Back in the United States

It’s been two weeks since I’ve been back in the United States and I’ve had time to process my travels both on a micro level and a macro level. What I mean by this is I’ve been able to share personal experiences with family members and friends, and have also have been able to think about and discuss larger issues that I encountered throughout the semester. Last week I taught classes at ESD (my alma mater), which really helped me articulate some of my observations. I taught three of my mom’s English classes, and taught a sophomore Honors Humanities class. In those classes I discussed race relations in three countries: Japan, Mauritius, and South Africa. The other day I taught six freshmen world cultures classes, where I discussed how I perceived these countries as an American, and how I was received as an American. I had a great time discussing these topics with the students; they were so eager to soak up information and were excited to hear about some of my adventures (meeting the 105-year-old and 104-year-old couple in rural Vietnam was one of their favorites).

I have to be honest and say it’s been harder than I expected thus far to verbalize my experiences with others. When people ask, “how was it?” I want to ask back, “well, to which country are you referring?” It’s extremely difficult to compare so many different countries in a blanketed statement. I also feel like I am doing an injustice to many countries if I happen to not discuss them as much. So, I will do the best I can to share my thoughts with you. I’ve noticed that there are also two types of people who have asked me about my time abroad. Those that are into the superficial, (I’ll call it the “easy questions”), and those who really want to know about different cultures around the world and some of the issues with which I grappled. Either is fine, but sometimes it’s hard to know whether people want the short answer or the long answer! I will do a little bit of both in this entry. I’ll answer some questions that I’ve seen come up again and again, and then also discuss what I’ve been ruminating over since I’ve been back.

Most popular question: What was your favorite country?

Answer: Japan and India, for sure. I loved both of them for the same reason, though they appeared in opposite ways! Even though Japan was quiet, orderly, and stark, the people I met were incredibly kind, respectful, and hospitable. I also loved India for the people I met, and they were just as kind. India is much more chaotic and less developed than Japan, however. The individuals I met in India had such warm hearts and hugged me the instant they met me. Both countries are beautiful, have delicious food, interesting culture, and fantastic people that make you want to stay there forever. South Africa is a close third. It is a country I would love to return to for both its aesthetic and tourism appeal, and also for an academic appeal. If I return to South Africa, I would love to analyze the differences between Johannesburg and Cape Town and research race relations further. I would also love to climb Table Mountain again and return to the Cape of Good Hope!

Question 2: What was the weirdest thing you ate?

Answer: Either octopus balls in Japan or chicken I ate in Vietnam. In Japan I ate a piece of octopus that had been covered in batter and cooked in a ball shape. In Vietnam I ate chicken that had bones crushed into the meat (sorry if you’re squeamish!). I must say the octopus balls were much better than the chicken.

Question 3: How are you doing after your illnesses?

Answer: First, thanks for asking. I am doing much better, though I hate that illness has to come up in discussion! I got over the sea sickness, gastro-intestinal illness, and food poisoning just fine. My body is readjusting slowly, but I know it’s happy to be back on land.

Question 4: What was life on the ship like?

Answer: It was very different, but I got used to it. We did have classes and final exams, so don’t worry, I didn’t take a hiatus from school work. It was weird because we did have a good amount of free time, but we usually found ways to creatively entertain ourselves. Ship life was not the best part of my time abroad, but that was to be expected. I went for experiences in the countries, and that’s what I got out of the program. I made four close friends, all of which I hope to stay in contact with. They are wonderful people who I hope will be lifelong friends!

Finally, I made a list of the experiences most frequented throughout my journey: I hiked in four countries: China, Vietnam, Mauritius, and South Africa.

I ate ice cream/frozen yogurt in eight ports: Hawaii, China, Japan, Vietnam, India, South Africa, Ghana, and Brazil!

I visited schools in five ports: Hawaii, Japan, India, Ghana, and Brazil.

I shopped at indoor/outdoor markets in seven ports: Hawaii, China, Vietnam, India, Mauritius, South Africa, and Ghana.

I met/talked with school-age children in seven ports: Japan, China, Vietnam, India, South Africa, Ghana, and Brazil.

I bought Christmas ornaments in every port but Hawaii!

I haven’t struggled too much with culture shock since I’ve been back. For those of you who remember, I studied abroad for six months in Australia my junior year in high school. When I came back to the US, I had an extremely hard time readjusting to American life. I think my time abroad with Semester at Sea didn’t bring a strong culture shock for two reasons. First of all, I never acculturated into one country. I never went through changes as I adjusted to a culture for a long period of time. Sure, I had to adapt to situations and was startled by some of the things I saw, but I never became truly a part of those cultures. Second, I think because I was on an American program with American students, I still remained in the US culture. When I was in Australia I was the only American, so I felt isolated from my home culture. But the ship life was full of American culture. The only main difficulty I’ve had readjusting to US culture is noticing how big the cars and homes are. I am still shocked by the sheer mass of everything in the US, and our country’s drive and obsession with wealth and material possessions.

The main issue that I have been thinking about is how I want to become a global citizen. During the school visits in different countries, I was drawn to the students’ excitement to be in school, and their gratitude to sit on the floor, in no air conditioning, in a crowded room. But I am also passionate about the education injustices in our own country, and the disparities that class and race create in the public school system. I am fighting an internal battle whether to help the children and our brothers and sisters in developing nations, or whether to help children in my own country. Both situations tug at my heart, and make me realize that I have a calling to work with students, of any age, in the education system. I have created a way for myself to feel like I can make a difference both in the United States and hopefully abroad. I mentioned in my India entry that I would like to do a fundraiser for the NGO that helps children get out of child labor and into primary schools. I wish to do a fundraiser at Kenyon in the fall. I also will be applying to various teaching fellow programs at school districts around the country. Hopefully, after I graduate, I will continue working with the NGO in India, and also be able to teach in a classroom and in a school district of need in the United States.

My time abroad is indescribable in a way, and I hope that this entry gives you a glimpse into what it’s been like since I’ve returned. I apologize for my difficulty to express my thoughts, but I encourage you to email me or have a conversation with me in the future if you wish to discuss anything about any of the countries. I am passionate about seeing the world and traveling, as well as my experiences abroad, and often I find it easier to articulate my observations and questions in a discussion setting rather than a one-way conversation! Please feel free to email me at analise.gonzalez@gmail.com. I loved getting a few emails during the semester asking questions or asking for me to elaborate a bit further, and hope that if anything stands out to you, you won’t hesitate to ask. Thank you, once again, for following my journey, and I encourage you to create a journey for yourself this summer, no matter where you will be.

Our Final Port: Brazil!

My time in Brazil was enjoyable, educational, albeit a bit too short. I do know that I would like to return in the future, because I really only spent about 2 ½ days out and about, due to a stomach illness! I know the amount of times I’ve been sick on this voyage seems ridiculous…but I have been very careful overall, I promise!

