UMD LSBE Study-in-China 2009

Today was, are first full day of activities in Beijing. I first want to start off talking about the flight over from Minneapolis. The thing that stuck out to me was the quarantine checks that were administered to us by both Japan and China airports. They checked us for symptoms of fevers. The Japanese used a video that I presumed was checking our thermal energy and the Chinese used a device that checked our temperature through a gun by our forehead. The Chinese method was easier and took far less time. For today’s activities we went to the Forbidden City, 2 markets, home cooked meal, and dinner. Forbidden City was amazing in many ways. The size of it was unbelievable and seemed never ending. The architecture was also amazing with the hand paintings and way it was set up. The amazing about it was that it was completed in only 16 years from 1406-1420. There were two dynasties that ruled both of which lasted around 300 years. That was an unforgettable experience, but so was the home cooked meal. For this we ate at a traditional Chinese home and was served a traditional Chinese meal. This was honestly the best Chinese food I have ever had and probably ever will. There was such a variety of meats and veggies. There was so much food we couldn’t even finish. It also was a cool experience seeing a traditional Beijing home and well as side streets. This was only the first day and I cant wait to see what is ahead in our next 28 days!