Tiananmen, Palace, Bikes...Day 2

This morning we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. At Tiananmen Square we first got to see Mao's body. It was so amazing because of everything we learned about Mao. Tiananmen Square was the first real taste we got of China. It was cool to see the massive portrait of Mao. At the Forbidden City, we were split into groups and then we had a scavenger hunt. We walked all throughout the area to find/take pictures of the area. Every part was so beautiful with gold inlays and delicate carvings. My group went off on a detour and we were able to see a hall of mental cultivation. The rooms were filled with jade sculptures and beautiful embroidery. It was so cool to see the place were the people we have been studying actually lived.

After touring were wee off to an authentic Chinese Restaurant, where we had lots of delicious food, including the well-known Peking Duck. After filling ourselves up with food, we went to a small neighborhood by rickshaw. It was really cool being on the rickshaws because our drivers would race each other and the feeling of wind on our faces was quite refreshing. We got off the rickshaws, and we toured the neighborhood, learning about the families.

Before dinner we took the bus to a micro-finance NGO, Wokai, which was led by a lady who grew up in Hong Kong and the US. We learned about the fundamentals of micro-finance and the financial situation in rural China.  We were also able to walk through a little neighborhood, checking out a chicken coop nearby.

Sarah W. & Shayaan H.


--
Andrew P. Davis
Director of Admission
Crystal Springs Uplands School
400 Uplands Drive
Hillsborough, CA 94010
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