Chengdu 成都

My trip to Chengdu this long weekend was absolutely amazing. I had the opportunity to explore in the city and meet lots of new people. This trip was particularly special because I was able to meet my friend, Feifei's parents in Chengdu. Feifei and I both go to Macalester College and we became good friends through being co-workers at the International Student Program office at Mac. With this special connection, my friends and I had one of the most unique and rewarding experiences. We learned about Chinese hospitality, culture and about the city of Chengdu/Sichuan province from her parents and all the people we met during out time there. Though we were limited by our language skills, we were able to have a great experience. During the short four days in Chengdu, we got to visit numerous places including the Panda Research Base, Dujiangyan--this wonderful irrigation project, Wuhou Ci and just the streets of the city. I had a lot of Macalester connections on this trip and really am realizing how international Macalester really is----how connected all Mac people are.

Here are excerpts from my journal:

Today is my second day in Chengdu and I am absolutely in love with this city. Compared to the cities I have visited (Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Tianjin), Chengdu's way of life is my absolute favorite. From the moment the airplane landed in Chengdu, I felt both anxious and an incredible sense of release. Everything from the weather, to the people to the scenic environment is just absolutely wonderful. Everything in Chengdu is green---if there is one word to describe it. From the moment that the airplane landed, the scenery was just green trees and shrubs. The air in Chengdu is less polluted.

This morning I took a walk by myself down the street by the hotel. It was one of the most peaceful walks. Everyone in Chengdu was hurrying off to work, but yet the pace of life was still leisurely. You could still see many people strolling along the pathways surrounded by the lush green foliage. I love the pace of life in Chengdu. It is not large and overwhelming like Beijing. Chengdu reminds me a lot of home--its people, the weather and of course because of my connection to Feifei and her parents.

Today, Charlie, Tim, Stacey and I explored the city of Chengdu by ourselves. We left the hotel around 10 am and took a taxi to Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi. We had absolutely no idea what this place involved, but because Feifei and her mother recommended this place we decided it was definitely a must-go see. At Kuan Zhai Xiangzi is this establishment of little restaurants, tea houses and shops. The streets were stone-like and reminded me of walking down the streets of Lucerne, Switzerland. It was classy and quaint.

In Chengdu, there are definitely less foreigners so we were surrounded by almost all Chinese. This city is different than Beijing because it seems as if the social strata is much higher all across--at least from first impression. There are so many cars in Chengdu. The streets are literally filled with cars everywhere--the only big difference is that everything is much more orderly. People don't seem in a rush to get to places...there seems to be less of a "compete against time, compete against one another attitude." In Chengdu, I don't feel the same sense of urgency as I do in Beijing. Chengdu is a cross between Tianjin and Shanghai. People in Chengdu seem less straightforward, in the box thinkers and are more laid-back, welcoming and just concerned about the simple things.

After wandering through the Kuan Zhai Xiangzi area, we walked to Renmin Gongyuan (People's Park). This park was absolutely gorgeous. It was so relaxing. There were a lot of Chinese folks just enjoying themselves in the park, enjoying the beautiful weather and just enjoying life. We wanted to go on the river in the park so we rented two little paddle boats and explored the waters. :) We definitely learned how to work as a team and it was nice to paddle around the river.

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I am sitting in the Chengdu airport waiting to board my flight back to Beijing. I had no idea that I would become so attached to this city. Saying goodbye to Feifei's parents was the hardest thing, I nearly had tears in my eyes. Despite our communication barrier, I could still feel how much they cared. I have no idea how I am going to feel when I leave China at the end of the semester. All that matters right now is that I think I finally reached a point where I have realized how much my experiences at home is incorporated in my life here. Today was all Macalester connections---this trip would not have been entirely possible if not for Feifei and her parents. This crazy coincidence/fate happened. Since my work study job at Macalester is in the International Student Program office, I got to see the list of international students accepted to Mac this year. As I scrolled through the list I briefly glanced at the Chinese students and their respective schools. Jingxiao had told me earlier that he was from the "best high school" in Sichuan (No.7 High School). I remembered seeing a No. 7 School with no city name or anything on the list and just ventured a guess that it could possibly be the same school. Last night I texted Jingxiao and asked him if he knew this student. He texted back "yes" and "I can't contact him now." I figured that tomorrow (today) I was leaving Chengdu and the chances of me meeting this student was very slim. Feifei's parents came and picked us up from the hotel and brought us to meet Jingxiao. Little did I know what was going to happen.....

We drove for ten minutes and pulled up in front of the main gate of "Chengdu No. 7 High School." As we got out Jingxiao introduced this guy to me. I honestly could not believe what was happening....it was him! Of all the people in China and Chengdu I was meeting someone who got accepted to Macalester----the only person in all of Sichuan province. The entire day was an adventure discussing all things Macalester-related and Minnesota-related. He had told me he was so surprised when heard that a Mac student wanted to meet him. He had thought that Jingxiao had told me about his acceptance to Mac, however, he didn't know that it was the other way around. I can't think of a better way of ending the trip then exploring Chengdu with a local student who is seriously considering Mac.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous today. It like a nice MN spring like day (of course with no snow!) with lots of sunshine and just the right amount of breeze. Just absolutely perfect. We walked along the quaint streets of Jinli street willed with dozens of Chinese people strolling along and enjoying the beautiful weather. It was so amazing to be sharing everything about Macalester and helping someone think through the pros and cons of the colleges he is considering.

We toured Wuhou Ci and he explained the historical significance off the temple. My friends and I sat in a teahouse courtyard and just chatted. The conversation centered on jokes and how jokes don't translate properly. My friend Charlie told some American jokes and then explained the humor behind it afterwards. It was cool to relax with friends, tea, and lots of laughter. After the temple we walked around Wuhou Ci jie until Feifei's parents came to pick us up and drive us to the airport.

I am still amazed about the hospitality of Chinese people. Everyone that we met in Chengdu was so welcoming! It was almost overwhelming. I hope to come back to this wonderful city someday!

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Hope you enjoy the excerpts from my journal and the photos of Chengdu!

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