SIFT – The Sage China Connection

21 May 2009 | Uncategorized | tribbj

From: Tammy Fritze
Date: 05/20/2009 11:47 A
Subject: China -for blog

This trip is packed with so many wonderful places to see and things to do as well as new friends we have made.  We are all a bit sleep deprived, however it is 100% worth it.  From Beijing to Xian to Guilin and now Shanghai this is really the first time I have had a moment to think about writing from my perspective on the trip to China so far.  At first, I wasn’t too crazy about the 14 hour plane ride from DC to Beijing, and although it was long, the excitement of being here just mounted along the way and it went by much faster than expected and the flight was so smooth you almost forget you are miles and miles above the ground.  

When we arrived in Beijing the first thing I noticed was the structure and uniformity of procedures at the airport and the cleanliness as well.  The Chinese to English interpretations on some of the signage was misspelled or just worded much differently than how we speak and it only got better as the trip continued because I made it a point to read every sign from that point forward.  The Chinese language is very complicated with so many characters to learn and tones of words when speaking it is overwhelming and many Chinese do not even know the language or writing themselves fluently.  

Our group is great, we have a good time with the tour guides on the trip laughing and joking with them on the topic of language.  I could write details for everything we have done however it would end up being a book and at this point my bed is looking really comfy to lay down in right now! 

Overall I will close with saying that my impression of China as portrayed in America formed a completely different image in my mind form what I have seen.  In a way I think of China as a somewhat cautious place to go to due to the communist government and that the people might not like us.  Everything from this trip tells me it is the absolute complete opposite.  There is order, no chaos, there is structure and systems and direction in place for the people of China to abide by.  Although overpopulation puts a hold on some freedoms such as having more than one child without restrictions and the need to retire at age 55 for women and 60 for men, it helps create order. …

I see much of the original culture and history being changed in China from the influence of Western ideas and culture.  Beijing is growing rapidly and remarkably well.  On another note, the people of China are incredibly welcoming and have the kindest of intentions when they see you and meet you.  At first I was wondering why everyone was starring at us so much, it got to certain points in the trip where we actually were asked to have photos taken and they were all so full of excitement as if we were celebrities.  Although globalization brings us all so much closer it also does eliminate some of the culture that originates in the country’s history as part of its core likeness.  China is beautiful and I would definitely return again.