Where Are They Now?

LGUHS

ASOP

FREEMAN

Confucius Say . . .

Greetings!

Well, we are on the flip side, or Side B of this journey now. Two weeks from today the group will be back in Vermont! Looking back at all they have done and yet there is so much yet to do. This is indeed an incredible journey!

Speaking of looking back, we will start our day by looking back at yesterday’s tour of Confucius Forest and Temple in Qufu. I see the knotty trees are abundant.

Let’s take a break here and listen to what Caitlin has to say about the day’s events . . .
 

Caitlin Persa, Sophomore, Windham

I have spent two weeks in China and thus far I have observed that the Chinese are arguably proudest people on earth. A national hero who fulfills that pride is Confucius. Being in Qufu, his supposed birthplace, proves to hold pieces of his ancient existence. Many tourist opportunities are to be had here. Among ancient, sacred establishments, there are marks of the western world. Yet, simultaneously, there are blatant gestures of trying to preserve the Chinese culture. Visiting Confucius’ Temple and the Kong Family Cemetery today made these aforementioned observations clear.

After a rare chance to sleep in the morning, we headed off on a five minute bus ride to the Confucius Temple. As our tour guide led us through the intricate stone arcs of gateways, what did I hear but an American pop song covered by a Chinese singer in the background? Something as sacred as Confucius’ Temple isn’t out of the reach of being scarred by Western influence.

The group dispersed among cypress trees hundreds of years old and a perfectly manicured lawn. But, in an effort to preserve them, the trees were filled with wire mesh and cement, held up with metal poles. It was like witnessing a shot of botox into nature. It was sickening to me that old trees were chained up and altered in an attempt to hold onto a way of life. Western influences swarming a culture unfazed by it for so long was saddening but obvious. Shops were set up in the place right underneath two stone- carved dragon columns, which are two of only 16 such columns in existence in the world. A photo could be taken in tacky costumes of emperors, as one holds a fan and sits on a throne. The Confucian way? Right!

After this, we went to the Kong Family Cemetery, where male descendants are buried and where Confucius is said to be buried, as well. The place is enormous, 10 times larger than the area around the Temple. It holds 100,000 tombs, each of which may or may not contain both a husband and a wife together. One has to earn a gravestone; something significant must be accomplished in one’s life. There are only 4,000 tombstones in the cemetery. Trees are everywhere and mounds of earth, grave sites, pop up between. The winding walking path takes us through the endless serenity of “February Blossoms,” delicate purple flowers that engulf each tomb.

Right outside the cemetery are long lines of street vendors. “My friend, my friend, you like this Confucius scroll? Only 10 kuai, only 10!” The stench of American tourists, trying to soak in Chinese culture cloaks us, and the vendors do their best. They know what the average American tourist would want out of their trip to China-- a scroll they can’t read with flowers painted on it. They have them in countless varieties, at negotiable prices. Being catered to, wheedled and cajoled as a consumer tourist is stomach-churning after a while. So we jumped on a bus to ready ourselves for a formal dinner.

Everyone is dressed in ties and dresses and we’re picture perfect, well, close enough anyway.

[Tom says: Caitlin and I must have been on different busses. The girl’s notion of dressing up definitely includes dresses. The boys’ notion is a little different and less spiffy.]

The restaurant we come to is amazing, which we can tell as soon as we arrive outside. Miniature soldiers and horses are set up and amazing miniature temples are placed throughout. When we enter the restaurant, speeches are made, and, this being our final banquet, they have sad undertones. Dinner is amazing and while we are feasting there is a performance of dancers, flautists, a saxophonist and traditional Chinese instruments. The night was amazing.

One day filled with things to wonder about, to get confused and irritated by, to enjoy; another mind-exhausting day on our Journey East.

“Picture perfect,” indeed!

And here are more photos of the temple and Confucius cemetery:
 

It can’t be stressed enough the powerful knowledge and awareness these kids are gaining from this experience. Every day these kids are being bombarded with challenges (externally and internally). And it is obvious, based on the reports from the students, these challenges are being met head on. And hey, we are only halfway through this Journey! This show has only just begun!

This is the group’s last day in Qufu -- a very special place. Farewell Banquet, last performance, a little shopping, and then it is off to Jinan and Mt. Tai.

By the way, you are reading these reports and studying the information these students are sharing about China, right? Don’t forget about the final quiz . . .

Can you see the difference? Look agin. In fact, take a look at the big group photo shot a day before they left on this journey. Look closely . . . this is not the same gorup. They look the same, they sound the same, they kind of act the same, but they definitely are not the same!

We just got some photos of last night’s final Qufu performace, so let’s get right to them:
 

Is that the Blue Woman Group? Very cool!

Okay, everyone, the group takes off for Jinan and Mt. Tai tomorrow (always an exciting experience. We’ll talk more about that then.

We’ll also take a close up tour of Downtown Qufu tomorrow and then say goodbye to a wonderful place with wonderful people.

And so we leave you with this. Confucius say . . .

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
Confucius