West Sussex Youth Exchange – China 2008 Group outside the Birds Nest, Beijing

Group outside the Birds Nest, Beijing

Pictures Day 11 – Beijing Olympic Sites

Beijing Olympic Pool

Emma inside the Birds Nest

Jeremy & Bren inside the Birds Nest

Beijing Olympic Structures

Day 11, Jane – Beijing Birds Nest

Well the last day has arrived and I think it has brought mixed emotions from the group. This evening they were definitely on a high after the visit to the Olympic Park and the Bird’s Nest, and then a 3 hour shopping marathon in the famous Silk Market. Here, bargaining is the name of the game and on arrival back at the coach, they were buzzing with stories of their purchasing triumphs! Maralyn, Steve and myself plus  4 young people managed a quick escape to Starbuck’s where we had the first coffee since the flight here. Bliss but rather strange! Chinese Starbuck’s is exactly the same as anywhere else in the world apart from rather strange confectionary like red bean scones. Bren found an apple pie which I think he thoroughly enjoyed.

 

If you look at Tuckman’s model, the group at supper this evening were going into their ‘mourning stage’. Thoughts of what it would be like to arrive home and not be with all their mates were starting to flood in and were made more real perhaps, by Mr Jai’s farewell speech. After a very interesting ‘napkin and pen’ conversation with Mr Jai which tested both or our drawing and miming skills ( his English is pretty non existent), I discovered that the best time for the Chinese to come to us would be mid July. Hopefully that’ll be next year – 2009 – so we can start planning for that. The group have loads of ideas of what the programme could look like. They recognise that they’ve learnt so much on this trip and want a similar experience for the Chinese group.

 

Yesterday after a 6 hour train journey, they were overjoyed to see Miracle (our Beijing guide) again and with a cry of ‘two dollar’ we headed for our hotel. This was the same hotel that we had on arrival to Beijing, which is very, very nice. My room is enormous so ‘youth club’ has opened there. Last night we spent the time interviewing the group on video about their experiences which was absolutely fascinating. We have some fantastic, perceptive and reflective young people – it has been a privilege to work with them.

 

So, the last morning is looming with our final 7.00am wake-up call, check-out and bags on the bus at 8.00pm, breakfast then departure at 8.30am. At the airport there will be the final cry of ‘two dollars’  from Miracle before we wave a fond farewell to China. See you all soon.