4-14-05 - Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace and Beijing M.S. #8

Our Visit to Beijing Normal M.S. #8
by Jess Athier

Today all of us had an experience of a lifetime. We had our first encounter with Chinese students. We visited the #8 Middle School in Beijing where there was an English class waiting to welcome us. For me the experience was filled with anxiety and anticipation. The fourteen of us walked into the Chinese classroom while applause began to echo off the walls. I have never been applauded just for walking into a room before. As we sat amongst the Chinese students groups of them went to the front of the room and gave us PowerPoint presentations about Chinese history and culture. Soon we all began to make friends. They found out rather quickly that I enjoyed playing basketball and instead of getting a tour of the school I was taken directly to the courts. Over time it turned into a five on five game of American vs. Chinese, all guys except for me! They were fascinated by the fact that I was a girl and I wasn't afraid to challenge them and make baskets. I had the most amazing time. I remember thinking to myself that the language barrier didn't matter any more. We were able to communicate with clapping, cheering and looks of sheet happiness on all of our faces. We had become friends even though we couldn't communicate verbally very well. Sometimes words really don't matter.

Simon and Noel were part of a valiant, although failed, attempt at glory on the basketball court.

Wyatt enthralled many of his new friends, not only with his willingness to converse in Chinese, but his ability to learn the twirling pen trick they taught him.