June 24th – We’re on the plane, at the end of our trip, on our way home. As reflection is an important part of processing all the information and experiences gathered from trips such as this one, the group was prompted to share some of their thoughts on what they have learned during these past two and a half weeks. Below are their ruminations on this trip, varying from the conflict between environmental protection and economic development to the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity, from observations about urban and rural areas to yet unvoiced reactions to some of our activities.
Elli
On this trip to China, I realized many things about China and about myself that I didn’t notice before. When I first arrived in China, I noticed how much Beijing had modernized (mostly because of the Olympics). Everyone around me had mentioned how “far” China has come, and I didn’t really pay much attention back then. Now, however, I finally realize what people have been saying.
From our trip to Yunnan, I realized how much different each province of China was to each other. I saw many farms, and shed-like dwellings, but at the same time, I saw huge buildings and many construction sites. China has come very far since its open-door policy, a statement easily proven by just looking in the streets of cities: advertisements everywhere for every possible product. China’s economy is now booming at the speed of light, and as people have said, the 21st century is easily in their hands.
Something personal that I gained from this trip is a refreshing of who I am. Being Chinese and living in the USA, it is harder for me to embrace my culture than someone already living China. And because of that, it is easier to loose the connection to the Chinese part of me. However, this trip reminded me of the amazing culture that I am blessed to naturally be a part of. Seeing China’s progress since opening its doors, seeing China’s determination to help greener the environment, and seeing aspects of the culture, like food and cute products, which all make me smile inside, every one have shown me that I cannot let being and living in America overtake my Chinese heritage. I am very proud to be a part of a nation that has come so far.
Vicky
During out stay in China, the most prominent observation I made was how much China was aware and conscious on how it presented itself to the world.
As a developing nation and in the spotlight quite often (think the Olympics and its well-known pollution problem) the Chinese government is very aware of its image. For example, when we went to visit Tiananmen Square on Day 3, our tour guide was very careful not to mention anything that had to do with the previous student riots and June 4th, 1989. I also noticed that our meals that were pre-ordered by our tour guides were all made to be “western-friendly”, so nothing to unusual or that were too out there. It’s incredible how much Beijing changed for the Olympics. A year after and we still see banners and road signs all Olympic-themed. About the pollution, our tour guides kept reminding us about how much its working on making clean-coal factories and how much there spending on alternative recourses for fuel. Beijing in general was very interesting. I mean, you could see high-tech chrome buildings everywhere, lights flashing and it seemed that China was really working on presenting their capital in a very good modern light. Now when we got to Yunnan province, our scenery changed completely. There I was very shocked by some people’s living standards; huts for houses, unsanitary living conditions, etc. The Chinese government I feel is working hard to keep these areas in the lowlight and put Beijing up at the front.
Daniel
While my homeland is only 45 minutes away from China, this is my first time in the country. I really didn’t give it much thought before coming since I was way too worried about other things. When we arrived, I wasn’t really surprised by Beijing’s atmosphere. I believe it was made obvious through media that Beijing has changed ever since the communist took over. One thing that surprised me, however, is the active role of the government on environmental issues caused by industrialization and urbanization. The trip really emphasizes a lot on the role of both NGOs and the Chinese government on environmental issues. Throughout the trip, the group observed many perspectives and works that focuses on both local and international environmental issues. Another thing that I find valuable during the trip is the Chinese perspectives on the contemporary lives. I learned a lot about Chinese views on issues relating free-speech and the tension between China and Taiwan. Firstly, it is often stated that in China, the citizens of China do not have any rights to speak freely against the government. This is often spoken against and thought about negatively in countries such as the States. I found out that this is not completely true. I was watching CCTV one night in China and on the news; people openly criticized their local government by drawing cartoons. This is free speech to a degree. I also found out that in China, people don’t really argue about politics as long as their standards of living are not affected negatively. I believe that in some ways, this is not bad. Just as a Chinese college student told me, “If everyone always argues with each other and condemns the government for having conflicting ideas, nothing will ever get done.” I guess this is a factor for China’s fast advancement. On the trip, I also found out that the people I have talked to don’t really dislike Taiwanese people like me. Unlike the media, this people believe that we are their “brothers” and hope that someday we can unite. This trip really means something to me in many ways and writing a paragraph on it just won’t do it. Well, hope you can go to China one day.
Maddy
When we first got to China I was amazed by how western it was. I knew Beijing had become really modern because of the Olympics but we didn’t even see anyone wearing anything other than western dress. As we moved to the rural areas, however, we saw many more ethnic groups who still wore their traditional garments. That was an interesting comparison between traditional and modern life. However, while the clothing varied, the same traditional values, such as respect and filial piety, were still a big part of Chinese life, just as they have traditionally been. It was also interesting to see the contrast between trying to protect the environment and at the same time trying to maintain the level of economic growth that China has been experiencing for the last few years. One of the issues that really came to light was the potential damming of the Yangtze River. The dam would produce hydro-electric power but would also kill a ton of wildlife dependent on the river. It was cool to see the various organizations we visited trying to find a balance between finding energy efficient ways to support China while at the same time maintaining the level of biodiversity found in areas of China, particularly Yunan, that is so necessary to the world.
