Yokohama, Japan

In Yokohama, I went to the Sankeien Garden. This garden was created by a successful Yokohama businessman who built his fortune through his silk business. The place is very spacious and serine. We walked through the inner and outer gardens stopping along the way at different tea houses and the farm house. We even saw a Japanese couple getting their wedding photos taken!! 

We also went to the Harbor Front area were we could see many spring flowers blooming and see our ship from a distance. 

The Landmark Tower is the tallest building in Japan. We were able to see the panoramic view of the city from the 69th floor observatory known as the "Sky Garden". 

And now, good-bye to Japan. We are officially on our way home, crossing the Pacific Ocean! 

Kobe, Japan

April 10, 2012

This morning we had to get our temperature taken by the Japanese officials - We walked through the Union and they had this machine pointed at us that looked like a high-tech machine the police would use to catch people speeding. When getting off the ship we had to get our fingerprints and our photos taken. I had an FDP this morning, and they were planning on having us take public transportation there, but our teacher did not want that so we waited for a private bus to take us. Finally after a 1.5 hour drive, we arrived in Kyoto at the Zen Gardens. The first temple we went to we were not allowed taking photos, but there was a saying I loved:

Each day in life is training

Training for myself

Though failure is possible

Living each moment 

Equal to anything

Ready for everything

I am alive - I am this moment

My future is here and now.

For if I cannot endure today

When and Where will I?

Words for each day 

Soen Zeki

Daisen-Inn Temple, Kyoto

This was an abstract garden that was made of rocks and sand. As we have learned in our Art History class, the Japanese have a love for Nature, which was shown in the garden. 

We then proceeded to the Koto-In Zen Temple which included a tea-house. 

On our way back to the ship, we stopped at the Cherry Blossom festival!! This was so neat. We were in Japan at just the right time, because when they bloom, they only last for 7-10 days! 

April 11, 2012

Today was a rainy day in Japan!! Gabby and I searched for internet in the morning, and in the afternoon went shopping around Kobe. We left Kobe tonight on the ship, and have one day of travel until arriving in Yokohama, our second port in Japan. 

Beijing : Day 1

April 2, 2012

Today I left for my Beijing trip. The day consisted to traveling to the airport and flying. Upon arrival, we had a traditional Roast Duck as our welcome dinner. The style of eating in China is pretty neat. They have a turn table in the center of every table and the dishes are served in family style. The plates are also very small (I noticed this in Vietnam also). I now understand why foreigners are skinnier- they have smaller plates to eat with and they eat with chopsticks, which takes longer allowing you to get full faster. In Beijing it was holiday which meant bad traffic because everyone can drive their cars.. The holiday was to remember their ancestors. Usually, they can only drive on certain days which is indicated by a certain letter on their license plate. We stayed at the hotel Holiday Inn - Temple of Heaven!! 

Beijing : Day 4

April 5, 2012

We started our last day in Beijing with the Temple of Heaven (very close to our hotel, hence our hotel name). Twice a year during imperial times, the emperor and many others would leave the Forbidden City to visit the temple. At the Winter solstice, he expressed thanks for the previous harvest and on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar year, he begged to bless the coming harvest. We joined many locals to play Hacky Sack (they called it something else- I forget) on the courtyard of the Hall of Good Prayer for Good Harvest. The three circles commemorate from top to bottom, The Heavens, The Earth, and the human beings. 

Before heading to the airport, we attended a tea ceremony. I loved this!! It was interesting to learn about all different kinds of tea and learn what the help with. We tasted five different types of tea. 

That night after getting back from our flight to Shanghai (last flight until flying home to OHIO!!), we went to the top of the Ritz -Carlton Hotel to see the amazing view of the city and have a bottle of wine.

The Temple of Heaven.

Turner and I failing at this. As you can see, I missed and the feather hacky-sack is falling to the ground. 

The tea tasting. 

A view of the city from the ship. 

Pearl Tower.

