In the past few months, I have traveled to Shanghai (several times), Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, Yangshou and Tian Tao Village. However, we haven't had much time to explore the area around Hangzhou. I never realized how lucky I was to be living in such a beautiful city. Everyone we met on our travels always said: "Ohhh, Hangzhou. Very beautiful!" And it's true - I can see why this is the Gem of China!
Spending last week with some faculty that came from River Falls to do a program visit, we were able to show them around our city. It was very gratifying to be able to show adults around a foreign place. It made me realize even more that Hangzhou is my home.
After that, we went on a program day to the Tea and Silk Museums that are very famous in Hangzhou. At the Tea Museum, we were able to walk through the rows of tea and pick the rip leaves used to make Longsheng Green Tea.
On Easter Sunday, our program supervisor
treated us by taking us to an Eco-Farm to pick strawberries, cherries and
cucumbers. After spending an hour walking around greenhouse after greenhouse of
vegetables and fruit, we walked to a park to have a cookout. Even though I couldn't spend Easter with my family back at home, I got to spend it with my
fellow Experience China participants. So basically; my family away from home(:
It was definitely one of my favorite
Easters - being surrounded by friends, love and Chinese food!
This past weekend, we decided to take a bus to another famous spot in Hangzhou. Lingyin Temple is considered a must see spot for all visitors and we decided to be tourists for the day and go visit this place. Thousand year old mountain carvings lined a small mountain that led to the actual temple. Words can’t describe what was there,…even the pictures don’t do it justice! Everything was so beautiful and majestic. Hundreds of statues lined temples, massive Buddha statues loomed in four story tall buildings and Monks quietly praying and walking through the park.
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| West Lake in Hangzhou at sunset |
Spending last week with some faculty that came from River Falls to do a program visit, we were able to show them around our city. It was very gratifying to be able to show adults around a foreign place. It made me realize even more that Hangzhou is my home.
After that, we went on a program day to the Tea and Silk Museums that are very famous in Hangzhou. At the Tea Museum, we were able to walk through the rows of tea and pick the rip leaves used to make Longsheng Green Tea.
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| Katie and I in the tea fields |
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| 100% better than American strawberries! |
This past weekend, we decided to take a bus to another famous spot in Hangzhou. Lingyin Temple is considered a must see spot for all visitors and we decided to be tourists for the day and go visit this place. Thousand year old mountain carvings lined a small mountain that led to the actual temple. Words can’t describe what was there,…even the pictures don’t do it justice! Everything was so beautiful and majestic. Hundreds of statues lined temples, massive Buddha statues loomed in four story tall buildings and Monks quietly praying and walking through the park.
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| Temple wall lined with statues made of bronze |
Without a doubt, I am glad to call
Hangzhou my home! I am sad to be leaving so shortly – however, I am glad to
have had the change to live here for three months. This next weekend is May Break
and instead of traveling somewhere else in China, I decided to stay home and
see parts of this 9 million person city. Every street has adventure and I want
to explore it as much as possible. Let no gem be hidden!
Bye for now, I will write again shortly.
In the meantime, go adventuring!
Ty
Bye for now, I will write again shortly.
In the meantime, go adventuring!
Ty
"To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken fro granted." - Bill Bryson
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| Mountain Carving |
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