The first day my friends Ashley, Caitlin, and Dana and I headed for the Pelourinho, or the historic district in the upper city. In order to reach the top safely (Salvador is a fairly dangerous city), individuals need to take an elevator up for about 5 US cents. While we made our way to the elevator, we stopped at a market where we saw my name on a billboard (correct spelling and all!). I also learned that many individuals in Brazil speak Spanish, which made me happy because I was able to practice a bit, which I wasn’t expecting. We reached the Pelourinho and began exploring. Pelourinho is a beautiful area, namely due to the historic architecture, cobblestone streets, and brightly painted buildings. During an unexpected rain shower, we found our way to one shop that had paintings on the back wall. We asked the owner about the paintings, and she told us to go up the stairs. Little did we know that this shop would have four stories of beautiful paintings! Most were of Pelourinho and were full of multiple colors, while others were of other aspects of Brazil, such as capoeria. After spending quite a while looking at all of the art, all of us bought at least one piece to take home with us. We wanted to go somewhere a bit less touristy, so we grabbed a cab and took it to the Barra neighborhood, which is a beach community. Barra was right on the beach, with a lighthouse on one end and different cantinas and restaurants lining the sidewalk. We found one restaurant which was packed with locals, so we waited for a table on the covered patio and watched the rain shower. Our lunch consisted of some delicious Brazilian beverages and food. We tried the national soda, called Guarana Antarctica. It is omnipresent; everyone drinks it. It tastes a bit like ginger ale mixed with cherry/berry flavor. We also had feijoada (beans), and pastiés, which is similar to a cheese-filled empanada. Our lunch definitely reflected the Brazilian life: enjoying good company, good food, and good laughs! We were at the restaurant for almost three hours-- which was fine; we really had a fantastic time. We also visited the lighthouse and watched some individuals play soccer on the beach! We ended our night with some gelato and a stroll to find a cab back to the ship.

One thing that I have realized about American culture is that generally, we rarely take the time to simply enjoy life and enjoy good company. I know I personally am a very scheduled person; I usually am very goal-oriented in planning my days and must keep busy. But in many countries I’ve visited, my friends and I have loved spending time just seeing what comes, not really having a plan, and spending time with one another around a table and people-watching, sharing stories of our travels, and laughing. I think I have to thank my mom for teaching me the joy of “lingering” over meals. But this trip has really helped me see that one thing I’d love to bring back from some other countries, and one thing I think (and hope) I’ve learned, is the ability to simply enjoy being.

One goal I’ve had in multiple ports is to visit schools to observe how school systems work around the world. The second day I attended a field program called Brazilian Education, which took us to three separate institutions regarding education for the poor in Salvador. We first went to a primary school in the favela (slum neighborhood) of Calabar. This primary school was built and run my mothers of the community in order to ensure that their children, and children of friends, would receive a decent education. The school’s budget is primarily met through an annual $6,000 donation from an organization in Switzerland. After meeting with the children, a few performed capoeira (dance-fighting) for us! The kids were pretty fantastic--I was really impressed! We then headed to a high school for 13-18 year olds. Although I was expecting a rough situation, I had no idea how wild the students at this school would be. Apparently, teachers have no incentive to keep students in class--the school is basically there to keep students off the streets and from getting involved in drugs or in gang violence. We visited a few classrooms, and my heart went out to the students who are at school to learn, and who really want to learn, but who are distracted by the chaos around them. One difficulty is that the classrooms don’t have doors or windows, so even if the class itself is being quiet, there is no way to drone out the noise from the halls or from outside. The school is successful, however, in keeping kids off the streets. That is a laudable feat. Our final stop was the Steve Biko foundation, which is an organization that helps poor students prepare for the mandatory government exam. In order to apply for the free public universities, students must take a government exam. Unfortunately, students who have the means to afford private tutoring or schooling will prepare for the exams, and usually outplace students from poor backgrounds for these free universities. This is not too different from the situation with the SATs in the United States. The Steve Biko foundation provides free tutoring for black students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is also a cultural institute, in that its other goal is to increase self-esteem of Brazilians from African descent. The foundation has made huge strides for students from these backgrounds, and it has even sent a few students to Morehouse College in the United States. This final day spent at different educational institutions allowed me to see the comparisons between private and public education across countries: the United States (Hawaii), Japan, India, Ghana, and Brazil.

That afternoon Ashley and I enjoyed another afternoon in the Pelourinho, and after a few fun encounters (watching some artists paint, making a Brazilian friend) and some not-so-fun encounters (getting derogatory comments from many males, having difficulty finding a trust-worthy cab driver), we returned to the ship. Unfortunately, I woke up around 1 am with very intense stomach pain. This stomach pain didn’t cease, and I actually spent the entire next two days on the ship, learning later that I and two of my friends had gotten food poisoning from the gelato we had eaten. Today was our final day, and I went out for about three hours for one last time. I had a good time out, but my body was telling me to stop, so we returned to the ship early. I talked to my parents the other day on the phone, and I told them “I think my body had enough after Vietnam.” I have been very lucky this voyage to not experience anything incredibly serious; many students were mugged in Salvador, and I feel blessed to not have been. In the grand scheme of things, sea sickness and food poisoning is not a big deal, though I think my body will be happy to be back in the United States and free from globe-trotting for awhile!!

It is hard for me to comprehend the fact that the program that follows our ship’s path on our TV in our cabin now says “Salvador to Ft. Lauderdale.” It seems unreal that I’ll be in the United States in 9 short days. At that point, it will be difficult to write a summation of my experiences, as well as what I’ve learned and how I wish to incorporate it into my life in a meaningful way. But I do promise that I will write you again after I’ve had time to reflect upon and realize what I’ve just spent 3 ½ months of my life doing. That will probably come in Dallas. Until then, thank you for following my blog, thank you for your well wishes and your prayers, and thank you for being part of my journey around the world.

Processing Ghana

My stay in Ghana was definitely a test of patience and a learning experience. This is only the second time Semester at Sea has docked in Ghana, and unfortunately, it was clear in the transportation issues that arose. I hate to begin this blog entry with a negative tone, because I met some wonderful people, but the stay here was difficult on me mentally, as well as physically.

Our ship was docked in the port town of Tema, which is roughly 45 minutes from the capital city of Accra. The first day, a group of friends and I wanted to go into Accra to explore the city and go to a market. To make a long story short, we were unable to get onto the Semester at Sea shuttles, so we eventually took a taxi around 12:30 to Accra, where we were dropped off at a local market. It was so interesting to see the wide range of products sold there, including soaps, shoes, dried fish, clothing, and cds! We realized we needed lunch, so we found a man to take us to downtown in a Tro-Tro, or a van. This van, however, stalled about 3 times on us and felt like it was about to fall apart! It was definitely an experience for all of us. We found a great restaurant to eat at and then we took another taxi to the arts center, or a large market. My friend David and I ran into a young man, about our age, who has a drum shop and wanted to show us his work. This led our group to his shop for a personal drumming lesson! It was so amazing to learn different rhythms together on the drums he made. Although I wasn’t great at it, I had a really fantastic time. On the way back to the ship, I noticed two differences in Ghana than in other countries I have visited. While every country has had an informal sector of labor, the informal sector of labor in Ghana is much larger. Roads are swarmed with individuals selling a multitude of items which are carried, usually in quite high stacks, on their heads. This could include plastic baggies of water, shoes, or plantain chips. Another observation I made was that many cars had flags on the inside near their front window. About half of the vehicles I saw had an American flag with Obama’s picture on it! Obama was found pretty much everywhere- in cars, in the markets, and even in artwork at the school I visited!

