Friday, October 31, 2008
Day 3
Day 3 started a little before 4:00 in the morning Xi’an time for me. At breakfast I learned that the majority of my colleagues were also suffering from jetlag. Some chose to walk the halls and stairwells of the hotel for exercise. I played on my computer to see if I would be able to contact friends and family using Skype which is free software used to video conference (free of charge) and to make phone calls (for a minimal charge). It is amazing how well you can hear and see the people with whom you are visiting and has serious potential for classroom use.
Xi’an Jiaotong University was where we spent the morning. Professor Jiangyao gave us an outline of China since 1949 that included history, economics, customs, geography, etc. It was incredible to hear how China has changed in the past 50 years. I learned that there are many more similarities in our cultures than differences, and that China is facing many of the same challenges the United States has. In the beginning of his lecture, Professor Jiangyao tested our knowledge of Chinese history and culture. He knows much more about our culture that we do of his and it was evident that our two hours together was not enough time for us to catch up. The good news is that we get to go back next Monday to see him again.
After the lecture, Jane (a former Southeast student…imagine that) joined us for lunch. Dean Kostelnik knew she was here and brought her a care package of Halloween candy. I sat next to her at lunch and asked as many questions and I could think of, and am sure I wore her out. She is here on a scholarship, working on a bachelor’s degree in Chinese and plans to study in Xi’an for the next four years. She attends classes from 8:00-12:00 that focus on Chinese grammar, listening and speaking. She breaks for lunch until 2:30, then attends pronunciation class until 4:30. On the weekends her friends like to go to the arcade. From what I understand there is a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) game there which is much more challenging than the ones in the States as you not only move your feet, but also your arms to earn points.
After lunch we visited the History Museum of Shaanxi Provence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaanxi_History_Museum ) and the Mural Painting Storeroom. Our guide took us on a tour of the museum and explained the importance of each dynasty and made sure we didn’t miss any of the national treasures kept in the museum. Even more spectacular than the museum itself was the Mural Painting Storeroom. Murals from the tombs of emperors that have been robbed by grave robbers have been rescued and preserved at this museum. When the grave robbers open the closed tombs, the colors of the murals disappear because they have not been exposed to air or sunlight for thousands of years. In order to preserve the murals, they have to be moved to the storeroom for protection. The murals are covered when not being viewed to protect them. It was a very special part of the tour. Our guide told us that only very important people (like President Clinton for instance) get to see this part of the museum.
There is so much to see and do here that we return to the hotel each night exhausted from all of the new information, sights, smells and sounds. On the bus we have to be careful not to get whiplash from turning our heads back and forth quickly, looking out the bus windows, and trying not to miss out on anything. The herd of goats walking down the street, followed by a goat herder with a long skinny stick, smacking them on their rears if they stopped was the big one for me yesterday. By the time I could get “Hey Sue, check out those goats” out of my mouth we were passed them.
I look forward to another great day tomorrow. We will have an opportunity to take a Chinese class at Xi’an Jiaotong University. I can’t wait!
Jami
Xi’an Jiaotong University was where we spent the morning. Professor Jiangyao gave us an outline of China since 1949 that included history, economics, customs, geography, etc. It was incredible to hear how China has changed in the past 50 years. I learned that there are many more similarities in our cultures than differences, and that China is facing many of the same challenges the United States has. In the beginning of his lecture, Professor Jiangyao tested our knowledge of Chinese history and culture. He knows much more about our culture that we do of his and it was evident that our two hours together was not enough time for us to catch up. The good news is that we get to go back next Monday to see him again.
After the lecture, Jane (a former Southeast student…imagine that) joined us for lunch. Dean Kostelnik knew she was here and brought her a care package of Halloween candy. I sat next to her at lunch and asked as many questions and I could think of, and am sure I wore her out. She is here on a scholarship, working on a bachelor’s degree in Chinese and plans to study in Xi’an for the next four years. She attends classes from 8:00-12:00 that focus on Chinese grammar, listening and speaking. She breaks for lunch until 2:30, then attends pronunciation class until 4:30. On the weekends her friends like to go to the arcade. From what I understand there is a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) game there which is much more challenging than the ones in the States as you not only move your feet, but also your arms to earn points.
