CA China: The Great Wall, Forbidden City and Beijing

June 15th, 2009 | Colorado Academy China 2009

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Hello there everyone!

Although it has only been four days since we have arrived in China, I think most of the group would agree that we have accomplished enough to fill much longer. From hiking on the Great Wall during a rainstorm to buying art in the Forbidden City to playing Jia Zi (Chinese version of a hackey sack) with local merchants to breakdancing at the Temple of Heaven to teaching a group of elderly women the wave, it has been an action-packed few days!

But instead of recount our itinerary so far myself, I thought I would have the group tell it in their own words. Here is what they have to say:

As soon as I stepped outside of the airport, I felt the humidity and warmth of China immediately hit my face. I love the bustle of Beijing and the variety of food we have already experienced. Although where we have stayed might not have reached our expectations, the Sleepy Inn could not have been more perfect for our group. My favorite part of this trip by far has been the Great Wall. I have never seen something stretch so far that my eyes could not see the end (besides the ocean, of course). The experience of the hike has completely changed my perspective, and I look forward to more of what this trip has to offer.

-Caroline Cramer

It’s not about red meat or small rooms. It’s not about sunshine or even good water. It’s all about whom you are with and how you are morphing into something new. After four days I feel as if I am a new person. I have made friends I thought impossible and have learned many things about myself. I have learned that there is nothing better than talking or playing cards with those around you. There is never any need to rush here… It makes me wonder if there is ever any need for stress, rush or rudeness. Life is so peaceful; I can’t help but partake in this mindset. I also have a new sense of perspective now. Standing on the great wall, admiring the Forbidden City and watching old women karaoke at the temple of heaven truly show you what matters in life. Listen up because this is it: Think as if you are powerful and can make a big difference but act as if there are 6.75 billion just like you. Teamwork can produce wonders were as people can produce projects. Lastly, know that taking your time is the key to contentment.

I love you mom and dad,

~ emi

Experience defines who are. This trip has taught me this; even in the few days that we have been here. Living in Cherry hills, experience is only limited to a certain spectrum, and it is because of this limited spectrum that I only do certain things as a person. After coming to China and climbing the wall, walking through the Forbidden City, and viewing the lifestyles of people living in the inner city of a much larger country than our own, I realized how much the circumstances around you determine what you do and the experiences you have. I have experienced many different things here and now I can start to see why the people here are the way they are. They have a much more simplistic view of the world than we do and I think this is what allows China, a country more than four times the size of our own, to thrive the way that it does. I will go home now and truly appreciate the things that may not have any material value, and look at them with more reverence than ever.

-Reid Aronstein

The Great Wall was definitely the most memorable thing on this trip. We started off hiking through a lush jungle and ending up climbing to one of the towers! The game Jia Zi, is almost exactly like the American game of hackey sack; except for the actual hackey sack. The “ball” was a bunch of circular pieces of metal with feathers sticking out of it. It is actually easier than hackey sack! My favorite part was definitely the Great Wall hike though, but Jia Zi was close behind it.

-Brant Moore-Farrell

Everything is bigger and better than I was expecting. The Forbidden City seemed to go on for miles and it was amazing to think what it might have been like with the Emperors living there. The summer palace went much further than my expectations; not only was it similar to a small town, the views of the lake from the top of the hill were spectacular! The day on the Great Wall was the hardest, but most rewarding day so far. The views were breathtaking and we all felt connected to the amazing Chinese history behind it, even while outrunning the electrical storm and speeding down the alpine slide. I can’t wait to see what happens on the rest of the trip!

-Will Gallagher

Okay…hm… so pretty much I’ve gotten time to reflect on myself and my lifestyle a lot. It is so different here and I’m really glad I chose to go on this trip. Seeing every monument and historical sight is such a thrill. One always learns about them in the classroom or has heard about it from others, but going there and experiencing it for yourself has feelings that can’t be explained in words. It’s a mix of personal revelation and a feeling of relief amongst other emotions. It’s beautiful here minus the pollution and I enjoy each new day.

-Chand Jiwani

Explosive Diarrhea, the great wall was the experience of a life time. The, Explosive Diarrhea, hike to get there was long, but once we reached the top and looked out into the rolling hills it was totally worth it! Today my most memorable thing was going to the Birds, Explosive Diarrhea, Nest and The Water Cube. There, three times.