My second day in Ghana was spent visiting the Morning Star School, a Christian private school in Accra. Unfortunately, students were out for a three week holiday, but we enjoyed a tour of the facilities with their headmistress and were able to meet some of the 9th graders who were preparing for the mandatory government-run exams. Morning Star is a school which is run incredibly well, and due to donations from various organizations, it is able to support children from impoverished backgrounds. The headmistress was an organized and strong woman; it is clear she runs a tight ship at the school! Due to this, it is evident the outcomes of the students are favorable. 100% of the students go on to high school, and around 90% go to university. The headmistress actually attended University of Georgia to obtain her master’s degree in education; it was wonderful to see that she returned to her home country to serve students there. We were lucky to meet with some 9th graders during their lunch break. My friend Caitlin and I were greeted by Petrina, a 14 year old girl with a beautiful smile and an incredible personality! She definitely was not shy at the least, and asked us for our Facebook names, as she hopes to hear more about our travels. Petrina is very determined and is applying for an all-girl’s school after she completes the exams. She desires to be a business manager one day, which I think will be a possibility if she stays in school and remains positive about learning.

One of my goals for Ghana was to complete a service project, so I signed up to go to Habitat for Humanity. We drove roughly three hours to the work site, which is in a rural area of Ghana. It actually looked a lot like Haiti. Our job on the site started with moving three-pound cement bricks from a field (where they dried) to a shed. We then met the homeowner and daughter of the house we’d be working on. Throughout the morning, we shoveled dirt into pans, buckets, and wheelbarrows, and started to fill the foundation for the home. Although it doesn’t sound hard, believe me, in the 95-degree weather, it was! My attempts to hydrate the night before and during the morning unfortunately didn’t work out too well for me, and I actually got overheated and became quite ill. For 40 minutes before lunch, I sat in the bus. While I was upset that I was missing out on a service project, the bus driver, Oliver began talking to me, first by saying that God was watching over me. I moved up to the front of the bus and began asking him about himself and his life in Ghana, and he asked me about our voyage thus far. It was amazing how much of a connection you can make with a complete stranger in 30 minutes. He talked about his reservations with South Africa hosting the world cup because it is a country of racism, and he mentioned he loved the United States, and especially Obama. Oliver said that he was going to pray for me to do well in school and finish with high distinction next year, so I can become an ambassador for the United States. I laughed, and said thank you, and then asked what I could pray for him. He mentioned that all he wants is an opportunity to visit the United States for one month and see how we live, and to obtain a visa for the visit. Unfortunately, visas are hard to acquire in Ghana. I promised him I would pray for him, and he asked for my address so we could become pen pals. Although I knew I wasn’t aiding Ghana in a physical way, the care and concern Oliver and I shared for one another was a wonderful experience. I hope one day, I can receive a letter from him that says he obtained that visa.

A cultural opinion I picked up on throughout my stay in Ghana was the homophobia that persists throughout society. My discussions with several individuals inevitably ended up discussing religion (Christianity is the dominant religion in Ghana), and many individuals mentioned that they did not like gays. I knew that I was in a safe situation in these conversations (one included Oliver), so I decided to ask them why they thought homosexuality was bad. Most individuals stated that they thought that it was gross, it was unnatural, it was unright, or it was not what God intended. I cannot point fingers, because there are many individuals in the United States who believe the same way. But it was really heartbreaking to see a society that makes homosexuality illegal, would banish and even physically harm homosexuals, and believes than anyone who is homosexual cannot be, or is not, a child of God. I decided to tell Oliver that I can understand his opinion, but in my own life, I know homosexuals who love God and who love Christ, and are good Christians and wonderful people. He was shocked to hear this, and his response was overall positive. I knew I could not change his beliefs, but I thought maybe it would be good to mention that the United States is a place where homosexuals can be seen as children of God, and in the future, may have an equal stance in society.

Our final day in Ghana was a short one, but a pretty educating one, as well. In the morning a few friends and I headed to Tema to find a salon to get our hair braided. We found a salon and were greeted right away with smiles from about five women in the shop. They made us feel comfortable, and one woman immediately called me “her new friend” and sat me down. My friend Caitlin and I had about 11-12 braids braided in throughout our hair, and I am actually quite pleased with the result! My roommate Ashley had her hair partially braided into cornrows, and she looks really great! It was really fun to talk with these women, and we learned that we all have names according to what day of the week we’re born. I am a Monday-born, so I am called “Adjoa.” They were all so kind to us, and it was nice to spend time with them for the few hours. Afterwards, we headed to Accra for one last time. We went to a store called Global Mamas, which is a fair-trade NGO run by women. It was established by two former Peace Corps volunteers who wanted to make a long-term impact of women’s well-being in Ghana. I bought a beautiful Christmas ornament. On the way back to the ship, the bus driver on our Semester at Sea shuttle hit a woman’s basket that was being carried on her head. This lead to an incredible yelling match and a huge argument between the bus driver and angry individuals outside. Individuals were banging on our bus, and a man with a brick was outside my window. I was very fearful for what could happen, and we crouched down a few times, but I am happy to say the situation turned out alright once our bus driver swallowed his pride (about 30 minutes later), and paid the women for the damage he caused. This was definitely a sad way to end our stay in Ghana.

Overall, Ghana was a fascinating country, and one that for many reasons, I have difficulty understanding. Many of the men at the market were incredibly pushy and pulled on our arms, and seeing the homophobia that existed was also difficult. It is a country that I will have to process for some time, similar to my experience in China. I think it’s important to note, however, that the context of the lens at which I’m looking at Ghana is a bit different. To compare it to other nations we’ve been to is difficult, because in some ways it is similar to the other developing nations, but overall, the culture of Ghana is incredibly different from that in Vietnam and in India. Professor Lopez and I, and Ashley and I, have had many conversations trying to grapple our opinions and our experiences, but sometimes travel observations end in questions, rather than in statements.

There are 20 days left to the voyage, which is absolutely unreal to me. I will write you from Brazil, and I will write a final two entries: one on my way back the United States, and then one once I’ve made it back home to Dallas. I hope you all are healthy and happy!

More South Africa Photos!

Reflections from Cape Town, South Africa

Hello family and friends! Before you continue reading this entry, I just want to forewarn you that it will be quite long; I had 5 incredible days in Cape Town, South Africa, and thus have a lot to reflect on!

South Africa, like India, is a country of extremes. The Gini index of the country (which measures the financial inequality between residents) is 58, which means it is incredibly unequal. To put it in context, the Gini index of India is 46, of United States is 48, and of Norway is 25. Most of the large economic disparities between residents in South Africa is due to apartheid. Even though apartheid ended in 1994 with the first multi-racial election, racial intolerance and segregation is still widespread today. It would be easy to not see the effects of apartheid in Cape Town. Our ship was docked at V&A Waterfront, an incredibly gorgeous, and also upscale, part of town. My 5 days included an amalgamation of both parts of South Africa- visiting the absolutely amazing geographic region, but also visiting Robben Island and talking with some locals about issues of race and class.

