Meeting—and interacting with—the friendly residents of China
Carol Ann Braun, 3-time traveler, Lillian, Alabama
When I selected China as a destination, I had no real expectations. Many of my friends don’t share my interest in international travel, but that doesn’t stop me. I enjoy traveling solo because of the group dynamics. I’m always confident that I’ll end up meeting like-minded travelers when I explore with OAT.
My Imperial China, Tibet & the Yangtze River trip was full of interactions with a broad range of interesting people. I enjoyed having the opportunity to make connections within our small OAT group, as well as with the variety of locals I encountered throughout my trip—all of which delighted and pleasantly surprised me.
Carol rests at the top of the Great Wall of China.
Upon arrival in Shanghai for my pre-trip extension, I made my way to Xujiahui Park, which was a wonderful oasis after my long journey. Interspersed with trees was a large circular clearing filled to capacity with people of all ages, swaying and dancing to music. I was shocked to see some of them performing recognizable ballroom dances, including the waltz and foxtrot, and even more amazed to see the cha-cha, tango, and country-style line dancing! Without hesitation, I joined the onlookers made up of elderly, young families with small children, and teenagers.
The next morning, before breakfast, I ventured back to the park. Once I arrived, I decided to partake in an exercise group practicing tai chi. Everyone was bending forward and backward, twisting, lunging, jumping, and swinging their arms fore and aft to background music.
The following day, I revisited the park again, smiling and greeting those who looked my way with a hearty “ni hao” (hello). Most of the time, I could hear an unfamiliar response as they breezed by, however, one elderly Chinese man greeted me with, “Good morning.” I stopped to chat and learned that he was an artist. I told him that I was also an artist, which led to a brief, but pleasant, conversation as he showed me one of his paintings. Good-natured, even after I explained I did not have any money with me, he proceeded to make a paper-cut image of my profile that he proudly presented as a gift. This was a wonderful experience for me, a friendly exchange between two people from different cultures.
During a visit to an orphanage in Tibet, Carol plays basketball with the children.
I found everyone I met to be gracious and open. These interactions, no matter how brief, are what I love most about travel—the opportunity to connect with different types of people.
Though this trip required a long period of time away from the familiar, I enjoy traveling outside my comfort zone and found each day exciting. Our Trip Leader, Andy Feng Chao, was exceptional, and he went out of his way to make the most of our experience, sharing his extensive knowledge of his country, and suggesting ways to make the most of our time at leisure.
I was highly impressed at how hospitable and responsive the people I met throughout our trip were, especially in Xujiahui Park, where I was able to glimpse inside their everyday lives. My time spent there will forever be a treasured memory.
Experience the friendliness of the local residents for yourself on our Imperial China, Tibet & the Yangtze River Small Ship Adventure.