Wall to Wall Duck

After two days of steady walking, we started the day with a bus ride to the Great Wall. En route we stopped briefly at a cloisonné factory and shop—a few souvenirs were purchased, but mostly we admired the intricate artwork. Badaling, perhaps the best known section of the wall was windy and cold but the group braved the many steps and snow flurries to reach the 5th turret. At that point the group divided, with some heading further up the wall and others retreating to the bottom and the warmth of the local tea room. Panda hats were the purchase of the day-- they were cute, it was cold, the price was right!

Note Gould Class of 2020 in Front Row

We warmed up on the bus on the way to the Olympic venues— a look at a more modern Beijing. The bird’s nest and water cube were impressive, as was the size and scale of the Olympic Park. For the record, the water cube is not really a cube.

Our final bus stop was dinner at one of Beijing’s many duck restaurants. The official duck carver was a master with a knife and the food just kept coming! This was one of our most enjoyable meals and a fitting end to our Beijing visit. We waddled out the door and caught a quick bus back to Tiananmen Square and the hostel. Clear instructions were given for packing and cleaning—tomorrow morning we leave for the airport and flights to Chengdu and Xi’an.

From Dirt to Heaven . . .

Today’s adventures began with a trip to the famous dirt market. In contrast to the silk market of yesterday, the dirt market is an open air shopping market full of all sorts of goods ranging in stalls specializing in brass figurines, silk handbags, swords, knit hats, jewelry, beads, among others that will not be named here so as not to ruin the surprise for folks back home! Students became savvier with their bartering skills and shared trade secrets over another wonderful lunch in a nearby restaurant.

After lunch we went to a Chinese grocery store to buy some provisions for tomorrow’s excursions. Students enjoyed seeing various familiar products with Chinese labels as well as buying rice puffed sweet treats recommended by the Chinese Gould students that are serving as guides and translators during our time in Beijing.

Riding the public transportation to and from the Temple of Heaven during a busy Sunday proved to be a way to appreciate close up the way of transportation for many Chinese. The Temple of Heaven is a sight to behold. Amazingly the entire structure is built without a single nail. The trip back to the hotel was a bit delayed as a few students went to the incorrect gate to meet the group. We are all safely reunited.
Students had a chance to relax before a dumpling feast at our hotel. The lazy susans full of delicious variations of dumplings proved a tasty ending to a full day. Tomorrow we’re off to climb the Great Wall (well, not all of it) and to visit the Olympic venue before a duck dinner.

Saturday...A day of supreme harmony

Saturday- Our first full day in Beijing. We spent our first night in the King’s Joy Hotel last night, and we all met this morning for breakfast in the hotel dining room - noodles, broccoli and cauliflower, scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, yogurt and muesli.

After breakfast we walked through a hutong on our way to Tianamen Square. Hutongs are very old neighborhoods of narrow streets and one story homes and shops. They are a fast disappearing remnant of another time. They are being replaced by modern, more efficient high rise buildings.

We walked to Tianamen Square, the largest public gathering space in the world. Many pictures were taken by us, and of us. We crossed the street and entered the Forbidden City. The vastness and scale of the buildings and their decorations are difficult to imagine until you have walked among them. We all felt better after out time at the Temple of Supreme Harmony! After our visit at the Forbidden City, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant. Everyone was hungry, and we wolfed down the plates of food as they arrived. And arrived, and arrived! Dachuan and Liang and Ryan had ordered the meal in advance for us, and we didn’t know there would be so many different plates! Tofu, lamb, pork, chicken, seafood, rice, the plates just kept appearing!

After lunch we took a bus to the Silk Market, a four story building that sells just about anything you can imagine, and many things you can’t.. Everyone had an opportunity to hone their bartering skills as they shopped for silk dresses, chopsticks, UGG boots, t shirts, and plenty of “faux” designer goods.

Mr. Whittington guided us through the subway system and we arrived at our next destination. All forty five of us negotiated the crowded subway cars with the ease of native Beijingers!

All that shopping gave us an appetite, so we had Mongolian Hot Pot for dinner. We sat at five large tables and at the center of each was large cloisonné bowl. Inside the bowl is a chimney shaped pot that holds charcoal which heats the broth in the bowl. Many plates are brought to the table- raw beef, chicken, ham, lamb, mushroom, bok choi, cabbage, tofu and fishballs. These are placed in the boiling broth until they are done, and then fished out with chopsticks and served with dipping sauce. Wow! Imagine us all in a big room, with five round tables, steaming hot pots and freshmen reaching in with chopsticks to pick out their cooked food.