My first day in Cape Town was primarily spent at Table Mountain, one of the main landmarks of the city. There is a cable car that takes visitors up the mountain, but because I have a goal to hike in many countries, my friends and I decided to hike up. We thought that the trail would be pretty simple; however, we were wrong! The almost vertical trail, which consisted of large rocks, was very challenging! It took me about 2 hours to finish the hike, which I was happy about. Hiking provided some incredible views of Cape Town and the surrounding region, and hiking for me is always rewarding because it offers a feeling of accomplishment. These were not my favorite parts of the hike, though. My favorite part was the fact that it was such an international experience. We met and spoke with hikers from France, Germany, England, and also met a group of hikers from Cape Town. The hikers from Cape Town were a group of around 10-15 males, all wearing “Yes We Can” shirts. They were fun to hike with because they were very encouraging, and very funny! At one rest point in the shade, they asked to take a picture with me, and we started discussing where I was from. I learned that they are a group of recovering drug addicts and are in a program together. It was so inspiring to speak with them. Once we made it to the top, we spent a good 2 hours taking many pictures, eating lunch, and enjoying the fresh breeze.

I was fortunate to get on a program to Robben Island the second day. Our program was through an Anglican group, and our tour guide is currently a peace activist. I asked him a few questions about what type of work he does, and he mentioned some of the conflict between black South Africans and peace activists, as peace activists are normally white middle-class individuals (including him). I somewhat picked up on the racial conflict that is still alive today between him and some of the workers at Robben Island, which I found a little bothersome. Our visit was very informative, though, and I feel fortunate to have gone. During our visit, we went to the lime quarry, where political prisoners worked from 1963 onward. It was disturbing to see the place where hundreds of political prisoners worked and were dehumanized daily. The limestone production was used to build prison buildings, but mainly, it was used as a form of humiliation and physical abuse. The most intense part of the experience was the visit to the prison. My friend Erin and I had to leave the trip early due to prior commitments, so we went through the prison together. The halls were completely empty, and rooms were left almost exactly like they were when it was in use. Walking through the rows of cells and viewing the stories of individuals who spent time there, as well as viewing the tiny windows that separated prisoners from the rest of the world, was very eerie. We found a worker who took us to Nelson Mandela’s cell. The cell was unmarked, and did not stand out from any others. It was almost anticlimactic, as seeing so many cells that other political prisoners were in just magnified the fact that numerous individuals risked their lives for a greater cause. Walking through the halls and seeing the cells was the most out-of-the-body experience I have had in my life. I unfortunately struggle to find words to describe my experience in those halls, but I can say that the incredibly short time I spent there is a minute representation of the inhumanity prisoners had to experience.

It is clear that Cape Town is a very historic city, and in the near future it will have the attention of the world. In mid June, it will become the host city of the 2010 World Cup! Our third day, my friends Caitlin, Ashley, and I headed to the new stadium built for the World Cup, which was finished in December. It was a short 15-20 minute walk from our ship, which was very convenient. Unfortunately, we happened to visit on a day they don’t hold tours, but we were able to walk around the periphery and view the grounds. Of course, it is completely empty now, but it was amazing to imagine the energy that will be there in June. We peered through a parking gate to see the inside of the stadium and see the bright green turf that awaits the most talented soccer players in the world! It was also somewhat humorous to take pictures of ticket boxes and entry gates without enormous lines in front of them. The hype of the city was amazing; we walked to downtown after visiting the stadium and noticed many banners hyping residents up about being the host city. Stores were filled with shirts, flags, and knick knacks, and even the craft market downtown had World Cup hats. The rest of the day was spent walking around the city and enjoying the waterfront. On the way back from a wonderful evening, we ran into a group of guys in the area outside our ship. They stopped and asked us about ourselves. They were a group of very friendly, nice, and funny high school seniors, and we enjoyed our conversation. Because they were asking many questions about us, I decided to ask about them and their lives in Cape Town. This unraveled an incredibly interesting (and disturbing) conversation about race. For those of you who don’t know, South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation. One of the guys in the group stated immediately (excuse my language here, please): “Don’t believe the Rainbow Nation stuff you hear. It’s complete shit!” He went on to explain that South Africa, in his eyes, is not a Rainbow Nation. He also said to us “Don’t get with any black guys here, it’s not like the U.S. They’re not clean here, they’re dirty, don’t trust them.” Meanwhile, a group of black individuals was walking by our conversation. I was extremely embarrassed to be seen with a group that was making such racist comments, but with my interest in race issues, I knew that this conversation was important for me to have. The group started talking about their experiences with reverse racism, and explained that they saw themselves at the bottom of the ladder. They also mentioned that they were annoyed with quotas in South Africa, such as the fact that their rugby team had to be 50% black or coloured. According to most classification, I would be seen as coloured in South Africa, but one of the guys looked at me and said, “no, you look like my sister!” It was interesting to see their acknowledgement that race relations in the United States is very different from in South Africa. These are not bad people, but rather, it is important to note that they are products of their environment and their socialization process.

Our fourth day in Cape Town was also an international experience, as we went on a tour of the Cape of Good Hope with a group of seven Europeans from many nations. We first went to Boulders Beach, where we saw the Jackass Penguins. They were adorable, and were enjoying the ocean water! We then went to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where we went on an hour bike ride throughout the incredible land there. The most amazing part was turning in for the Cape of Good Hope and seeing stunning views of rugged, dramatic cliffs and blue water. We biked through the hills and saw ostriches roaming freely. Once we reached the Cape of Good Hope, we hiked throughout the area and saw where the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. The day overall was just phenomenal, and all we could say over and over again was “wow.” I feel so amazingly blessed to have had the experience. I had to pinch myself throughout the bike ride to really believe I was doing what I was!

My final day was also an incredible day in God’s creation, during Easter Sunday! I went to a game reserve and enjoyed a 2 ½ hour drive through the reserve. This area of South Africa was much more arid than Cape Town and had a very different natural beauty. During the drive we went to the cheetah conservation area, where we saw a male and a female cheetah! They are very beautiful and graceful animals. During the drive, we saw impala, kudu, springbok (the national animal of South Africa), and a hippo! My favorite part was when we saw a large herd of zebras, with wildebeest and springbok all around! It honestly did remind me of The Lion King (enter Circle of Life music….) We also saw a lion and a group of giraffes, which were incredibly cute! The time at the game reserve definitely made for an interesting Easter, and one that I will remember for years to come!

South Africa was full of fascinating, beautiful, difficult, awe-inspiring, and educational moments. It is a country that I must return to one day, both to explore the natural splendor and to research the issues of race and class. I hope all of you are doing well! I think we should be thankful that we live in a country where racial intolerance is becoming a mindset of the past, and an election of a multi-racial President makes us a country to look up to, not frown upon.

