This evening we had a visit to the tourist district of Russia St. Built surprisingly by....the Russians. Lots of ice sculptures, night food markets, restaurants and tourists!
Well we made it. Just waiting for one more to join us. A long journey and the highlight was me standing on the tarmac at Beijing airport about to board to Harbin in -7deg in a tshirt because I was so hot! The Chinese all thought I was mental! Arrived at the University and checked into the rooms, went out for a delicious lunch (not sure we all got what we thought we'd ordered but it tasted good!), unpacked, had a quick tour around the TCM hospital (the pharmacy and its herbs are just unreal) and then back to rooms where we all collapsed into bed. All ready to start our programme this morning. Exciting times.
There has been a lot to think about on this trip. As well as meeting some new lifelong friends, you cannot come on a trip like this without it changing how you view the world. I have travelled to many places in the past but in a sightseeing capacity. To see a country in a hospital and see its sick and vulnerable is to really see a country. I have learnt more about China and it's people than I ever could visiting tourist sites. We have an image in the west of China and what it is like but it's people are warm, friendly, loving of their families and welcoming of foreigners. Yes I will be glad to leave behind the squat toilets, spitting on the floor and being pushed and jostled wherever you go and even the odd unidentified object in your dinner, but I will miss the people. China is changing rapidly. It is becoming more Western and consumerism has taken over despite the government trying to slow it down. Chinese Medicine hospitals are an excellent way of treating those with less mo...
We all were quite in the dark about what to expect when we got to Harbin so thought I'd write some tips for anyone who is planning to come on the trip in future years. You need to apply for a Visa F - Cultural Exchange Visa online at one of the visa centres. You then have to make an appointment at one of the centres and take your passport to get the visa. You can either pick it up after a few days or get it posted to you for an extra charge. When you go you'll also need your invitation letter from the University, a photocopy of your passport, another passport photo and the fee for the visa (the take cards). Our course ran monday to the following week thursday so flights need to get there the day before and leave the day after finishing. The university do one pick up and one drop off so as many of you as possible need to be on the same flight from Beijing. If not you have to make your own way to the University from the airport. Takes about 50 mins and is about £20 in a taxi. Roo...
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