We had closing ceremonies where the students got to show off what they learned
again and see what other campers had learned as well. Riki gave some of her speech in Chinese, which was impressive.
The kids all did great. A couple of the Chinese girls cried, they said they did
not want their American friends to leave. The high school band played Auld Lang
Syne. It was a very emotional ending to our Kunming journey.
When we left the school there was a rainbow, which I thought was perfect,
because you can't get a rainbow without both sunshine and rain. It seemed to be
a very poetic ending.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
LAST DAYS IN KUNMING
Our students have become very close, looking out for each other. They are family
now.
So many of them have excellent and mature behavior. They have met schedules,
kept up with a very fast paced and full days.
Don't be surprised if they come home and sleep for a week and want hamburgers
and cereal. You may want to have some of their favorite foods for them.
We visited the Stone Forest, out in the country for the first
time got a glimpse of rural life and beauty.
The kids continue to like to break up into smaller groups and be with their
Chinese friends the most.
Sorry we do not have better internet and phone access. We are doing our best.
Please know that everyone is fine, even if they haven't called or emailed. Aside
from a few minor. Stomach, allergy and cold issuesn they are all doing just
great.
I continue to be proud of their ability to adapt to a very different culture and
place.
In the past few days they learned to fan dance, make music, paint and even
arrange flowers.
As a student explained to me last night, the idea behind this whole camp is to
foster relationships. He said as the students grow up and become businessmen and
women and leaders, they will understand their Asian friends, care about them and
" make decisions that will not hurt them."
IN AND AROUND KUNMING
Grooms racing with brides in the park on Sunday.
Kung Fu class....was a favorite for many.
The kids continue to enjoy building relationships with their new Asian friends.
The Stone Forest was amazing and my personal favorite of the trip. We finally got out into the countryside. The Stone Forest was like walking through dry ocean floor caves. Many little holes to walk through.
Everyday we spend hours climbing massive amounts of stairs, it continues to be a challenge, but one the kids really enjoy.
We have visited many temples, this one had the most wonderful gardens for the kids to stroll through. April is playing with on of the Chinese children who accompanied us (lower left). She will make a great babysitter..
Kung Fu class....was a favorite for many.
The kids continue to enjoy building relationships with their new Asian friends.
The Stone Forest was amazing and my personal favorite of the trip. We finally got out into the countryside. The Stone Forest was like walking through dry ocean floor caves. Many little holes to walk through.
Everyday we spend hours climbing massive amounts of stairs, it continues to be a challenge, but one the kids really enjoy.
We have visited many temples, this one had the most wonderful gardens for the kids to stroll through. April is playing with on of the Chinese children who accompanied us (lower left). She will make a great babysitter..
STONE FOREST
Photos from the Stone Forest..The culture mandates that we "love the young and respect the old" A baby in a backpack watches an elderly man play flute. It is typical to find people in parks playing recreation music together.
Andrea and her Chinese friend take an art class together. Andrea says, she believes she and her friend will stay in touch.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
KUNMING NOTES 7-26
If some of you could see your children now, you'd have tears in your eyes.
I came down to the music class, I could hear duets of Amazing Grace as I approached. I was astonished when I rounded the corner to find Hannah, Charlie, Christian and Louie playing their instruments together; working together, trying to stay in time. It was absolulty heart warming!
Will is holding court, playing an instrument for the Chinese girls. They are nodding adoringly.
I came down to the music class, I could hear duets of Amazing Grace as I approached. I was astonished when I rounded the corner to find Hannah, Charlie, Christian and Louie playing their instruments together; working together, trying to stay in time. It was absolulty heart warming!
Will is holding court, playing an instrument for the Chinese girls. They are nodding adoringly.
DOG ON THE MENU..? NO THANKS!
The kids did family visits Saturday night. All had really great times.
Rebecca, one of the kids, was served dog. True story. She is a vegitarian and politely declined.
The kids had wonderful experiences, many wonderful stories.
The Chinese people are just so kind to us. Lou was crossing the street today in the rain, a Chinese student who we did not know ran up and put an umbrella over Lou and walked him to the hotel in the rain.
The traffic here is insane!
The kids put on a talent show today with Chinese students. We were very proud of them. Mike Compton and April played instruments. Makala and Kristian danced. The group did a traditional group dance and the guys were really good sports about the fan dance they were asked to do. They are learning the importance of politeness and cooperation with our hosts.
Rebecca, one of the kids, was served dog. True story. She is a vegitarian and politely declined.
The kids had wonderful experiences, many wonderful stories.
The Chinese people are just so kind to us. Lou was crossing the street today in the rain, a Chinese student who we did not know ran up and put an umbrella over Lou and walked him to the hotel in the rain.
The traffic here is insane!
The kids put on a talent show today with Chinese students. We were very proud of them. Mike Compton and April played instruments. Makala and Kristian danced. The group did a traditional group dance and the guys were really good sports about the fan dance they were asked to do. They are learning the importance of politeness and cooperation with our hosts.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
SOLAR ECLIPSE!
KUNMING, July 22---AM--The kids are watching the full solar eclipse with the students at the high school.
In a popular Chinese legend, a giant named Kua Fu chased the fiery sun across the sky, hoping to bring about the end of a catastrophic drought. Though the hero dies in impassioned pursuit, the gods take notice of his inspired effort and punish the sun, forcing it farther from the Earth and drawing the calamitous weather to a close.