Emily
Throughout my life I have been fortunate enough to travel to, what seems to me, many counties, though I suppose it would seem like rather few to a more experienced voyager. Though places like Mexico and South Africa are as different from each other as can be in a lot of ways, there seems to be a theme that remains constant in every place I’ve ever been to. It’s that nothing is ever exactly like the pictures that we’ve created in our minds.
China is just a developing nation that is struggling to thrive in a time when our entire planet has fallen on tough times. From the outside the country presents a collected front, yet evidences of this struggle become apparent on a traveler’s first step out of cities that, like Beijing, have seen the benefits that come with Olympic attention. Urbanization, demand from other countries, and the task of supporting the current largest population in the world (1.3 billion) all weigh upon the people of China, sometimes forcing the choice between local culture and the economy. All actions are closely watched by the whole world and the Chinese are rushing to make the right decision, but which one is it exactly? Always more choices have to be made: to preserve the culture or the economy (like the issue of damming the Yangtze River)? The economy or the environment? The environment or the culture? Personal freedoms or the good of the state? Tradition or modernization? I guess I’ve been aware for some time that such choices have to be made by a developing country, but to see such things up close is very different from reading about them. Like the picture of a hillside completely covered in dead stumps that used to be alive and growing trees, or a monk shooting a rifle at a carnival game. These are things that would surprise you and things that would make you sad, but these initial reactions aren’t even scratching the surface of these issues. The fact that the trees that were cut down will make peoples’ houses and livelihoods just makes these essential decisions harder and more pressing.
These are the sights that make leaving our homes and going around the world worth it; to see history in the making firsthand is a rare chance.
James
Before the trip began, I said that I was most excited about being surprised. In this trip I had no clue what to expect. I did not know what the people were like here or how they would react to us being westerners. I could write about the places I saw and how beautiful Yunnan was but that would be a little boring and repetitive. Instead I’ll open up and share my opinion about China and its people.
A reoccurring theme of this trip was the talk about westernization. This topic popped up here and there but it is a word almost impossible to define. It is a word with many definitions and it even has some irony. More and more people in China are moving away from rural areas to the city. Ancient Chinese tradition is dwindling as people move to the cities. you could argue that the heart and soul of China are its traditions and the heritage of its people. On the other hand one could say that the heart and soul of China is the people who eat at KFC in Beijing every day. Because of westernization more people in China eat KFC rather than farm, wear traditional clothing or eat Yak cheese up in the mountains. In a sense, I am absorbing just as much knowledge about the Chinese people eating a double cheeseburger in McDonalds as opposed to learning traditional dances and practices 3000 meters above sea level. This is sad but true. On this trip I saw both of these sides of China. We saw the Han people who make up the mast majority of China. We also saw the minorities like the Naxi people and Bai people. I wonder how much of these cultures will be left 50 years from now. Yunnan was like the before and Beijing was like the after. Only time will tell if Yunnan will have cities like Beijing empty of ancient tradition. But the Chinese who escape the grasp of western media and live in rural areas are more willing to interact with us westerners. I found this shocking and ironic. Many of the Chinese people in Beijing are afraid to get on elevators with us because they think we are biohazards. But people in rural areas are excited to learn how to Crank Dat. I am really lucky to see the China that most other people don’t see or think about. In the end, China is a place rich and full of tradition. This trip was a new experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Mehran
While on the flight from New York to Beijing, had a few ideas as to what my experience in China would be like. The focuses of this trip, conservation of the environment, food distribution, and water supply were what made me interested in coming. China itself has never been on my “places to go before I die” list but I now see why the themes of the trip were what they were. As we were told, Yunnan province is one of the most biodiverse places in the world and we experienced that first hand. While in Yunnan, we saw foothills of the Himalayan mountain range but those were no hills. The mountains were massive and were just about everywhere we went. And although the theme of the trip was not to witness and experience the culture of the people in Yunnan, there was no way that you could not. Like James, I will just tell you about China and its people.