More Beautiful Mauritius

An Idyllic Melting Pot: Mauritius

Greetings from the Southern hemisphere!!
The past week has been a week of fun for Semester at Sea, with the exception of midterms in some of our classes!
March 20th was Neptune Day, or the day that the ship celebrates crossing the equator. We woke up to whistles blowing and drumming on pots and pans through the halls. The day was a way to commemorate crossing the equator and also designed to initiate the “pollywogs” of the ship: those who have never crossed the equator nautically! I put on a swimsuit and headed to the top deck to get initiated. This required a green gooey mixture of blended fish guts and other ingredients poured onto my head!! My friend Caitlin and I got initiated together. We then went into the pool to wash off, and then when we got out, we had to kiss a fish, kiss two rings, and were knighted!! Along with the fish initiation, many individuals on the ship (including professors and females) had their heads shaved! Many people donated their hair to Locks of Love, which was really fantastic. No need to worry-- I did not get my head shaved! Considering I’ll be applying for different opportunities next fall, I thought keeping my hair would be a good decision.

A few days after Neptune day, March 23rd, we arrived at Mauritius. Mauritius is a tiny country (about the size of Rhode Island) off the coast of Madagascar. It has only been independent for 42 years and was subject to colonization by the Arabs, Dutch, French, English, and Indians, though it was never completely left by the French. Most of Mauritians speak Mauritian Creole and French, though English is the official language. 40% of the individuals are Hindu, followed by 27% who are Catholic. Clearly, Mauritius is a nation of multiple ethnic and religious identities. Along with being culturally diverse, Mauritius is absolutely beautiful, to say the least! Mark Twain famously quoted: “Mauritius was made first, and then Heaven, and Heaven was copied after Mauritius.”

My friends and I were incredibly lucky to get an amazing deal on a resort. We stayed in Balaclava, which is known for its beaches. The first afternoon was spent snorkeling, enjoying the sun and white sand, and relaxing in the pool! Snorkeling was incredible-- we were able to see an incredible number of fish, in all different colors and sizes! What was amazing to me was how clear the ocean water is in Mauritius. Because it heavily relies on tourism to support its economy, it realizes that environmental depletion could be a serious threat in the future. There is actually an environmental police in Mauritius, which is something that I think wouldn’t be a bad idea in the United States! While we were at the resort, we realized we were the only Americans. Every other group there was French! It was interesting to be in the minority group in terms of tourism and have individuals automatically speak to me in French instead of English.

The second day, a group of my friends and I wanted to hike Le Pouce, the tallest mountain in Mauritius. We got to the base of the mountain and started climbing, but we realized that the trail was incredibly difficult. Because it had just rained the day before, the normally dry trail of rocks had become a steep, slippery, and muddy trail of rocks! We decided not to risk it, because the conditions were just too dangerous. But we did have a great time together despite getting quite muddy!

Mauritius is an anomaly within the nations of Africa. Its GDP per capita is roughly $12,000, which puts it way above other African nations. What will be interesting to me, however, is to see how the increase of tourism will affect the island. There is already a 50:50 ratio of tourists to native Mauritians, and it is predicted that the numbers will show more tourists than natives very soon. It will be important to Mauritius to increase eco-tourism and focus on sustaining the beauty of the island, rather than abusing and depleting it.

I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to go to an island that I must admit, I did not know existed before this trip! If any of you are interested in visiting, take caution: airfare from the United States is around $3,000!!

I hope all of you are doing well; I will write you after my stay in Cape Town, South Africa.

Photos from India

Insights from India

It’s kind of weird when you realize that traveling on a ship becomes the norm. When adjusting to new languages, trying different foods, viewing poverty and wealth disparities, breathing in pollution, and drinking only from bottled water becomes habitual. But it’s happened to me. My current home is in continuous motion, and I’m picking up sights, sounds, and experiences, and leaving footprints behind. It’s bizarre to no longer experience the expected, but rather, to experience new and un-thought of challenges, such as knowing what to say to a child laborer, or crossing a street filled with motorbikes, or expressing extreme gratitude without knowing more than “thank you.”

I feel like my experience in India was bizarrely atypical of other individual’s experiences. Everyone I’ve known who’s been to India has warned me about the food, and many classes I’ve taken, books I’ve read, and individuals I’ve spoken with have somewhat talked about India as the “scary monster” of traveling. I’ve heard stories of individuals being swarmed by beggars, or seeing filthy, filthy areas and a level of sanitation that makes them cringe, or even having a spiritual awakening that changes all beliefs. I guess I had my own reawakening, in that India is not the scary monster that I thought it to be, but rather, a place filled with amazingly kind individuals, delicious foods, gorgeous textiles, and an aura that made me feel like home. Perhaps this could be due to the fact that I stayed in South India, which is incredibly different from North India, where Delhi, Mumbai, and Agra are located. Instead of staying in Chennai, I attended an overnight village stay. Also, Cochin, where I stayed the past two days, is in the state of Kerala, which has prohibited begging, has the largest population of religions other than Hindu, and has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Nonetheless, my time in India has been spectacular and inspiring.

The first day I arrived in Chennai, which is in the south eastern state of Tamil Nadu. I had signed up for an overnight village stay that focuses on child labor in rural India. We left the ship around 1 pm, and headed for roughly 2.5 hrs to the village. On the way there, we passed through very poor areas of town which was near the beach and where many fishermen lived. We passed makeshift homes constructed with palm leaves and sticks. As we passed by and stared in our luxurious, air conditioned bus, they stared back in the heat and in their dirty clothing. I couldn’t help but catch a few tears running down my face, as I, a child of privilege, heard my peers discuss the India that they saw: filthy, smelly, disgusting. I couldn’t help but look into the eyes of the women and men looking up at us and think, “please don’t hate me.” I wondered what it would be like to live on the other side of the glass windows. We arrived in the village and were greeted by the co-founder of RIDE, the organization we went through. RIDE (Rural Institute for Development Education) is a non-governmental organization that aims to end child labor and empower women. We were taken to the four story guest house, which had dormitory style rooms, and given delicious hot chai tea and cookies upon arrival. After our snack, we headed to a village about 45 minutes away. We reached the village and were greeted with children handing flowers to us. The children were primary students at a RIDE school, and the classroom we entered had been donated by Semester at Sea. These children were some of the sweetest I had ever seen. They were inquisitive, enjoyed our cameras, and full of laughter. They all spoke a decent amount of English, which made it easy to get names and ages. We then went to another classroom, where we met with bridge school students. One group played with the bridge school students outside, while another group listened to presentations given by the primary students inside. The children ranged from ages 4 or 5 to 12. We played with all of the children for about an hour and a half, and I think all of us now have silly photos on our cameras that the children took! It was so hard to leave them at the end of the day.

RIDE’s primary mission, as mentioned before, is to end child labor. They rescue children from working in the stone quarry nearby, and have them attend a bridge school for a year or two years. The bridge school program incorporates night “school” into the children’s jobs. Basically, they create an inviting and enthusiastic environment which will encourage the children to return. After the bridge year or two, students become full primary students. It was hard to imagine that the energetic, beautiful, and loving children we met had been working in the stone quarry earlier that day. Many of the girls danced for us, and we taught them a few American songs, such as the Hokey Pokey! RIDE’s other mission is to help empower women through creating economic ingenuity and independence. Through multiple classes and micro-lending, mothers of the children will be able to depend on their work and business, instead of their children’s labor.

