Chinese New Year's Event

Day SIX

Well, day six is here. The week has flown by and no one wants it to end. All of us are exhausted, but in a good way. We have made friends, increased our families, enjoyed a culture, learned new things and realize how lucky each and every one of us are to have been a part of such a wonderful opportunity to share our two countries, our cultures, our two worlds.

We wake this morning to a beautiful day in our new City of Qingdao. A day with our Long Beach sun in the sky. A day we know will be filled with Shopping… Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh !

Mr. Z had to attend another official meeting and we are having breakfast in this beautiful hotel. At 8:30 we will meet in the lobby, check out for the last time and head to a Japanese Shopping Center so we can bring back a few items for our families and friends. Then from this shopping center, we will travel to another shopping area that is more ethnic and inexpensive. A cultural center with food, fruits, veggies, clothes, jewelry, etc.

After lunch at non-other than McDonalds… pork burgers, we arrived in an area that was a step back from what we had been use to during the week. Old, and hundreds of people moving about. We were directed to a huge building that had four floors down and four stories up. A veritable flea market of products. It was great. We all had 40 minutes to do as we please, but were told to hang on to our personal items and stay in groups so we were all safe. Mr. Z always was concerned with our well being and had chaperons and students accompany us wherever we went. Shopping was an experience and everything was barter, barter, barter..!

From here we had to hurry to get to the Qingdao Airport to check in, get ticketed and board the plane. To our surprise, we were met at the airport by everyone we were with all week including the officials and our host. It was their holiday, but they still wanted to be with us to say goodbye as we passed through customs and boarded our plane. Daisy, Gordon and Mr. Z made sure we all were taken care of. Daisy was able to get the Mayor’s office to request our luggage transferred in Beijing so we did not have to get our luggage and go through customs and check in a second time.

It was an emotional goodbye. All of us had tears in our eyes, hugged each other for dear life and none of us wanted this to end. Kicking and scratching, we entered customs and waved goodbye. We were all quiet and a bit sad with the thoughts of leaving our new found friends.

We boarded our plane and off we went to the Beijing airport to switch planes for LAX --- it would be 13 hours + five from Beijing to LAX. We landed and were able to select the dinner we wanted in the beautiful Beijing airport as we would not eat for a while on our flight. Little did we know that eating was a good idea because our flight was delayed five hours before taking off? We found our seats, sat down and I think the minute the plane took off we all passed out.

On the plane our minds were spinning. How could this be over, what did we do, where did we go, and what did we learn. All we know it was a life changing experience, one none of us would forget. We all have hopes to keep in contact with each other and with our new friends and families.

We will all watch the 2008 Olympics this year with warmth in our hearts.

Our wish is that everyone could have the opportunity we all had.

We feel special to have had this opportunity given to us and thank our parents, schools and especially the Long Beach Qingdao Sister City Association for their gift to each of us.

Your work as an association makes a difference and has

 helped 13 students gain an invaluable experience that we will carry our entire lives.

A memory we can all carry with us through life.

THANK YOU LBQA.

THANK YOU CITY OF QINGDAO AND ALL OUR NEW FRIENDS.

ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM

Below are a few more thought’s from us students:

Stephanie’s experience

Well I was incredibly nervous for the home stay night, to be honest. I know that I speak some Chinese, but I was afraid that the family wouldn't be able to relate to me or wouldn't like me. I was so wrong. 

My family was so considerate and caring, and all they wanted to do was feed me! The father worked for the government and the mother was a political science professor at Qingdao University (which was my major), so there was never a lack of conversation. The daughter, Sally, was an amazing girl. Fluent in English at the early age of 13, she was bright beyond her years and somewhat of a local celebrity for her academic achievements and English proficiency. I was amazed by how mature and intelligent she was, and we talked about everything. She understood every word I said, and never had a problem translation to her family (as we all saw when she ran the farewell banquet!) My family was constantly trying to persuade me to come back to Qingdao, to study there for grad school, to live in their lovely new home for as long as I wanted. I could never have imagined how kind the Chinese people were, and am so grateful to have learned so much about them and their culture.

