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| The Entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing |
Well, I decided I better write a blog before I get too far
behind. The last time I wrote, I just got back from Shanghai for a weekend
trip. This time, I am writing after returning from my Spring Break. I’m about
to go through 10 days of my life in a little post so get ready for some word
vomit! Ha..
We started off with the whole group flying to Beijing to do
a three day scheduled group weekend. A flight from Hangzhou to Beijing only
lasted about 2 hours. After landing, we met up with our tour guide, Crystal,
and headed into the city. Expecting to be choked by smog – I was pleasantly
surprised that we didn’t experience a ton of smog! Only at night, when
temperatures dropped, the smog fell into the city. Either way, it was nice not
having to wear a mask.
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| Ryan, Kristin and I at Tiananmen Square....such an eerie feeling to be there |
Our last day in Beijing we went to a street market and got
some pretty cool deals on some scarves, small nick-knacks and other random
things. In all honesty, I have never felt so uncomfortable in my whole time in
China than I did at this market. We were basically the only white people in a
very large yet cramped shopping area. We had pick-pocketers following us the
whole time, sellers dragging us into their stores, and locals were staring at
us at all times. I’m not sure why I felt so weird but I didn't like it at all!
I am glad to be back in my safe home in Hangzhou(:
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| Because a jumping picture is always necessary |
Making our way to the train station, I realized how alone
you really are in a foreign country. Not speaking a lick of English, most people
in the Beijing train station couldn’t help us when we needed to find our train
terminal. It is a fun game, really though, because I love searching for what we
need. Xi’an was our next destination and a 13 hour overnight train ride was
standing in the way. In a train of over 500 people – we were the only
Americans. Two other girls from Britain eventually showed up which rounded the
grand total of five white people,…haha.
Surprisingly, the train ride went extremely fast and I loved
every minute of it. Six bunks in one cubicle with three stacked one on top of the
other. To picture it,…imagine a train car and put in about 48 beds in one side
with an isle and one fold down chair next to the other window across from the
beds. An excuse to sleep for 10 or so hours? I’ll take it!!
Xi’an is located in western China and is one of the oldest
cities in the country. We arrived at about 10am and went straight to our hostel.
I saw the real China. By real China, I mean poor, run down houses, way more beggars
on the street than normal and just…extremely dirty. I thought I was going to
hate this place but it turned out to be my favorite by far.
We met up with two other group members and we went to old
temples, biked eight miles around the whole length of the 3000 year old City
Wall, experienced REAL open air markets and saw the amazing Terracotta
Warriors.
**Disclosure** What I mean by real open air markets is taking all USDA standards and throwing them out the window, stomping on them, kicking through a tunnel and burnt on the street. And then probably spit on and burnt again. Cow eyes, heart and liver next to lettuce, leaks and onions? Sure, why not. .. .. .
Anyway, I enjoyed the Warriors but my favorite place we went was to
an Islamic influenced market where we got to try foods from all across Western
China and the far east. I absolutely LOVED seeing this new culture and I never
wanted to leave. I am not ashamed to say
that I went back to the market at least five times in four days because it was
just that cool. The people were awesome, the food was spicy and the culture was
so fascinating.
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| Xi'an Clothes Market |
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| Islamic Influenced Market!! |
What made Xi’an my favorite, however, would have to have been the people we met at our hostel. We met people from Canada, Germany, Britain (those girls from the train station), France, Australia and of course, China. I made so many connections and I now have several Chinese students’ emails and have been talking regularly since I returned to Hangzhou. Most of them have never talked to a foreigner before; I feel honored. Hostels are so much fun and I recommend them to anyone. If I didn’t stay at the one in Xi’an then I wouldn’t have a connection to go fishing on a sail boat on Vancouver Island in Canada. Anyone wanna come?!(:
Xi’an was an unexpected beauty and I will return someday! After leaving Xi'an, we flew back home to Hangzhou. Our flight was at 7:50am so we had to get to the airport at about 5:50am which required us to leave our hostel at 4:45am! Two hours back home, I was asked by the Experience China Program to travel to Shanghai to pick up one of our professors coming to Hangzhou from River Falls to teach. So, by the time we arrived home, I was on a three hour shuttle to Shanghai. After about 22 hours of traveling and being up - I finally made it back home with the professor safe and sound.
First solo traveling experience: Check. First solo traveling experience in the worlds largest city: Check.
That's all for now. I will leave you with a picture of me and the gang in Xi'an. So many good memories! I had an amazing time and I am excited to leave for Guilin tomorrow for a 22 hour train ride to visit the rice terraces in Southern China. Guilin is 'magical' said by everyone who has visited. We will have to see(:
Peace, love and high fives,
Tyler
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