During dinner, we were able to discuss RIDE with the founder. Apparently, in 1994, RIDE began to rescue Dalit (the untouchables) children and women from the stone quarry. When the company found out, they stoned the founder, and he suffered from severe injuries. Both he and his wife have put their lives at risk to help women and children. The following day, we were taken to another village. Upon arrival, we were greeted with men drumming, and adorned with paint and flowers. Most of the morning was spent walking around the village and being shown around by the locals. At one point during the morning, an elderly woman found me and took me by the hand from the rest of the group. She took me to her home, which consisted of two rooms. The first room had a TV on a stand, a fan, and two lawn chairs piled high with laundry. There were no lights. She turned on the fan, took the laundry from the chairs, and sat me in front of the TV to get me out of the heat. From an American point of view, it looked as though this woman had no possessions. But to her, she had the world, and she had her pride in her home. She also showed me the back of her home and her cows. Afterwards, I took a picture with her and showed it to her, and she beamed. She took me by the hand again and brought me to my group. The individuals I met during those two days had the hospitality and generosity of the Japanese, but a warmth and physical affection that made me feel like part of their families. After volunteering to attempt to make mud bricks (it was difficult!), we headed back to RIDE headquarters and stopped at a Hindu temple that was built in the 7th century!

After my stay at RIDE, and talking with women, children, and founders, I have made a decision that I would like to start a fundraiser at Kenyon next fall. One of my fears was going on this voyage, and not responding to the privilege we have; the very fact that we leave these countries is a sign of power and privilege, and I know that in order to feel good about this experience, I will need to give back. RIDE is a fantastic and well-run organization, and many of you will hear about the fundraiser in the fall.

I arrived in Cochin (or Kochi) in on March 15th. The first day I went to Allepey Backwaters, which is an area of freshwater lakes and canals. We enjoyed a boat ride along the backwaters and viewed the gorgeous surroundings, as well as the numerous house boats that tourists rent! The second day I had in Cochin was free. My friend Caitlin and I found an auto rickshaw around 10:15, and went for an interesting adventure! A few times I thought I was going to die….traffic was pretty chaotic! We swerved through a sea of other rickshaws, trucks, cars, and bicycles. Our rickshaw driver took us to Jewtown, the area of town where a synagogue is and is where the large proportion of Jewish in Kerala have been recorded. Currently, there are 13 self-identified Jewish individuals in Cochin. In the midst of perusing the street shops, we ran into our friend Tom, who joined us for the rest of the day. We found a quaint restaurant on the edge of the water and enjoyed some lunch and fresh fruit sodas that we made ourselves! On the way back to the ship, we learned about a custom in India where individuals have duties to one another to help business, called baksheesh. Our rickshaw driver took us to four different shops, where we were told to spend five minutes looking around. If we spent five minutes in the shops, our driver would receive a white slip; once he had 10 slips, he could receive t-shirts for his children or free gas for his rickshaw. It felt a bit odd at first, but then at every shop we saw Semester at Sea students; clearly, this was something that was typical in Indian society! Baksheesh is necessary to the economy in India. Our day was spent with many smiles, laughs, and enjoyable sights and sounds. Overall, Cochin is a wonderful, vibrant city, and one that I would like to go back to another time in the future.

India is a country that will stick with me for years to come. The individuals that I met, the kids who I played with, and the sights that I saw were interesting, inspiring, and beautiful. I know that I would like to not just leave the country and go back to my comfortable life, but rather, I would like to find a way to help RIDE complete their goal, two of which I am very passionate about: educating children and empowering women. We are currently in transit from India to Mauritius, and today in Global Studies, our professor announced we are officially on our way home. Home for this semester has been incredibly fluid, so returning to a home that is constant and stable will bring on new challenges. Fusing my experiences, my evolving world-view, and my battles with how to respond will be challenging, but hopefully I will know to do the right thing.

5 Days in Diverse Vietnam

I have just spent five fabulous and diverse days in Vietnam, a country which is undergoing rapid modernization, one which is completely different from 10 years ago, and one which will probably look completely different in 5 years. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, on February 26th. While we had gotten used to the chilly air of Japan and China, Vietnam brought on some serious heat and humidity!

My first two days in Vietnam were spent with friends exploring the city. Namely, we learned very quickly how to cross roads in Vietnam. Unlike the Vietnam of previous generations, roads were not filled with bicycles, but rather a massive sea of motorbikes! It should be noted that traffic laws are not really followed in Vietnam, and pedestrians don’t have the right of way, nor are there many traffic lights. Thus, we learned that crossing a street requires timing, a confident walk (or run), and prayer!!! Luckily, neither my friends nor I were injured while crossing the street. Street life in Ho Chi Minh City is chaotic, to say the least. Sidewalks are filled with vendors selling sunglasses to postcards to jade bracelets to coconut milk. Streets are packed with motorbikes and large trucks making deliveries.
Ho Chi Minh City is nowhere near as dense as Shanghai, but we could not help but notice the large amount of individuals swarming us to buy their various products. We spent the morning walking through the French area of town (France was a major colonial power), and then we went to Ben Thanh Markets. Ben Thanh Markets is a marketplace that is filled with hundreds of stalls. Individuals could get suits or dresses made, buy wooden chopsticks and figurines, eat some Pho or other Vietnamese cuisine, or even buy underwear! The markets are as equally overwhelming as they are colorful and exciting. Many vendors would grab my arms and shoulders to see their products, which is opposite to behavior that you would see in Japan, where individuals are more reserved. Much of the day was spent exploring the city and observing individuals. We found that Vietnamese tended to be a mixture between Japanese and Chinese. They were as patient and kind as Japanese, but they were a bit more pushy like the Chinese. We experienced many individuals saying “Hello” to us and smiling, and even more, men smiling at us as we passed! Although it is clear that Ho Chi Minh City is a tourist destination for many (namely Europeans), there are areas of town that are still under strict communist watch. We were forewarned not to blog while we were in Vietnam, and we were also told Facebook was prohibited. I went to a café with free wifi to Skype, but found myself being watched by a security guard and not being allowed to go onto any website. This list includes Google, Yahoo, Kenyon College, or The New York Times. I had to go outside to use the free public wifi while I skyped; I literally sat on the edge of a window!

Vietnam is a country, once again, of dichotomies. It was odd to me that in a country that is filled with motorbikes rather than cars, and has unsafe drinking water, that almost all ATMs would accept American credit cards, stores would accept American dollars, and my cell phone had reception, which is opposite to Japan. While I enjoyed my stay in the city, I had an amazing time on the following three days to a trip to Cat Tien National Park.

