Arrived in Beijing

Last night Kelsey and I finished packing and bought some American food at Carefour. We were so excited to have some snacks again that were Americanized! Then we went out to dinner at the Ritz Carlton with our friend Willy. It was hamburgers and fries which tasted pretty good but still nothing compared to home. THey had a Tony Roma's there and some other things that were pretty American but we were to afraid to try. The place that we ate at was really nice because they had a huge patio area with couches to eat on. It over looked the downtown part of Shanghai. After dinner Willy, Kelsey, and I went to this place for desert. I wasn't that into it. I saw that they had cheesecake and got really excited only to find out that it tasted like bland cheesecake that you would give an 80 year old not to upset their stomach. Then Willy came back to our hotel room with us and hung out until like 3:30 in the morning. He started to cry because he said that he was going to miss seeing us in person, because online he can only see a figure and not our presence. When we had to say good-bye to him at the hotel today we cried because we know that we may never see him again. Were trying to get him to come to the U.S. but its really expensive over here and way, way harder to get a visa. Willy got Kelsey and I these chinese calendar car hangers. I'm a snake and Kelsey is a dragon, so he got us each our own animal. He is a really nice person. Were going to miss him. i cant wait to skype with everyone in China when i get back home so you all can see everyone!

This morning we left for the airport at 10am. We got up around 8am and had breakfast and relaxed a little before we left. Then we all met down in the lobby and our teachers and peer leaders started giving speeches and of course it made everyone cry. This morning was another emotional one. Then we all pitched in 35 yuen to buy Connie (supervisor) something nice for all of her hard work and then she really started crying which made everyone else even more sad. It sucks because she really loves Beijing and she couldn't come with us this year because she is going through a divorce and had to be home for something on top of health complications.

When we got to the airport our flight was delayed like an hour so we had to sit in the plane. I was really disgusted by the situation because 90% of our group is sick in some form or another....mostly colds, and the other 70% of the people who i don't know where all sneezing and coughing on the plane. its pretty common in china i feel to be sick. there is too many people to avoid it. Its best just to get sleep and take vitamins because there is no getting away from it. I'm hoping, praying, and wishing that I stay healthy. i slept almost the whole flight and the pilot was pretty good, which luckily made time go by faster. Once we got off of the plane we said goodbye to our leaders because they are staying at a seperate hotel and we went to ours on the other side of town. Today I learned that In Beijing the north side is the side were young people live because thats where the Universities are, the West side (our side) is the military side, so were going to see lots of military (which they say is the safest neighborhood), there is the East side which is where all of the business men stay and is mostly where large coorporations are (where are teachers are staying), and then there is the South side where the common local people reside. My mom would do well here because when they give directions they dont say left and right. When they tell you how to get somewhere they tell you North, east, south, and west. Which sucks for me because im directionally challenged when it comes to n, e, s, and w. Once we landed we went to this chinese restaurant which has had the best food iv'e had so far. I didnt eat any of the meat though because my mom read that in most cantanesse (however you spell it) they mix in dog meat with the chicken and stuff. Once we got to the restaurant they told us that it was cantanesse food and I immediately became a vegetarian for the next 5 days.

We just got to the hotel a few hours ago and I called my mom and alan to tell them i was safe. We walked the streets a little bit and found a dairy queen, mc donalds, kfc, and another carefore/mall. None of which i will be trying. We did find a super cool arcade thought right around the street from our hotel. They had dance dance revolution which all asians are good at (i swear), and they had pool tables with a roller rink, etc. Kelsey and I plan on getting the whole group to go! We just found out that our hotel has a bowling alley and it has another massage place for only 35 yuen, which is equivalent to 5 dollars at home. For an hour too!

So far I like Beijing more than Shanghai but its only been one day. Tomorrow we are going to the Temple of Heaven, The Forbbiden city, and were taking bicycles carts to eat at a local womens house. im excited to see how they people live and see in their houses....im not sure im ganna be game for the food but never know!

Until next time,
kayla ornelas

p.s. i already have a huge line up of places i want to eat when i get back. Kelsey and I were saying everytime we eat here its like "oh its time for ANOTHER meal...but at home were already planning dinner at breakfast" lol. The food is really good here but everything has an asian flare to it that gets old after a while and day after day.

Im sad that the trip is coming to an end. I will be back one day :)