Top 10

Greetings all!!
I'm finally back from China, over jet lag, and getting into the swing of summer (with all of it's work, social outings, and humidity...). We've been quite busy the last week or so getting Casey's graduation party up and going and putting together all the details of the summer months. Grandma and Grandpa were here for a few days after our return (they got to see Casey graduate, which dad and I missed) and it was lovely to see them for a few days.

I realized yesterday that I have not written here for a rediculous amount of time. So sorry to be such a slacker! There is so much to write about China, I could not possibly ever write it all down...so if you want newsy stories and lots of pictures you'll have to come talk to me in person. But I wanted to give you a flavor for the trip by giving you my "top 10" list (in order of occurance) of u-choir tour 2008.

1. Opening concert in Taichung
We were entirely unsure of what to expect on our first day there...jet lagged and awed by the sights we were seeing (from hundreds of mopeds at every intersection to characters as far as the eye could see) we clambered out of the bus to yet another meal fit for kings and an incredible welcome party. We spent the afternoon at our sister campus and sang that night for a packed house in a room that must have been 90 degrees and 85% humidity. They received us so well, and cried with us at the end of the concert. Music knows no barriers.

2. Sheldon
Sheldon was our tour guide for the first 4 or 5 days of our trip. He is a business man from Hong Kong who owns 3 houses and his own business, is a retired gemologist, and is incredibly knowledgeable about politics and history in both China and the US. But instead of looking like an impressive figure, he is a man who is small in stature and speaks only when it is needed. He believes in doing things like tour guiding to educate and draw people into the culture and people of his country. He spoke graciously about all sides of the Taiwan/China/Hong Kong confusion (ask me...it's fascinating) and was able to illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of the country's history and present with exceptional grace and skill. He was also so personable, asking us about our lives, planting gems of wisdom everywhere he went. He helped us navigate street markets, learn about some of the characters and the language (again...ask me), find the best deals in pearl stores, and above all come to love his country. When we said goodbye to him on the 5th afternoon of our trip, we gathered around him in the airport and began to sing the doxology. Then he began to cry. And after that, there was not a dry eye around the circle. He has left an incredible impression on us all.

3. Hiking up Victoria Peak in Hong Kong
Before we entered mainland china, we spent two days in Taiwan and almost a day in Hong Kong. This little collection of 240some islands is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. To me, it looks like what I imagine New Zealand to be: overly green islands covered in rain forest, with dense humidity causing clouds to pass low around the mountains. But in Hong Kong, the rainforrest is not the only inhabitant. There are 40 million people who live in this 132km square piece of property, and due to such limited space, most of them live in high rise appartment buildings. This means that the mountains flow along with forest, and are then suddenly cut through with skyscrapers. The effect is stunning and beautiful. Our only morning in Hong Kong, we took a ferry from the island we sayed on onto Hong Kong island, the main industrial district of the region. The bus climbed a steep set of switchbacks until we reached the top of Victoria Peak, which overlooks the hugely important Victoria Harbor. We hiked around and took pictures, marveling at the fact that we felt that we were in a rainforest at one minute and in New York City the next. Ask to see picutres...they are awesome.

4. Shenzen girls choir
About our 5th day on the trip, we had our second concert, which was actually a "make-up" concert thrown together with a high school girls choir. We went in hoping to inspire them to keep singing and better their skills. We came out wishing that we had sung a little better. These girls (mostly 13 and 14 years old) were absolutely stunning in tone, performance skills, musicality, vocal range, and smiles. They charmed us with tight harmonies, resonnant tone, and incredibly beautiful faces. The exchange between us certainly showed some cultural differences in music selection, but also inspired on both sides to keep looking for what different things the human voice can accomplish. After the show, our boys went backstage to change, and we girls blended with them, speaking in broken Amerineese about whatever we could find in common. One of the girls pressed close to me suddenly asked "do you guys know high school musical??" and within seconds, we were all singing, dancing, grabbing hands, and turning around the stage. Freestyle dancing broke out in the middle of the circle as they pulled us into it and we laughed and entered a sureal space together. Suddenly the corny musical songs like, "we're all in this together" seemed ultimately appropriate. When the song ended someone started singing "Sia Hamba" the african spiritual. Then another broke out "Hey Jude" and "I will Follow Him". 10 mintues later we were all still dancing and singing and completely exhausted. ...and we were all believing in the power of music to break down walls like never before. We got to share dinner with the girls and they gave us presents, took pictures, and shared their dreams with us. Two close to me wanted to be a doctor and a Chinese ambassador respectively. They are bright minds and beautiful people...I'm sure they will go far. The chance to connect with girls like this who are real people and love their country and what lies beyond it was truely a remarkable experience.