I was taught how to make dumplings and play their traditional instrument (called an erhu, I believe), though I have neither cooking nor musical talents, and they didn't seem to mind. I am so happy that I was selected for this trip, everyone who went represented Long Beach and the United States well, and I think each of us learned a lot about the Chinese culture, and maybe something about ourselves as well!

Julie Blanc’s first two day experience. (written two days into the trip)

Merely two days and a summer worth of stories to tell…

The spirit of volunteerism has been the driving force behind this trip. Even though we live in different hemispheres and continents, speaking dissimilar languages, and practice diverse customs, putting service before self brings us together: the city of Long Beach, California and Qingdao, China.

From fast forwarding thorough time Sunday to Tuesday, thirteen hours of flight, a stopover in the huge amazing new airport of Beijing, to ‘walking on water’, the Long Beach delegation has been in the beautiful city of Qingdao for a mere 48 hours and seen so much! Upon arrival in the city we were welcomed with open arms. We cleaned up nice after the plane ride and were given a feast for lunch, forks and knives were on the table but everyone gave their best shot to use chopsticks or the authentic Chinese cuisine. Then it was off to the Olympic Sailing center, more technologically advanced than any of us could ever imagine. There is a touch screen timeline detailed with stats and pictures from all the Olympics held in history. Only there is no screen and no need for touching. Simply by waving your hand over the counter where the images are projected onto and one can absorb so much information. There are more screens and interactive technology which just blew us away. But what was most unique was being able to walk on a touch screen with the floor of shallow water complete with fish and rocks. Best of all, our leader David was able to actually ‘walk on water’ making ripples with every step across the screen. The facilities are top of the line; Qingdao is more than ready to be fabulous hosts for the Sailing of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Even though it was foggy and the rain picked up during our stroll through May 4 square we were able to dry off to meet the venerable may of Qingdao. A busy man, Xia Gang, he has not been able to practice his golf as he prepares for the sailing Olympics. But our mayor Bob Foster looks forward to playing a round with him sometime in the future.

The delegation was thoroughly entertained at the welcome banquet. The Qingdao volunteers are so talented, providing a full night of entertainment, magic show, unique instruments, and singing.

This morning we exchanged our volunteer experiences with our counterparts in the organization. Liu Ex. said in her speech, “The language of volunteers is the most beautiful and noble language of all”. Both the Qingdao and Long Beach students are so dedicated, enthusiastic, and have truly reaped the benefits of following their passions. At the Qingdao Community center this afternoon we found ourselves in a media circus. There was no limit to how many pictures the students got with other volunteers and senior citizens. The senior citizens gave adorable performances; their rendition of Elvis was priceless. We are looking forward to a rewarding and eye opening week. Joining volunteers cross cultures …the sky is the limit. Together we truly can make a difference, let the games begin!

THANKS..!

(   until next time  )

Day Five

Day five is here and we are all now arriving at the University to board our bus for the last days events, eager to share our stories with each other.

Mr. Z had a home-stay also, but had an official meeting at lunch and was meeting us at the University and board the bus for the afternoon festivities. As we were dropped off by each of our new friends, Mr. Z was waiting and looked like a proud father waiting for his family to come home after a long stay away. We all were excited to share our stories, but did not want to leave our families. We were torn, but knew we would be seeing them that night for the farewell dinner, so we hugged, we kissed, we laughed, we cried and got on the bus.

A full afternoon was ahead and we were all tired, but we met each activity with anticipation and excitement. It was already two o’clock so we had to move it. We were headed to the City’s main Sailing Club to exchange burgees, a tradition of exchanging club flags (burgee - a tapered flag or pennant, often used by a sailing club, that ends in a swallowtail of two points).

We had four burgees from the four clubs in Long Beach. We are the first to exchange with this Qingdao club. They did not know of this tradition so Liz explained the tradition and they gave us their Club flag, a (larger flag burgees are small and triangular in shape). We also signed their guest book and were then taken for a tour of the area’s facilities. Sailing events will be easily viewed from this facility during the 2008 Olympics and in large numbers (150,000 easily).just in this facility. Photos to come.

