Created at Leland & Gray High School in Townshend, Vermont, supported by the Asian Studies Outreach Program (ASOP) at the University of Vermont (UVM), and funded primarily through a grant from the Freeman Foundation,

Journey East, as a whole, consists of the Asian Studies Academy and Sino-American Performing Arts Exchange at Leland and Gray Union High School; the integration of an Asian Studies curriculum throughout the Windham Central Supervisory Union, and the introduction of Chinese language programs into the district.

Dr. Juefei Wang, Director of the Asian Studies Outreach Program University of Vermont, is a recipient of the prestigious Goldman Sachs Award for Excellence in International education, on behalf of the UVM, Asian Studies Outreach Program.

The Leland and Gray Journey East program is deeply indebted, and extends its heartfelt thanks, to Dr. Juefei Wang, without whose effort and support this program would not even be possible!

Thank you Juefei!

Good morning, afternoon, and evening -- wherever you are.

We have another huge day today, including photos of yesterday’s calligraphy class, shots of the trip to Shimen Hill, some fascinating pictures of everyone out and about in Qufu, and Michelle Dolan’s report for April 6. So grab yourself a cold Diet Pepsi and settle back, we’ve got a show for you today. Let’s start with the always popular calligraphy class . . .
 

Look at all those attentive faces. Hmmmm . . .

Okay, everybody, please bear with me today. This will be a rather lengthy page because of the many pictures we have, but also because I have to share something with you and it is appropriate that it be shared today..

This journey will provide a lifetime of “special moments” for the kids. Beyond all of the obvious moments (the performances, interaction with the students, bonding with classmates, seeing the historical sights, the delicious and unusual foods, the unique shopping, etc.), there will be experiences like yesterday’s spontaneous bicycle outing that will stand out above the others. For weeks, even months, after your child comes home, you will hear about all of these moments. Something will happen or be said and your child will be reminded of a moment that occurred in China. Each kid will have a different moment that sticks with them and basically defines their journey.

We hope this web journey helps you see some of these moments as they happen. You’ll see them in the pictures, and you’ll read them in the reports. We are getting a rare chance to see inside these kids. This is a very special thing.

Now, you can expect all of this from the kids, especially being bombarded with so many experiences and this being their first time in China. Who wouldn’t be in awe of everything they do and see?

But Tom? Tom has been to China so many times, he needs a couple more feet to count all the trips on his hands and toes. He’s seen it all, he’s done it all. Been there, done that, right? Nothing fazes this guy. He’s rock solid. Well, don’t you believe it for a moment. Journey East is so successful because Tom is so passionate about the kids, the program, China, and the importance of this exchange to not only our school, community, and state, but for the future of our world.

Tom never loses sight of the little things. It is because of his big heart and ability to stay keen on what’s really important in this life, the program remains dedicated to teaching these young people to appreciate all they have and all they can give.

I bring all of this up because this is a day when we get to see and experience one of those moments I spoke of above. It is not one of the kids’ moments, it is one of Tom’s. I warn you that the story you are about read and the photos you will see will touch you deep inside. This is the stuff that makes Leland & Gray’s Journey East so powerful.

And so, here’s Tom . . .

I included some photos of our hour and a half downtown. It is important that people out there realize that China is not all calligraphy, beautiful mountains, great food and exotica.

[This] little girl in the pink, broke my heart. I'm sitting here typing this in tears as I realize once again that this beautiful young person doesn't have a chance. None. She was on the street with her grandfather, watching kids on a ride that you might see at a carnival. Her clothes were ragged, her face was caked in dirt as were her hands and feet. I stopped and spent a few minutes with her and her grandfather. Pinned a Vermont lapel pin on her jacket and held her hand. I really don't know what else to say.

I hope that our kids are seeing and feeling this; that they will be moved to act in some way to make this world a better place where opportunity exists for everyone. Our education is so sanitized, so clean, so emotionless. Our students are having the opportunity to see how a good part of the world lives, not through pages in a book but up front and very personal.
 

Tom would never be able tell this story without breaking down. Just writing about it was difficult. He cares so much about the kids. Seeing this photo and reading this story gives us pause to appreciate what we do have in our lives. All of the students from the previous journeys east came home with this powerful awareness. Your kids will too.

Okay . . . thank you for allowing that to happen. I know you are all anxious to see today’s marvelous pictures. And today, like every day of this adventure, they are no less than spectacular.

