A Typical Quzhou Day
Day Sunday
I woke up
Ate breakfast
Was home alone
Fought to wash dishes and succeeded
Actually practiced violin for once
Then went out with mama (Chinese host family mom)
Went to their milk company, baba wasn't there (Chinese host family dad)
Went to an old street
I hit a big fat bell! Twice!
Bought snacks
Returned
Watched TV with yuxin
We dropped yuxin off at school
Filled gas
Went to park to visit church
Heavy rain
Feet got a good wash
Failed at asking man for directions
Went to church
Apparently flip flops not suitable for church
Had to walk barefoot...
Took pictures of Catholic Church
Apparently not allowed either ...
Prayed.. That's allowed right?
Left
Washed feet more in rain
Bought more food
Yatou, yajiao, tutou, refreshing mint drink
So cheap
Went back and walked
Drove to tea place
Drank LOTS OF TEA
Peanuts are smaller and Taste better
Went back to get yuxin
Had dinner
Fav tangcujisi (delicious sweet and sour chicken)
Niu (beef) tasted like oxtail
Rabbit head
Duck foot
Didn't like duck foot so much, too rubbery
Finally got my way to wash dishes
Aka HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT :)
=happiness holla #swag
Now resting
Prob get my fav yamei later aka Asian fruit
Gonna go pack now
Aka leaving this amazing family and school and town
让我不高兴
Went out and walked
Photo shoot
Really professional with baba using his phone light for light
Did a titanic shot with my arms spread out wide
Walked around with waipo mama baba
Huge rainbow umbrella
Waipo wasn't using a umbrella so I ran to her rescue and shared mine with her
They were surprised
I'm apparently very limao hehe
River was flooding
Reminded me of a walk with my family
Absolutely wonderful and peaceful
Want to be home
Then waipo went off and we went to get gifts for my family.
Then we stopped by baba gege ice cream place.... Icecream! I got one like king cone. In no mood to be adventurous
Then they took me and shifu let me make my own kao bing (like a flat cooked Asian pancake)! Mine was so ugly and awful but it was so nice of him to let me make it no matter how misshapen it was
He still roasted it of course
It tasted so good!
Gonna miss it
I had a small one and took a bit of mine then gave to baba
Then we walked back and I started packing everything
So glad I brought an extra bag
Need the space
Just took
Yuxin just got home and I'm gonna head to Bed soon
晚安
This is our last day at the home stay and it's bittersweet. Bitter because we're leaving new friends and sweet cuz we're this much closer to Beijing and going home. These past few days have been amazing and enlightening. Previous misconceptions about the Chinese populace have been resolved and I've learned a lot. I used to think that the Chinese were those unreasonably strict tiger moms but actually a lot of these parents hate the school system and that their children could only think about studying. These past few days I've eaten more than I can handle due to Chinese hospitality and have woken up earlier than I have all year, a good 6-6:20. I've gone to parties, made toasts, made Quzhou's special kaobing, had Chinese pizza, and Made amazing friends. I have a home in Quzhou now and I hope to go back in the future.
To bring my trip to a close I gave a video performance of my violin playing because my family really wanted to hear me play. I'm really grateful to my 外公,外婆,爸爸,妈妈和 yuxin. The meals they've prepared for me have been greatly appreciated and I'm glad they see me as part of their family.
Being with them has made me realize how much I miss about my home...... Cold water, ice cold water; air conditioner; fresh veggies; exercise gyms; my family <3; American TV; google; wifi; pretty sure there's more oh like blue skies and sun and not rain.
Today we went to school and we had our goodbye party. We all said something about our home stay and then we left to the airport. The airport was absolutely nothing like America. We arrived an hour before our flight, even though our bags were overweight, they were checked in. The vice principal of Quzhou wasn't even checked for security, I was able to bring yoghurt and fruit through security.... Had few delays... Ate yogurt, walked outside to our plane... Quite interesting.
On our plane ride, after about two hours, we had a situation. There was peanut oil in a snack they gave us and Ally had an allergic reaction. Hao Laoshi stayed with her to make sure she was okay. After we landed, Hao Laoshi and Yu Laoshi decided it was best to take her to the hospital. I went with Hao Laoshi and Ally in a cab to the hospital. I helped her walk around and we entered a 'hospital'.... It was not an American hospital to say the least. Put in perspective the population of 1.3 billion in China. And you have a hospital that needs to accommodate the pop. Not just locals but people from all over come to this hospital. When we first entered we walked to the front desk and the nurse just handed us a mercury thermometer. Then we tried to find a seating area but couldn't find one. There were also cots and blue tape for curtain dividers. People were running around half naked and signs were misspelled FYI sugery for surgery and medcin for medicine. We finally found a seating area I think and everyone was just staring at Ally because she was white…… at this point, Ally was slightly better but had a slight temperature. The doctor came over and looked over Ally and then said that she looked ok and she should just take an over-the-counter fever reducing medicine; drink plenty of water and rest. There was another hospital that specialized in allergy treatment if Ally’s allergic reaction happens again. We hailed a taxi back to the hotel. After a flurry of room exchanges, Ally and I settled down in a room and Hao Laoshi and Yu Laoshi constantly checked in our room. Around 11:30 everyone was in their rooms, apparently already having had a pillow party, and eating room service dinner. Everyone checked in to make sure Ally was ok and we hit the hay for the night. Ally and I slept REALLY WELL so much that we missed the 8:30am get together meeting and work up at 9:40am..... We missed the group tour of Tiananmen Square and I scrambled to get down for breakfast. And that started our day 2 in Beijing :)
Signing off - Agent Emily
Day Sunday
I woke up
Ate breakfast
Was home alone
Fought to wash dishes and succeeded
Actually practiced violin for once
Then went out with mama (Chinese host family mom)
Went to their milk company, baba wasn't there (Chinese host family dad)
Went to an old street
I hit a big fat bell! Twice!