With this complete, we boarded the bus and headed to a new hotel where we would stay for the last night and the location of the farewell dinner. Tired, but determined, we checked into (hotel was 4 star), and changed with the anticipation of meeting our home-stay families once again.

We had about an hour and as Mr. Z went off for yet another official meeting, we showered, relaxed and changed into our dressy attire and went to the ballroom where we each met our families. It was like we knew them for a long time as each of us hugged and greeted each other with smiles and love.

NONE OF US WANTED

THE MOMEMENT TO END.

Mr.Z entered the room and the banquet began. Once again a traditional dinner wasserved and we all ate, talked and joked about anything and everything. It wasgreat to see the families and we all readied ourselves to make our individualappearance with them on main stage. Mr. Xia, our host of the week from theQingdao Volunteer Organization, warmly greeted us. He told us the City was veryhappy with this first time visit and the home-stay family experience and hopedit will continue. He congratulated us for an wonderful week of exchangingstories, customs and our presentations. He made us all feel right at home. Mr.Z then reciprocated with warm remarks and in Chinese told them they were allnow our family and with love in our hearts we appreciated their hospitalityduring the week. He said, and we all felt Chinawas ready for the Olympics and ready to show the world the progress that China has madein opening their country to the world.

Weall toasted and each of us were treated to presentations from each of ourhome-stay families. It was a heartwarming, and heartbreaking evening, knowingthat we had to say goodbye soon. At the end we all came together and sang withlove in our hearts for each of our countries and our people. We were all one,people meeting people. No barriers, no worries, just People, truly what ourtheme was during the week… One World, One Dream...!

Wecalled it an evening, not wanting to leave and went to our rooms. Tomorrowwould be our first free day and they would be bringing us SHOPPING..! Mr. Zknew his life was endanger if we were not able to pick a few Chinese items upbefore leaving.

Good Night

and see you in themorning..!

BELOW ARE COMMENTS

FROM ALL THE STUDENTS ABOUTTHEIR HOMESTAYS AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES…

ENJOY

Elizabeth’s Experience – to come

Stephanie’s Experience – to come

Erin’s Thoughts on the Day:

Whata whirlwind of a trip! Walking into the airport today thoughts of home andloved ones flooded my mind! It is crazy to think we are on the other side ofthe world!! I spend the last little flight reflecting upon the trip and on myfuture life and career. Its amazing how one international trip can modify theway the world seems. The world does not seem so big to me anymore. People in China are notso unfamiliar to me. Like Americans, the Chinese are warm, real people who careabout their family, their jobs, and their country. I feel it is now safe toassume that the same is true across the globe. I had a wonderful time with myhost family. I was a bit apprehensive to leave the group at first and it was astrange feeling at night to be staying in the house of strangers in a foreigncountry. But my host family did not stay strangers for long. My host family wasvery warm and was eager to take me to play table tennis and badminton. Ilearned several Chinese phrases from them and became quite good friends withthe little boy in the family “Jared” who is nine years old.

Whenwe left Qingdaoa lot of us began tearing up when Julia, our Chinese exchange studenttranslator began crying. Although it’s only been a week we felt very connectedand very close to our new Chinese friends. It is hard to leave them becausethey live so far away, but again the world is not so small and we may find eachother again.

ICANNOT wait to see my loved ones again!! The lack of internet and phone callshas been a culture shock for me but I’ve learned a lot from being away fromtechnology as well. This exchange trip has been a huge learning experience forme on so many levels; I have soaked it all up and have written much of it down.I know there will always be a little piece of Qingdao and my new Chinese friends with me inmy heart! See you soon!

