Where Are They?

LGUHS

ASOP

FREEMAN

Hi Everybody.

How are you parents holding up? This first week is pretty tough. Still getting used to the “quiet” around the house and not having that breakfast to fix in the morning. But the photos show the kids are having a great time and keeps us feeling as if we are right there with them.

We’ve got a lot of photos to share with you today! The gang is in Chongqing today. We’ll talk more about that later. But now, let’s hear from Tom and then on with the photos!

Here’s Tom:

We had a very busy, exciting but tiring day [Tuesday]. We went to the Temple of Heaven in the morning. I will let the student reporter for the day speak to most of our activities but just want you to know that it is a huge, beautiful park in the middle of Beijing. There were thousands of Beijjingers there this morning and the activities such as dance, tai chi, musical instrument playing, singing, card games, etc etc. were just amazing. I took a few there. I really like the one of Johhny Pozzi and Ryan Astley at the Echo Wall and then the ones following that where the kids are are wide-eyed at hearing the echo of Kyle Francois speaking into the wall at a great distance.

We also visited Tiananmen Square, where some of these photos were taken, followed by a long walk through the Forbidden City. I think that I will show The Last Emperor at some point, especially now that the kids have actually been into the Forbidden City, which is where it was filmed.

We had dinner and then went to an amazing acrobatic display by young but extremely proficient acrobatic students. Quite an evening. After returning to the hotel at about 9:30 we got our big bags downstairs for the trip to Qufu (the big bag's trip). We flly out to Chongqing tomorrow [Wednesday] at 11. Looking forward to the Stillwell Museium, the boat ride on the Yangtze and the trip to the Dazu stone carvings. Stillwell was one of my favorite military characters when I was growing up. [Tom]

Pretty cool. Makes you want to be there! Let’s get on with the photos and maybe we can!
 

Forbidden City

These pictures are incredible. It is always great to see pictures of our kids and chaperones, but the pictures of the people of China tell us so much about the journey and life in this magnificent land.

And now, Emily is going share her report. Emily . . .
 

March 28, 2007 -- Emily Brown, Freshman

Having to pose for one-too-many photos with curious Chinese people; walking until our legs almost fell off, and practically being run over by speeding motor vehicles were just a few of the less memorable activities of the day. However awful these sound, all were forgotten because of all the wonderful things we saw and did today.

Our first stop was the Temple of Heaven. We climbed three sets of nine steps each up to the top of the circular mound. Then we stood on the middle point and tested the echoing effect. After many touristy pictures taken of us standing on the center stone, we packed up and headed out [through the rest of the famed site and down a corridor of older folks playing traditional instruments and singing traditional songs—all for a healthy pastime].

When we arrived at Tiananmen Square, the massive number of people was almost overwhelming. But to be just standing there and to know that we were actually in Beijing, China making our way across the renowned Square was truly amazing. As we marveled at the giant portrait of Mao at the entrance to the Forbidden City, many of the Chinese visiting the Square were marveling at us! If you were blond-haired and blue-eyed, then posing for pictures quickly became as normal as breathing.

As I entered the Forbidden City, I was overtaken by a wave of amazement and excitement. Just seeing the towers spread out and continuing on for as far as the eye could see took my breath away. We were told that we could split up and go see whatever we wanted to. Most of us ended up at a university students’ art exhibit and were able to see and buy some amazing art work.

Our final activity of the day was a performance by a group of young acrobats. When the performers first walked out on stage, we were very surprised to find that most of them were only between the ages of eight and ten. They stretched human limits with their ability to flip, tumble and contort, among other things

Overall, this day was wonderful.
 

A journey doesn’t happen without one or more students commenting on the drivers and the traffic situation.

As you read these reports, you realize that the students are taking in more than the sights. They have been spending months preparing for this trip, learning about the Chinese culture and history, and now all of that is coming alive before them.

The beauty and richness of many cities and famous sights will challenge their brains. And the poverty and struggles of many villages will challenge their hearts. 

Let’s check out more photos . . .
 

The group heads out to Chongqing. This is the first time the Journey East group has traveled to Chongqing. A new adventure awaits for all of us!

Tom mentioned that they will be visiting the Stillwell Museum and a boat ride on the Yangtze river. The official name for the entire river is Chang Jiang ("Long River) or Yangtze River. Is the Yangtze the longest river in Asia?

We’ll talk a little more about these places and events later today. before we leave (for now), let’s hear from Ann:

Beijing was very busy and so much more Western that it had been even two years ago. Even the acrobats’ show was geared more keenly to a cosmopolitan taste. It’s very clear that the Beijing-ers are getting ready for a lot of company in 2008!

This morning we flew to Chongqing, and it’s a whole different scene in this city, a 2.5 hour flight southwest of Beijing. We have a few packed and interesting days ahead of us here—including visits to schools and a mini-performance exchange at each. Ought to be fun.

We’re very lucky that Tom connected with Geneva Holden, a member of our pioneering JE trio in 2000 and a 2002 graduate of Leland and Gray. Geneva graduated from McGill last year with a major in East Asian studies and is currently living in Jiangmen and working as “Sales Manager for the America” for an aquarium supply corporation. Geneva is joining us for a couple days while where here in Chongqing and it is wonderful to see and catch up with her. She makes her teachers proud! [Ann]
 

It is so cool that the group is connecting with former students (and Journey East veterans) while in China!