After lunch we visited the History Museum of Shaanxi Provence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaanxi_History_Museum ) and the Mural Painting Storeroom. Our guide took us on a tour of the museum and explained the importance of each dynasty and made sure we didn’t miss any of the national treasures kept in the museum. Even more spectacular than the museum itself was the Mural Painting Storeroom. Murals from the tombs of emperors that have been robbed by grave robbers have been rescued and preserved at this museum. When the grave robbers open the closed tombs, the colors of the murals disappear because they have not been exposed to air or sunlight for thousands of years. In order to preserve the murals, they have to be moved to the storeroom for protection. The murals are covered when not being viewed to protect them. It was a very special part of the tour. Our guide told us that only very important people (like President Clinton for instance) get to see this part of the museum.
There is so much to see and do here that we return to the hotel each night exhausted from all of the new information, sights, smells and sounds. On the bus we have to be careful not to get whiplash from turning our heads back and forth quickly, looking out the bus windows, and trying not to miss out on anything. The herd of goats walking down the street, followed by a goat herder with a long skinny stick, smacking them on their rears if they stopped was the big one for me yesterday. By the time I could get “Hey Sue, check out those goats” out of my mouth we were passed them.
I look forward to another great day tomorrow. We will have an opportunity to take a Chinese class at Xi’an Jiaotong University. I can’t wait!
Jami
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Things I've Learned
*I'm tall here.
*Everyone we meet wants to make sure we are comfortable.
*Xian is over 5000 years old.
*Xian residents still are not happy Xian is no longer the capital (and have not been for many years).
*Noodles are very important in the diet of any tourist in China. They come in all shapes and sizes and textures..and are all very delectable.
*We feel safe.
*Being American = eating at a buffet.
*Bicycles in China come in all shapes and sizes and carry a variety of people and things (we wish we could have taken a picture of the man with a giant stack of styrofoam. There's no way he could have seen behind or around him. He had to trust that none of the many, many buses or taxis would run over him). Yes, it is a very trusting society!
*A group of well meaning adults who truly want to learn the language, are not always successful in their attempts to master tones and words. But we tried and our instructor was very, very kind and patient.
*Street sweepers are not big machines, but people with brooms made of trees (they look like branches from an evergreens). They wear bright orange vests so that again, no bus or taxi will run over them!
*Xian is a gray city. There is much concrete. The buildings are gray, the sky is gray. Sometimes the sun burns through in the afternoon, but not often. Is it smog? Pollution? A cloudy day? We are in a valley which doesn't help with the haze.
*At 10 a.m. each day at Jiaotong University, as students leave their classes, loud music can be heard throughout the campus. It is time for exercise. Everyone is expected to start moving. Luckily, we were walking briskly, so we fit right in!
*A Southeast High School graduate is attending Jiaotong University. She is a freshman and luckily she was willing to spend some time with us telling about her first month's experiences.
*We have quickly learned from our Chinese hosts and guides that we have many more similarities than differences.
*Everyone we meet wants to make sure we are comfortable.
*Xian is over 5000 years old.
*Xian residents still are not happy Xian is no longer the capital (and have not been for many years).
*Noodles are very important in the diet of any tourist in China. They come in all shapes and sizes and textures..and are all very delectable.
*We feel safe.
*Being American = eating at a buffet.
*Bicycles in China come in all shapes and sizes and carry a variety of people and things (we wish we could have taken a picture of the man with a giant stack of styrofoam. There's no way he could have seen behind or around him. He had to trust that none of the many, many buses or taxis would run over him). Yes, it is a very trusting society!
*A group of well meaning adults who truly want to learn the language, are not always successful in their attempts to master tones and words. But we tried and our instructor was very, very kind and patient.
*Street sweepers are not big machines, but people with brooms made of trees (they look like branches from an evergreens). They wear bright orange vests so that again, no bus or taxi will run over them!
*Xian is a gray city. There is much concrete. The buildings are gray, the sky is gray. Sometimes the sun burns through in the afternoon, but not often. Is it smog? Pollution? A cloudy day? We are in a valley which doesn't help with the haze.
*At 10 a.m. each day at Jiaotong University, as students leave their classes, loud music can be heard throughout the campus. It is time for exercise. Everyone is expected to start moving. Luckily, we were walking briskly, so we fit right in!
*A Southeast High School graduate is attending Jiaotong University. She is a freshman and luckily she was willing to spend some time with us telling about her first month's experiences.
