Xi’an, Terra Cotta, Dumplings, and Much, Much, More (6-3-08)

We arrived in Xi’an and met our host Mr. Hoover (who kinda reminded me of a Chinese Mark Elrod) and took off in our busses.  Xi’an was, for most of China’s history, the capital.  We visited the Xi’an Forbidden City’s wall, which housed a museum on Feng Shui.  It was really interesting.  A little on the weird side, but hey it’s China right?  Then we went and ate and then the hotel.  That night, we also visited the Muslim market.  Suprisingly there are a lot of Muslims that live in China.  I think they said a little over a million Chinese were Muslim.  I bought most of my gifts there, and got to bargin and things, it’s quite enjoyable.  The next day we went to the tomb of the Terra Cotta soldiers.  It was amazing, there were over 8000 soldiers buried, each painted and with a differnt face.  It was really cool.  After that, we went to the University there in Xi’an.  We had “English Corner” time with some of the students there and had dinner.  Then we presented our final concert which went really well.  The Chinese seem to really enjoy the Spirituals, especially the MoHo Spirituals.  We then went back to the hotel and got ready to leave.  We got up the next day to tour the “Big Wild Goose Pagoda” (not related to the Yellow Crane Tower.)  Then we had A DUMPLING FEAST! It was fantastic.  There were 16 different kinds of dumplings.  It was one of the best meals we had in China.  Then we had to go to the airport.  NEVER EVER WILL I AGAIN USE CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES.  This time we couldn’t check our bags straight through to LAX from Xi’an.  Well we made it to Guangzhou then we had to get out, pick up our bags, recheck them, and then go through security all over again.  Let me tell you it was fantastic.  We then waited in the airport for about 2 hours before boarding a 12 hour flight to LAX.  Because China Southern had changed our flight to today instead of tomorrow they put us up at a hotel in LAX and paid for a meal at the hotel.  And what did we have as our first meal in America… That’s right…. Chinese Food.  It was a perfect end.  We all thought it was funny, but wasn’t nearly as good as most American or Chinese Chinese Food.  Well I’ve seen the sun rise and set twice today, so I’m going to bed.  I’m home and will write a summary sometime later.  Talk later.  ‘Night.

The Reeeeest of the Story (6-1-08)

So today is our last half day in Xining.  The past few days have been fun, if uneventful.  We’ve been to a few markets and met with “family”.  We went to a rug factory run by family on Friday they showed us how they make hand-knotted authentic Tibetan rugs.  They’re also about to make a deal with Crate & Barrel to sell their product.  It was really cool.  That night we did a small concert on the street in front of a delicious Italian restaurant.  Saturday we just hung out around Xining, and performed that night at the Three Self Church.  It was a good concert and may be the last one we do because we don’t know what’s going to happen concert-wise in Xi’an.  Alright, well I need to shut compy down and finish packing, we gotta be outta here by 7:30, see ya.

The Gateway to the West (of China!) (5-29-08)

So I feel like I’m at home, only in China.  No, just kidding, but apparently Xining is called the Gateway to the West.  Today was great, we got up and went to a Buddhist temple, it was kinda creepy, but very interesting.  We then walked up a small mountain (which put us at about 8000 ft.) and went to a park.  In the park we had an impromptu devo, it was incredible.  We then came back and I had a nap.  Afterward we had lunch and then got ready for the concert.  The concert tonight was neat because it was a benefit concert for the earthquake victims.  We raised about $1,300 for the victims, and the pastor from the Three Self Church (sanctioned Chinese church) asked us to do a concert on Saturday, it’s so exciting.  We got back and played cards a bit, then I decided to head to bed, which is where I’m going now, so I’ll talk later yo.  BYE!

