This morning I woke up at 6:45 becuase I had a date with my dad at McDonalds for breakfast so I got ready and then we walked to Mcd. which is about 10 min. from the hotel that my family is staying at. We had a great breakfast and a great talk. When we returned Milly, Lindsy and my mom were all ready to go so we left the hotel. We were headed to Volcano park. 4 of my friends went last week and said it was beautiful so we decided to check it out.
We walked to the bus stop and waited about 10 minutes until the #2 bus came. It took us 2 stops down the road where we got off and crossed a very busy street. Since I had never been here before and don't know how to read chinese characters I asked several people along the way "Zhong Zhou Por zai nali" (translation: where is Zhong Zhou port?) They all pointed me straight ahead. Finally we found the port bought our 5 tickets and boarded the boat. The boat took us about 30 min. across the water where we got off and then proceded to find the bus that would drive us to the volcano. Before I knew what was hapening I was surronded by about 10 different chinese people all speaking very loudly at me trying to get me to get on THEIR bus. After much frustration we found a private bus who would take us for 70 kuai which is about 10 dollars. The drive was about 45 minutes. When we arrived at the gate there was again much frustration and chinese rambling none of which I understood. Finally they let us go through.
When we arrived at the volcano all we could see was the ocean. It was beautiful and clear water with big black volcanic rocks. As we walked down the beach there was a large hill/small mountain that we decided to climb thinking that maybe that was the volcano. Lindsy, Milly and I climbed up and my mom and dad followed behind. When got to the top there was a medium sized sign that said "Military base stop! No photography" We quickly read the sign and then proceded onward. When we got to the top it was gorgeous and there was no one in sight so the three of us got out our cameras to video tape the view. Before we knew it there was a little chinese man in uniform running towards us. He had a great big smile on his face and was trying to talk to us. He was also motioning for us to come with him. We thought that he wanted to show us around but after alot of rambling and half way communication back and forth we decided not to follow him and to make our way back down the mountain. Mom, Milly and Lindsy where in front and made it half was down but my dad and I were stopped by men in unform this time there were about 4 of them. They were trying to talk to us in chinese but I couldn't really make out what they were saying. We tried to continue down the mountain but they stopped us and wouldnt let us leave. They kept pointing towards their military base motioning for us to go with them. We said no and kept trying to walk forward but they wouldnt let us. They started to get sterner and so did we. At this point there were about 10 -12 army men. It was getting a little nerve wracking because we didnt understand what they were saying. Then a few of them went down after mom, milly and lindsy. They stood by them so that they wouldnt get away. The rambling continued for me and dad. The men kept pointing to the sign that said no photgraphy and making the motion of taking a picture. Eventually the men that were down with the girls had brought them up towards us. We were getting very frustrated and were getting more stern with them as they were with us. Next their commander came out and in very broken English asked to see our camera. So we showed him the camera and after looking through about 200 pics on there he asked to see the others' cameras. We wanted to walk down to them but they wouldnt let us. They pulled out their cell phone and called someone who knew Chinese and English when I talked to her she said that they wanted our passports. I explained that we didnt have them because they were at our hotel. When they translated this back to the commander he let us walk down towards the girls. The commander checked moms camera and then said he was sorry but he had to do that and he let us go.
It was very intense. At one point I think there was a total of about 20 men in uniform surronding us. It wouldnt have been so bad If I could speek the language but I just really couldnt communicate with them. After they let us go we got away as quickly as possible and waited an hour for our drived to come back and get us. We never did end up seing the volcano which I think is pretty funny becasuse thats the whole reason why we went. haha!
Our driver ended up being 30 min early which was a huge blessing. He drove us back to the port where we bought our tickets back to Xiamen. While we where in line for the boat we were met by two drunks guys behind us who were trying to talk to Lindsy. That was a little nerve wracking. Eventually we made it back to Xiamen where we caught a taxi which brought us back to our hotel.
It sure was an eventful day. We probably should not have taken any video since the sign said so but it was really hard becuase the scene was gorgeous and it didnt seem like anyone was even around to see us doing it.
Even though days like this frustrate the living daylights out of me, in the end I am always thankful for the experience because it helps me learn more about the culture and it always makes for a good story to tell :)
My family leaves tomorrow. It has been so great having them here with me. I have loved it. I am sad to see them go but I will get to see them in 14 days when I get home :)
I packed up the majority of my stuff tonight to send home with them. My room seems pretty empty. Its so crazy that 2 weeks from right now I will be on a plane crossing the Pacific Ocean on my way back to the states. Where has the time gone? How does 3 months fly by so quickly? I cried my first tears about leaving this place tonight. Im sure there will be more to follow. My heart feels so torn. I know it will be a process; saying goodbye to this place and these people and re-entering into the American culture but I also know that as God held my hand through every step of preparing to come here, traveling here, and living here, he will also hold my hand as I prepare to go home, travel home, and re-adjust to being in America. HE is a good God and I trust Him with it all.
So the other day I walked into Wal-Mart (that in itself seems wierd enough, Wal-mart in China!) and was surpirsed to see that they had a whole section full of Christmas decorations. Now, China doesnt celebrate Christmas so this seemed a little wierd :) They had garland, Christmas light, ornaments, stockings, fake snow, trees, window clings, the whole shabang! Even the registeres had signs that said Merry Christmas in Chinese!
