The Plane Ride

The plane ride to China was an adventure in itself. I sat next to a Chinese family who were returning to their farm in Guilin. Since I have never taken Chinese, it was difficult to converse with the people around me. However, I found different ways to communicate and used non-verbal expression in place of words. At the end of the tiring yet interesting flight, the woman I had gotten to know introduced me to her son. He knew a few words in English, so I was able to give him a standard greeting. I realized that the plane ride to China was only the beginning of a lesson in language restricted communication.

Chinese Culture

China is an amazing country, one filled with historical traditions and unique customs. A main focus of the Chinese is family life. Instead of emphasizing the power of the individual, people in China focus on the best interests of the community. By bringing each person's talents and ideas together, a group can reach a consensus and accomplish a goal. In January 2006, I, along with 20 other Americans, traveled to Guilin, Beijing, and Hong Kong. The places we visited were so different and impressive. During the trip, I kept a travel journal and expressed my ideas about a particular event or situation that stood out as impressive. My goal in this blog is to share some of my experiences and get feedback from people who are also interested in the Chinese culture.