Going Deep Into A Culture

We have had an amazing experience in China. Through our travels we have seen places that most will not. Met people that we will never forget. Lived in a culture that rarely opens itself to outsiders. Being affiliated with the school has afforded us the opportunity to cross cultural boundaries and enter into the private lives of the Chinese students and teachers along with the surrounding culture. Our travels have opened our eyes to the world beyond our home town and with that we thank the beautiful people we have met and are so incredible gracious for they have provided us with a lifetime of memories.

One quick story before I sign off of this blog. We had an incredible good bye party this evening followed by dinner at a restaurant that was located in the middle of a pond. The ambiance was fantastic. The wooden huts were connected with bridges. Schools of carp swarmed around the edges of the walkways looking for handouts. I do want to share however that the food challenged us. The owner of the restaurant was dining with us and had ordered everything that could possibly be on the menu. We as good guests tried everything. The food included green bean jello, tofu/egg squares, cold chicken, pork and peppers, green beans, shrimp grilled with tea leaves, dove (including the heads), pork and potatoes cooked in a bamboo log, and a heaping plate of vegetables covered in cashews. I was trying the last dish when I chopped down on something that was squishy. An overwhelming sensation occurred in my mouth. I was salivating profusely and swallowed quickly. I politely shared that I was extremely full and placed my chopsticks down across my plate. I HAD EATEN A SNAIL!!! Just writing about it brings back the taste of earth/salt/paste/slime/........ (All in a single mouthful!)

Snail issue aside, we have had an absolutely phenomenal time in China and this experience has reinforced that we are all the same, we just live on different continents. Our students have formed lasting friendships and have vowed to return to this wonderful land. Freeman asked "How flat is our world?" Skyping as enabled us to form relationships with people on the other side of our world. We leave China with a more worldly sense of self and a passion for a culture that was nonexistent prior to this journey. Thank you to the people of China!