The Wild, Wild, West (5-28-08)

Howdy y’all!  Greetings from Xining!  This is the farthest west we’ll be going on this trip.  Today started out horrible.  We had to get up at 4:30 this morning before leaving at 5:30.  Strike one.  I had done some laundry yesterday in our bathroom sink and had hung out four of my five shirts.  Then it rained last night, so I awoke this morning to four thoroughly soaked shirts.  Strike two.  It was raining when we left the dorm so we got soaked on our way to the bus.  Strike three.  The bus ride was the bumpiest bus ride I have ever had in my life.  Strike four.  When we got to the airport, there was a major hold up with China Southern (the airlines) and we almost missed our flight.  Strike five.  So yes, this morning went great.  Once we finally got to Xining, everything was wonderful, it was 65 degrees outside, and looked like Arizona.  We are the largest foreign group in memory to come this far to the west of China.  It’s exciting.  When we arrived at our location, it was fantastic.  The hostel we are staying at is nice and modern, it has Internet, YAY!  Then, because we hadn’t had lunch we walked to KFC, I know, but it was fast and easy, and I was starving.  So that’s about it for now, I’m sure I’ll update at least once more before we leave Xining.

Hot, Hot, Hot (5-26-08)

We’ve been in Changsha for a little over twenty-four hours now, and let me tell you, IT’S HOT.  Humid to boot.  We rode a train from Wuhan to Changsha and when we stepped off the train the air gave us a nice wet warm hug.  It was gross.  I don’t think I’ve been outside yet and not been sweating even at night.  Our dorm room’s air conditioning was broken when we got here, so Austin and I died last night, and didn’t sleep well to boot.  Today we toured little shops and things, it was a shopping day, but then there was lunch.  They took us to a Brazilian steakhouse… meat galore.  Needless to say I stuffed myself.  I had things ranging from duck to crab, pig liver to roast beef, and sausage to a completely whole fried baby sparrow (which was quite tasty, you ate the whole thing, head and all, in one bite.)  Afternoon we went to the new campus of Changsha University of Science and Technology, it was hot and I needed a nap, so I was a bit cranky.  We then went to a Chinese student fashion show.  Some were really nice, others…whoa… crazy.  It was fun though, I got to sit in A/C for and hour and a half.  After that and dinner we went to the “English Corner” where students meet to practice their English skills.  I talked to four students, three of whom were English majors, the fourth was in management and didn’t speak much English at all.  It was fun but I was hot and tired, and they don’t give you much personal space.  Needless to say I was glad, when we got back, to find they had fixed the air conditioning in our room.  I think I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.  ‘Night all.

Riding In A Commie Paddy-Wagon (5-25-08)

So yeah, last night I was escorted back to the hotel in the back of a Chinese police vehicle.  Here’s the story.  Yesterday was fine, we went to a Chinese lake/park to kill time, then had a rehearsal after lunch.  The concert was fantastic, the Huazhong Normal University Girl’s Chorus did a joint concert with us, and they were so incredible.  They used no vibrato whatsoever and they all were gorgeous.  They sang a number of pieces but ended with Ivory’s “Go Where I Send Thee”.  And other than Bezleham, Gosper, and Isrear, their pronunciation was incredible.  Afterward we were invited by their group to go outside for a party of  “Cokes and Beer”.  Needless to say none of us touched the beer.  Then I came back to the hotel just to leave for Starbucks, I’m proud of myself, it’s the first American food that I have bought while in China, but I have a weakness for Starbucks.  Anyway on the way back John Pounders, Mandy Finch, the Gould sisters, and I took a wrong turn getting back to the hotel.  John and I knew where we were going, but the girls kept complaining and whining, typical.   Finally we found a cop and since Mandy speaks Mandrin, he told us where the hotel was, but at that time a police van pulls up and they offer to take us back to the hotel.  It was one of the greatest adventures EVER!

Ps. We leave Wuhan today for Changsha

Ping the Duck Was Here (5-23-08)

Sorry haven’t updated in a while, traveling and lots of stuff to do makes for not the best blogging time.  We are currently in Wuhan, China which is South of where we have been.  We met with a few Harding grads that are currently working in China here as English professors.  We had a concert at their university, it was good, but we had no air conditioning whatsoever, I don’t think I’ve ever sweated so much in my life.  I saw Dr. Myers my bible teacher this past year in the audience, he’s in China for a month.  We then had a cultural exchange with some of the students last night and got to know a bit more about their culture. Then they had a karaoke party, it was amusing.  We traveled across town today and are now at a different hotel, and we’re singing at the University on this side of town.  We went to a museum today that had an ancient (2400 year old) set of bells that could play two pitches at once.  It was the coolest thing ever.  We also have seen the Yangtze River which is the third longest in the world.  And yes, it is yellowish.  Alright, well I think that’s enough for the night.  Goodnight.