Bought snacks
Returned
Watched TV with yuxin
We dropped yuxin off at school
Filled gas
Went to park to visit church
Heavy rain
Feet got a good wash
Failed at asking man for directions
Went to church
Apparently flip flops not suitable for church
Had to walk barefoot...
Took pictures of Catholic Church
Apparently not allowed either ...
Prayed.. That's allowed right?
Left
Washed feet more in rain
Bought more food
Yatou, yajiao, tutou, refreshing mint drink
So cheap
Went back and walked
Drove to tea place
Drank LOTS OF TEA
Peanuts are smaller and Taste better
Went back to get yuxin
Had dinner
Fav tangcujisi (delicious sweet and sour chicken)
Niu (beef) tasted like oxtail
Rabbit head
Duck foot
Didn't like duck foot so much, too rubbery
Finally got my way to wash dishes
Aka HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT :)
=happiness holla #swag
Now resting
Prob get my fav yamei later aka Asian fruit
Gonna go pack now
Aka leaving this amazing family and school and town
让我不高兴
Went out and walked
Photo shoot
Really professional with baba using his phone light for light
Did a titanic shot with my arms spread out wide
Walked around with waipo mama baba
Huge rainbow umbrella
Waipo wasn't using a umbrella so I ran to her rescue and shared mine with her
They were surprised
I'm apparently very limao hehe
River was flooding
Reminded me of a walk with my family
Absolutely wonderful and peaceful
Want to be home
Then waipo went off and we went to get gifts for my family.
Then we stopped by baba gege ice cream place.... Icecream! I got one like king cone. In no mood to be adventurous
Then they took me and shifu let me make my own kao bing (like a flat cooked Asian pancake)! Mine was so ugly and awful but it was so nice of him to let me make it no matter how misshapen it was
He still roasted it of course
It tasted so good!
Gonna miss it
I had a small one and took a bit of mine then gave to baba
Then we walked back and I started packing everything
So glad I brought an extra bag
Need the space
Just took
Yuxin just got home and I'm gonna head to Bed soon
晚安
This is our last day at the home stay and it's bittersweet. Bitter because we're leaving new friends and sweet cuz we're this much closer to Beijing and going home. These past few days have been amazing and enlightening. Previous misconceptions about the Chinese populace have been resolved and I've learned a lot. I used to think that the Chinese were those unreasonably strict tiger moms but actually a lot of these parents hate the school system and that their children could only think about studying. These past few days I've eaten more than I can handle due to Chinese hospitality and have woken up earlier than I have all year, a good 6-6:20. I've gone to parties, made toasts, made Quzhou's special kaobing, had Chinese pizza, and Made amazing friends. I have a home in Quzhou now and I hope to go back in the future.
To bring my trip to a close I gave a video performance of my violin playing because my family really wanted to hear me play. I'm really grateful to my 外公,外婆,爸爸,妈妈和 yuxin. The meals they've prepared for me have been greatly appreciated and I'm glad they see me as part of their family.
Being with them has made me realize how much I miss about my home...... Cold water, ice cold water; air conditioner; fresh veggies; exercise gyms; my family <3; American TV; google; wifi; pretty sure there's more oh like blue skies and sun and not rain.
Today we went to school and we had our goodbye party. We all said something about our home stay and then we left to the airport. The airport was absolutely nothing like America. We arrived an hour before our flight, even though our bags were overweight, they were checked in. The vice principal of Quzhou wasn't even checked for security, I was able to bring yoghurt and fruit through security.... Had few delays... Ate yogurt, walked outside to our plane... Quite interesting.