Rebekkah’s Thoughts

Iloved my home stay family.  The familyconsisted of a father, mother, two daughters, a grandma, and a dog.  The mother and younger daughter knew a bit ofEnglish.  The father did the cooking andmade great meals.  At dinner time, wemade dumplings.  I was not good at it butit’s good to know how they are made. They had a cute loving Pekinese named Tiger who was five years old andconsidered a part of the family.  The dogwas well trained and sometimes danced. The mother and daughter try to learn more English by watching theEnglish TV channel.  The family thought Imissed Western meals so they made me steak and ham along with the dumplings wemade earlier.  We also had fries madefrom the potatoes grown in the family’s garden that was right behind theapartment complex.  They also gave meutensils but I showed them that I was capable to use chopsticks too.  Breakfast next morning was scrambled eggs,ham, orange juice, and milk.  We pickedcucumbers before we left to go pick apricots. The cucumbers were very delicious. It was a long drive up the mountain where there were many apricotfarms.  We bought a large bag then headedback to the city where we ate at the Beer Club, a German themed restaurant withfree beer and all you can eat.  Weshopped a bit before leaving to meet up with the rest of the delegation.

Noah’s Experience

Afterreturning from the Daoist temple, our delegation returned to the Qingdao university hotel.There, we introduced ourselves and our representatives. Our homestead familiesalso introduced themselves. It was nothing short of amazing. We were warmlygreeted and covered by several media reporters. I stepped outside of theoverwhelming emotions of the meeting room to talk in greater detail with my newfamily. I met my new older brother, or gege (pronounced gah – gah), and wasembraced with much love. His name was Isa. I met his mother as well, andaddressed her as Isa Ma –ma. I also met my new father, and addressed him as IsaBa-ba. We talked about my experiences thus far in Qingdao, and what I liked best. I told themabout how our delegation was so awe-struck and in love with Qingadao. We tooksome more pictures, and then each delegation members went separate ways withtheir new families. We went to the supermarket, and bought ingredients for themeals to come. They also let me pick the milk. I chose breakfast milk – it issweet, and comes in a rectangular packet. I enjoyed it very much the nextmorning. That night, at the family’s apartment complex, our family bonded in away that was inexplicable. Isa gave me a tour and showed me his family’s mostvalued and traditional belongings. One article was a miniature artifact   – a statue warrior from the first Qingdynasty. It was 2,000 y ears old. It was so incredible, and I was honored tobehold it. Next, we ate fruit and watched Kung Fu Panda. I loved the film – ahilarious Dreamworks picture about a panda cook who became a great Kung – FuDragon warrior. We ate dinner, which included large shrimp, jellyfish, clams,and noodles with vegetable and sausage mixed in. I was able to give a fewsentences about myself in Chinese, and the family told me about themselves andthe meal – the style of the noodles comes from the Han nationality of China. Like me,Isa is the oldest of three siblings. He also has a younger brother and sister.We had a really good time and, together, we cleaned up after we ate. After Ishowered and prepared for bed, we watched Bicentennial Man. I thought it was anexcellent plot about the human soul. We went to bed, and in the morning we atebreakfast, talked some more, and went to Ocean University.We talked more and took pictures. After we met up with Erin and her family, weplayed Badminton and Ping – Pong. Everyone wasso good at playing. We then had a traditional meal at the local village. It wassad departing, but after we went to the brewery (which was amazing); we met upfor the banquet. They presented me with gifts (I had given mine to themearlier) and later we had to depart again. This morning, they came to see meoff. I told them I would stay in contact and that I was thankful and lovedthem. Today we bought gifts and departed. I will miss my family and Qingdao, but I know Iwill see them again.

Ian’s Experience

Iwas fortunate enough to be paired up with Dr. Jun Zhou, a very successfuldentist who runs one of the biggest dental clinics in Qingdao. I quickly found out that he has apassion for many of the same sports that I like enjoy such as swimming andsoccer. After meeting with each other we went back to his home in a verybeautiful complex that had an astonishingly beautiful fountain in the middle ofthe square. His home was beautiful and very inviting. Sadly his daughter andwife are in Vancouver, Canada where his daughter isstudying. His brother’s family joined us for dinner and his sister in lawcooked us the best dumplings I have ever had. They seemed to think that becauseI was young I could eat forever, so my plate was never empty. Following ourdinner we went to the JUSCO, an amazingly large shopping center. He let me pickout breakfast for the morning, so I was able to finally get some western food.When we returned home we stayed up and watched the Germany– Portugalsoccer game during the European Cup which he is following avidly.

