After one coach journey, two flights and waiting around in airports for many hours we (3 teachers and 21 students from different sixth forms in Coventry) arrived at Beijing airport tired, hungry but excited. We were greeted there by David, Cindy (English teachers from Jinan Foreign Languages School) and Dong Xiaoli our interpreter from the Jinan Foreign Affairs Office. They took us straight to our hotel in the heart of Beijing. The hotel was owned by the Jinan Council and was three floors of a tall office block. The rooms were like a good ordinary hotel though. It was here that we had our first experience of Chinese food over lunch. Even though the food was very different and there were a number of confused and concerned faces it was tried and then enjoyed.

Then it was time to do our first bit of sightseeing. Tian an men Square and the Forbidden City – two of Beijing’s main tourist attractions. After a very prolonged group photo taking ten minutes (see our faces on the website after 20 different cameras had gone for the same shot)., we were set free to explore the magnificent square. Next was the forbidden City which is at the far end of Tian an men Square. The heat was intense and nearly unbearable (fortunately it was the last day of a heat wave that had made even the locals complain). But by getting cheap parasols and bottled water we managed to protect ourselves from the worst of it. It was all more impressive than anything I had seen before

As the group had not had hardly any sleep for 24 hours we retreated to the hotel for dinner and sleep. A very eventful first day

Natasha

It was an early rise for the group as they struggled to keep awake for the 6.30 meeting at breakfast. Today’s agenda was to visit the main tourist attraction in China – The Great Wall (90 minutes out of Beijing). Later we were to see one of the series of tombs dedicated to the Ming dynasty. Our first impression of the Great Wall was the number of tourists and the heat, though we were told that we were lucky that the day was clear as it is so often shrouded in a misty heat haze. Many of the group attempted to walk the main part of the wall along with the overwhelming majority of Chinese tourists. Being young Western tourists the group attracted as much attention as the Wall (Especially those who were tall or with blond/fair hair)

After a short break we travelled to the Ming Tombs. Our purpose for going there was to learn about the history of the Ming dynasty that ruled China for so many centuries. There was a brief fall of rain, which was much appreciated in the heat.

In the evening we walked the streets of Beijing to do some shopping and to look for food. The hosts as ever knew what was needed and a McDonalds or two later and flagging spirits were revived.

For many the day ended with a return to the hotel and collapsing into our air conditioned rooms.

Eleanor

We had another early start this morning with our bags having to be downstairs and loaded onto the bus at 6.00. Breakfast followed with dumplings, cakes, melons, eggs, bread, jam, milk, cola and many, many more buffet items.

At 7.00 we went to the old imperial gardens at Beihai Park. Although it was rainy and foggy (you might think typically English, but not at 27C.) it was more comfortable than the blazing sunshine.

We returned to the hotel for dinner (another massive meal). This time we spotted strips of Gekko meat (tasty!), snails and various forms of see food animal and vegetable (along with chicken, prawns, beef, lamb etc). Plenty for the five veggies in the party as well. Then it was off to the station and Jinan. The train journey was quiet (as most of us were asleep!). It was about four and a half-hours long, very comfortable and with great views of the unending countryside and a very few towns (China in a nutshell)

During the journey the sun came out and the air conditioning on the train earned its money. Trains are much bigger and longer than those in Britain, some carriages were double-deckers. Background music of mainly Chinese origin was played throughout

The journey made me realize how well off we are in Britain and how hard people were working to scrape a leaving in the countryside – it was an amazing site to see.

After arriving at the station and negotiating the melee that we also experienced at Beijing, we were taken to the hotel. It was quite a shock, not only because It was different to the hotel we were originally going to but It was very posh clean and proper. It was like we were royalty or something!

In the evening we went out to a traditional northern Chinese ‘hot pot’ restaurant that was clearly off the normal tourist route. We took over the whole place and it was a very entertaining experience as the staff continued to bring platefuls of different foods long after everyone was full!! However this was the most traditional style meal we had enjoyed so far.

We travelled back to the hotel through the lights of the city night, which were dazzling. It looked much like America at times in relation to the size of the buildings and the lights used for clubs, hotels, bars etc.

Tomorrow was to be a big day when we met the students at Jinan Foreign Language School for the first time. Also most of us were to perform in the morning so the more conscientious practiced their pieces whilst others explored the hotel.

Today was the most hectic and busy day so far.

Jemma

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Saturday/Sunday 20 July 2002
The overnight stay with Chinese students families. Please scroll down for different viewpoints.....

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Jemma’s View

This was the part of the trip I was looking forward to the most as I felt it would be the most beneficial experience overall.

When I met ‘Shelly’ my partner we planned a number of activities that we wanted to do during my visit. I was surprised that the family were able to afford a driver who picked us up from the Qilu Hotel. He took us on a tour of the city pointing out many of the sites. The Central Park Square appealed to me most because of its two main features (the two symbols of Jinan; the open lotus flower and the blue and spherical sculpture that stood for the strength and unity of the people of the city.

We visited a large botanical park near Shelly’s home that contained many unusual plants. Shelly could not believe that I found the experience interesting and kept apologising for making me bored bored.

Her mother was with us all afternoon, but I did not meet her father who was in America on business (The students we met were not ‘ordinary’ Chinese!). He works for the Jinan government. Shelly’s parents’ share their apartment with her grandparent’s. I met them briefly in the evening as they were anxious to meet me. I wanted to find out about their experiences during the 1949 Revolution and afterwards, but there was not time.

We ate at McDonalds in the evening but the mother was worried that I had not eaten enough. The truth was I had eaten too much and could not fit any more in!

I also visited the hospital where her mother works. It deals mainly with party officials and businessmen. It was very posh and it was interesting to compare it with Britain. Shelly’s mother was very interested to know more about our system of healthcare.

We went to the top of the hospital and were able to see the golden Buddha by 1000 Buddha mountain

We exchanged gifts in the evening and I showed them both photographs of everybody and everything back home. They were very, very interested. Her mother was amazed at the size of our house, the fact that I drove and that were had more than one car. Also having two brothers and a sister was cause for comment, I suppose because they stick to the Chinese one child policy, as do most people in Jinan. We started to communicated without Shelly translating which I was surprised at.

We had an early night (9.30!) as we were very tired from the day. Shelly told me that we would be going to a Brewery in the morning as I had been invited there. It had been built in 1975 and was the only beer factory in Jinan. The beer was served at our first banquet on Friday, The manager told me that it was a very high quality beer. The factory employed over 1000 people.

After this I went shopping and bought a traditional Chinese dress. Shelly’s mother bargained the price down from 200 to 100 Yuan (8 pounds). I thought this was very cheap! We then went to KFC for dinner.

We then went home for a rest and then set about climbing 1000 Buddha Mountain. It was very interesting; inside a cave was more than 2800 different statues of Buddha. One was 28 m long. When Buddha died he was lying down with his feet resting on the heads of his four pupils

Buddha’s lined the route of the path up the mountain, each one different. We saw the big Golden Buddha, he is shown as always happy and smiling. This is my favorite depiction of Buddha.

It seems that everyone in China wants to be your friend and will do anything to stay in contact. We have already started to arrange our next visits to see each other. Having exchanged addresses we can keep in contact.

I was invited out for dinner but wanted to spend my last meal with Shelly’s family at home. It was a happy occasion, but the hardest part of the weekend was saying goodbye, though it is really only farewell for now.

Jemma

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Natasha’s View

Eleanor

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Wednesday 24th July 2002

Jemma

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Friday 26th July 2002

David Fry