First, a few tidbits from the trip from Taiwan to the mainland. We flew via Hong Kong, since there aren't any flights going directly between Taiwan and China. Because I was still sick, my grandma told us to get our seats assigned at the airport by a friend she had made on a previous trip through the airport. Our tickets were for row 22, which was disappointing given my grandmother's directions. Then we got on the plane and row 22 turned out to be the first row on the plane! Grandma's friend proved useful! She had another airport friend in Detroit from flying through there a few years ago ... I swear she makes friends everywhere she goes.
It took us less than 12 hours to get from my uncle's house to the Beijing airport, where we were picked up by family of our family friend (do you follow so far?). We are staying in an empty apartment owned by my grandma's cousin. Our extended family and friends in Beijing are taking very good care of us: bringing us food and bottled water, taking us out to eat, shuttling us places that are too far away or inconvenient to reach by foot or bus. It is my grandma's third time in Beijing--not including when she lived here for two years over 60 years ago because the city has changed so much since then that it doesn't count. It's great fun to watch her make her way around and lead us for a change :)
Today we went to the Great Wall! It's somehow different to experience history as it represents my ancestors. It's interesting to put everything into perspective and really think about what my heritage means. The climb was difficult, though. Considering my dad is still recovering from being sick a week earlier than me I probably shouldn't've tried for physical exertion. But I made my way all the way around the world to visit that wall and I was determined to climb to the top. And I did! You can see my elation in the photo above. (You can also see the Great Wall in the background, too.) It's not the best shot of the wall but it's a good one of me.
It took us less than 12 hours to get from my uncle's house to the Beijing airport, where we were picked up by family of our family friend (do you follow so far?). We are staying in an empty apartment owned by my grandma's cousin. Our extended family and friends in Beijing are taking very good care of us: bringing us food and bottled water, taking us out to eat, shuttling us places that are too far away or inconvenient to reach by foot or bus. It is my grandma's third time in Beijing--not including when she lived here for two years over 60 years ago because the city has changed so much since then that it doesn't count. It's great fun to watch her make her way around and lead us for a change :)
Today we went to the Great Wall! It's somehow different to experience history as it represents my ancestors. It's interesting to put everything into perspective and really think about what my heritage means. The climb was difficult, though. Considering my dad is still recovering from being sick a week earlier than me I probably shouldn't've tried for physical exertion. But I made my way all the way around the world to visit that wall and I was determined to climb to the top. And I did! You can see my elation in the photo above. (You can also see the Great Wall in the background, too.) It's not the best shot of the wall but it's a good one of me.
Final note: have you ever noticed how little kids seem smarter to you when they aren't speaking your native language? The little Asian runts sound like geniuses.
1 comment:
It wasn't closed, after all!!!
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