I'm back at school in my final semester.. but I'm missing China very much so... Especially its weather after this -50 degree stuff we've been having.
When I last left you all you were sitting
at the edge of your seats wondering what happened after our Friday in
Macau... that is... if you made it through my obnoxiously long blog :)
Anyway,
that Saturday and Sunday were spent in a near by city called Shenzhen.
This city was pretty amazing for this very interesting and basic fact:
30 years ago, this city had a population of around 150,000 and
now--it's bigger than New York City!
After waking up early... we
took a 2 hour bus ride to get there and stopped at a building where you
could go to the top, to the 69 floor I believe, and take a look out to
see the whole city. The view was amazing and stunning. I thought it
funny, though, that when I looked right, there were many building and
skyscrapers but when I looked left, there seemed to be nothing there,
except little ponds or something--I couldn't really make it out. But
none-the-less, it looked wonderful. Later that day we also went to a
large electronics store... a very popular, large electronic stores.
After roaming around the first two floors, my friends and I became
overwhelmed and uninterested with what they were selling because it
seemed like they were parts specific to motherboards and what not... we
later then learned that anything we would have wanted was on the 3rd
floor and up. That's okay though, God knows I don't need anymore
electronics, that's for sure! And also that day, we went to this
wonderful tourist park where we got to walk around and take part in a
lot of pictures. Pictures that we took of ourselves and pictures that
other had taken of us. It seems as though the Caucasian race is not one
they had seen very often, but never-the-less, we amused them and
participated in their picture taking. Some even got in the pictures
with us. I was definitely amused. After a fun filled day, we retreated
to our "interesting" hotel. Here we ate supper and hung out as a
group--some of the Koreans even got a message at the hotel. Our group
didn't participate because we were promised those back in Zhuhai.
The
next day, Sunday, we went to Splendid China... which is a theme park
that shows the different aspects of China. I believe it was referred to
as Little China. We went to the Great Wall of China... granted you
could walk this one in 15 minutes, but it was still nice to see a
replica of it. We walked all around and ended with most of the group
taking pictures with Chinese clothing on. Everyone looked wonderful in
their new style of clothing, and Samarah even looked a little Chinese,
no joke. After Splendid China, we headed home. Sunday evening we went
to a message parlor in town and received a two hour full body message
for a mere $55 yuan. I would like to point out that the conversion into
american dollars is a little less than $8!!! Some of us got cupping
done... I being one of them--sort of. I let the woman put two of them
on me--but I was just too uncomfortable and told her to finish with
those and then I would be done. However, I feel I should have kept
going because the top part of my back felt wonderful the next day.
Sigh, oh well, maybe next time.
Monday was our last full day in
Zhuhai and we spent the day going on an historical tour of the city. I
was sad to say that I didn't feel very well the whole day but tried to
participate as much as possible. Our first stop was at a village where
we got to see various animals walking around and the families even
doing their laundry in the streets. I took many pictures and was amazed
at how they lived--in such close proximity to each other--side by side.
After spending some time walking around, we caught a bit of a show. I
don't remember what it was called, but it was a guy who was basically
doing a magic trick. I didn't really catch on right away but after a
while I noticed that his masks kept changing in a flash of a
milisecond. He would raise and lower his arm and bam! it had changed.
I'm assuming all the masks were kept up in his headdress, but I
honestly don't know. We also visited, what we called the Lady of the
Lake... however, the real translation is the Zhuhai Pearl Lady I
believe. She was amazing and beautiful and just a little bit off the
shore. Some of us had visited her at night and when we walked out to
her, the waves would lightly splash on us. After visiting her, we went
to the fish market. I was not brave enough to look around as I was not
feeling well, but I heard all about what was inside. Huge oysters,
lobsters and of course fish. And the not so appealing stuff, like dogs,
cats, and goats. I wasn't so pleased to see those pictures as I wanted
to save all of them and keep them for myself, as pets... and not as
food. After the fish market, we headed to a palace for the remainder of
the tour. Upon getting there we got to see the second half of a show.
I couldn't understand it but there was a beautiful woman who got
married... and upon getting married, she had to give gifts to those
around her. I'm not sure of the significance, but it was nice to see
all the costumes and the dancing. We walked around this whole place and
even participated in this maze--and in the middle was a refreshing
stone arch thing where we all sat and talked for a little while.
Sometimes its good just to take everything in and sit there and look at
what has been so greatly laid before you. Who knew, during my senior
year of college, I would be in China?
Tuesday we were headed
back to Hong Kong. I was sad to go and our Chinese friends and leaders
were sad to see us go--as some tears were shed by some of our group and
some of them. They said they would come visit us in the states--so
we're going to keep them to their word. Luckily for facebook we can
keep in wonderful contact with them. Once back in Hong Kong, a lot of
us were exhausted from the whole trip over and just going, going, going
everyday--we just needed a long nap--in which most of us participated.
We woke up in time for supper. Blake, Abby and I ate in the middle of
the street at the night market. It was a great experience (minus the
drunken german men next to us who thought they were better than
everyone else in the world). Before and after supper we shopped around
for some last minute souvenirs and then made our way--after many hours
at the market--back to the hotel.
Sadly, our time is up in
China and we made it back safely--and if you haven't heard--we made it
back by means of flying business class!!!!! Basically, our flight was
overbooked and we had to be rerouted--and to compensate us for the
trouble, we were given business class. Let me tell you, once you go
business, you never go back. I had a very peaceful and relaxing flight
home I can't even begin to explain it.
After trying to get back
on Central time--which I'm not succeeding at this very moment--I can
honestly say that my time in China was amazing and I definitely hope to
go back some day... Mainly, to check out the other popular cities, such
as Beijing and Shanghai--and to visit those who I've met during my time
here!
Final thoughts:
I was definitely blessed to have this
opportunity and am grateful to those who I met in China and grateful
for those who traveled with me. I couldn't have asked for a better
group of companions and I definitely hope this J Term China study
abroad continues because I will definitely recommend it to everyone!
Thank you for reading.
Wendy