In Beijing, it is very hard to see traditional life in China. Our first tour guide, Michael #1, mentioned that China is very good at copying things, and I have to say that he is partly right. Next to our hotel, there was a KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Haggen Dazs, and a Cold Stone. All of which were just like their American counterparts except in smaller sizes. Even though all of these chains may be considered unhealthy or disgusting in the U.S., I am almost proud to say that I experienced all of them. I was able to compare the people who eat at these places to the people in Yunnan who farm their own food and are extremely excited to learn hip-hop dance moves from suburban kids from Westchester County. Also the Buddhist Temple we saw in Shangrila was taken much more seriously than the one in Beijing. In Shangrila, people were heeding the rules of the temple, such as stepping in with your left foot and out with your right, and wearing appropriate clothing. I do not think that I will ever be able to say what the real China is, but that is the same for all nations and it is all just a matter of perspective. Some may say that the real China is seen in the McDonald’s at Beijing, or it is seen in the farmers who churn yak butter every day and have to produce their own food in order to stay alive.
Overall I had a great time in China I learned a lot about China’s environment and also about the different cultures. But the best food I definitely had was the yak burger, absolutely phenomenal.
Griffin
Looking back on our amazing trip, there are countless times where I was blown away by the sheer beauty and diversity of China. I can sincerely say that my experience in China is something that I can cherish for the rest of my life. From Beijing to Shangri-la, the culture alone in the many cities we visited is enough to humble anyone. Beijing was clearly the most urbanized city. Being the capital, however, between the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City, there was still a strong historical and cultured feeling.
After settling ourselves in Beijing, we made our way throughout numerous towns within the Yunnan Province. Starting in Kunming and ending in Shangri-la in the Tibetan plateau, witnessing the amazing environment and beauty is something I won’t soon forget. My favorite part of this trip was to be able to immerse myself in a number of cultures. On a sadder note, it was great to see a part of China that might not exist in the future and that many people aren’t lucky enough to see. In the end, I want to give my thanks to Ms. Krier, Ms. Tregar, and Lin for a truly amazing experience.
Ian
If I really had to describe this trip in two words, those words would be life changing. I already knew that China was a major industrial center of the world, but I never knew it had the infrastructure and urbanization that Beijing had. It was like New York, but with a newer and more modernized feel to it. After we stayed in Beijing, we went to Yunnan Province. During our drives throughout the countryside, I saw some of the most beautiful sites I have looked upon. The iron red soil, green rice patties, mountains, and open spacious skies were a majestic and beautiful view that I will never forget.
The most interesting observation I made about China was that in certain areas it was like New York City, but in other areas, it looks the same as it did 500 years ago. Seeing the developed and undeveloped sides of china has opened my eyes to the massive potential China has. If it were to fully develop and utilize all its power, it would be unstoppable. I will love to see this beautiful culture and nation grow in the next 50 years. I will never forget what I have learned in these past two weeks, and I want to go back. I want to say thanks to Ms. Krier, Ms. Tregar, and Lin for this trip. Their experience and knowledge enriched this trip and made it the best it could possibly be.
Rushell
One way of describing a dance would be a combination of rhythms, beats, movement, and dancers. This is how I would also describe China, as a dance. The several ethnicities, breathtaking mountains, tranquil rivers, streams, and lakes all living in harmony with each other as if they were all one movement to the same beat. China is beautiful! It would be unfair to say that Yunnan Province was not the closest place to paradise I have seen. The mountains seemed to be the peaks of heaven and the wide variety of flora captivated me. I loved especially, the fields of the farmers, which seemed to be perfectly cut slices of cake, because the endings of one crop and the beginnings of another were not distinguishable. The open spaces for wildlife to roam and the way the sun shone above it all is a picture etched in my mind that leaves me speechless.
The opportunity we had to interact with the different Chinese minorities is probably what I loved best about this trip. Working in the fields, milking the yaks, making yak butter tea, cheese, and yogurt, helping to prepare dinner and taking part in their traditional activities, including their cultural dances and games, provided a window for me to feel a little what these people feel everyday. Seeing their lifestyle motivated me and caused me to realize that working hard is necessary but so is time for self, family, and fun. It also caused me to be thankful not only for the lifestyle I lead but also the opportunities I am given. Several children [we met] do not have the chance to even go to school, much less visit another country with members from their school like we have. This realization has made me truly grateful.
Beijing was amazing as well, with its many buildings of incredible architecture and its long and rich history gave new meaning to the word “city.” It truly is the heartbeat of China as it ties in all aspects of the country. It is not just a modernizing area but there is a story to be told on every street corner and a taste of China on every street.
Visiting China has matured and humbled me. I appreciate everything I have a lot more now and I hope to make the best of every opportunity I am given. I am also inclined to try my best to contribute to preserving the biodiversity of the world and places like China by being more proactive at home. I hope to be able to visit China, the beautiful paradise, again soon, maybe even next year because I loved every minute of our trip. When I think of all the pictures we took to capture each moment, I remember the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well is this is true, we have billions of words to keep as memories, but is a thousand words is what you get for one picture, then how much would the view up close be worth? I think it would be priceless and that is exactly what it was: this trip to China was simply priceless!
