(I decided to add my past emails to my blog. enjoy!)
To anyone who wants to know about my travels,
So, I'm in China. I've been here for a little over a week. I'm already in love, this place is amazing! it is so green and pretty. The people here are so kind to us. (Well, except for the bus driver who was actually a thief.) There is so much to do. The food is great (most of the time, and if it's not, there is an Italian restaurant just around the corner!) The kids are adorable (little brats, but still... adorable!) And... we now have wifi! it's awesome!
My adventure started in the US though. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 3:30 from the SL airport. The plane we were supposed to fly out on had mechanical problems and we were stuck there for 5 hours. We ended up changing flight plans and meeting up with our flight to Korea in LA instead of Vegas. So it all worked out nicely. (side note: there are 4 groups of teachers in Zhongshan, one group came over a month early to help with a Summer camp, the rest of us came together, so there were 3 groups of us that flew to Hong Kong.) In the end it took us, hmmm... about 32 hours to get to Hong Kong, including the time spent sitting around at the SL airport. Now, I don't want you to think I am complaining though. During these 32 hours of travel time we were able to get to know each other and form friendships right from the start!
We arrived in Hong Kong mid Friday that gave us time to go to our Hotel and get everything settled, and still have time to see what Hong Kong had to offer. Well, kinda. We ended up getting to Buddha just as it closed and we weren't able to go to it; no worries, we still had 2 full days ahead of us. We were able to go to Lady's Market and see how shopping is done, HK style! It was sweet and I quickly learned that if I don't improve my bargaining skills I will lose a lot of money, fast. My new friends, Nusly and Leah also spent some time wandering down a dark street of HK trying to find our hotel. After going down the same street 3 times, we realized we were just around the corner from the hotel the WHOLE TIME! Saturday morning, me and a few other girls -- Leah, Jill (a head teacher) and Amanda -- got up and were able to baptisms in the HK temple!! it was pretty incredible, and it was so cool to hear the prayers in Chinese! It is such a beautiful temple and it totally pops up out of nowhere really, since it is just right there on some street corner in the middle of the city! After that we had a tour of HK. Our tour guide, Matthew Lee, took us to see Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Harbor, Aberdeen Jewelry shop and warehouse (some of the most beautiful pieces of Jewelry I have EVER seen!), we got to go on a boat ride and see Jumbo the floating restaurant (although, sadly, we didn't get to eat there) We drove past Jackie Chan's house, about 3 times, and we ended our tour at Stanley's Market. That evening we went to see a light show in, what I guess would be called "downtown"; it was just like Times Square in NYC. Finally, on Sunday We got up and packed our bags, and then went to see Buddha, not just any Buddha... The largest sitting Buddha in the World!!! We took a tram up to see it. we were in a Crystal Cabin, meaning, the bottom was made of glass so that we could see below us. It was pretty neat! Buddha was awesome! We got to go up inside. I wish I could have taken pictures, but it was a sacred place and that is NOT allowed. It was cool though because there were lots of really neat paintings that I assume was a lot of history of Buddhism, or something like that, and some of the paintings were painted in blood! Neat, huh? We also went to the Monastery, which was beautiful. And on the way out, we got to paint rocks, for FREEEE, and take them home. :) We met a very nice lady and her daughters, they taught us some Chinese Characters so that we could draw them on our rocks.
HK looks just like NYC but a little more run down. The people there aren't as friendly as they are here in China, but they were still pretty nice. The people at the market would take us for idiots and get frustrated when they realize that you know how to bargain. I learned that the more run down the place looks the better the food. Also, Pizza Hut serves some pretty crazy dishes, and octopus is NOT good. And the pastries here are DELICIOUS! Overall, HK was beautiful and it was such a fun place to visit. I am sure there is a lot more that I could have done, if I had more time, but the time there was well spent and very much worth it.
Zhongshan is a whole different story. We got here late Sunday night after riding a ferry from HK. Once we got here we had to say goodbye to the 2 other groups. They are teaching in different cities (20 mins to an hour away from us). We live in an apartment across the street from the School where we teach. We eat our food in the cafeteria at the school. they serve breakfast lunch and dinner. It is usually rice, lots of rice, and some vegetables and meat. The meat usually still has the bones. The first day, I tried duck. It was actually pretty good. But I have learned that the food tastes better when you don't know what it is. We spent Monday and Tuesday getting acquainted with the city and the school and preparing ourselves for teaching. Wed morning is when I started. We were separated into 2 groups Primary (older) and Kindergarten (younger). The Primary teaches from 3:30-5:30 and Kindergarten is 8:30-11:30. I teach kindergarten. (that means, as soon as I am done teaching, I have the rest of the day to prepare for the next day and then explore the city!) Within each group there are 6 teachers. The kids are split up so that we teach about 8 kids at a time. We each have a subject to teach and the kids rotate. The subjects are: Shop, Drama, Games, Gym, Arts and Crafts, and Kitchen. This week I was on Drama. We switch topics every week, each day we have to teach the same lesson 6 times. For Drama I have been picking a book to read the kids, then I have them act the stories out. The kids are so hard to keep in control. I am sure it will get easier as the days go on, but it is still fun. I already love the kids, even when they are misbehaving, and I want to take them home!! The kids have lunch at the same time as us, they like to run up and say hi to us in the cafeteria. I love it!!!
We have Mandarin Lessons on Monday and Wednesday nights and Kung Fu on Friday afternoons. Kung Fu is harder than you would think. My legs were so sore afterwards!! But by the time I am finished... I'm going to be a Kung Fu Master! Just you wait and see! :)
Well, I know that is a lot, but you know me, I always have a lot to say. and besides, I wanted you to experience China too!! :) I'll cut my emails down in the future. ;-) Well I hope all is well with you, I hope you are having a good time, just as I am! (but I doubt it) keep it real and "Peace out, okay?"
Lauren
PS I would love to hear from you too!! :)
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