*We have quickly learned from our Chinese hosts and guides that we have many more similarities than differences.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Day Two
Did you know the national flower of China is the peony? That's one of the many, many things we are learning!
We started our second day in China with an early flight from Beijing to Xian. It was quite mountainous as soon as we left the ground in Beijing. By the time we arrived in Xian, a two hour flight, we were once again on flat land that looked much like the farmland of Nebraska. The airport is quite a distance from the city because we passed a great deal of rural land before arriving in the heart of this city which many here consider the "cradle of Chinese civilization."
We are staying at a new hotel which just opened in October. In fact, this is the "soft" opening, meaning that they are not advertising yet. It is a lovely hotel with lovely windows, marble and many mirrors!
We were warmly welcomed in an official opening ceremony at Jiaotong University. Dean Kostelnik's remarks reflected our appreciation for this opportunity to learn more about the culture of China. We then toured the university, guided by student volunteers. They were wonderful, answering all of our questions and giving us their thoughtful perspectives on many subjects, including what they hoped to gain from their educational experience in Xian.
As we were eating lunch about 1:30, we saw many parents taking their children home from school on the backs of their bicycles. Some were sideways, some were backwards and all were very, very cute! We look forward to our school tours on Friday. That is also when we will have the opportunity to meet with several middle school administrators to discuss the every day lives of their students and teachers.
Our evening meal (yes, we eat often!) was hosted by our Jiaotong University hosts and was family style (my term for it). First we had a variety of appetizers that were put on a large, large glass (much like a lazy susan) in the middle of the table. It continued to turn so we could experience all of the different items. Then, more food was added but none was taken away. There was pork, duck, pumpkin, fish, cabbage, dragon fruit and much, much more. The dinner was over when no one had the energy to turn the glass anymore!
It was a grand first day in Xian!
We started our second day in China with an early flight from Beijing to Xian. It was quite mountainous as soon as we left the ground in Beijing. By the time we arrived in Xian, a two hour flight, we were once again on flat land that looked much like the farmland of Nebraska. The airport is quite a distance from the city because we passed a great deal of rural land before arriving in the heart of this city which many here consider the "cradle of Chinese civilization."
We are staying at a new hotel which just opened in October. In fact, this is the "soft" opening, meaning that they are not advertising yet. It is a lovely hotel with lovely windows, marble and many mirrors!
We were warmly welcomed in an official opening ceremony at Jiaotong University. Dean Kostelnik's remarks reflected our appreciation for this opportunity to learn more about the culture of China. We then toured the university, guided by student volunteers. They were wonderful, answering all of our questions and giving us their thoughtful perspectives on many subjects, including what they hoped to gain from their educational experience in Xian.
As we were eating lunch about 1:30, we saw many parents taking their children home from school on the backs of their bicycles. Some were sideways, some were backwards and all were very, very cute! We look forward to our school tours on Friday. That is also when we will have the opportunity to meet with several middle school administrators to discuss the every day lives of their students and teachers.
Our evening meal (yes, we eat often!) was hosted by our Jiaotong University hosts and was family style (my term for it). First we had a variety of appetizers that were put on a large, large glass (much like a lazy susan) in the middle of the table. It continued to turn so we could experience all of the different items. Then, more food was added but none was taken away. There was pork, duck, pumpkin, fish, cabbage, dragon fruit and much, much more. The dinner was over when no one had the energy to turn the glass anymore!
It was a grand first day in Xian!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Day 1
Day 1….
Sunday or Monday…. hard to tell. I wanted this magical line on the map we watched as we were flying to mark the International Date Line…and alas it didn’t. We did see the North Pole and other cities were marked as we watched our journey start. The flight from Chicago to Beijing is a little over 14 hours (for those who wanted to know); in essence we skipped a day (although we will make that up on the back end of the trip, when we relive Saturday…twice). Our flight path took us North from Chicago, over Canada and following the curve of the earth, over Siberia finally to China. As we were landing, those sitting on the left side of the plane could see the Great Wall. Wow…what a visual as we arrive. Much has changed in the last 8 years in Beijing as they prepared for the Olympics. The terminal we arrived at is the new international terminal, and we were greeted with this amazing architectural wonder…and made our way to the ‘foreigner’ line at immigration. As I (and others looked around) time initial impression that China makes on the world, is quite a statement…one that wants everyone to know, they have arrived.
