Some thoughts from Dr. Shannon
Wow!! The history we encountered. This makes me realize just how young America is and also makes me sad because we encouraged or insisted that folks "blend in" and not hold onto their cultures when they came here. I mentioned this to several of the students as we approached the Forbidden City. Everytime I experience a People in their original environment, not within the restrictions put on them by American Society, I learn a lot. It usually is a humbling experience as I have to contend with not knowing the language or the customs and just hoping to be accepted and being allowed to be an observer.
At first I wanted to feel sorry for the people in China but as I watched them go about their daily routine, I began in many ways to feel sorry for myself. That I could not accept a more simpler way of life, that I had to have so much stuff in order to exist. I know there is a lot happening in China, more that I did not see, but after talking with April and Lin and Andrew and understanding how the part of their families that remain in China do so because they are content, I wonder, what am I missing? Why do I feel that I have to continually have more? More of what? Why? To what end? Just walking through the Buddhist Temple area-the peace and serenity. Yikes! Stop the world. I want to get off.