Earth Day 2012

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This morning, I participated in the Hangzhou Green Drinks Earth Day events starting with a 8am bike ride through the Longjing area of West Lake, 10am bike ride around the Southern area of West Lake, a BBQ lunch at Vineyard Cafe in the garden area along with free giveaways and a moving screening of "Earth" by Disney Nature at 7:30pm.



I meet some amazing people today on the bike rides. The 8am ride was Tim, Australian; William, Junior Biomedical Engineering major at Zhejiang University (#3 in China); Vincent, Senior at Best High School in Hangzhou who is attending Tufts in Boston starting Fall 2012; J & K, American's teaching at HDU and myself. I have met Tim before at many Expat events in Hangzhou. Vincent is quite amazing. He is very interested in environmental issues and is arriving in the US one month early to work on organic farms before he starts college at the end of August. He is able to do this as the student visa allows entry 30 days before classes start. I told him if he goes to IL my Parents' would love to host him...thanks Mom & Dad 😊 He has never been to the US before but has traveled around Europe. William was quite interesting also as his hometown is Taiyuan, a 2nd tier city in Northern China. Both of them have AMAZING English and Vincent told me he has been working very hard to have an "American" accent. I got their contact info as they will be great to keep in touch with.



The 10am ride had 15 people from Austria, Belgium, Australia, Russia, China and the USA, ranging from living in China 2 months to over 5 years. This diversity is what I will really miss about living in China and strive to find some amazing associations once we return to Portland, OR this Summer. The BBQ Lunch was great as Ruben, Bostonian Chef, prepared 100% Australian beef burgers, sausages, chicken burgers or veggie burgers and had chilled beers waiting for us upon our arrival. All for a discounted price and made to order. When we were done eating there was a free raffle for a 1500RMB($240) bike sponsored by Giant along with many t-shirt giveaways. There were 13 prizes so all but 2 won stuff. I got a free tshirt and Vincent won the bike!



My total distance biked today was 54km (33.5 miles) including my ride to and from the starting points. I saw places I hadn't seen before and meet some amazing new people. Great way to spend this sunny, very clear and 28 degree Celsius day (82F).



Happy Earth Day 2012!

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Comments

[Mom]

earth day
Great way to spend Sunday!!! Tell Vincent he is more than welcome in IL!!!! Will hae got to bring his new bike???