East Asia: Part V.
>> In case you need to start from the beginning < <
Part I: April 14-16
Part II: April 16-17
Part III: April 18-19
Part IV: April 20
April 21:This was our last full day in the windy Lubbock-like city. Our last big stop in the city was a college. In a class. To lead the class. Two classes, actually. We came in with no game plan but winged it beautifully. I started both classes with a little U.S. geography. AND! we taught them how to sing “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” Only half a verse but to have an entire classroom across the world sing a(n unofficial) state song? That’s music to a Texan’s ears.
The class broke into small groups that rotated to each of us. We talked about whatever and my favorite conversation went a little like this:
Me: Yes, I visited this country last year.
Student: Do you like the Harry Potter Warriors?
Me: Huh?
Student: The Harry Potter Warriors?
Me: Harry Potter? Uh, I’ve seen one Harry Potter movie.
[mass confusion]
Me: OH! You mean the Terracotta Warriors!
We spent four hours at the college, hitting up two classes and took a gazillion pictures. The students didn’t have digital cameras, but loved taking pictures of us with their cell phones. Here’s a Where’s Waldo? picture for you. See if you can spot me!
For the afternoon, some of us went to the grocery store to prepare for the train ride and others went to an orphanage to visit some babies. We met back with our guides to debrief and eat one last dinner in the city. It consisted mostly of our favorites but we also ordered some shrimp. And SHRIMP it was!
We had fellowship in a small apartment which is always such a contrast to our massive weekend mega services in the states. I actually led with a few songs, including “Greater Things” which we started singing at The Village. I wanted the opportunity to sing this song in this city and things lined up so I could.
“Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.”
I wrote in my journal, “It was probably the best day we’ve had on the trip. …And I slept like a rock.”
April 22: Woke up at 5:30AM and hit up our beloved McDonald’s one last time. We said goodbye to our faithful McD’s employee and I tried out a non-American treat.
We boarded a train and left the city around 11AM. I started my timer to see if this truly was a 24-hour ride. I journaled a little, ate a load of croissants, and used my third squatty potty. (Yes, a squatty potty on a train can be marked off my TO DO list. Wait, you mean it wasn’t on there before?) I watched an episode of Arrested Development on a video iPod Jenna let me borrow and then I passed the heck out. I woke up a few times but lived up to a nickname once given to me years ago: Rip van Nina. We arrived at our destination 23 hours and 45 minutes later and I think I slept for 18 of those hours.
We paid for a “room” (there was no door) that held six bunks - three on each side. In true East Asia fashion, they were rock hard bunks. And small.
Through our trip, we traveled by mountains…
…and rivers.
We could’ve taken a plane to our destination but I’m glad we saved some dough and took the train. I caught up on sleep and experienced life as lived by the locals there. When in Rome…!
By Ashley Ingram, May 17, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
you’re cool.
By Magen Roberson, May 21, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Wow, you’ve been so good about documenting your trip. You’re going to love that you spent all the hours doing it in years to come! When I was looking at the pics of the mountains you took out the window, I realized how much it reminds me of Israel. You should make that your next destination…another life changing trip that I can’t wait to take again!
Thanks for your sweet words about Luke…you definitely need to come stay a night or two for old time’s sake. We have a guest bedroom again! It’s calling your name!