I’ll always remember my first visit to China. For one thing, our cultures are so vastly different, the contrasts can’t help but make a lasting impression. For me, though, it’s the Chinese people who made the experience truly unforgettable: Everywhere I went, from the Great Wall to a traditional herbal medicine shop, I was greeted with curious glances—and warm, genuine smiles.
Judging by the number of emails I’ve received from travelers who’ve joined us China, they, too, have wonderful memories of the people they’ve met during their travels. Whether expressing praise for their OAT Trip Leader or gratitude for the hosts of their overnight homestay, Jacque & Ed C., Mary Lou T., and Susie H. have plenty to say about the Chinese people. So today, I’d like to share their stories with you …
Harriet,
Jacque (holding flower), Ed (to her left), and their fellow China travelers in front of the Forbidden City’s Gate of Divine Might.
We returned two weeks ago from OAT’s Imperial China, Tibet & the Yangtze trip. We had been to China 27 years ago and, after viewing the past Olympics, felt we had to return to this totally new country.
Our trip was wonderful. As we reflect on it we cannot believe all we saw, all we did, all we learned. Our guide, Sharlyn, was the best we have ever had on our many trips with OAT (and we have always had good guides).
It would be difficult to select a highlight: Beijing was fantastic … Xian was amazing … Chengdu was an unexpected discovery … our overnight in the Farmer’s Village was so special … Tibet literally left us breathless … the trip on the Yangtze was as beautiful as any trip we have ever encountered and Hong Kong was the perfect conclusion for a comprehensive view of what China is today.
We’re sending along some photos from our trip. Do we look like we are having fun? We were!
Jacque & Ed C.
10-time travelers & Vacation Ambassadors
Boyce, LA
Harriet,
I went to China in 2006 and it was a great trip. Our Trip Leader, Jason, was exceptional. I ended up as a single and Jason saw that I did not miss a thing especially with pictures. He still e-mails me to this day, which is so neat. When I was worried about last year’s earthquake, he assured me he and his family were okay. Also, he wrote when he heard about the swine flu, since his mother is a doctor and they have a lot of herbal aids.
Of all my travels, this has been one of my favorite trips, and I would recommend it to any one who really wants to get to see China. The overnight farm visit is certainly a highlight and my host-artist’s picture is framed and hanging over my mantle. All my trips with OAT have been memorable, but China was one of my favorites.
Susie H.
5-time traveler
Newnan, GA
I was having shoulder problems when I went to China and Tibet with OAT. Our Trip Leader was aware of my problem, and every evening he brought a bag of ice to my room to treat my shoulder.
When we went to the overnight homestay in the Farmers’ Village, the home had no ice. Our hostess heard about my shoulder and insisted that she massage my shoulder. After about 10-15 minutes, her face brightened and she went rushing from the room. She returned with a plastic or glass cup which she attached to my shoulder, smiling and nodding her head. She did not speak English and I had never seen or heard of cupping, which is common in Chinese medicine. She left the cup in place for 10-15 minutes and then removed the cup and gave me a big smile. She was delighted to have an opportunity to share a part of her culture with me.
Mary Lou T.
12-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador
Needham, MA
Mary-Lou, I hope cupping therapy worked for you! A colleague who joined me on my trip to China had a bad back, and she said cupping did wonders for her. I’m always curious about traditional treatments, and I try them whenever I can—though the tree-bark type substance I received for a stomachache in a traditional Chinese pharmacy never did make it into my stomach!