Let’s see some photos of the hill climb, read Michelle’s report, and then finish with the pictures of downtown Qufu.

We visited a private college; owned by a wealthy Taiwanese businessperson.  The president, who we spent a lot of time with, is an ABC (American-born Chinese)  Had great conversation with him and with another gentleman, Harold Pei. Mr. Pei is a famous calligrapher and poet. He sang a Li Bai poem for Jessie and me at the base of the mountain where Tang Dynasty poets Li Bai and Du Fu met. Jessie spent the morning with me and the other big potatoes as she didn't feel well and wasn't up to climbing the "hill." Some hill! We also spent time with students in the art department and two students gave me four watercolors as a gift, which I fell in love with as soon as I laid eyes on them. We hope to establish a relationship with this school for future visits. The photos on the mountain today were taken by Juefei's nephew, Hu Jia.

“Hey Adam, I can see your house from here!”

And now let’s hear from Michelle as she shares her day “on the hill.” Michelle . . .

Michelle Dolan, Junior
April 6, 2005

Today we went to a college in a more rural part of Qufu. The English teachers there and some of their students gave us a warm welcome before we all set out for Shimen Hill -- a famous mountain in this area. Each of our students was accompanied by at least one or two Chinese students. They were very excited about speaking with us, since they had not often had the chance to speak to anyone whose first language was English. They all spoke English very well.

The scenery on the hike up Shimen Hill was very beautiful. One of the students was telling me about how -- in the summer -- the trees are all very green, and there is a stream at which you should wash your face (doing so will improve one’s health and beauty.) Today, though, the stream was nonexistent. We also passed a well called “Sleeping Dragon Well,” where it is said a dragon lives.

The animal garden was really cool, as well. It was full of stone statues of the animals of the Chinese zodiac -- in correct order, too, I think. The temple we stopped at on the way up was where the great poet [of the Tang dynasty], LiBai [701–762 AD] said good bye to his colleague, Dufu. The atmosphere on the mountain was very peaceful and soothing (to me, anyway). Although one student’s knee prevented her from completing the hike and a few people stayed behind with her, others took several pictures and video clips to share the view and excitement at arriving at the peak.

Once we arrived back at the campus and had eaten, the students eagerly
brought us to their art galleries to view their artwork. They have very talented and skillful painters and graphic designers! Ali and I found some of the artwork to be rather disturbing. We asked one of the English students why there were posters of people, including babies, who’d been injured very badly, and she told us they were graphic art works based on disastrous earthquakes. They had, I think -- though I could be wrong -- set up a disaster relief fund [for the benefit of victims]. Once I understood that, the works seemed less disturbing. We sang “stand by me” and recited a poem by LiBai before saying our final goodbyes.

Before returning to Qufu Normal University, we went to a market in downtown Qufu. We had to find our way across the street, which can be very difficult, because pedestrians are at the bottom of the food chain, it seems. But once that task was accomplished, it was very exciting to explore the different stores. All the stores had back doors to a flea market type place that was all indoors, interesting and unlike any other place I’ve been. When we got back and after we’d eaten dinner, we had a session to register for courses for next year. Then we were given free time to explore the campus. Some of us went to check out the little shops on campus [they’re an odd and intriguing assortment], others to play sports, others to meet new people.

Wow, that was quite a report. A journey doesn’t go by without comments made about the Chinese drivers. This is the first reference, however, to pedestrians being at the bottom of the food chain. Based on what I’ve heard though, that’s an accurate account!

We’ll finish the day with a bunch of photos of the downtown excursion. Enjoy . . .
 

Big day. Ray (bottom left two) must be telling ESPNChina about his ping pong prowess and signing autographs for fans. The paparazzi just won’t leave him alone! As you can see to our left, we are nearing the end of the line. (okay, so that’s a bit corny, but then you’re getting used to it, aren’t you? Aren’t you?)

Now get some rest ‘cause I’m sure tomorrow will be another full one. The kids will have a free morning.  They’ll visit the Qufu Teacher School in the afternoon and rehearse for their joint performance, which takes place later in the evening. By the way, have you been keeping tabs on the weather in Qufu? Looks like the 70s is the call for the day. Nice.

I know, you just can’t get enough, but that’s it for today. We have just twenty more days of this exciting adventure ahead of us. A couple more days in Qufu, a day in Jinan, and then off to Xi’an to see the famous Terra Cotta warriors.

Thank you Tom . . .