Cat Tien National Park is a Unesco World Heritage site about 4 hours north of HCM City. It has just recently opened to visitors, so the accommodations were basic (think shower over toilet!). It was an amazing experience to get away from the commotion of the city and to only hear the sounds of birds, insects, geckos, and leaves crunching beneath our feet. I went with 18 other individuals, and had a fantastic time getting to know other students who also love the outdoors and are passionate about environmental conservation. The first day we had a light lunch and had a couple of hours of free time, so a group of us enjoyed hiking through the jungle and then finding our way to the river, literally rock hopping down the river in the scorching sun. We went on a guided hike at 2 pm, which lasted a couple of hours. The night was spent with a truck ride in the moonlight, a family style dinner, and scrabble.
The second day we started hiking at 7:45 am! We hiked 5 kms to Crocodile lake, where we had some free time to explore (including seeing a momma croc heading towards us with her 9 babies), and having a homestyle lunch. I then went canoeing with a few students through the lake. Our day ended with another 7 km hike to a bat cave, which was luckily empty for us! We climbed way down into the cave and explored with flash lights. Another evening was spent relaxing over dinner and scrabble.

Afterwards, a friend I made, Zach, and I met a woman from Scotland named Sylvia who had been volunteering in the park for 18 months. She worked in a salmon factory for 30 years and quit and moved to Vietnam. Currently, she is working in the bear reserve, where she helps rescue Asiatic bears and Sun bears. These bears are currently hunted for their bile (it has medicinal purposes) and their paws (for soup broth). Sylvia has a heart of gold and says she is living the dream! She invited us and a couple of others to join her the next day to visit the bears. While we were walking back to our guest houses, we met a couple from Australia who works for the World Wildlife Fund. They currently are working on getting a count of Rhinos in the park; if there are all males or all females, they may let them be, but if they are mixed sex, then they will try to keep them in a reserve. They are currently using dogs to help find Rhino poo, which they are sending back for DNA testing in Canada! Their project will last 6 months before they return to their desk jobs at WWF. It was amazing to meet such dedicated individuals who are committed to making the world a better place for these species, and who are so dedicated to their passions.

The final day began with a visit to the bear reserve. It was so nice to “meet” the bears, as well as other animals! We then headed on a speed boat to a local ethnic minority village. In the village, we were able to see the rice fields, and I even got to give rice harvesting a go! It is so much harder than it looks, especially in the blazing heat. We then hopped and carefully walked through bits of dry mud to the village, where we met a couple of 104 and 103 years old! They had lived in the same village their entire lives and had just received an award from the Vietnam government. We also saw lots of children playing in the street. They all were laughing and smiling when we approached them, and they said “Hello!” and waved to us. I am immediately drawn to children in every country I visit, so I decided that I would play with them some. I ended up playing chase with them, which was definitely the highlight of my trip. Despite not knowing Vietnamese, smiles and laughter are universal languages which I’ve noticed to which children send and respond. What was heart-breaking to me was the fact that primary education is not compulsory and requires tuition. While I heard children at recess at a school literally a block away, these children did not have the money to go to school, and spent their days in the streets. Although Vietnam is a communist country, something as essential and basic as primary education is not even provided. My backdrop on my laptop is currently a picture of these children, who I wish to pray for and think of daily.

We took a bumpy truck ride back to Cat Tien shortly thereafter. I sat in the back of the truck on some raised seats with 6 other people, and we had the time of our lives! We had to duck for different branches and hang on for dear life. It was a bit scary, but it was nice to feel the breeze after being in the scorching heat! Vietnam offered some incredible experiences for me, both in the city and in rural areas. It also offered me the worst sunburn of my life! Let’s just say SPF 30 cannot stand up to the power of the sun, and my back is in a lot of pain right now! I feel so blessed to have seen this country, and hope that the individuals I met will stay with me for years to come. I hope you all are doing well and gearing up for various spring breaks! I am on the ship for another 7(ish) days until India, which I know will be full of more powerful and inspiring experiences.

Hong Kong: Beautiful Places, Familiar Faces

I just spent three wonderful days in Hong Kong, filled with time spent with family (my dad) and friends (high school friend Amish)! My first impression on Hong Kong is that it is very distinct from mainland China and Shanghai. I observed friendlier people, less commotion, less pollution, and a more cosmopolitan way of life. Hong Kong is also extremely materialistic- emphasis is always on money and shopping; one of the maps I picked up had all of the Chanel stores marked. Thus, until I reached the more quaint and natural aspects of Hong Kong, I didn’t really enjoy it: a society that is driven by material possessions and status is not for me. Nonetheless, Hong Kong is easy on the eyes. Large skyscrapers are draped by green hills and mountains, and surrounded by blue waters.

The first day I arrived in Hong Kong, January 21st, I met up with my high school friend Amish, who is studying at Hong Kong University this semester. We enjoyed many parts of the city, including the escalator system. The escalators are a mode of transportation between different parts of Hong Kong Island. Individuals take the escalators down the hills to reach work in the morning, and then at 10 am, the escalators go up the hills. We stopped off in Soho to look around the shops and also take pictures of a fish stall (graphic!). We also came across a shrine which was beautiful and filled with incense. Later on, we took a tram (a short and narrow double-decker bus) to Causeway Bay, which was filled with people shopping and vibrant lights.

An interesting aspect of this day was the fact that it was Sunday, or the day that many domestic workers have off. Hong Kong has one of the largest populations of foreign domestic workers (mainly from the Philippines), mainly due to the nature of the cut-throat work schedule and the status symbol of having a nanny/maid. On Sundays, Hong Kong subway stations, parks, and streets become filled with domestic workers eating on blankets, playing cards, and laughing (and dancing) with friends. This is different from anything I’ve seen before, and I found it very interesting. Amish and I enjoyed going around the city together, and then we returned to Kowloon Island (still part of Hong Kong, where the ship was docked) for some dinner with friends. Every night at 8 pm, Hong Kong island has a light show. Office buildings display lights that flash in different patterns and colors, lighting up the night sky. Some buildings also have lasers which reach far distances. We met up with a few of my friends for some drinks and snacks as we waited for and watched the light show. Unfortunately, my environmentally- conscious side of me was wondering what impact these light shows have on energy use in Hong Kong, and what it means for environmental degradation, due to the fact most energy in Hong Kong is powered by coal. However, I had to remember that it was a beautiful night after a great day.

The following day I had the opportunity to see my dad! This was such a treat after not seeing him since I left the U.S. He was in Hong Kong visiting St. Paul’s College, which is a private school that he is trying to set up an exchange program with. Part of my dad’s job is setting up and keeping exchange programs with different schools around the world. Luckily, he needed to visit Hong Kong this year, so he was able to visit when I was there! I gave him a brief tour of the ship and then we headed on the Ferry for Hong Kong Island. It was recommended that we visit Stanley, which is on the opposite side of the Island. We took a 40 minute bus ride there, which was gorgeous. We went around hills and had great views of Repulse Bay, one of the beaches in Hong Kong. Stanley has a market as well as small streets and little restaurants and shops. This area of Hong Kong was quiet and quaint, which my dad and I really enjoyed. We took some pictures of small fishing boats and enjoyed a snack overlooking the bay. While we were there, we saw three couples taking wedding photos! Apparently, Stanley is a popular area for wedding photos. That evening, we headed back to Kowloon to meet up with two families of two teachers who stayed with my parents for a week last year: Bobby Poon and Allen Nguyen. Bobby and Allen are both teachers at St. Paul’s, and they and their families hosted us for a nice sushi dinner at a restaurant near the ship. I enjoyed meeting their wives and daughters (one is 5 and one is 10 months), and it was wonderful to get to know them. After dinner, we enjoyed walking along the water and taking some photos together. I feel so blessed to have been able to see my dad, and it was great to be able to talk to him about Japan and China, two countries to which he has been!

