Memories to last a lifetime
Tonight marks the end of our tour of China...oh and pharmacy rotation :) Professor Hu hosted a farewell dinner last night at Spicy Grandma with the pharmacy folk. A very nice send-off...and very spicy! We gave our final case presentations this afternoon and our attending physician from neurology was there with questions for us :P Doug and I made it out alive, I think.
Our last evening was spent roaming the streets of Xidan. Douglas wanted to see the "egg-shaped building." I think it is a cultural center of some sort right next to Tiananmen. Too bad it wasn't even lit up in fancy colors. On the up side, we were able to browse books at the Beijing Bookstore Mansion--largest state retail bookstore. It has also be noted being the largest bookstore in Asia and the largest Chinese bookstore in the world. No purchases, as I am still behind on reading my books :) Next book on the reading list is "The Last Chinese Chef" and then I will attempt to re-tackle "The Help."
Anyways, our flight leaves BJ at 4pm tomorrow so we will try to make the most out of our day. I must say that I really enjoyed my time here in Beijing and I loved meeting and getting to know the wonderful students and pharmacists. Not so much the strangers on the street soliciting for money or locals who can spit with cunning aim. The language barrier was a slight hurdle for my collegues and even myself sometimes, but everyone at PKU really went out of their way to make us feel welcome. I suppose that's just something to be said about the Chinese culture.
More importantly, I also feel that I was able to connect a little more with my heritage. Being an ABC (American-Born Chinese) from Taiwanese parents, it was sometimes a little difficult to fully identify with one nationality and/or ethnicity. But just being here walking through royal gardens, viewing ancient artwork, and just learning more about the rich history of this country helped reaffirm that I am indeed Chinese too. And China welcomed me home with open arms.
Our last evening was spent roaming the streets of Xidan. Douglas wanted to see the "egg-shaped building." I think it is a cultural center of some sort right next to Tiananmen. Too bad it wasn't even lit up in fancy colors. On the up side, we were able to browse books at the Beijing Bookstore Mansion--largest state retail bookstore. It has also be noted being the largest bookstore in Asia and the largest Chinese bookstore in the world. No purchases, as I am still behind on reading my books :) Next book on the reading list is "The Last Chinese Chef" and then I will attempt to re-tackle "The Help."
Anyways, our flight leaves BJ at 4pm tomorrow so we will try to make the most out of our day. I must say that I really enjoyed my time here in Beijing and I loved meeting and getting to know the wonderful students and pharmacists. Not so much the strangers on the street soliciting for money or locals who can spit with cunning aim. The language barrier was a slight hurdle for my collegues and even myself sometimes, but everyone at PKU really went out of their way to make us feel welcome. I suppose that's just something to be said about the Chinese culture.
More importantly, I also feel that I was able to connect a little more with my heritage. Being an ABC (American-Born Chinese) from Taiwanese parents, it was sometimes a little difficult to fully identify with one nationality and/or ethnicity. But just being here walking through royal gardens, viewing ancient artwork, and just learning more about the rich history of this country helped reaffirm that I am indeed Chinese too. And China welcomed me home with open arms.