Official Start Time: 5:54 am
Date: 7/5/08
Official End Time: 6:54 am
Today's journal recaps the events of 7/4/08. The day is awkward having short moments and then burst of information; so bare with me.
The day starts as usual with us waking up at 5 and moving out around 8. We had breakfast with Steve and Tim to learn that we would be meeting our Chinese counterparts today. The whole day was spent wondering if they would like us or not and if these kids would one day be our families. This dilemma followed us through most of the morning.
We took a bus to the airport around 8:30, but were confined to the vehicle for almost an hour. Check in was as usual a pain, but lost me my ice when we went through security. The insulin crisis has been just as hard forcing Steve to think for both me and the group. Ice is retrieved everyday we need to and of right now is being guarded by a man with a shot gun in front of a Coke machine.
Once on the plane it was 2 hours till we reach Xi-an. The ride had a lot of turbulence and was mixed between those sleeping, reading, and listening to music.
When we finally did leave the plane around 3 pm we again had to go through security and all the same processes at any airport. We actually had to wait a while seeing as the bus that was going to get us had broken down.
When we crossed the street to meet the bus, we saw swarms of students and adults courteous enough to treat us like kings. We got candy, water, wipes, and anything we needed was at their request. On the bus we met Tony who really became close with Alex. The other students didn't know as much english as Tony or failed to have the same interests. The kid was cool but became more Alex's friend than anyone else.
The Terra-cotta soldiers was great, but kinda diverted the idea of us mingling with the Chinese students. We really just stuck together going in random circles while cracking jokes.
*Jay was really quiet throughout the trip but really not just today but in general. I am concerned that he isn't comfortable socializing with the others. I on the other hand try to talk to everyone so that I am not stuck with someone who I know nothing bout. MINGLE!
After, we get back on the bus we we're on a 1 hour wait to the hotel which left more room for us to mess around and talk to Tony. We laughed and ate food not really concerned with the atmosphere between the two cultures. I feel at times like the difference in language leaves certain blockades between us getting closer. Sometimes I think they think we think that they are stupid ad vice versa. That kinda spoils the whole idea amongst connecting with the students. Often we talk to others and not those we should mingle with the most.
Dinner was at a nice Chinese restaurant in which the whole group had 3 rooms to themselves Me, Steve, and Jay were put in the adult Chinese room with all the guys. It was a bit of a disappointment being separated from the other kids, but got better as time went along.
Most of the dinner I spent talking to Steve and translating for Jay who was unable to eat the beef. Different dishes were brought to us to try and at each we were given first hand tries. I'm actually getting pretty good with the chopsticks and was bold to eat with them throughout dinner. Most of the meat was spicy yet at the same time sweet. We had a lot of beef, some veggies, and rice.
I talked to Steve the whole time through dinner sharing ideas about ITR&D, school, and the people we were eating with. Steve Rocks!
After a while we started to get stuffed and couldn't take much more food. We had cheers every time someone brought in a new dish. Dinner wasn't bad but was awkward because of the language barrier. On the walk back I talked to the others concerned with their meal and how they were experiencing the Chinese students. I'm pretty comfortable with all the American students and really glad I made a connection with Tony.
Can't wait to embark today's journey
Hector Guzman
7/5/08 6:54 am
This entry is actually one of the first I had shared from my journal and probably one of my better entries. It captures us meeting the Chinese students and the challenges yet opportunities that would come with this experience. Even after leaving China I still hold the same attitude trying to stay in touch with as many of the Chinese students as possible and with all my American comrades.
This experience has really taught me that you should always be open to others and willing to make friends. Things such as money, language, and other adversities really don't matter when you're with people who care about you.
Date: 7/5/08
Official End Time: 6:54 am
Today's journal recaps the events of 7/4/08. The day is awkward having short moments and then burst of information; so bare with me.
The day starts as usual with us waking up at 5 and moving out around 8. We had breakfast with Steve and Tim to learn that we would be meeting our Chinese counterparts today. The whole day was spent wondering if they would like us or not and if these kids would one day be our families. This dilemma followed us through most of the morning.
We took a bus to the airport around 8:30, but were confined to the vehicle for almost an hour. Check in was as usual a pain, but lost me my ice when we went through security. The insulin crisis has been just as hard forcing Steve to think for both me and the group. Ice is retrieved everyday we need to and of right now is being guarded by a man with a shot gun in front of a Coke machine.
Once on the plane it was 2 hours till we reach Xi-an. The ride had a lot of turbulence and was mixed between those sleeping, reading, and listening to music.
When we finally did leave the plane around 3 pm we again had to go through security and all the same processes at any airport. We actually had to wait a while seeing as the bus that was going to get us had broken down.
When we crossed the street to meet the bus, we saw swarms of students and adults courteous enough to treat us like kings. We got candy, water, wipes, and anything we needed was at their request. On the bus we met Tony who really became close with Alex. The other students didn't know as much english as Tony or failed to have the same interests. The kid was cool but became more Alex's friend than anyone else.
The Terra-cotta soldiers was great, but kinda diverted the idea of us mingling with the Chinese students. We really just stuck together going in random circles while cracking jokes.
*Jay was really quiet throughout the trip but really not just today but in general. I am concerned that he isn't comfortable socializing with the others. I on the other hand try to talk to everyone so that I am not stuck with someone who I know nothing bout. MINGLE!
After, we get back on the bus we we're on a 1 hour wait to the hotel which left more room for us to mess around and talk to Tony. We laughed and ate food not really concerned with the atmosphere between the two cultures. I feel at times like the difference in language leaves certain blockades between us getting closer. Sometimes I think they think we think that they are stupid ad vice versa. That kinda spoils the whole idea amongst connecting with the students. Often we talk to others and not those we should mingle with the most.
Dinner was at a nice Chinese restaurant in which the whole group had 3 rooms to themselves Me, Steve, and Jay were put in the adult Chinese room with all the guys. It was a bit of a disappointment being separated from the other kids, but got better as time went along.
Most of the dinner I spent talking to Steve and translating for Jay who was unable to eat the beef. Different dishes were brought to us to try and at each we were given first hand tries. I'm actually getting pretty good with the chopsticks and was bold to eat with them throughout dinner. Most of the meat was spicy yet at the same time sweet. We had a lot of beef, some veggies, and rice.
I talked to Steve the whole time through dinner sharing ideas about ITR&D, school, and the people we were eating with. Steve Rocks!
After a while we started to get stuffed and couldn't take much more food. We had cheers every time someone brought in a new dish. Dinner wasn't bad but was awkward because of the language barrier. On the walk back I talked to the others concerned with their meal and how they were experiencing the Chinese students. I'm pretty comfortable with all the American students and really glad I made a connection with Tony.
Can't wait to embark today's journey
Hector Guzman
7/5/08 6:54 am
This entry is actually one of the first I had shared from my journal and probably one of my better entries. It captures us meeting the Chinese students and the challenges yet opportunities that would come with this experience. Even after leaving China I still hold the same attitude trying to stay in touch with as many of the Chinese students as possible and with all my American comrades.
This experience has really taught me that you should always be open to others and willing to make friends. Things such as money, language, and other adversities really don't matter when you're with people who care about you.
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