After dinner we walked through the night market and considered the delicacies- snake on a stick, starfish on a stick, scorpion on a stick, tang hulu- fruit on a stick dipped in boiling sugar!

After a brisk walk back to the hotel, we are off to a well deserved rest.

Safe, Sound, and Well-Fed

Just a quick note to let you know that we’ve arrived safely in Beijing, after 30 hours of more or less continuous travel. The trip to the airport was interesting, as snow blanketed the first part of the drive. With an early departure from Bethel we made it with plenty of time to spare. Then it was off to Beijing, with a stopover in Chicago, and a flyover of the Arctic. Five movies later and we finally had wheels down at the beautiful new Beijing airport, complete with a main terminal shaped like a dragon. A quick bus ride, a wash, and it was off for our first meal together at a local place, just around the corner from our hostel. The food was traditional Chinese, with sesame chicken, sweet and sour pork ribs, and Beijing noodles. Who knew that tofu and bamboo could taste so good? Everyone is tired so it is off to unpack and then a well deserved night’s sleep. Tomorrow will bring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and shopping at the Silk Market. More to come in the days ahead…

And they're off...

This evening the majority of the freshman class gathered in Ordway Hall to leave for China!!!
Luggage was collected in the living room. (Picture- Kris Nammack giving the luggage a thumbs up!)

















Spirits were extremely high. And everyone was really really ready to get on their way. A meeting was held to cover the last minute details. The biggest excitement of the night was finding out the groups with whom they were traveling.











































(Picture 1- Tom Whittington addresses the group.
Picture 2- The Xi'an group with the Whittingtons
Picture 3- Chengdu 1 with Jan Baker [Lorenzo Baker is already in Beijing to meet the group when they arrive.]
Picture 4- Chengdu 2 with Lauren Head and Holly Tornrose.
Picture 5- Ryan Yu, one of the three Gould Academy Seniors who are Beijing natives and will be with the group while they are together in Beijing.)

After groups met and journals were passed out, it was time to pack the bus and get a move on.
(Pictures Below: The crew on the Bus and then the tail lights of the bus as it pulled away off to Logan and on to Beijing. )


















The next post will be from the ground in Beijing. Signing off from Bethel, Colin Penley.

Third Freshman Meeting

9th graders gather on Tuesday February 3rd after formal dinner to learn more about their trip to China.

Another Step on the Journey - Packing List and Other Information

Well we've turned the corner into February and the date of departure is fast approaching. As we continue preparations it is time to start thinking about what to pack (and what not to pack.) Here are some guidelines to help you decide.

Luggage

•One medium size suitcase or duffel bag (to be checked through to Beijing)
•One carry-on (backpack for daily trips)

Carry-on Bag Restrictions

•No sharp objects
•No lighters or matches (you shouldn’t have them anyway!)
•No aerosol cans
•Small amounts (3 oz.) of liquid/gel-based products may be carried in a plastic bag (0ne quart zip lock!).

Clothing

•All clothing should be in GOOD CONDITION! No holes, tears, patches….
•Classroom dress is expected. NO JEANS, even for the plane ride. Boys' shirts should be collared. Girls shirts must be long enough to tuck in and stay in-- bare midriffs or low cut shirts are socially unacceptable. All shirts must have sleeves; short sleeves are alright as well!

Suggested clothing:
-3 pairs of pants (dark in color is best)
-5 shirts
-1 light-weight fleece/sweater
-1 heavier fleece for layering while in Beijing.
-1 waterproof/windbreaker jacket.
-1 nice outfit, skirt/dress/or nice pants for girls, tie and sweater for boys.
-Undergarments and socks for 10 days
-Pajamas
-One pair of comfortable shoes (you will be walking everywhere in China!)

Toilet Articles
-Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, brush, 6 small packets of tissues etc.

Miscellaneous

•Journal (to be distributed on bus)….you may want a personal journal in addition to your school journal.
•Digital Camera, extra memory cards. Extra batteries!
•Books and magazines
•A small bottle of hand sanitizer (pack in suitcase)
•Small head lamp for reading at night
•Personal music system—may be used when traveling, but NOT on tours or group activities.
•Host gift—Please see one of the chaperones if you are having trouble finding a gift!
•No Computers
•No Cell phones
•Comfort food—granola bars, crackers, trail mix…


****Remember that you will need to carry all of your luggage during our two long traveling days. Pack efficiently and as lightly as possible, you will want space to bring things home!