St Leonards School-Beijing Trip

July 31st

Today we had a more relaxed day. As we had our first lie-in, in the last two weeks, we dreamed of what we could do in the free day that was to follow. We got up, packing frantically, thinking, "How did I ever expect all this to fit!!!!" At 10am, some of us decided to go get our nails done, (J.T. in toe of a group of girls to watch...) Meanwhile, the rest of the group slept the rest of the morning.

We came back to the high school for lunch, then headed out again for an afternoon and evening trip. The bus dropped the remaining schools at ya show silk market. However, being the St. Leonards bunch, we HAD to be difficult, and get a taxi to xiushui market. There, we gazed at the thousands of pounds worth of pearls layed out in front of us. (We had to hold Miss. Semper back... again.) We also investigated the silk floor, (again, holding Miss. Semper back from the silk hand bags.)

Having dragged everyone away from the pearl necklaces only costing a grand total of £2, we went to the top flor for our last meal of Peking Duck. The delicious meal mirrored the flawless jewellery, it was a meal to remember, to say the least.

We had invited our guides, Chris and Robert, to have the meal with us. We had a great time.

After dinner, we took the underground to the main shopping stret of Wan Fu Jing, so that we could see the night market.

We could hardly believe our eyes when we saw the things for sale in the stalls. To give the readers a taste of what was there, (to use a cruel irony,) there was scorpion, grasshopper, star fish, silk worm, and cockroach on sticks. (As well as a lot of other insects that none of us had the faintest idea what they were...) But in general, it was an excellent experience, and all of us enjoyed it.

On our way back to the accommodation, we were hit with the beginnings of what felt like the monsoon season. When the rain thinned out a little, and the thunder and flashing of lightening faded slightly, we dared to try to get a taxi. As all the drivers said no to our soaking faces, we felt slightly annoyed at the scenario.

We took the underground to around half way back, then tried to get another taxi. With luck on our side this time, we managed to flag one down, and made it back. Rain still pooring, thunder still rummbling, and lightening still flashing, we crawl into bed, and enjoy our last night in Beijing.

J.T. Baird, Fran, Ella, Kriss, Francis, Hannah, Kate, Mrs Lindsay & Miss Semper xx

July 30th

In the morning we had our exams. The first one was specifically on the work that we have done over here because it was set by Peking University HIgh School. Everyone found this test surprisingly easy given that we were allowed to bring our books in with us. Unfortunately the second exam was not that easy. This was set by OCR and included a lot of words that we had never learnt. The results of that exam should be interesting...

In the afternoon we practised for the closing ceremony. At this every school had to do something in front our teachers and our chinese friends. For our part of it Fran sang 'Ye banks and braes' unaccompanied and she was amazing, as always! Kriss also did a Robert Burns poem and we all did the Gay Gordons. We were fantastic! At the closing ceremony JT was specifically chosen out of all of the students on this course to speak with the Headmaster in Chinese at the closing ceremony. He only got told he was doing this 2 or 3 days before he had to do this, but he learnt the text perfectly and everyone was amazed at his Chinese accent. After the closing ceremony there was a delicious meal followed by an interesting and amusing bus ride, and then we were back.

Ella

Fran's Song

Kriss' Poem

JT's dialogue with the Headmaster of Peking University High School

St Leonards dance for Scotland!

July 29th

Today we went to the Lama Temple and it was very interesting to see. We had the chance to offer incense to Bhudda and pray. At this temple was the world's largest wooden Bhudda, and was a great spectical to observe. Afterwards we went to the Jing Shang park,where we got a sense of traditional China, with a relaxed atmosphere of singing and dancing. Next, we visited the Pearl Market and fulfilled our wildest consumer desires. Miss Semper was in her element and maxed out her credit card with a total of 20 pieces of jewellery...which she claims are all gifts. That for the most part has been our day. Tomorrow we have the Chinese exams, and currently we are arduously revising.

Hope all is well

Hannah and Francis

Lama Temple Video

Singing in the park

More singing in the park

Mrs Lindsay skipping in the park!

July 28th

Dear Readers

After 2 weeks of learning Mandarin, our lessons came to an end today. In our final lesson we learnt about shopping diaologues, measurement words and dining vocabulary. It is hard to believe today's lesson was our last, looking back to the beginning when we were Mandarin amateurs, I feel like we have all progressed so much and will be ready to impress you all with our new vocabulary!

After our last lesson, we ventured out to a museum about the history of Beijing. It contained interesting artefacts and taught us about traditional Chinese customs.

Miss Semper, JT, Kriss and I then took a taxi to the famous shopping street "Wang fu jing". We found a fascinating shop where we sipped on taster chinese jasmine tea. We found ourselves sitting in the shop trying every tea possible....after all...it was free!

We ate dinner in a lovely noodle restaurant and then made our way to the Peking Opera. which was an experience. Despite not being able to understand a single word of the opera, the costume, makeup and singing were amazing!

I can't believe there is not long left now, China has shown me so many new experiences!

Kate x x

Ella & Fran's Shopping Dialogue

Health Song Video

Peking Opera 1

Peking Opera 2

July 27th

Hello,

Today we managed to get a sleep in and instead of waking up for 8am we manged to sleep until 9! We had a wonderful language lesson today consisting of country names and we learnt about how to form the past and future tenses, acquiring time phrases such as "Yesterday", "Tomorrow" and "Next Year".

In the afternoon we had traditional Chinese folk dancing. We all got stuck in and towards the end we got the hang of it. We actually learnt a traditional Tibetan folk dance. After two hours of extreme fun, we had a few hours break to freshen up and eat dinner.