We did arrive without incident. One of our group had a slight problem in Lincoln, but swore to us that was all of the bad travel karma we would have (this would later be tested). Met up with our colleagues and soon friends from Scottsbluff. The flight really is a test in personal endurance…between wanting desperately to sleep, watching current movies, reading & getting up every so often so the swelling in your legs was minimal. As one did laps in the plane you would meet up with others begin to chat and find multiple reasons people travel to China. We arrived in Beijing about 4:00 p.m. on Monday and for the fact that most of us did not sleep much on the plane, we weren’t too tired at all. Our tour guide gave us some random factoids about China…so here your new learning for today.
• Current population in Beijing…40 million (documented or recorded as residents of Beijing), although they figure the population is really around 90 million.
• Beijing’s name was Peking, but changed when the revolution occurred in 1949.
• Roads…I am sure it makes sense if I were to see a map, but Sarah (our tour guide) kept talking about 8 rings (roads) that circle the city…starts in the center, with the Forbidden City and work outward…
• 3.4 million cars in Beijing
• Known as Bicycle Kingdom – about 10 million bikes
• Average size of an apartment in Beijing about 60 square meters…
Our initial impression is one of amazement, bewilderment and awe. For such a large city, it is very well organized, quite clean and very friendly. Our day ended with a dinner in the hotel and early to bed for most of us (except Matt who decided to venture to the “street” to find some “street food”…everything you could possibly want, on a stick!). Looking forward to new experiences, new learning and a better understanding of China, it’s people, culture and how we can bring this back to our students.
Sue
Sunday or Monday…. hard to tell. I wanted this magical line on the map we watched as we were flying to mark the International Date Line…and alas it didn’t. We did see the North Pole and other cities were marked as we watched our journey start. The flight from Chicago to Beijing is a little over 14 hours (for those who wanted to know); in essence we skipped a day (although we will make that up on the back end of the trip, when we relive Saturday…twice). Our flight path took us North from Chicago, over Canada and following the curve of the earth, over Siberia finally to China. As we were landing, those sitting on the left side of the plane could see the Great Wall. Wow…what a visual as we arrive. Much has changed in the last 8 years in Beijing as they prepared for the Olympics. The terminal we arrived at is the new international terminal, and we were greeted with this amazing architectural wonder…and made our way to the ‘foreigner’ line at immigration. As I (and others looked around) time initial impression that China makes on the world, is quite a statement…one that wants everyone to know, they have arrived.
We did arrive without incident. One of our group had a slight problem in Lincoln, but swore to us that was all of the bad travel karma we would have (this would later be tested). Met up with our colleagues and soon friends from Scottsbluff. The flight really is a test in personal endurance…between wanting desperately to sleep, watching current movies, reading & getting up every so often so the swelling in your legs was minimal. As one did laps in the plane you would meet up with others begin to chat and find multiple reasons people travel to China. We arrived in Beijing about 4:00 p.m. on Monday and for the fact that most of us did not sleep much on the plane, we weren’t too tired at all. Our tour guide gave us some random factoids about China…so here your new learning for today.
• Current population in Beijing…40 million (documented or recorded as residents of Beijing), although they figure the population is really around 90 million.
• Beijing’s name was Peking, but changed when the revolution occurred in 1949.
• Roads…I am sure it makes sense if I were to see a map, but Sarah (our tour guide) kept talking about 8 rings (roads) that circle the city…starts in the center, with the Forbidden City and work outward…
• 3.4 million cars in Beijing
• Known as Bicycle Kingdom – about 10 million bikes
• Average size of an apartment in Beijing about 60 square meters…
Our initial impression is one of amazement, bewilderment and awe. For such a large city, it is very well organized, quite clean and very friendly. Our day ended with a dinner in the hotel and early to bed for most of us (except Matt who decided to venture to the “street” to find some “street food”…everything you could possibly want, on a stick!). Looking forward to new experiences, new learning and a better understanding of China, it’s people, culture and how we can bring this back to our students.
Sue
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Ready for China
Greetings,
The LPS group traveling to China as part of the Confucius Institute study, will be leaving on Sunday, October 26th.
We will share our cultural experiences with you.
Learn more about the Confucius Institute.
The LPS group traveling to China as part of the Confucius Institute study, will be leaving on Sunday, October 26th.
We will share our cultural experiences with you.
Learn more about the Confucius Institute.
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