Markets and Such… (5-20-08)

I haven’t much to say on this entry because there’s not much to say.  Yesterday we went shopping in Qingdao, it was incredible.  We saw the Qingdao Wal-Mart which was three stories tall (and oddly enough, all the stuff that was inside was made in the country that in which it was located.)  I had some of the most fantastic ice cream, it was 5 flavors in one: coconut, coffee, kiwi, melon, and something else I didn’t know.  But it was delicious.  Last night we went to a factory that is run by a brother of ours who is Korean and ran a rehearsal.  This rehearsal included the students from Korean Christian University and a skit by what I dubbed Korea-tron.  It was a great experience.  Today I awoke tired, and ate a smallish breakfast, I then took at 15 minute Chinese taxi ride across town to the pearl market where they sold real pearls for fractions of what they cost in America.  There were also many other shops in this upscale flee-market of cheap prices and quality goods.  Then we went to Qingdao International School where we gave a concert.  During the middle of it there was a three-minute moment of silence for the victims of the earthquake.  After the concert we came back to the hotel and had dinner and rehearsal.  Afterward we had a bit of free time which I occupied by playing cards because I was so tired, which I still am, and therefore am getting ready to sign off and go to bed.  Talk to you soon.

By The Sea Side, Qing-dao, By the Beautiful Sea (5-19-08)

Today is gorgeous, I haven’t filled you in since before the train so here goes.  The train wasn’t bad, it was a sleeper and I was on the top bunk of three.  The train station however…. Horrible.  There were thousands of people and it was crazy.  They don’t believe in lines in China, it’s look out for numero uno.  We finally did get on the train however without anyone losing a limb or without anything being stolen.  The train ride was fun I slept most of the way (‘cause that’s what I was supposed to do.)  We arrived in Qingdao which is a sea-side city and the host of the sailing events for the Olympics in August.  I haven’t seen much of it since all we’ve done here is eat and sing so far.  Food is still good.  Not as good as in Beijing, but still very tasty.  The concert last night went well, we were about three quarters full in the auditorium, which meant like 700-800 people.  It was nice.  We shared the concert with the Korean Christian University from Seoul, S. Korea.  They were pretty good.  Today I spent the morning on the beach, I have now touched both sides of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.  It was rocky and the water was cold, but it was still neat.  We found out today that because of the horrible earthquake that happened a week ago in Chengdu the country is in a national state of mourning for three days, which means that our concerts tonight and tomorrow are cancelled.  Oh well.  We’re trying to work on alternatives.  So we’re actually going shopping here in a few minutes, I figured I’d let people know what was up.  Lata yo.

The Great Wall or How I My Knees Will Go Bad By Age 30 (5-17-08)

The day today opened with rain.  I was not excited in the least about it but it did.  They had fried eggs and fried chicken at breakfast it was quite amusing.  We loaded the bus and headed to the Great Wall, which was an hour and a half to two hours away.  I saw today the China that I halfway expected to see before I got here.  There were not a lot of tall buildings.  There were farms and little shops and vendors on the streets.  I know that’s a terrible vision to have of China before you know anything about it, but hey it was my vision.  Anywho,  The Great Wall is long and up on the ridge of a mountain range.  We had to take a lift to get to the wall.  It was in pretty good condition.  You can walk 10 people shoulder to shoulder across the wall and they all will fit.  Now, how you would do that up the really steep inclines that made up the wall I do not know.  The group I was part of decided to climb to the highest point of the wall that we could get to.  I now have calves, thighs, and ankle muscles of steel.  No, really, they’re made of steel.  It climbed more stairs and up and down more 20+ degree inclines today than I can safely say I ever have before.  It was beautiful though.  Because of the rain this morning, it was misty over the mountains, which made for some gorgeous scenery.  The Wall is very impressive I enjoyed it.  I also bought some things around the vendors (all 20 million of them) at the base of the climb area.  They’re very pushy here in China about selling you stuff.  You can haggle with them for things but they’re very in your face and take it that if you are looking at their stuff you are going to buy it.  Very strange.  We took the bus back to BIPT and are now waiting for dinner.  After that we’re packing and heading to the Beijing train station for our train which is overnight to Qingdao [ching-dow].  Well, I’m gonna finish packing.  Peace.