5. Visit to the Beijing silk factory
This was a very touristy thing to do, but it really was remarkable. We saw how each cuckoon from each silk moth was made of a single thread, less that 1/10th the width of a human hair. 10 of these threads are twisted together to form a single thread to use in silk garments and sheets. We also saw how mattresses are made from double cuckoons whose threads cannot be isolated. What a hugely tedious and amazing process! They had a fasion show for us to highlight some of the best clothing. It was a fun event. And when the show was finished, they asked us to get up on the runway and sing for them!! Dad chalked one up for the "wierd venues" column as we sang through some of our lighter music for a very enthusiastic group of factory workers. That's a concert I'm not likely to forget!! :)

6. Bartering for gifts at the "Silk Street" market
One of my favorite parts about China is the fact that you get to barter wherever you go. There is something truely fascinating about the fact that the buyer gets to determine the value of what he or she wants that is not only economical but fun. Especially in market places, where much of the same merchandise can be found from kiosk to kiosk, it is interesting to be in the position of authority when you are buying, and to negotiate a price that is lower than what the person next door will offer. Ironically, I think there is little else that shows capitalism more clearly than buying things in this sociallistic country. I met up with Katie Kok while we were in Beijing, and she was with me on our biggest shopping day. We made quite a team and got some great gifts to bring home.

7. Peking Duck Dinner
On our second evening in Beijing, we experienced a local "must"...the peking duck dinner. This is perhaps the most incredible meal I have ever eaten. It began as usual with spinache and celery appetizers, rice, and a few cold dishes (including duck liver) to whet our appetites. Then came some hot dishes, a bit closer to what you would think of "chinese stir fry" looking like. And finally, whole ducks were brought out between the tables and sliced quickly. The skin is kept on and is very crispy and flavorful. Upon receiving the duck on your table, very thin rice "tortillas" are used to collect a cooked sprout/duck/greens mixture as well as the duck and a special sauce that I can only describe as a sesame vinegar barbeque sauce. This is rolled together and eaten...enjoy!! We ate until we could not eat more and reveled in the flavors. I'd love to take each of you there some day for this experience!!

9. Visiting Tien Am Men square and the Forbidden City
I'm ashamed to say that I don't know nearly enough history to be prepared for a trip like this, but on this day we were able to emerse ourselves in the history of the square and the forbidden city. Everywhere in this region is covered with pictures of Mao, and his tomb sits in the middle of the square, avaliable for viewing by anyone who walks by. Vendors sell Mao watches (the second hand causes him to wave at you) and red books of Mao's wise words. The square is packed with children carrying the flag of communist china. Moving across the street into the forbidden city was even more surreal. Here, for thousands of years, the emperors were kept in quarters completely isolated from the rest of the world, in order that their authority might be highlighted for all to see. But this place also became a prison, and one that so far removed the person of power from the people, that the dynasties were ultimately overthrown by cultural revolution. Amidst incredible archetecture and beautiful courtyards, there is an ominous undertone and a warning, which I cannot do justice.

10. The Great Wall
On our final day in Beijing, we drove up out of the city to climb the great wall. It was a truely remarkable experience and one that is not for the faint of heart. We climbed for about 50 minutes to reach the top...sometimes walking, sometimes scrambling to reach high enough for the next "step" and all the time wondering, how on earth did they build this thing a couple thousand years ago??? The sights of both the surrounding mountains and the wall itself (which stretches for over 5,000 miles) is truely amazing. We enjoyed the feeling of excercise, fresh air, and conquest over such a great piece of construction extremely, and took more pictures than really should ever be allowed.

So, that gives you an idea of what we did at least. Check facebook in the next few days for at least some favorites of my pictures. There are about 800 currently, so I'm trying to narrow them down. :)

Love to you all...and come visit me if you want more story time!!

Morgs