Thenext morning after waking up, I cooked breakfast for the doctor. It consistedof Eggs, American bacon (which he had never had before), and toast as well asthese delicious French pastries. The day only got better! We went to his clinicfor thirty minutes and outside I was able to witness a Chinese wedding whichwas amazing. His best friend and the other doctor at the clinic joined us forthe day with his son and his son’s school friend. The next four hours wereterrific. I saw every part of Qingdaopossible, and took a ridiculous amount of photos. The son and I had verysimilar taste in music and loved my iPod. It was an amazing day.

Atthe going away banquet we came back together and had a very enjoyable meal. Iwas able to sing karaoke with the son – Let It Be by the Beatles. It was awonderful experience and I hope to stay in contact for a very long time.

Arabella’s Experience

Thefamily I stayed with was so warm and welcoming. The daughter was 16 and the son was 10. Two of their cousins also stayed with us.  They were both 18 years old.  So now I have three new sisters and one newlittle brother.  Friday night we went outto an authentic Chinese restaurant for their uncle’s birthday.  The food was very interesting.  The next day I cooked the familybreakfast.  We had steak and Frenchfries.  Then we went to Jusco, a mall inQing Dao.  They helped me find souvenirsfor my family and let me choose what we were going to have for lunch at thesupermarket.  I choose sashimi andvegetables.  They had never eaten sashimibefore, but it turns out they really liked it.  

Thefamily didn’t speak very much English, but with their combined efforts and mylittle bit of Chinese we were able to communicate.  I am so glad to have met these wonderfulpeople, and now I have a family in Americaand a family in Qingdao.

Annie’s Experience

My homestay family was so similar to my own family in America in so many ways. From thefamily structure of three people, down to the similar facial features every onesaid we had, I felt really at home with them. The family gave each other “pig”nicknames, which is exactly like what my parents call me at home. Theirdaughter is also an only child, like me. The father and mother also shared onevery interesting fact with me, they honeymooned in Vietnam—my mother’s birthplace. Wespent the night in awe of our similarities, and also learning much about oneanother. I practiced my Chinese, while they practiced their English. In all,our talk was quite joyful and filled with lots of laughter and smiles. Theytook me to the Music Squareat night, and we danced in the rain, kicking shuttlecocks. In the morning, theymade a delicious breakfast of western inspired foods, and the feeling felt somuch like home. We hiked up Signal Hill Park,and laughed at the fact that we also had one in Long Beach. We visited the European styledbuildings and streets of Badaguan. My time spent with my family was fabulous,and a memory I will never forget. It is amazing to think that within one nightand day, we would grow such a close bond, and I am grateful for my family in Qingdao.

Julie’s Experience

Icame into the Zi family as a complete stranger, but left as an honorary memberof their family. After two days I was given a Chinese name which I will cherishalong with the memories. The family had a son of three and half Jiji who wasshy at first, but by the end we had a special bond. The daughter of eleven,Nounou was so cute and we exchanged English and Chinese phrases. Upon arrivalthe cook and babysitter were preparing a traditional meal complete withdumplings, fish, vegetables, the works. Luckily I passed the chopsticks test,they said I didn’t need a fork! The mother explained to me that it is a customfor the host to constantly offer and fill the plate of the guest. I was so fullbut the food just kept going! I enjoyed looking at the family’s picture albums.After dinner the mother and daughter took me shopping, it was great to havesomeone who knew their way around. The next morning was jam packed after theylet me sleep in. I was given American breakfast of eggs and bread, soaccommodating. Then it was off to a fun tour of the city’s coastline. The timewas too short as we rushed to lunch at a Western restaurant and then to thedelegation. At night the banquet really showed how much I will miss my newfamily of 48 hours, but I know we will keep in touch.