On our plane ride, after about two hours, we had a situation. There was peanut oil in a snack they gave us and Ally had an allergic reaction. Hao Laoshi stayed with her to make sure she was okay. After we landed, Hao Laoshi and Yu Laoshi decided it was best to take her to the hospital. I went with Hao Laoshi and Ally in a cab to the hospital. I helped her walk around and we entered a 'hospital'.... It was not an American hospital to say the least. Put in perspective the population of 1.3 billion in China. And you have a hospital that needs to accommodate the pop. Not just locals but people from all over come to this hospital. When we first entered we walked to the front desk and the nurse just handed us a mercury thermometer. Then we tried to find a seating area but couldn't find one. There were also cots and blue tape for curtain dividers. People were running around half naked and signs were misspelled FYI sugery for surgery and medcin for medicine. We finally found a seating area I think and everyone was just staring at Ally because she was white…… at this point, Ally was slightly better but had a slight temperature. The doctor came over and looked over Ally and then said that she looked ok and she should just take an over-the-counter fever reducing medicine; drink plenty of water and rest. There was another hospital that specialized in allergy treatment if Ally’s allergic reaction happens again. We hailed a taxi back to the hotel. After a flurry of room exchanges, Ally and I settled down in a room and Hao Laoshi and Yu Laoshi constantly checked in our room. Around 11:30 everyone was in their rooms, apparently already having had a pillow party, and eating room service dinner. Everyone checked in to make sure Ally was ok and we hit the hay for the night. Ally and I slept REALLY WELL so much that we missed the 8:30am get together meeting and work up at 9:40am..... We missed the group tour of Tiananmen Square and I scrambled to get down for breakfast. And that started our day 2 in Beijing :)
Signing off - Agent Emily
Mariel:
My host family experience has been an amazing one—fun, interesting, and surprising. My family lived in an apartment, small but spotlessly clean and beautifully furnished. My host mom proved to be a talented cook, cooking dinner (and breakfast) for us every single day. Majie (my host) took time out of her studies to talk to me in a mix of English and Chinese and watched television shows (Sherlock and Dr. Who!) with me at night. I practiced Chinese with her non-English speaking parents—which was difficult—and talked to her about her school life and workload. Despite the cultural differences (no mattresses, odd shower-toilet configurations, slippers at all times) and inevitable homesickness, I really enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to any person who knows or wants to learn Chinese. The cultural experience, while sometimes disorienting, will probably be the most memorable part of this trip.
Owen:
In sum, my host experience was one of the most challenging yet satisfying journeys of my life. At first, I was very awkward (and scared to be frankly honest). It was very strange for me to put all my trust into people I never met. We knew very little about each other, so I was very nervous we would not get along or would just be completely different people. Upon arriving at their house (which, I must admit, was very intimidating at first; they really do live a “village” lifestyle), it was almost too overwhelming. However, as I became more and more comfortable (and my ability to use chopsticks became better!) I grew more and more attached to my host family. In complete honesty, I can say they are some of the nicest and down to earth people I know. They have (and needed!) patience, and our ability to bridge the language gap between us is very impressive. In the end, my host family really feels like my own.
Keileh:
I think that the homestay in Quzhou was an absolutely great and new experience for me. I had been to China the previous year, but coming to Quzhou was an opportunity I did not have before. I had never been to Quzhou and never done a homestay before, and it turned about to be really fun.
Staying with another family was a bit rough at first, since we were not familiar with their customs. However, we were willing to try new things and strived to learn their culture, and after a little while we adjusted and it was so much fun. By the end of the week, I wanted to stay longer and The time went by so quickly and I am truly going to miss my family.
My host family experience has been an amazing one—fun, interesting, and surprising. My family lived in an apartment, small but spotlessly clean and beautifully furnished. My host mom proved to be a talented cook, cooking dinner (and breakfast) for us every single day. Majie (my host) took time out of her studies to talk to me in a mix of English and Chinese and watched television shows (Sherlock and Dr. Who!) with me at night. I practiced Chinese with her non-English speaking parents—which was difficult—and talked to her about her school life and workload. Despite the cultural differences (no mattresses, odd shower-toilet configurations, slippers at all times) and inevitable homesickness, I really enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to any person who knows or wants to learn Chinese. The cultural experience, while sometimes disorienting, will probably be the most memorable part of this trip.
Owen:
In sum, my host experience was one of the most challenging yet satisfying journeys of my life. At first, I was very awkward (and scared to be frankly honest). It was very strange for me to put all my trust into people I never met. We knew very little about each other, so I was very nervous we would not get along or would just be completely different people. Upon arriving at their house (which, I must admit, was very intimidating at first; they really do live a “village” lifestyle), it was almost too overwhelming. However, as I became more and more comfortable (and my ability to use chopsticks became better!) I grew more and more attached to my host family. In complete honesty, I can say they are some of the nicest and down to earth people I know. They have (and needed!) patience, and our ability to bridge the language gap between us is very impressive. In the end, my host family really feels like my own.
Keileh:
I think that the homestay in Quzhou was an absolutely great and new experience for me. I had been to China the previous year, but coming to Quzhou was an opportunity I did not have before. I had never been to Quzhou and never done a homestay before, and it turned about to be really fun.
Staying with another family was a bit rough at first, since we were not familiar with their customs. However, we were willing to try new things and strived to learn their culture, and after a little while we adjusted and it was so much fun. By the end of the week, I wanted to stay longer and The time went by so quickly and I am truly going to miss my family.