-Tess Swanson

When flying to Beijing, I was completely filled with anticipation for what this completely new culture would be like, the experiences we would encounter, the people we would meet, and the history we would come face to face with. I can now say, only on my 4th full day in China, that it has surpassed all my expectations and then some. Simply the richness of the culture, found in everyday life, is so apparent and leaves its impression on you wherever you go. Tiananmen square, being such a controversial place, was such a powerful place to visit. The most impressionable moment of the trip, thus far, has been turning the corner in the thick vegetation, and suddenly seeing the Great Wall, stretching for miles across the mountainous Chinese countryside. I suppose it was just a really powerful, humbling moment that I have experienced. It showed me many things: the endless possibilities that human kind has the ability to achieve, the feeling of being such a small part of something greater, and the importance of what cooperation can achieve. This trip lies, primarily, upon the same principles, it’s getting to work with others, to look at the big picture and the things we can all achieve together, and I am so thankful that my parents and family are so supportive and have allowed me to experience this “once in a lifetime” trip. I can’t wait to see what new lessons will be learned in the following weeks.

-Cody Behan

China. This is a place where people live their lives in a calm fashion. These people live there lives in a way that no “American” would even want to consider. These people are always content. They never seem to show a sense of sadness. Everything that the people do here is done in a fashion that is calm and slow. Never rushed. The greatest example of this may be that more people are walking than biking, and more people are biking than driving. Also the people who are walking DO have a destination, but they have allotted enough time to get there so that they can try to get there in a slow and calm way. People have a light sense of time. All you need to know is if it is Morning or Dusk, and you are set. Every one loves to just gather and talk to strangers, no one seems to show hesitations, for they have nothing to loose. The people here live in the sense that they want to be content with what they have, and they all seem to achieve this through a constant thought that they are one with the environment and on with another people.

Every day is an adventure, a portal into new and different ways of life.

China.

-Stanley A. Hayes

Three qualities can make a trip life altering; the people, the unique sites, and safety. All of these have been apparent so far in China. Within the first days I felt as a person I had grown. Being soaked in such a different culture has been overwhelming but amazing. Visiting the Great Wall, walking through hutongs and now arriving at Sahngri-La are all showing us what we could only see in a movie. One of the highlights, apart from the sites, was the group talk. We started to uncover what changes have been taking place. New friendships have bonded, imaginations expanded and the desire to leave has shrunk. The group leaders and travel guides have helped us forget how much work has gone into this amazing trip. I am so thankful to be here safe, happy and without ED that I don’t want to leave. Waiting is all that is needed to see what other unique experiences lie ahead.

Mary, Charlie, Danny, Mom and Dad I love you all

-Michael

I took this trip to further my previous experiences in China. So far, I have accomplished this goal. I have seen more of the sites that we did not spend much time on the last time around. I enjoy the freedom we have been gives, allowed to roam in small groups to shop and explore. At most attractions like the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City, we have been able to wander by ourselves safely. I have also seen some great new sites like the Shangri-La. On our flight in, we saw the Himalayas jutting out of the clouds. We landed in a valley after dodging a few peaks, and the town instantly awed me. Everyone is so down to earth and relaxed. We are heading out again to explore the town, and I hope to get some souvenirs indicative of the culture in this region.

- Chris

I was never sure how this trip would ultimately pan out. In the beginning I was worried about the people because I wasn’t really close friends with any of the people going on the trip but the all seemed to be cool with just hanging about and getting to know each other which had made this trip a lot fun. This trip has also been very great because of the amazing sites and experiences I’ve seen through or week of being here. Its been really fun to go and walk and on the wall or just play presidents with the group just to become Roasie, Im pretty glad I came. – Avvery Boyd

Journeying out into a country that was said to be different than any other that i’d ever seen, or ever will see, I had lots of curiosity for what was to come. When I arrived here, I thought, “Wow, what makes china so different from the rest of the world?” but after eating one meal and talking with the people I soon discovered a new world. All of the people live their lives in a different, more laid back fashion. It is weird to experience something where people are hardly ever rushing from place to place, and horns only honk on the street for reckless driving. It is frightening to ride in the car, dodging people and other cars. This is a really foreign experience that I have never felt. I really am looking forward to what’s to come. -Sam F.

At the beginning of this trip I was pretty nervous about the time change and what the people would be like but everything has turned out great. The time difference was really easy to adjust to and the people are amazing. Our first few nights in Beijing I was kind of scared just because everything was so new and different but I got used to it fast. -Robert Cowden

Until next time!

Paul Laurie

Director