Cameron’s Experience

Myfamily was awesome. First we talked about various places in china andthroughout the world. We talked about the places I have traveled to and thevarious foods for each country. After these very interesting conversations, Iplayed ping pong with Shou Shou, my family’s son. It was very fun, though hewas playing down considerably to me. Though playing was fun and a greatexperience to have in china. Then my family taught me how to make dumplings. Itwas very fun, though I struggled to learn at first. They really need a lot ofstuffing for them to work! After cooking and then of course the fantastic meal,their son, Shou Shou and I talked about many things, completely at random andwith seemingly no end. It was quite a lot of fun, though as the time neared 11o’clock, we both were very tired and we went to bed.

Thenext morning was just a continuation of the fun. I had a Chinese breakfast ofmany different things, many of which I have already forgotten their names. Wethen went down to a very famous park, and walked through it. According toChinese culture, the Summer Solstice is the luckiest day to get married becauseit is the longest day of the year. Because that day was the solstice, therewere many weddings and brides and grooms taking pictures. It was quite the sameas the American tradition and brought a little taste of home to me. Afterwalking, we played Badminton he again humbled me. I do not mean to soundnegative, because it is not so. It was very fun to play a new sport in a newcountry with my new family. It was great. We then traveled down to thetide-pools and collected crabs and then toured a really nice house of an exiledChinese leader. It was very historically interesting and fascinating. At thebanquet, my family and I was very talkative and we were quite sad that it wasover. It was a great experience.

Bryndis’ Experience

Fromthe moment I met my host family they were so welcoming and happy to have mestay with them.  For the limited amountof time I spent with them, it truly was an incredible and memorableexperience.  After meeting my family wewent to their home to make dinner and spend time together.  While the parents prepared the dough andstuffing for dumplings, their twelve year old daughter and I watched cartoonsand talked to each other.  Then theyshould me how to make the dumplings and I wasn’t very good at it, but they wereencouraging and said I did well.  When wehad dinner it was fun to know that I had helped make it.  I spent the next day with the mother anddaughter.  First we visited the schoolwhere both of the parents teach at.  Thenwe walked around a shopping mall and went to the beach.  At the beach the daughter and I took our shoesoff and went into the ocean where we had a lot of fun trying to avoid gettingsoaking wet.  After the beach we went toa wedding for one of the mother’s former students.  It was so amazing to experience a Chinesewedding!  The bride was so beautiful and weenjoyed lots of food and company with the other guests.  Overall, staying with the family was one ofthe highlights of the entire trip.  Ifeel very fortunate to have had the experience of staying with a Chinesefamily.  The bond that I have with my Qingdao family isindescribable and I know that we will keep in touch.

My Chinese family was amazing. There was a mom, dad, and ason. We met and I knew I would enjoy my home stay. The house was beautiful itwas two stories and very simple. They taught me to make dumplings I was verybad at it. They laughed at me when I was unable to use chopsticks. The nextmorning we walked around town and went to the beach. I enjoyed talking to thefamily and exchanging thoughts and experiences.

I love China!!!!!!It was a great way to kick off the Summer. What 15 year old student can saythey have been to China?The people who I met and the friends I have made are terrific and fun people. Ifit was late night talks in each others room or visiting a neighborhoodcommunity center there were many memories and long hard laughs.

Steven’s Experience:

            I was really nervous at first tofind who my home stay was. While we were at the meeting I remember I was tryingto see and guess who my family was. But I soon found out who was my home stayfamily was going to be. Due to a misprint in the paperwork they thought I wasgoing to be a female, and so they had my room prepared in a female manner. Itwas interesting to sleep with hearts on the blanket. But they still treated mewith much hospitality and respect.

The family consisted of a father, a mother, and son. But wehad company who stayed to meet me. This was a 13-year-old boy named Peter and20-year-old female college student name Nancy.The funny thing was that the son liked that named Peter also and so was namedPeter number two. But the older Peter had the same last name as me; Tu. So Ihad a confusing time with Peter Tu and Peter number two. They had only spokenlimited or nearly no English at all. The only English I could get was from myhome stay mom’s sister-in-law and Nancy.

