A 12-day study tour that lead us to rediscovering the root of our ancestry and reliving the past that are filled with rich customs and deep cultures. A wonderful escapade that had left me with a greater knowledge of how, when and what had become of my true nation, the great China.
Five golden stars, all bright against a waving red flag, greeted us warmly as we finally arrived at the airport. A feeling of mixed joy and fright arose as we finally embark on our journey. It was 1 o'clock in the morning when we finally arrived at our hotel. A little too early to begin the day...
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| The whole camp at the NAIA airport. |
Day 1: The Breakfast
Call time: 8am
Place: Chan Wu Cafeteria
Steamed man-tows, hot dumplings, siopao, noodles, bitso-bitsos, buchis and sunny-side-up eggs all greeted us as we entered the cafeteria of the school. Their aroma is enough to wake my appetite.
The first thing I noticed upon waking up is their late sunrise. It was already almost 7am when the sky is completely lit up.
Exploring Our School
Chan Wu Center is a very large compound that has a wide variety of courses to offer. I think they focus more on sports because most of their students wear jogging outfit as uniforms. They also have spacious grounds that are dotted with trees and flowers everywhere and to walk along their garden paths early in the morning is to feel a wonderful sense of serenity.
Venturing Nearby Places
Just outside of school is a forest and park. People would come to this place and sit on the stairs to relax or exercise. Sometimes, a little before noon, hundreds of pieces of clothing, mattresses and other freshly washed things can be seen laid sprawled all over the floor and steps. It's funny to see that a park can turn into a colorful, soft and cottony laundry place to hang and dry clothes. :)
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| The path back to our hotel. |
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| Stores and restaurants line the street walk. |
This day was basically just an orientation to all the dos and don't s of the school, the introduction of our proctors and the discussion of what to expect all through out our stay.
Day 2: Today Classes Begin
A whole day spent with typical classroom lessons. Missed being a student again.
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| Happy to be a student again... |
The Comma Hotel, right along Ying Fu Lu street and wedged between grocery stores, KTVs and restaurants is our hotel. A cozy 6 floored centralized little hotel that offers hospitality and free wifi!
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| Fooling around with the vending machine. |
Balanced meals of meat and vegetables served buffet style was what was on the trays that were all lined up on the service table. A heaping helpful full of foods can't get any better for very tired pupils.
An hour of night long shopping and fun at the Long Dong Walk, a local Plaza. Saw a lot of fancy stuffs and was impressed on how clean the sidewalks are.
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| Sushi! |
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| Kebab? |
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| Real shoppaholic. hehe :) |
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| Assorted Dried Fruits! |
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| Pets For Sale!!! |
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| \(^_^)/ |
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| Hmm...should I buy this? |
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| or this??? |
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| Very famous street foods |
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| Make-over: Time to beautify! |
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| Make-over: Time to shine! |
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| I want this and this and this...and this also and that and also this... |
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| Yummy milk teas everywhere. |
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| Colorful ornaments... |
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| Sizzling.... smells really good! |
Hours of training and exercises under the sun started our day for today. Learning martial arts has never been this real. It was like straight out from a shaolin movie. Very interesting, very fun, very tiring yet accomplishing.
By evening, we gathered together in groups to learn the etiquette and customs on how to prepare, serve and drink tea. It was nice, soothing and a fun way to bond with friends.
Time to witness GuangZhou's secrets and beauty.
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| Entrance to the mansion |
First, we visited the Chen Clan. It was a like a palace with symbols etched and carved in every corner.They find meanings to every painting, statues and carvings in the house. A tradition believed to bring wealth, fortune, protection and good tidings.
We then proceed to the Overseas Chinese Museum. A museum that tells the tales of early Chinese sailors that ventured the vast oceans and live life under American colonization.
Flower Square was the next place that we went. A very wide park that is surrounded by skyscrapers overlooking the river.
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| Donation booth set up for charity works. |
The last part of our field trip is the Night Cruise in Pearl River.A ferry ride that takes us along the bay of GuangDong. Lights in many colors decorating the city amused us as we passed by. Arcs and bridges towered over us as we sailed underneath with the waters of the Pearl River as a reflection to the night sky.
Day 5: Classes Resume
Chinese Incense: Ancient China's Key To A Calm Mind
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| Apparatuses for preparing the incense. |
Chinese Calligraphy: Mastering Every Strokes
Day 6: Bringing Home The Bacon
Chinese Painting: A Way To Express Myself
It had been years already since I last held a brush and actually paint. My heart was pounding with every stroke I made. Recalling the lessons I had long time ago and mixing them with instincts and dashes of imagination.
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| My work being showcased. :D |
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| The teacher explaining the techniques I had used. |
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| My finished product. |
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| The teacher checking on my work. |
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| My sister and her very cute work. ^_^ |
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| Show time! My work being displayed in front. |
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| Nominated winners to the impromptu Chinese painting contest. |
Day 7: Kung Fu Extreme Training
Sweat really was dripping as we accomplish a series of exercises. By the end of the training, our were all exhausted!
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| Yeay! |
Day 8: A Cultural Tour
The Huang Poa Military Academy
The first place we visited this day was the Huang Poa Military Academy. A museum showing the quarters and offices of high ranking officers including Mr. Sun Yat Sen's.
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| A monument of Mr. Sun Yat Sen. His statue mounted on the very top. |
Visiting And Getting To Know The Students At The GuangDong University Of Foreign Studies
Today was another sightseeing day. We visited a university and got to play and team up with their students. Energy, Teamwork, Unity and Strategies were displayed by our group, making me proud to be a part of it. It was indeed something to be able to witness individuals with different minds and all barely knowing each other, working together to achieve a single goal. Even if we didn't win, it was still a game well played.
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| Group F |
We were all given a stub worth 10 Yuan each. To purchase food, we have to go to the canteen and choose among the many dishes with their corresponding prices. It was a long cafeteria with lots of benches as seats. The foods were inside a counter divided by windows and all you have to do is to point at your desired dish and chefs stationed inside will scoop it on your tray.
An additional destination with additional fun!
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| At the haunted house |
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| Riding the Sky Bicycle |
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| Best Ride Ever! Speeding with the Motorcycle Coaster. Me(right) My sister(left) |
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| Please be mine... |
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| An artwork to be presented at our graduation ceremony |
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| The symbol of Chan Wu Center |
Will surely miss this...
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| At a candy store... |
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| Bonding with friends... |
Post Camp Reunion Party: At The Century Seafood, Malate, Manila
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| More bonding times with friends. \(*^_^*)/ |
Met a lot of friends, learned a lot about myself, shared a lot of laughter and told a lot of tales, these are the things that I would cherish forever and held dearly. The camp had finally ended but the search for the root to our ancestry will always go on.
The Root-seeking Summer Camp in China
Stranger Passing-By
SP-B/05/05/14
