Last Day In Beijing and Remembering China
Alyssa
For our last day in China, we went to the temple of heaven in the morning. I
loved it there, it was so peaceful and calming in a way, and it reminded me
of home. We went to the pearl market after that the artist street. My
favorite part of the day was the Pearl Market, IT WAS SOOOO MUCH FUN! There
were 5 floors of different things to buy but the market specialized in
pearls. I bought aloootttt of pearls. Artists street was so beautiful too.
There were paintings hung everywhere, and I went into a store of all Chinese
musical instruments, and I felt so at home. Today was so much fun, maybe one
of my favorite days because I got the chance to reflect on everything that
happened throughout our trip because itıs the last dayIım sad and happy for
multiple reasons. Iım sad to leave because this trip has engraved a path in
my future that has opened up my eyes to many cultural experiences. But Iım
happy to return home to share my experiences with students my age, or
compare/contrast experiences with students who have traveled. This trip has
been the best experience of my life. All of the 8 students going to this
trip left Hartford as strangers, but the first day in, I knew the formation
of a family was in the works. I feel comfortable with every single member of
the trip, as I do with my own brother, sister, mother, father, uncle, or
aunt. I can not thank enough all of the people who contributed to the
organization of this program, because this has changed my life more than I
would have ever expected, and for the better. So I would like to say thank
you to Mary Greene, Gary Blomgren, Chris Simpson who organized the trip. And
of course thank you to my parents, Francesca Palumbo, and Thomas Palumbo,
who made this trip possible. I love you both more than you will ever know,
and I owe you more than words are capable of describing for allowing me to
partake in this experience. Also, Thank you to my brother, who taught me to
follow my heart and never give up on something I really want. Thank you to
my boyfriend who supports absolutely everything that I want to pursue along
with the desire to travel during the summer. Thank you to all of my
teachers, especially Susan Sopper, who triggered a fair deal of my
international interest. Thank you to all of my coworkers and friends who
supported my travels. This has been the best thing that has ever happened to
me, and I hope that everyone will travel, if given the opportunity.
Highlights of AACE 2011:
Aria: "Looking down from the cliffs of Mount Tai, it feels like youıre
sitting on top of the world. After exploring so much of China's rich culture
in the past three weeks, I look forward to travel experiences in the
future."
Lexi: "Singing Babyı with a little girl at dinner will always will be the
most memorable moment that happened on this trip. Also getting to share my
interest in music with a little girl made my entire trip! It was the best
night and I will always look back on it."
Jordan: "Walking through old town in Lijiang at night painted a picture in
my mind that I will never forget.
Ryan: ³I have a new mission in life; learn fluent Chinese, and blow glass in
Lijiangıs Old Town."
Matt: "On top of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it took my breath away, and
visiting schools all around China made me feel at home with the students."
Alyssa: "My first steps in Lijiang transformed the trip into something so
much better."
Zoe: "The culture shock in Lijiang was when I really realized the extent of
our travels."
Jesse: "My favorite part about my stay in China was being in old town
Lijiang."
|
