memorable event at least.(and yes Neej is okay now)
Today was my first full day in Xi'an, and we're staying in a 5 star hotel. It is the most luxurious setting you could ask for. The food is also much better in this city with more veggies and options. Though the population is over 7 million, it has a humble feel, as there aren't as many high rises, things arent as hectic, and the area surrounding it is farmland, as well as the history that the city contains (it is over 3,000 years old.).
We saw the Terra Cotta warriors today, which was another awe inspiring sight as well it should be, being a world wonder. The thousands of life sized warriors, horses, chariots, and the suspicion of the size of the temple and burial chamber beneath (which is supposed to have a mercury river - test have shown the mercury content is high so its probable) show hope that once excavated, we will have an 8th world wonder. Though I must admit, after seeing the great wall, this sight was not quite as impressive....
I've attended a tea ceremony, and will be coming home with Oolong tea, as well as black leechy tea with roses, and many other goodies, though I am looking forward to Shanghai where the market places are supposed to be remarkable, and it is the place to get good jade.
I hope everyone is well and in good health, as I am doing fine here.
I miss you all, and see you soon!