As promised, here are some photos from our China trip (I was waiting for permission from parents to post). We came home a week ago and still can't stop talking about our experiences! It was amazing... so much learning, sharing, and growing. If you haven't been to China, put it on your list of places to travel to- it will be worth it!

Here we are at the Honolulu Airport, so excited about our trip. Months of preparation and anticipation led us to this moment!

On our first morning in China, we explored the 600 year old Forbidden City in Beijing. This imperial palace was immense, and we were struck by the meaning and symbolism behind every detail.

Around every corner... was yet another sight to behold!

This classic shot was taken by my friend Jeff- I don't think the guard realized he was being photographed. His gaze and stance were remarkably still!

Here are my two girls in Tian'anmen Square, the site of numerous political events and student protests. On this day, it was just a large square. We were fortunate that they still had Olympic decorations (the mascots shown here) in the square.

Another seasonal decoration in Tian'anmen Square- a lantern to celebrate China's National Holiday (October 1).

A picture in front of the Temple of Heaven. The hallways around its courtyard were full of people dancing, performing the ribbon dance, singing Chinese opera, and playing games.

We all assembled kites to fly in a beautiful park near the Temple of Heaven. The kites were on the ground more than they were in the air, but we all had a great time!

This was our first school visit- Beijing's First Experimental School. The 12 Chinese students who greeted us were prepared with a Powerpoint presentation (in English) about China and their school, and gave the students gifts of Double Happiness Chinese knots.

Our students performed two dances and shared introductions of themselves in Mandarin. We all did the Chicken Dance together!

We went on a tour of the school and even were given a lesson in calligraphy! We also were each given paintings that the Chinese children had drawn for us. The school was immaculate, their resources were amazing, and their students were incredibly disciplined (and very, very quiet).

You could go to China for this alone... the Great Wall... a true wonder!

So there were 5 towers to hike in the area of the Great Wall that we visited. I was so proud to make it to the 4th tower (thousands of stairs!)...

...but the kids made it all the way to the 5th tower! See all of them in blue? That's my girl cheering! The bus is all the way at the bottom! (Don't worry, they weren't alone- one brave chaperone (Jeff) hustled up with all the kids so that they could make it to the top within our time limit)

After hiking the Great Wall, we were treated to a delicious Peking duck dinner. We were at one of the "authentic" restaurants- the warm duck with its crispy skin and moist meat was expertly sliced and then served with spring onions, plum sauce, and crepe like pancakes (rather than the buns we're used to here). It was delicious!

Here we are at the 250 year old Summer Palace, a large imperial palace and garden used as a summer retreat for China's imperial rulers.

This marble boat in the Summer Palace, didn't move, but it was still impressive!

Here's a photo of a giant panda at the Beijing Zoo! They were so much fun to watch, even though all they did was sleep, eat, and slowly move once in a while. Hey, they're just like me!

One of the highlights of Beijing- a ride in a pedicab through the Hutong district to visit the old courtyards and meet a local family.

We had dinner at the family's home, and it was the best dinner I had in Beijing! Our tour guide kept talking about the different home cooked flavor (versus the restaurant flavor), and this dinner really did feel comforting. Some of the favorite dishes were the spicy duck casserole, the green beans and garlic, and the eggplant.

A view of the Bird's Nest...

...and the Water Cube from the bus. I have to say, they didn't seem nearly as magnificent as they looked on TV!

That was just a glimpse of Beijing! In a few days, I'll share photos from the rest of our trip (Suzhou, Shanghai, and Korea). Any of these sites look familiar to you? Share your stories!

I apologize for the long absence, but I've been so busy preparing for our China trip, and then spent the last nine days in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Korea (a full day and a half layover that ended up being the luckiest "unfortunate planning" that we could have ever had!).  It was the best experience of my life!  I'm not much of a traveler and have to admit that although I was excited about this trip, I was also a bit wary.  We've all heard the stories about the dirty environment, the crowds of people, and the unsafe water.  I just didn't want anyone to get sick!

Not only have we all come home healthy and happy, but we now have a new appreciation of China, its people, history, and culture.  We visited all of the major sites (here's just a few- Tian'anmen Square, the Beijing Zoo, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Grand Canal, and the unanimous favorite- the Great Wall) and had a wonderful tour guide (our friend by the end of the trip) who talked about the history of each place, gave us lessons in Chinese, translated for us, told us jokes and stories, and showed us the gentle, welcoming side of China.  It is a country so rich in history and symbolism, ready to share itself with the world.

The children had an amazing time, and it was so special seeing China not only through my eyes, but through theirs.  They looked past the Shanghai air that made our throats itch and saw the tallest towers in Asia, the rising economy that hints at a most promising future for China.  They were awed by the sprawling Great Wall and cheered jubilantly when they reached the top tower in a way that only children can do.  They met and played with school children in China, and within an hour saw them as new friends who also laughed when doing the Chicken Dance.  And although our country is so different from the ones that we visited, the children saw that in so many ways, in the important ways, they are the same.  We are all hoping for peace, success, and happiness, and striving to be a meaningful part of the world.  Being with the children and seeing their newfound love and respect for China made me believe that they will do their part to be more understanding and appreciative world citizens.  It gives us a lot of hope for the future.

I promise to throw in a few China photos along with a new Manoa blog topic as soon as I have a little more energy!  For now (since I suddenly have a new urge to travel the world), share your most interesting international travel story with us.  Can't wait to hear it!

In just three weeks, 12 fifth grade students from Hokulani and Noelani Elementary Schools will be traveling to Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou to visit historic sites such as Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, Beijing Zoo, Grand Canal, and more. I’m one of six lucky chaperones that will be traveling with the students. It will be my first time in China, and as the kids are getting more and more excited, so am I! The kids seem to be most looking forward to the Great Wall, seeing the pandas at the zoo, and taking photos in front of the Bird’s Nest. I’m interested in the Forbidden City, seeing a famous Chinese acrobatic show, and riding a pedi-cab to visit the old Beijing courtyards and have a traditional Chinese lunch.

One of the highlights of the trip for all of us will be visiting three elementary schools in China. Our students are working hard preparing short speeches introducing themselves in Mandarin and practicing two dances that they will perform at the schools. We will get a tour of the schools and our students will have a chance to sit one-on-one with a Chinese student and learn about life in China, and then share what life is like in Hawaii through a book that they are making. We are also planning to exchange small gifts with the children in China, little tokens that represent our home.

We’re still thinking of what to pack in those gift bags for the children. So here’s a question for you: What captures Hawaii for $1 (or less)… and where can you get it?

And one more question… for those of you who have been to China before, do you have any advice for us? How to bargain, what not to eat, most important phrase to learn, etc.? Pass it along!