My third day in Hong Kong was equally wonderful. I went on a field program called Sustainable Development, which is based on Hong Kong’s effort to preserve some of the un-commercial areas of the city. We were lead by an expat from Switzerland. We hiked 8 miles along a trail in the Kowloon Mountains. This hike was definitely not just a stroll. About a third of it was uphill, with a combination of steps, terrain, and rocks! In the middle of the hike, there was an optional ascent to Lion Rock Peak. The sign in front said: “Warning-- this section of trail is very difficult and suitable only for experienced and well equipped hikers. Do not attempt in bad weather. Take care.” Despite the warning, 10 of us decided to hike up. This definitely was a challenge; I have not been challenged physically for a long time-- including the Turkey Trot in November! Once we reached a view, we thought we were done. But we weren’t! We continued along rocks (some jagged, some smooth and slick) for about 15 minutes to reach the peak. Despite the difficulties and some of us cursing the terrain, there was such a feeling of accomplishment and an absolutely gorgeous view at the end! We all finished most of the water we had, even though we had another 2 ½ hours ahead of us for the day, but it was totally worth it! After that, we met up with the rest of the group, had lunch, and then started our descent. On our way down, we were able to see wild monkeys! There were two in a tree, grooming and eating, and then three came very close to us, including a baby! We were able to take pictures so close to them, though we were nervous they would come up to us, as they usually bother humans for food. Luckily that didn’t happen, and we got to enjoy them from a safe distance! Overall, this day was fantastic. It was so nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and consumerism of the commercial areas and enjoy the natural and serene part of Hong Kong.

I am sore and tired today and only have two days until Vietnam! We all will have a quick recharge with classes until we have our 5 days there. I am getting very excited, and I’m sure I will have more adventures to share with you. Until then, I hope you all are happy, healthy, and loving life!

A city of 18 Million: Shanghai, China!

I have just spent three very interesting, tiring, and exciting days in Shanghai, China: a city of 18 million people! My time here was spent navigating through crowds of people, learning about the culture (and some language!), and seeing how a country with 1.3 billion people operates. We were lucky enough to visit during Chinese New Year, which gave our visit a different type of flair; we were able to see families celebrating and on vacation, and also see families light their own fireworks!

The first day I went with a group of friends and explored Shanghai, including the Bund (the old historic part of Shanghai), and took The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel across to Pudong, the new part of the city. The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel was a crazy experience in itself. We went into a clear pod, and went through a narrated light show..it was interesting, to say the least! I captured a video on my camera that I can hopefully share once I get back to the states. In Pudong we saw the Oriental Pearl Tower, which is 378 meters tall! The rest of the day was spent searching around Pudong, looking at street vendors grilling different types of meat), and realizing that it is much harder to breathe in China due to air pollution and a number of smokers! We had dinner at a local restaurant, and despite some language confusions, we had a good time. Though it was clear we were some of the first non-Chinese to eat there; all of the other diners were staring at us most of the time!

Throughout the three days in Shanghai, I kept an eye out for family structure dynamics. Last semester in Global Environmental Politics, I wrote my major research paper on the One Child Policy, and am very passionate about it, so I thought it would be really interesting to see the policy in context. I’ve noticed that “the little emperor/empress” syndrome is alive and well. This phrase describes the attitude some only children in China have, as they are doted upon by their parents and grandparents. Many children I saw were yelling at their parents or controlling the situation. Also, many stores in the malls were dedicated to entertaining children, feeding children, or dressing children. This was even more exaggerated than in the United States. Although I do not wish to make a political statement, my main issue with the policy is the fact that it is a Human Rights Violation under Reproductive Rights. It was interesting, during a day trip, our Chinese tour guide was talking about the Policy. Some of her wording made it seem like some couples are very lucky to pay for a birth of a second child, and that country families are even more lucky because if they have a girl first, they are entitled to another child automatically. I am saddened by the lack of freedom families have; although the policy has aided in lowering population growth, it has come with severe consequences, including a very skewed ratio between male and female births. But enough about that, and on to less serious topics!

Yesterday I took a Semester at Sea guided trip to Suzhou, which was known as the passageway into China during the start of trading between China and other countries. Suzhou is somewhat like a Venice of China, with canals meandering throughout the city. During the tour, we went to three gardens, one of which is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it absolutely beautiful. I took many pictures capturing the architecture and landscape of the garden. What is interesting to me is the contrast between the organized, serene gardens and the chaotic, pushy environment outside of the garden walls. It was nice to see a more peaceful side of China during my visit. We also were lucky enough to visit a silk weaving factory, where we were able to see the process of spinning silk from cocoons and also see the process of making a silk quilt (it takes 6,400 cocoons to make one)! It is an amazing process, and one that I am glad to have seen! Finally, we took a canal ride through the historic part of Suzhou. We saw many people out celebrating the New Year with family and friends and we were able to take many pictures. Many people we saw were incredibly friendly, waving and smiling at us as we passed. The day allowed for a different view on Chinese culture and Chinese society, one that is less hurried and crowded than Shanghai.

My final day in Shanghai was spent with a small group of friends exploring the Bund side of the city rather than Pudong. We walked on a street to People’s Square, and literally passed THOUSANDS of Chinese out shopping on the 5th day of the New Year, the most important day. Families, friends, and loved ones were out celebrating the day by eating, walking, and shopping. While we were walking, many men came up to us, trying to sell us products. It was clear that we stuck out like sore thumbs! Even amongst thousands!! While the men came up, I got to practice the word for “no” in Chinese: “bu”; luckily saying this firmly got the point across! While we were walking, a young man came up to us and was talking in English, asking if we needed a guide, where we were from, etc. We finally got him to leave us alone, and then we went and found a place to eat, had lunch, and walked some more. About an hour and a half later, we were walking on the same road to a metro station. All of a sudden, I hear “Remember me?” It was the same man who had found us earlier!!! My roommate Ashley and I started saying “Oh my gosh…” and he interrupted us and said “Oh my God!!” and laughed. We all were cracking up at the situation. Either we really stuck out like sore thumbs, this guy was kind of creepy, or a combination of the two. He did luckily leave us, but we found it funny that in a city of 18 million, the same guy found us twice! The rest of the day was spent bargaining with vendors (the key is showing that you respect them and their products), and enjoying the city. It was nice to have a positive final experience in Shanghai.

After we left Shanghai, we had a formal sit down dinner on the ship while were traveling to Hong Kong, so there are a few pictures from there, including one with our favorite waiter, Perry! It will be interesting to see what the future for China, and the next generation of only children, holds. Without a doubt, U.S.-Sino relations will be some of the most important in my generation’s future. I once again apologize for the lack of blog updates; it all depends on internet availability and affordability! I hope you all are doing well and I will update my blog after my stay in Hong Kong!!