Posting catch-up: Part I

Time flies in China, especially when internet is hard to get!

Many apologies for a month-long lag from posts, and I will definitely get everyone caught up on what I experienced in Beijing and in Chongqing so far. Most of our time in Beijing was spent in class for TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification from Wheaton, but we usually got a day off every week to explore the city--bear with me on this fast-track through my month in Beijing! :)

Beijing Capital Museum:

Arguably Beijing's (or China's) first world-class museum, the Capital Museum is air-conditioned (which made it an easy sell!), English-language friendly, and filled with some of China's finest treasures and historical imprints. There are many exhibits devoted to exquisite jade sculptures and Chinese paintings, but my favorite exhibits were the life-sized models and recreations of traditional life on the third floor :) A must-see for history buffs and those still learning!

The Maclellan Center:

Our Beijing headquarters: home for our Beijing staff, site for gatherings with officials, and haven for traveling teachers.

Hou Hai*:

Best known for its exciting nightlife, the Hou Hai district sits alongside a river and feeds various hu tongs packed with a variety of little shops. With couples dancing in the moonlight, friends playing hackey sack on the plaza, and streets buzzing with music and activity, Hou Hai lived up to its reputation and didn't disappoint.
*Thanks to Alison for her Hou Hai pics! :)

Tien Tang:

This visit was one of my firsts in China and was the first time I was at a loss for words to describe the magnificence I saw. Aside from the sheer magnitude of the compound (I literally walked for miles that afternoon) and vibrancy of its restoration, the look of awe on the Chinese faces around me stirred in my heart. No emperor has sacrificed in Tian Tang for over a century, but there is still something spiritual--something compelling--about being in the midst of this ancient Chinese tradition. To whom did the Emperors sacrifice? Trinitarian symbolism and OT-style rituals suggest one conclusion, but more compelling is what the idea of and need for sacrifice suggests. Does this reconcile with our perception of modern-day China? Or must we consider that a country marred by its past can also see light through its history?