Enjoying some wine on top of the Ritz Carlton. 

Beijing : Day 3

April 4, 2012

Our first stop of the day was one of the wonders of the world, The Great Wall of China!!! The first section of the wall was built when a number of Chinese states in the north were fighting against each other. The wall was built wide enough to allow five horses to gallop between the sides allowing for the soldiers to get to certain parts of the wall faster. We took a cable car to the top and were allowed to explore. On the way down, we tobogganed down!! It was so much fun! 

After lunch, we drove past the Olympic village and the Birds Nest and the "Bubble"arena (not sure the exact name - Where Michael Phelps broke 8 records - I think - This is just what our guide told us! ). They started building the arena in 2001 so it took 7 years to finish. They never finished the stadium to put a roof on because they said it was too expensive and there was not enough time. Before the games, it was very smoggy and grey.  They were worried that is was going to rain for the opening games. Many of the athletes were worried about the pollution and so they practiced in Japan to adjust to the temperature, time, and food. To maintain the stadium, it costs $50,000 USD to clean every month since the city is so dirty. This is necessary so they don't have to tear it down. The stadiums are open to the public. There is a huge water park inside there now (the biggest in Asia). 

In the afternoon we went to a Kongfu school. This is thought to cure illness as well as for self-defense. Many parents send their children to this school so that they can become body guards for important people. We enjoyed a performance by the students and then were taught a little by them. The performers actually performed in the opening ceremonies in the 2008 Olympics. 

To end the day, we went to an Acrobatics show. It was incredible, there was one act where there were 6 motorcycles in a sphere at one time!! 

Practicing our Kongfu Skills.

Ran into Sarah and Ace!! (Ace, Sarah, Turner, and I)

The left is part of the path for the toboggan path.

What I sat on to toboggan.

Chocolate crape!! 

Our group for the Kongfu lesson. 

Alexis & I

The Bird's Nest

Beijing : Day 2

April 3, 2012

In the morning, we took a bus ride to Tian'men Square (the heart of Beijing) and the Forbidden City. Tianamen Square is the largest public square in the world. On the north side of the square is Tianamen Gate where Mao Zedong, chariman of the Communist Party, proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China. Behind this gate is the Forbidden City, know as the Imperial Palace. The Forbidden city was home to 24 emperors from the time of its creation through history. The entire city consists of 8,706 rooms which an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people lived in. This place was off-limits to Chinese ordinary people

After lunch, we went to a silk making factory and then to Guan'ai Migrant school in Shunyi. This is on the outskirts of Beijing and was started by Shi Qinghua four years ago. Students are neither orphans nor having parents that committed crimes, they are ineligible for government subsidiaries. They receive unfavorable treatment in society due to their family background. This school helps them to be able to find a basic job by the time they reach 17 or 18. A few kids actually were able to make it to the major league of playing baseball in China. We received a tour of the building and then were able to hangout with them. They started a game of basketball and played some tug-of-war. 

We drove back into Beijing for a trishaw ride through the Hutong area which is a narrow network of lanes created by closely built homes. The houses and courtyards are hidden away because they are boxed together. They are closed off with wooden gates that have carved characters to bring good fortune to the house owners. We had dinner at a local mans home.

After dinner, he showed us how to make dumplings (Jiaozi). Dumplings are the most important food in the Chinese New Year. The shape is similar to gold or silver which symbolized wealth. Sometimes they hide coins in them so that the person who finds the coin is likely to have good fortune in the New Year. On our way to the bus, we walked by the restaurant that Joe Bidden ate at a year ago, it is now very famous. 

Tianamen Square.

Walking through Tianamen Gate.

The Forbidden City - It was pretty cold as you can see I started adding layers of clothing!! 

The Forbidden City - Basically you keep walking through huge squares like this until you get to the end! 

The Migrant School.

The Migrant School.

The Migrant School.

Tug-of-War.

Dinner at the local house.

The courtyard outside of the room we ate in.