CHINA!!! A Spring Break Adventure

I still can't believe I went to China for Spring Break! I have the greatest life!

A good while ago, Juliet approached me at church and said, "Kara, do you want to go to China for Spring Break?" I immediately answered, "YES!" And the rest is history.

We went with a tour group called SNA based out of Canada and couldn't be happier for our great deal! SNA took great care of us and I don't think we could have seen all that we did in such a short time if we tried to go on our own. THANKS SNA!!!

Day 1 (Saturday/Sunday):

Wonderful Jessi picked Juliet and I up nice and early to make sure we got to the airport in time. We made it, checked in, and then waited to board. Airports have some of the greatest people watching...

We had a layover in San Fransisco and I got as close as I have ever been to Ghiradelli's Square (the airport mini shop).

We dreaded our upcoming 12 hour flight but somehow survived. Those are definitely times I wish I could sleep on airplanes. However, I think we looked pretty good when we landed in Beijing at 5pm on Sunday (it's all sorts of weird when you lose 14 hours to the abyss).

I think we look pretty good after not sleeping for a 12 hour flight!

We were met by Bi Yung (English name, William) who would be the guide for Bus A (we were assigned to Bus B) for the week. He got us all loaded on the bus and we started making friends with our tour mates on the hour drive to our hotel. The hotel was absolutely fabulous!! One of the nicest I have stayed in. We were greeted by the front staff with a warm cookie. It doesn't get better than that! And our room was fully equipped with complimentary slippers and bathrobes (not complimentary).

My favorite part of that whole day was as we walked in the room. I was checking out the bathroom as Juliet moved into the main room. Out of no where she freaked out! She then pointed out to me the window wall that separated the bathroom from the main room.

We decided we would be getting VERY close that week. We both used the bathroom while the other kept their head turned and then as I was washing my hands I made a great discovery. As those who know me well can attest, I like to push buttons regardless of knowing what they do. I saw a switch on the right wall in the bathroom so I pushed it. Low and behold a shade came slowly down giving me complete privacy in the bathroom. Thank goodness I discovered that the first day instead of the last. :)

Day 2 (Monday):

Our day started out with a magnificent continental breakfast at the hotel (as the week wore on this became our very favorite meal for many reasons). We then loaded the buses.

First stop...The Forbidden City! I don't know a lot of Chinese history but can at least say that The Forbidden City was the home of the Emperor.

Our tour guide, David, kept making references to "The Last Emperor" movie which makes me think I should probably watch it. The mini city is absolutely gorgeous! I learned a lot of random things about Chinese folklore like how much they love the number 9. All the doors were covered in 9 by 9 metal nubs which are good luck to rub. If I remember right the number 9 represents longevity and luck.

I think my all time favorite folklore is that of the threshold. Almost every building has a big threshold (if you didn't watch yourself you would trip right over it). The purpose of these thresholds is to keep the ghosts out. Chinese believe that ghosts are not as smart as people and that they don't fly like Casper. Instead they hop but only small hops and so by putting a tall threshold in each doorway it keeps the ghosts from hopping in. :)

We ate our first "lazy susan" meal at a restaurant right outside the Forbidden City. At this point we were excited for our meals and I was excited to use chopsticks at every meal. As the week went on, we dreaded more and more our "lazy susan" meals. Chinese food just doesn't have enough variety for me to eat it every day every meal.

Our next stop was Tienanmen Square. Of course we took our picture with the famous picture of Mao, the first Communist leader of China (I believe).

This is all of Bus B (so many great friends that we made)

After Tienanmen Square we went to Dr. Tea to learn about the different types of tea and how they are "good for your health." We talked to our guide beforehand and let him know that most of us are LDS and don't drink black tea or green tea so they made sure and gave us fruit teas and herbal teas. I am not a tea fan at all but I still enjoyed learning how to properly hold a teacup...and yes, these are the actual size of the teacups.

Our final stop for the day was the Olympic Square. We walked around and saw the Bird's Nest, the Aquatic Center, and the Tower. Beijing is VERY proud of their chance to host the Olympics.

At dinner that night we got the chance to try Peking Duck. You eat it in a small tortilla with sauce and onions. It wasn't bad. At least it was something a little different than rice and toppings.

Juliet and I were in much need of sweets after only our first day of same flavor foods. We found a cake shop behind our hotel and wandered in. Juliet bought a brownie and I bought a swiss role. My swiss role had a funny smell and wasn't sweet at all. I would never survive in China!!

Day 3 (Tuesday):

Our day started out at the Capital Museum. This museum has much to see to learn about Chinese history and Chinese culture. Juliet and I wandered and enjoyed the beauty and attempted to learn more about the Chinese.

Our next stop was a jade factory...lovingly called by me "Tiffany's for Jade." We learned about the different colors of jade and how to recognize true jade and then were given PLENTY of time to look around and buy the expensive products.

Really I just wanted to be on our way and get to the Great Wall but I did enjoy learning that on the back of the Beijing Olympic medals is the different colors of jade. The gold has the most precious and the bronze the least precious. See here.

Climbing the Great Wall was definitely a highlight of the trip for me! However, I didn't realize it was truly CLIMBING. We basically climbed a huge staircase up the mountain. But my adrenalin was pumping so hard from excitement that my shaky legs didn't matter. I had to get to the highest tower of the section we were climbing. It was gorgeous it was powerful and we all became heroes (the Chinese believe that once you have climbed the great wall, you are a hero)!

