Hello everyone. This past week we went overseas for the first time on the trip: China! So, I guess I should really say, "ni hao," which is how you say hello in Chinese (it's pronounced "nee how"). Our first stop was Beijing, where we were met by our new friend, Mon. She was nice enough to guide us around the city and showed us some of her favorite places and restaurants.Beijing is all cleaned up because they just hosted the Olympics. There are all new subways and they even rebuilt the airport. All over the city, there are signs with the Olympic mascots and the motto, "One World, One Dream." They also have lots of topiaries that are shaped like the Great Wall, pandas and more.
After two days in Beijing, we went on the overnight train to Inner Mongolia, w
here we stayed for three days. While there, we had an English-speaking, local, guide
named Allen, (lucky for us because everything was in Chinese.) He was
very good at translating for us.
On the first night we were there, we slept in these things called yurts, which are like Asian teepees. The next day, we went to a Buddhist temple. There, we learned all about the Buddhist religion. We saw a bunch of huge Buddhas, which all represented something different. Some Buddhas represent health, safety, wisdom and longevity (which means living a long life).
On our last day in Inner Mongolia, we went to the Gobi Desert. There are all kinds of activities, including camel riding, dune buggy riding in the desert, and rolling down the dunes in a giant rubber ball. The first thing we did was camel riding. We went through the desert to see all types of huge sand sculptures carved out of big mounds of sand, including a sand sculpture of the Olympic mascots. My favorite part of the Gobi Desert was when we went into this thing called a space ball. It's a huge ball you get strapped inside, and then you roll down the dunes. To finish it all off, we slid down the dunes in a special sand sled.
After visiting the desert, we took the overnight train back to Beijing. By the time we got back to Beijing, the Paralympics had started. The Paralympics are just like the Olympics, but for people with disabilities. Lucky for us, we got tickets to go see some track and field events in the Bird's Nest. We got to see the torch lit up. We also got to see other areas of the Olympic complex, like the Water Cube and the Olympic Broadcast Tower. It was so cool to see all of the athletes. People who are blind were running races (some with guides). I really enjoyed seeing the medal ceremony. They raise the flag of each winner's country and play the gold medalist's country's national anthem.
So, that's how our first week in China went. One week down, two to go.
'Till next time!
here we stayed for three days. While there, we had an English-speaking, local, guide
named Allen, (lucky for us because everything was in Chinese.) He was
very good at translating for us.On the first night we were there, we slept in these things called yurts, which are like Asian teepees. The next day, we went to a Buddhist temple. There, we learned all about the Buddhist religion. We saw a bunch of huge Buddhas, which all represented something different. Some Buddhas represent health, safety, wisdom and longevity (which means living a long life).
On our last day in Inner Mongolia, we went to the Gobi Desert. There are all kinds of activities, including camel riding, dune buggy riding in the desert, and rolling down the dunes in a giant rubber ball. The first thing we did was camel riding. We went through the desert to see all types of huge sand sculptures carved out of big mounds of sand, including a sand sculpture of the Olympic mascots. My favorite part of the Gobi Desert was when we went into this thing called a space ball. It's a huge ball you get strapped inside, and then you roll down the dunes. To finish it all off, we slid down the dunes in a special sand sled.
After visiting the desert, we took the overnight train back to Beijing. By the time we got back to Beijing, the Paralympics had started. The Paralympics are just like the Olympics, but for people with disabilities. Lucky for us, we got tickets to go see some track and field events in the Bird's Nest. We got to see the torch lit up. We also got to see other areas of the Olympic complex, like the Water Cube and the Olympic Broadcast Tower. It was so cool to see all of the athletes. People who are blind were running races (some with guides). I really enjoyed seeing the medal ceremony. They raise the flag of each winner's country and play the gold medalist's country's national anthem.
So, that's how our first week in China went. One week down, two to go.
'Till next time!
Stefan and Tyler,
China seems awesome! We want to go to the Gobi Desert with you next time. Our mom will even ride in the space ball too! That looks like so much fun. We're excited to read about your next adventures. Glad you're having fun. Are you getting our emails? We can't wait to see you in Africa!
Friends Back Home in NY
It's a great and big contry.But chinese language is so hard to learn if you don't like it.
hi, that looks relly fun .I hope I can com and see you guys soon
Bye,
marina
china has great food but its so complicated to learn chinese
Hi, I'm a student from China. Welcome to our country^_^! I'm glad to say "ni hao" to you, too, and in Chinese, it is "你好". I hope you can enjoy yourselves in the journey, and of course, eat delicious food and learn some Chinese!
Maybe Chinese is difficult to learn (though I don't think so), but I think if you are interested in it, you can learn it very well! Come on!
Hello Stefan and Tyler,
I was your local guide during your tour in Inner Mongolia. I'm very happy to see your photos and read your stories here. It's so nice that I even find my name above. That's great fun to me. I still remember clearly the time when we were together. It was such a pleasant and unforgettable experience! May happiness follow you wherever you go! You are always welcome to China!
hi 3 weeks ago I was in hong kong ni hao