Now, Chinese media are ablaze with the mythical giant's name -- this time, to refer to amateur astronomers who have flocked to southern China for the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century. International and domestic tourists have descended on government-designated viewing spots such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Wuhan to witness the natural phenomenon.
The rare total eclipse will be visible through a swath of India and southern China on Wednesday morning (Chinese time).
In a popular Chinese legend, a giant named Kua Fu chased the fiery sun across the sky, hoping to bring about the end of a catastrophic drought. Though the hero dies in impassioned pursuit, the gods take notice of his inspired effort and punish the sun, forcing it farther from the Earth and drawing the calamitous weather to a close.
Now, Chinese media are ablaze with the mythical giant's name -- this time, to refer to amateur astronomers who have flocked to southern China for the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century. International and domestic tourists have descended on government-designated viewing spots such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Wuhan to witness the natural phenomenon.
The rare total eclipse will be visible through a swath of India and southern China on Wednesday morning (Chinese time).
KUNMING SIGHTS
KUNMING, July 21 PM-- Tonight we walked several blocks to a park, with a lake. Each student was able to walk around the lake with their Chinese buddy and shop, look around and mingle with locals.
Families were there playing music, sports and enjoying themselves in general. It was a really good chance to see a slice of life in Kunming. The sun came out too! Yay!
The kids really enjoyed it! Time went too fast, they want to go back again.
The local hosts are working so hard to give us an education while entertaining us at the same time.
Families were there playing music, sports and enjoying themselves in general. It was a really good chance to see a slice of life in Kunming. The sun came out too! Yay!
The kids really enjoyed it! Time went too fast, they want to go back again.
The local hosts are working so hard to give us an education while entertaining us at the same time.
Monday, July 20, 2009
KAREN'S NOTEBOOK: YUNNAN PROVINCE
NOTE: Have been unable to send photos as of yet. We are working on it.
KUNMING, July 20-- We are all staying at the Huaxing Hotel in Kunming. Hotel staff very friendly indeed, but none speaks English. (That should facilitate learning Chinese!) This is the heart of the city; our students are going to the Number One school in Yunnan province, the school for the best and brightest. Everyone introduced themselves at a welcoming ceremony this morning. They were all paired with a buddy.... Food is excellent.. I can see each of the students growing in different ways.
(later) The kids had a great banquet with show. Having a ball, dancing, etc. Couldn't be better. Was a fun party! The group sang on the bus the whole way back to the hotel. They are jacked up. Some of them are fantastic performers.
July 21, 9:30am (China Time) Our students having their Chinese language classes now and seem to be doing really well. The each sit with his/her new Chinese friend.
KUNMING, July 20-- We are all staying at the Huaxing Hotel in Kunming. Hotel staff very friendly indeed, but none speaks English. (That should facilitate learning Chinese!) This is the heart of the city; our students are going to the Number One school in Yunnan province, the school for the best and brightest. Everyone introduced themselves at a welcoming ceremony this morning. They were all paired with a buddy.... Food is excellent.. I can see each of the students growing in different ways.
(later) The kids had a great banquet with show. Having a ball, dancing, etc. Couldn't be better. Was a fun party! The group sang on the bus the whole way back to the hotel. They are jacked up. Some of them are fantastic performers.
July 21, 9:30am (China Time) Our students having their Chinese language classes now and seem to be doing really well. The each sit with his/her new Chinese friend.
NOTES FROM CHINA: START IN BEIJING
BEIJING, July 18-- The trip is off to a good start after some delays. On the day after our arrival, two British students, part of the larger group, were quarantined because the Chinese said they showed symptoms of "swine flu." Nurses took our temperatures every time we left the dorm building.....Some websites are blocked here, including Facebook, Youtube, and-- my blog!
(later) Memphis kids had the last act in the ceremonies tonight and got the crowd on their feet, dancing the "Cupid Shuffle." It was great! The ceremonies were fantastic, with dancing dragons, fireworks, and other groups performing. Really good and lots of fun.
(later) Memphis kids had the last act in the ceremonies tonight and got the crowd on their feet, dancing the "Cupid Shuffle." It was great! The ceremonies were fantastic, with dancing dragons, fireworks, and other groups performing. Really good and lots of fun.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Paradise is calling you.......
Some say this is where we are going....what do you think?
"Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia—a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world. In the novel Lost Horizon, the people who live at Shangri-La are almost immortal, living years beyond the normal lifespan and only very slowly aging in appearance. The word also evokes the imagery of exoticism of the Orient."
"Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia—a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world. In the novel Lost Horizon, the people who live at Shangri-La are almost immortal, living years beyond the normal lifespan and only very slowly aging in appearance. The word also evokes the imagery of exoticism of the Orient."
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Get together Sunday
Parents and students got together Sunday at the home of Joe Namie. A few highlights that came from the meeting. DON'T FORGET PASSPORTS! Bring toilet paper and a little baggie to carry it in your day pack. We meet 6:30 A.M. Tuesday at Starbucks at the airport. Expect to pay 70% less that original price, while negotiating for items in China. Bring good walking shoes for the Great Wall. Set up Skype account to talk online when possible. We are going to have a great time!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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