Yes...I'm still alive
Most sincerest of apologies ladies and gentlemen for my conspicuous absence this past few weeks. The paralyzing combination of busyness and laziness has stopped me from contributing to this blog in any real way since I first set it up. Despite that though, I'll try and make this posting at least somewhat digestible within a 2-min time period.
I threw up on the Great Wall of China...twice!
2 weekends back saw us trekking out the Great Wall of China, 'us' being Chris, Delfy and Lucy Dodd, who had come to stay in China for a week long holiday. Wanting to avoid the usual tourist claptrap, we decided to take a 4 hour train ride to a small village outside of Beijing. There, we were to be hosted by an elderly couple who have set up a lucrative operation that gives foreigners the opportunity to stay with them, eat with them and then visit the old, unrestored parts of the Great Wall. The train ( I have tremendous difficulty typing the word train BTW as I am constantly putting 'ee' after it) ride was pleasant enough, as was the 15 minute walk down a rather steep hill to get to the village. In fact, the village itself was lovely as well, as it gave me new insight into how many of China's 1.3 billion people live (only 30% of Chinese are urbanized). The problems began with the serving of lunch, specifically a cold pork dish that I immediately regret that I ate.
Putting lunch behind me, we headed out for the 'unrestored' parts of the Great Wall. It was then that I learnt that the term 'unrestored' may have a somewhat different meaning in China, as the place that we visited was very much a tourist trap, filled with restaraunts, merchandise, annoyingly persistent merchandise sellers and even a cable car to take you up to the top if you wanted.
Somewhat disappointed by this, we resolved to make the most of it all and walk to the top of the wall. Needless to say, the Great Wall of China was an impressive sight to behold, but sadly I little chance to enjoy it. Just as we reached the top of the wall I began to feel a touch squeamish, and within 30 secs I was leaning over the side of the Great Wall of China, throwing up half of my lunch- the other half came half an hour later.
Conference goodbyes
Last weekend was AIESEC MoC's National Conference, which was held roughly one hour outside Beijing. Now anyone who has ever been to a national conference will know the pains of the 'farewell speeches'. It's almost a ritual you see, where people who have toiled and loved and suffered and smiled, say goodbye to the people that made all of those things possible- AIESEC people. Being a rather emotional man myself, I have always had a soft spot for this ceremony, and I have always dreaded the day when I would stand up in front of AIESEC Australia and wish them fair be well. To be honest, I had not expected my farewell to AIESEC in Mainland of China to be quite as emotional as it was, given that I was only here for 3 months. Despite this, tears welled in my eyes as I took the stage to say goodbye to 3 of the most amazing months of my life, and to the wonderful people who had contributed to that time.
It's at these times that realize how finite our AIESEC lives are- a few short years, and then its over. With 3 and a bit years experience now under my belt, I am at best at the half-way marker of my AIESEC experience, though it has only felt like a few weeks. All good things must come to an end they say, and I can think of few things better than AIESEC. The clock is ticking I realized...
Drawing to a close...
As my time here in Mainland China draws to it's eventual close, I can think of few better ways to spend it than sick in bed, with tonsillitis and a fever- thank you fate. Still, I hope to be better by tomorrow so that I can take in the last landmark that Beijing has to offer me, the famous Temple of Heaven. I'll keep everyone updated, and I promise to blog again before I return home on Sunday.
Ralph
