July 9th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Today marks the beginning of an exciting once-in-a-lifetime experience: my first summer camp in China. After taking my exams, my friend and I were given the opportunity of going to this beautiful country which I’ve always wanted to visited.
My journey began to unfold after arriving at the international airport of Cluj-Napoca. I was overwhelmed with feelings of both excitement and stress for the prolonged 12-hour flight which was about to come. Nonetheless, all of my fears began to dissipate after meeting my new friends from Romania, who wholeheartedly welcomed me.
July 10th, 2024
Dear Diary,
After the lengthy flight which had gone smoothly, today I arrived at the airport in Beijing at long last. I was astonished to see the prodigious building and the lofty skyscrapers. Moreover, I was quite tired from the flight. Notwithstanding my exhaustion, the enthralling promise of learning about Chinese culture and eating scrumptious food enlived me.
We eventually arrived at our hotel in Qufu. I was so relieved to know I could rest. I immediately lay down and began ideating the brand new experiences which were about to come.
July 11th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Today I woke up early in the morning to get ready for the day. My friend and I quickly went downstairs and ate breakfast, which consisted of an eclectic range of scrumptious dishes.
Afterwards, all of us went to the Three Confucian Sites in Qufu, Shandong, which are deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
We firstly saw the famous Confucious statue. I immediately felt its historical significance. The guide led us to the scenic gardens and temples. Vibrant and beautifully-coloured flowers dotted the path we walked on. I was truly mesmerized by the authentic temples. The enchanting halls were full of artifacts, giving a glimpse into Chinese temples.
July 12th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Today we arrived in Jinan. It was truly a wonderful day!
We had the opportunity of visiting Jinan Foreign Language School. From the moment I stepped through the gates, I knew it would be an eye-opening experience. The buildings themselves were truly unique. The architecture was of modern style and tremendously captivating. The school yards were buzzing with energy and I was so grateful to see we were greeted by such warm smiles.
My classmate and I became friends with two girls from this school. They patiently showed us around and I was genuinely touched by their kindness. All four of us had a tone in common. We shared the same MBTI and we were born in the same year.
At the end of the day, I was so grateful to have made such beautiful friends and that we were able to form such strong bonds.
July 13th-14th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Over the past two days we delved into the intricate tapestry of Chinese culture and participated in four different activities: martial arts, instruments, calligraphy and handcrafting.
The first activity we took part in was the martial arts class. I had never taken such classes before, therefore it was invigorating to learn the basic movements. The instructor was tremendously kind and every stance she taught could be followed effortlessly. I was mesmerized by the elegance and philosophy behind each move.
Afterwards, all of us were taken to another room and attended a class on traditional Chinese instruments. I was particularly captivated by the flute. After hearing the mellifluous melodies created by this instrument, one could only be at a loss for words.
The third class we attended was a calligraphy one. I was captivated by the precision required in this beautiful form of art. Using the brush to create delicate strokes on the piece of paper gave me a sense of inner tranquility.
The day concluded with a very fun and vivacious handcrafting class. Our instructor gave us clay of an eclectic range of colours and she taught us how to form a panda. Moulding the clay was surprisingly relaxing and satisfying. The end result was an adorable panda.
July 15th,2024
Dear Diary,
Today we had one of the most anticipated activities of the camp: visiting the Great Wall of China.
After arriving in Beijing we took the bus and saw a truly picturesque sight which consisted of the Great Wall surrounded by rugged hills. I was completely in awe. Admiring the scenery was in itself a wonderful experience. Nonetheless, we finally began hiking.
The hike up to the wall was exceptionally challenging as there were a plethora of stairs. Notwithstanding the struggle, the outstanding view was worth every step which held innumerable stories.
Moreover, we were also taken to a restaurant. We had the opportunity of tasting traditional Chinese food. My favourite dish was the famous Beijing duck. Its flavour was truly one of a kind.
July 16th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Today we visited one of the most beautiful places in China: Forbidden City. It was one of the places I’ve dreamt of visiting ever since I was the child.
I could feel its grandeur the moment I stepped through the Meridian Gate. The complex was of an impressive size and it couldn’t compare to anything I had seen before. All of the pathways were full of history from centuries ago. Forbidden City was an impenetrable place reserved for emperors and their advisors.
The intricate details of the architecture were even more breathtaking. The vibrant reds embellished with delicate golds enhanced the beauty of the buildings.
July 17th-18th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Over the past two days we finally arrived in Hangzhou, a city known for its outstanding scenery and rich history.
It was my first day visiting Zhejiang University of Science and Technology (ZUST). We were first taken around the beautiful campus which was embellished with greenery. The blend of modern architecture and nature engendered feelings of tranquility and a peaceful atmosphere.
After taking a tour, the guide led us inside where we were wholeheartedly greeted by our teachers who would teach us Chinese. In spite of me feeling an iota of anxiety, the teachers were tremendously kind and patient and it completely erased all of my previous doubts. We learnt numerous phrases which were useful for navigating the city.
July 19th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Today we visited West Lake, one of the most well-known and scenic tourist attractions in Hangzhou. I had seen numerous pictures of this place, but seeing it in person felt absolutely otherworldly.
The calm water was crystal clear and it transformed into a vast mirror which reflected the beautiful hills and picturesque temples surrounding it. We took a boat ride across the lake which felt very calming. Afterwards, we strolled through the gardens adorned with beautifully-coloured flowers. Time truly slowed down all of us were brought into a fairytale.
July 20th, 2024
Dear Diary,
Today we took Chinese classes in the morning and had our afternoon free which felt extremely refreshing and exciting.
The teacher taught us numerous phrases which were particularly useful for daily conversations. Moreover, our teacher told us interesting facts about Chinese culture and traditions. The manner in which she taught was tremendously engaging and it created a calm and safe environment.
Ater finishing classes, we were free. My friends and I decided to go shopping. We took a taxi and quickly arrived at the long-awaited destination. The shops were full of buoyant staff. We also got to try and bought some beautiful Chinese clothing, such as the qipao.
July 21st, 2024
Dear Diary,
Today the journey has finally come to an end. We left Hangzhou, strolled around Shanghai and then went to the airport.
Shanghai was truly otherworldly and nothing like I had ever seen before. The lofty skyscrapers surrounded us and I was completely in awe. It was an experience which could be compared to stepping into another realm. After taking multiple pictures of the beautiful buildings, we eventually went to the airport and began preparing for the flight.
Arrriving back home in Romania was indeed exciting, but I was slightly disheartened by the summer camp’s end. Nonetheless, it was a truly wonderful experience. I felt so grateful to have met such kind friends and to have seen this beautiful country. My heart was so full and I truly couldn’t have been happier.
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