This evening we did Chinese Calligraphy with the art teacher. We were given our brushes and practice papers and we all got stuck in. It was hard going towards the end but we coped. After the two hours we all settled down for the night so as to get ready of another busy day ahead. 

Kriss

Calligraphy Lesson Video

Practising the dance

July 26th

Ni Hao,

Today we went to the great wall. It was a spectacular experience for all. The photos shown may be a little hazy, but the fog only obscured camera lenses. We hiked up the steep wall, carefully placing all of our steps on the old stones restored.

Luckily, we chose the direction less travelled. We turned left, instead of right, when we started our trek. we were bombarded with vendors, selling carvings, fans, and small statues and chopsticks. Some of us bought little souvenirs, including pictures engraved in stone.

Afterwards, we went out to lunch. It was good, but we all agree that the first restaurant was the better of all the ones visited.

With our stomachs full, we went to the accommodation. We had another free night, and most decided to go to the open computer room. However, our group, being very different, visited the nearby coffee shop for a refreshing coffee. We had visited this same cafe yesterday, and now the waitress knows us.

We left, and came back to watch a movie. Now we sit, with contented stomachs, hands full of popcorn, wating for this blog to be finished, so that we can start the movie, and now I am writing to keep everyone waiting for the movie, because I think they need to be wound up a little. I'm not sure which movie they are going to watch, but I am enjoying this very much. Miss. Semper is going to proof read this, and see all this, and get really annoyed, because she is going to have to edit all of this., he he he heh he he he eh ehehehehehehehhe!

I love to wind these guys up.

JT x

Great Wall Video

July 25th

In the morning we had lessons like usual. With the first teacher we learnt about using the comparative and superlative and we learnt useful sentences such as 'I can jump high'. What has struck me in learning the language is that some of the first words we are learning in chinese are not the same as the first words we learnt in European languages. For example we can write and say 'there are 56 ethnic minorities in China' and yet we cannot say 'it is hot'. It is slightly bizarre! With the second teacher we practised writing Chinese characters and learnt more about chinese clothing and festivals.

In the afternoon there was a competition, "SUPERMARKET SWEEP" but there was no sign of Dale Whinton to present.The different schools had to go into the supermarket and buy 15 items from a list in the fastest time possible. Most of the items were really random, like a hook in the shape of a pumpkin or toothpaste. We were one of the last schools, much to Miss Semper's annoyance, her competitive streak being as strong as ever!!!

In the evening Miss Semper, Kate and Hannah went to a silk market where they shopped till they dropped. They came back with various purchases including necklaces, earrings and fake Chanel bags.

Ella & Miss Semper

July 24th

Today was an unusually quiet day. We had a Mandarin lesson in the morning when we learnt about money, shopping and dining. Then after lunch we learnt about Chinese folk music which was great. We all learnt a song which we sang at the end of the lesson and our teacher Monica treated us to some regional Chinese opera singing. Then after dinner we painted some masks in the style of the Peking opera masks. The majority of us did red and black masks but the two geeks, Frau Semper and J.T, decided to beat us all (Again) by doing majorly elaborate, intricate designs in blue and green. It took them hours but the end result was beautiful. The weather was cooler but still hot and the smog was still firmly in place blocking the sky but we're all becoming accustomed to it now so it does not bother us as much.

Fran

Fran and friends from Our Lady's Convent School singing a folk access

Music Teacher singing Chinese opera

July 23rd

Dearest blog,

This morning we were up bright and early as usual and ready to begin the chinese lessons.We learnt to tell the time, read more characters..and make paper boats. Then we ventured out to the summer palace which has been the most amazing trip so far, it was not only a cultural experience but a spiritual one as well.It was wonderful and green, we could have stayed there all day. We were lucky enough to go on a boat and along with catching some rays we were able to see loads of fantasic mind blowing sites.We were all gob smacked by the magificent surroundings. On the boat trip Miss Semper made a friend with a cute little chinese girl who wanted to take a picture with Miss Semper...why she didn't want a photo with any of us...we don't know.  Aferwards, we went to the market where after lots of gained experience, our bartering skills improved. We will return home stocked up with designer gear...real of course!

Miss Semper and Mrs Lindsay then forced us all to eat at Mcdonalds...against our will! After many tantrums we had to give in to them.

News on the Harry Potter front...you thought we were just joking...ella actually did stay up all night and at 8:10 this morning finished the book. Just now, Ella, Francesca and JT are trying on their new silk dresses. JT has also got shoes to match. They all look very elegant!! 

love

Kate & Hannah xx

Boat Trip at Summer Palace

July 22nd

Dear fellow blog-readers,

July 22nd started with lessons as usual, and Mr Tian, a chap of the most splendid temperant and proud supporter of Chairman Mao, taught us about how to describe our families, and even included a stick man depiction of his family on Microsoft Paint. After lessons and luncheon, we ventured into Beijing and visited the Temple of Heaven. This excursion was much enjoyed by the group, Kate especially.

This evening has, on the whole, been quite quiet despite Ella's and Kriss's fanatic eagerness to finish the latest Harry Potter first. As we write this, Ms Johnston is currently in her bathroom and plans to stay up all night, Coca Cola and sweeties by her side, in her quest to finish the latest novel from Rowling by the morning.

This, dear readers, is what has happened today and we hope you are all well.

Chinese Supermarket Video

Our Chinese helper, Chris, doing a Chinese tonguetwister

Hannah, Francis and Kate