Alice's Spring Trip to Kunming, China

For a year now, we've heard about "spring trips", and it was one of the reasons we 

chose Tianjin Int. School.  Each grade level takes a different trip:  the freshmen always

go to Kunming.  The seniors always go to Guizhuo.  

And for 9 days, Kevin and I got to be empty-nesters.

The cost of the trip is part of their tuition, which is paid by the company.

All we had to do was send along some money for souvenirs.

Alice's class (the freshmen) flew to Kunming in southwestern China.

Their group did a LOT of hiking.  They stayed in youth hostels.

They ate local food.  (And that got interesting!)

 They got a boat ride across a shallow lake, propelled by "poling".

Everyone wants a water buffalo... but if it's very muddy, maybe no one wants to really

touch it--except it loved having its head rubbed. 

 I got a text one evening--"Just finished a scary hike.  I love the mountains!"

A mom likes to receive those kinds of messages, especially after the scary part

is over and all is well.

Tiger Leaping Gorge.  One false step and there was no way back up. 

 Kevin and I have decided we really need to go see this place.

Before the hat was purchased,

the sunburn was well under way.

The group had several bus rides to different localities, along with over-night train rides.

Plane, train, bus, and foot!

 Rice paddies and terracing for tobacco plants (with plastic to protect the new plants).

 And more hiking.  

 Alice determined to be adventurous in trying all the local foods.  And she did it!

The chicken foot is basically chewed on, then you spit the bones out.

The dried lizards were crunchy.  

The group also did a day of service at an orphanage,

 and attended a Christian church service with a minority group, the Miao's.

The only other text I got all week:  "We had church for 3 hours, all in Chinese.  The music was really beautiful."

 The women have long hair that is put in a bun on top of their head to show 

they are married.

 But the joy on the face of a toddler, when being entertained, is universal.

 (not a real elephant)

The view from the hostel they stayed in.

So now the spring trip is over and done, and next May is a long time away.

But the memories will last a lifetime.