I have taken Chinese for 3 years and I soon realized that wasgoing to come in handy even though I didn’t know how to speak well.Communicating was difficult, but I was still able to understand them by payingattention to their actions. They wanted me to call the father uncle and themother auntie. Every time uncle wanted me to eat something he would point at itand say “Dao dao”. In the morning we went to go badminton. And after that wewent to cool off by swimming.

I enjoyed my time in Qing Dao and my home stay family hadjust made more the reason to come back in the future.

Tomorrowwe go

SHOPPING!

Day Four

We are all looking forward with anticipation to meeting our home-stay host family. Each of us has a different family that has been selected for us to spend a night and day with. We will be treated to time spent with our new Chinese family. We are all going to have a new Chinese name when we return. A night with culture and one-on-one with true Chinese tradition and hospitality. We don’t know what to expect so we are all excited. We will report tomorrow on our experiences.

 
Our first stop today is the Haier Group. One of China’s largest corporations and one that we in the United States are familiar with. I think most of us are a bit tired but ready to step up for another full day of activities. Just when we think it can’t get any better, we experience a new and exciting activity. We were driven to the Haier Groups corporate campus. WOW…! Watch out America. It is a huge company that has fifteen locations world wide that are just as impressive as this campus. The pictures show the size and these are only a few. Inside we were first greeted by executive staff and brought into the lobby. Impressive building..!

 
We were directed to the top floors where the Haier Group gave a presentation and video to us describing just what they do and how they do it. Mr. Z said a few words after the presentation and then we toured the top four floors of the company. The top floors were room after room of showrooms of their product. What we all thought would be a rather normal, boring tour of a company was met with great interest by al of us. We had a great time looking at new technology for household appliances, televisions, air conditioners, washing machines, cell phones, room environments and how the interact, etc. It was amazing and it comes to us with a GREEN philosophy and attention to quality and product application. We are all amazed. And this company is not stealing jobs from American; rather it is creating jobs in all of the countries with huge plants that manufacture products locally. They are now selling their management and IT practices to company’s world wide. We were all very impressed with everything we saw and experienced.

With a photo shoot to end our tour, we said good-bye to our new friends at Haier.

Sightseeing was next and lunch at Mountain Lao. The weather was overcast but this did not stop us from having a delicious lunch in a beautiful garden restaurant at the foot of the mountain. Again we eat, drink and toast each other.

From there we visited a 2500+ year old Temple on the mountain and had a private tour of the grounds. Our pictures here once again tell the story of ancient China, its religions, philosophy, traditions and respect for land, earth and sky.

It was a walk into the past of Chinese Tradition and Culture, and a peaceful walk through the mountain temple.

Then a few touristy pictures, an ice cream and back on the road again. This time were headed back to the University of Qingdao to meet our host family and eager to spend this exchange between cultures…!

We all gathered into a large conference room and each introduced to our family. I must say we all were a bit emotional in our own way as this night would prove to be the best ever. Mr. Z had a family also and was very much looking forward to the night and day ahead.

So OFF WE GO !

(see below)

Day Three

Long Beach - Qingdao Sister City

Student Volunteer Exchange Delegation

Visit to the City of Qingdao, China

Well day three was another amazing opportunity for all of us. Media interviews, newspaper interviews, children, adults, sightseeing, official meetings… what can we say, this has been an opportunity of a lifetime and one we will never forget.

The kindness that has been shown by our hosts and their excellent planning has made our stay very special. Each day Daisy, William, Frances and Susie and a host of others, have made sure that all of us were safe, comfortable and happy. They do their job well and we all have to give them a big thank you for their help and good planning.

At times it is hard to remember what we have done in a short 24 hour period because we are always on the run it seems. The students sleep inbetween gigs. Today it is an easy story to tell through our pictures, smiles and laughs. Enjoy.