Where Are They?

LGUHS

ASOP

FREEMAN

We are a third of the way!

Yep, today marks the 1/3 point of the journey. Day 11 of 32 days. Cool, huh? Just about now, the excitement and emotions of the first few days have now settled in to feeling like the kids have been gone for a long time. This middle part of the trip is the hardest. We’ll all stick together and get through this middle phase and then we can begin our famous countdown in another ten days.

What are our world travelers up to today:

Wednesday: Visit to the Affiliated Middle School of Qufu Teacher's University and a visit to the Confucius Temple and Confucius Residence
 

A trip to Confucius Temple and Residence is on tap for today. Here is a link for the history of Confucius Temple. Here is a map of Qufu, to give you a better idea of where they are and where they are going.

Okay, we have lots of photos and reports today, so let’s get right to them. First up is a student report from one of the birthday girls

So, without further ado . . . here’s Sophie!
 

April 3, 2007 -- Sophie Glickman, Sophomore

Today, like every other day, has been a first in many ways. In all honesty, it has not been one of my favorite days: I’m feeling tired and sick. Even in my current state of discomfort, though, I am able to see how unique this day really is and what an amazing thing we are part of.

Today is our first full day on the campus of Qufu Teachers University. It was also the first time we’ve rehearsed our show since we’ve been here; the first time we haven’t totally embarrassed ourselves singing “For the longest time.”

Several music students and their professor drove three hours [from this University’s other campus near the water where the music program is housed] to lecture on and play traditional Chinese instruments for us today, and it was the first time I’d seen many if these instruments or heard the enticing, sometimes mournful, sometimes joyous songs that seemed to flow effortlessly from them. 

Today may have been the first time I’ve been so close to such disciplined, young, talented, motivated musicians.

It’s definitely the first time Nicole and I have been serenaded with “Happy Birthday” played on exotic, traditional Chinese instruments: The first time (and I will speak for Nicole now, though I don’t really know for sure) we’ve each been presented with our own huge flowery green [Nicole’s] and yellow [mine] cakes and paper Happy Birthday crowns with Chinese characters on them.

I don’t feel great and I haven’t been in the best mood to enjoy this day, but I can still appreciate the experiences we are having and understand how different this program is and what amazing, unusual things we are experiencing.

--Sophie
 

We hope by now that Sophie is back to feeling chipper and going strong. Here’s Ann bringing us up to date . . .

Sophie is feeling better today. The cake must hold a cure. At a very interesting lecture this morning on China’s education system we were given brochures by our hosts at the University high school were visiting. In one is a photo of Journey East 2002 in performance and, on another page, a halftone of Sue Jones and the ASOP teachers’ group she was here with a few years ago. In another brochure is a photo of Journey East 2004 showing, among others, Callie Sopper and Johnny Redmond, who have studied with School Year Abroad/Beijing and Torie Gervais who’s currently at Wesleyan involved in, among other pursuits, East Asian studies. How ‘bout that? [Ann]

Since 2000, the many Journey East trips to China, along with the many visits to the United States by our Chinese and Mongolian friends, have played, and continue to play, a role in our ongoing international relationships. Our students continue to be magnificent ambassadors here and abroad, sharing their knowledge and experiences as a result of their Journey East involvement. It is one thing to read and learn about China life -- it is entirely different to live it!

And now, to introduce today’s photos, here’s our fearless leader . . . Tom!

[The first batch of photos below is from] the morning session at the Attached Middle School of Qufu Teacher's University, including interaction with Chinese students in an English class plus basketball, soccer, jump rope, etc., all taken at the school.

There were one or two very good players with the Chinese team. We tried to get the Chinese girls to play but that didn't happen. It appears as though basketball is okay for them to play but soccer, at least on this day and at this school, is not. [Tom]
 

Learning and Playing...
Together

The afternoon saw visits to Confucius' Mansion, Temple and Forest, where students [were able to shop for gifts]. It was a good day all the way around. Kids who were under the weather are starting to come around. Ian is definitely feeling better, as is Ryan. Louise was down for a day but has bounced back this evening. Glad that things are improving.[Tom]

It seems that this point in the trip usually results in a few of the students becoming ill. Not sure why. Tom commented on many Mongolian students falling ill in the first week of their visits to the U.S. Hope all that is out of their systems now and everyone is back in shape.

As Tom mentioned above, the group toured Confucius’ Temple, and Forest (see link mentioned earlier for map of Qufu). Let’s take a look at those photos.
 

Confucius’ Mansion, Temple, and Forest

The group performs for the first time Tomorrow. They will put on a joint performance with students of the east Vocational College. Looking forward to seeing those photos!

It looks like the gang has some really nice weather in Qufu right now -- 60s and 70s. Sure beats the snow we had this morning!

Enjoy the day everybody!