All of Buses A and B (What a fun group!!)

Dinner that night brought out this surprise...we call it the blooming onion fish! Yikes!

That night we found a supermarket and bought familiar treats with a twist...Chips Ahoy with orange pieces and Oreos with mango/orange filling or blueberry/raspberry filling or my favorite chocolate/peanut butter filling.

And then the exhaustion from the day kicked in!

Day 4 (Wednesday):

First stop...The Summer Palace!

It was here that we were bombarded the most by Chinese wanting our picture. I struggled with this fame all week! I don't like strangers just stopping and starring as we walk past. I don't enjoy having my picture taken blatantly but without permission. And I am not a fan of having to pose awkwardly for pictures that bold Chinese asked to be in with us. But I gave in every once in awhile. I just don't understand the interest.

Our next stop was "Tiffany's for Pearls." Same routine, we were taught about pearls and then given plenty of time to shop. In the lesson we even got to guess how many were in this one oyster.

My guess of 25 was closest to the actual 30 so I got to keep one of the pearls pulled right out of the little guy.

Juliet bought herself a gorgeous pearl necklace that will always hold great memories.

We spent that afternoon at a school getting to talk to the students and look around their facility. Then we got to be students ourselves and learn how to write calligraphy and fold origami. I have always LOVED origami so I was the A+ student of that lesson.

Then the cute students put on a little talent show for us. We also got to share presents and treats with the students.

They LOVED us! But when everyone ran out of candy except Olga, she was a bit overwhelmed by the crowds. Oh the good times and memories.

Day 5 (Thursday):

Our 5th day began in one of my most favorite parks in China (at least to my knowledge). It is the park outside of the Temple of Heaven. I lovingly call it "Central Park Beijing" because it is literally one of the best people watching sites ever!
We learned some Tai Chi in this park...a common activity. There were many other groups dancing, doing aerobics, playing with feather hackie sacks, etc. I got to learn the battle moves with adorable Aurora while Juliet battled Olga.

The Temple of Heaven is gorgeous. We took advantage of meditation time but mostly wanted to enjoy the people watching in the park.

We passed by these ladies playing with luna sticks. I own my own set and at least know the basic moves so I wanted to try there's to see how similar they are. I waited while a group of grown Chinese men each took their turn and couldn't get the sticks off the ground then gestured to ask if I could try. They were all excited to see a crazy American make a fool of herself and then I completely impressed them with my ability to not only juggle them but spin them and toss them. It was great!
We went from that park to "Tiffany's of Silk." Again, same routine.

I was excited for our afternoon adventures in the Huotong section of town. It's outside of the big city and a bit more real life of China. We got to ride in Rickshaws to see the sites.

I entertained our Rickshaw driver by singing "A tiny little surrey with a fringe on the top" from the musical Oklahoma.

We also got to eat lunch in the home of a family in the village.

It was interesting to be in their home and feel a bit of the culture. They are very hospitable people and I am impressed with how well we were taken care of the entire trip.
That evening we went to an Acrobatic Show that was made for me. Not only did they have acrobatics but they had professionals of all my random tricks (juggling, luna sticks, diabalos). I was absolutely in heaven and had no idea all my crazy toys were popular Chinese skills!

Day 6 (Friday):

Our final day was a free day on our own without the tour bus and the guides. We stuck with our new friends, Krystal and Keri, who were on the other bus but who we bonded with the very first day we arrived. That morning we took our first taxi ride...a bit nervous but soon found the taxi drivers to be very honest and the rides to be quite cheap.

We stopped first at the Llama temple which is an actual working Buddhist Temple. I loved witnessing the people in their worship. We couldn't take pictures in side any buildings because of the sacredness but I enjoyed seeing all the different Buddhas, one of which is the largest in the world.

We stopped for lunch at the first place we saw when complaints were being made about being hungry. It turned into quite the adventure. No one in the restaurant spoke English and the menu was completely in Chinese.

We bravely used the point and hope method.

The food turned out to be quite good and MUCH spicier than anything we had thus far had.

We then walked from there back to the Huotong portion of town stopping at fun shops on the way. Our goal was to find this gorgeous lake which we finally did find and were able to feel more a part of China and not a part of a tour.

After dropping off our stuff back at the hotel we took another taxi to "Snack Street." Here are a few views of what you will find on Snack Street...look closely.

I was brave enough that I did actually try a squid. Fortunately I didn't get sick and it wasn't bad, just rubbery.

Our evening ended at Papa Johns in need of something not Chinese! We ate it back in our room with Keri and Krystal and talked about all the great memories from the week while watching Chinese MTV, our favorite TV entertainment!

Day 7 (Saturday):

We enjoyed our final morning by sleeping in, working out, and eating our final fabulous continental breakfast. The trip back was obviously long but doable and Juliet and I were fortunate to get on an earlier flight from San Fransisco so we didn't have our original 7 hour layover.

And we were welcomed home by lovely Jessi who took the time to even make us a sign!! I have the greatest friends in the world!

It was a FABULOUS spring break! One that I will talk about for many years! I am so blessed!