A trip to Yangzhou

Left to right: Diane, Tiffany, Jen, Me, Christine

Funny sign!

Roommies!

Hello friends!

Sorry--I'm a bad blogger. I haven't had the time or energy to post lately. School has been SUPER BUSY--learning a new curriculum is never easy. Plus, grading sucks, as usual. :( BLAH. So, things are good but I barely have time to think! At least I have traveling to keep me sane! Oh, I started a Travel Association--our little group has major traveling plans this year!!! Hey, it's something to look forward to! :)

Anyway, Sept. 26th and 27th a big group of us headed out on a company sponsored trip to Yangzhou, which is a small city 4 hours south of Shanghai. Basically, the trip was super cheap (55 bucks) so we decided to go for it, even though the entire tour was in Chinese (try listening to a tour guide in a language you can't understand)! Also, most people come to Yangzhou to pick up their adopted Chinese child because the Yangzhou Social Welfare Institute is located there!!!

Anyway, we visited a very pretty lake called Slender West Lake. During the Qing Dynasty, the emperor of China visited that same lake . . . it was pretty--lots of pagodas and bridges, etc. It also has this huge White Pagoda that's shaped like a big white bowling pin. We walked around the lake (our tour guide continually had to wait for us--we like to wander!) and then took pictures dressed in Korean/Japanese/Chinese costumes!!!! It was like 5 quai--less than a dollar--because we took our own pictures! SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!! As you know, I like dressing up! I chose to be the Japanese girl and had a kimono and parosal. Lots of people gawked at the group of us, and believe me, we had a blast. Oh, I forgot to mention that random Chinese men asked to take my picture (or didn't ask) and Danielle and I (the only "white" girls) were very much stared at and asked to be in pictures, etc. It was soooooooo strange. People literally yelled for my attention at this restaurant in our hotel--at least I'm used to ignoring people!

So, yes, we visited Slender West Lake and then went on to see another famous garden--the Ge Garden. That place was really cool--they had different parts represent the different seasons, but the fall garden (where I climbed up all these rock formations) was my favorite. We also visited the house of a wealthy salt merchant--interesting doors and windows--very Chinese in the structure. We also got to do some shopping on this little Chinese street--it seriously looked like it could be from another century! Lots of little shops--I didn't buy much . . . :)

Overall, it was interesting to see another part of China! Oh, and getting a foot massage in my bed was another highlight!!!!! :) By the way, the food was NOT a highlight, I'll give you that. Lots of fish (eyes included) and duck heads. Yucky.

Anyway, my next update (coming soon, I promise) will tell the tales of the youth retreat and Seoul, South Korea!!! :) Basically, two words: LOVED IT!

Love,

Susannah

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life. " (Jack Kerouac)