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Last day in Beijing - Xian Trip
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I am currently on my flight from Beijing to Xian. Today was
another very busy day in Beijing, and I am really sad to leave the city. This
morning we woke up and went straight to Beijing International Studies
University. It is one of the more prestigious Universities, and it specializes
in Tourism and languages. We got a tour of the campus by a student
representative, and then we all gathered in a big lecture hall, where a few
representatives from the BISU faculty told us about the university and its
purpose, and Dr. Crowe explained a little bit about what Elon was, and our
study abroad program. We each had a chance to sit down and talk to a student at
the University for about an hour and a half. I sat with a girl from outside of
Beijing named Nina. She was so much fun. We exchanged gifts, talked about
China, fashion, Gossip Girl, boys, America, New York, sports, almost anything
you could talk about. We exchanged email addresses and school mailing addresses
and promised to keep in touch. Anytime we are planning on traveling, we have
promised to plan to get together. We were a lot alike, and I learned so much
from my hour and a half with her. We actually changed the itinerary and passed
up our trip to the Summer Palace to stay at the University longer. It was so
rewarding to talk to Chinese students and have such great conversation. Nina
was telling me about her English final, which she will be taking on Monday, as
it is finals time in China for most university students. She said her professor
sent it to an American English professor in order to make sure he had made no
mistakes, and the American professor made a 50 on the exam. I told Nina
Americans have little use for the grammar rules, and to tell her professor that
I didn't think they should be focusing so much on the grammar.
After
leaving the University we went to lunch in Beijing. Not one of my favorites, we
had a lot of fish and vegetables, and I used my first bathroom that did not
have regular toilets, but instead the toilet built into the flooring (I'm not a
fan). After dinner we went to a silk market in downtown Beijing, where we
learned about the process of silk
worm faming, and the spinning of the silk worm. One guy had a suit tailored
while we were there, but most of us just picked up a scarf or bag. Next we went
to my favorite place of the day, the Pearl Market. The 4th floor was
very exclusive and more expensive shopping. However, I was able to get a pretty
good deal on some pearls. I picked out a pretty good sized (and by this, I mean
HUGE) Tahitian pearl and had it put in a setting for $350 USD. The guy said he
gave me a 20% student discount, but I never saw the higher price, who knows,
but I also got two pairs of freshwater pearl stud earrings for only 100 Yuan a
piece, which is about $10 USD, and they are very gritty to the teeth. I wanted
to buy more, but I knew I had to draw the line somewhere. Downstairs is cheaper
pearls, some are simply glass, and others are just a much lower quality. Amy,
Meredith and I worked on our bargaining skills, which I have to say, I was no
good at. Amy however, she is a pro. After our one hour visit to the pearl
market we went to a local clothes market in downtown Beijing. It was 4 floors
of nothing but knockoffs. First, I got TOTALLY ripped off. I paid 180 Yuan for
one knockoff longchamp, while Amy
(the professional) and pretty much everyone else on our trip got them
from 50 Yuan. After discovering I had been ripped off, I was much more determined
at the next place to get a better deal. Christie and I found some great
Burberry knockoffs, and she paid about 350 Yuan for a pretty good sized,
quality (if its possible to describe a knockoff with this adjective) fake. I
shopped around a little bit and found a little smaller Burberry bag which she
originally asked for 850, but I got her down to 300 Yuan, although I through in
10 more, because she was really nice, and half the fun is just seeing how low
you can go. I went upstairs to get some knockoff North Faces, but Dr. Crowe
caught me in time to point out pretty bad stitching. I think I am going to wait
until Shanghai before attempting North Face knockoffs again. Christie spotted a
Cold Stone across the street from the Market, so a few of us decided to spend
our last 30 minutes enjoying an American dish to hold us over until dinner.
It
is hard to describe the graciousness of the Chinese people. Nina was so
grateful for the small gift I gave her and was so interested in what America
was like and wanted to know exactly what life was like for me in the states.
Also, even in the markets and stores, the Chinese people are so kind and
gracious and excited to see Americans. Today has probably been my favorite day.
Climbing the Great Wall and seeing the Tian'an Men was incredible, but I think
meeting Nina today, and interacting with so many Chinese people really gave me
a better feel for Beijing, and China as a whole. Even our tour guide after
leaving us at the airport said that we were strangers when we met, but now we
were friends, and he made sure to give all of us a hug and told us that we must
contact him if we ever planned to return to China. China is such an incredible
country, Dr. Crowe always tells us that he has a love affair with China, and
after being here for only 3 days, it is not hard to understand why. The culture
is so beautiful, unique and constant, but the accomplishments of the country in
the past few years is absolutely astounding. All the while, I feel that the
people are so gracious and friendly. I feel like I made a great friend today at
the University, and I am excited to see how we communicate in the future.
Tomorrow
I will have a free day, as Dr. Crowe thought that after such a late flight
(since it was pushed back a whole hour) it will be good to sleep in, but
tomorrow we are going to go as a group and visit the local markets and maybe
bike around the wall (its 10 miles, so we will have to see). Well I think im
going to finish the last 45 minutes of my flight with a nap, as always, enjoy
the pictures!
PS. While I may have complained about the flight to China,
Air China has got their act together, we got served a small meal on this
flight, and it was even a meal time, and we didn't even have to pay for it. While
Delta now charges us to check on bag. Also, as I noted earlier that I think the
morning exercise and dancing at the Temple of Heaven should be applied in
America, I also think bargaining should be an acceptable activity, it brings so
much more excitement to a purchase!
Love always,
Anna
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| 5. | Last day in Beijing - Xian Trip - Beijing, China Jan 09, 2009 (  10 ) |
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