Day 9 in China ... we meet our host families!

Ni hao ma!

Hi everyone ... today we began the next leg of our adventures -- we finally met our host families in Jining!! We left our hotel in Qingdao around 7am this morning, and started our long journey across Shandong province.  We dropped off Lisa Carter and the 5 students from Housatonic Valley High School at their sister school at 1pm, and left for Jining, thinking it was only supposed to take an hour.  2 1/4 hours later, we finally arrived in Jining -- with a number of Canton students who couldn't wait to see their host families (as well as use the bathroom ... 4+ hours was a bit too much!)  I will say that a number of students were a bit nervous about meeting their host families, but the students and families waiting were so warm and welcoming, I'm sure that everyone had a fantastic time.  We were treated like movie stars when we got off the bus -- cameras flashing and some clapping too!  And Holly presented me with the most beautiful flowers!  In the bustle, I didn't have a chance to take any pictures of the students with their host families, but I will tomorrow for sure.

Holly, the English Department Supervisor, has graciously opened up her home to me for the next few days and I feel like she and I are already great friends!  She took me to her apartment, so I could freshen up a bit, and then brought me to the school to meet with her principal, Mr. Li.  Then she took me to her mother-in-law's apartment, where 9 other people (family and friends) ate an AMAZING dinner!  The dinner had 18 different dishes!!  I took a few pictures :)

Tomorrow, the students and I will spend the day in school with the students, and on Wednesday, we are going to Confucius's home and touring the city of Jining, before we bid our new friends farewell on Thursday morning.  

Already, I know that this trip has taught me a lot (and I hope the students too) about not only the history and culture of the Chinese people, but of humanity in general.  To be welcomed into a home, to share stories and laughs, even with a language barrier, is an amazing experience. 

Wanan :)  More tomorrow :)