By Griffin and Curtis
While the majority of students chose to sleep in (Curtis and I included) others chose to attend the gym at a refreshing 7 am. An 8 am breakfast made for a quick workout for some and a drowsy wakeup for others. This was a traditional Chinese buffet-style breakfast, which has become all too normal, incorporating the tastes of both Northern Chinese and Western cuisines. A 9:20 am departure saw us head to the Huilin Community Centre for Disabled Persons.
When we arrived, we were immediately ushered into a large room, where we met with the smiling faces and applause of the pupils attending the centre. After being seated, the founder of the Centre gave us a short speech about the history and aims of the centre. These included teaching the students problem-solving skills, social skills, and providing a boost to the confidence and independence of these young people. This aims to assist them to increase their chances of finding employment and being ready for the many inevitable changes in the future. Next up was a performance from one of the students, Fang Yue We, who sung a 1980s Cantonese rock song. This upbeat and funky rhythm left everybody in awe and demonstrated the hard work ethic of the Huilin community. Mei Re, another pupil, performed a Bollywood Dance performance, which got everyone out of their seats. We were in for a surprise at the end when Lachie O’Brien was called up to dance with Mei Re. This added a humorous side to the routine. Of course, we had to respond with a number of our own. Our very own talented group of Lachie, Sophie, Tom and Emily performed the classic Australian tune ‘Waltzing Matilda’. ‘I Can’t Help Falling in Love’ is a slow, romantic piece perfected by our very own ukulele player Anika. After some more games, we broke off into four groups and participated in a range of activities that students and the centre do daily. This included paper cutting, painting, flower making and reading. This allowed time for the students of St Leonard’s College to get to know the students a bit more and develop a more meaningful relationship, and to make a meaningful monetary donation to contribute to the good works of the school. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and we finally had to say farewell. After handshakes and waves, we had a quick five-minute walk to our lunch destination.
Lunch was an assortment of rice, noodles, sizzling beef, chicken and a local specialty, dumplings. Thanks to the excellent organisation of our guide, Charles, we were able to indulge in a variety of Chinese flavours. One such example was a local Shaanxi dish, pork dumplings. Now, off to the next destination on agenda, the Xi’an City Wall.
This megastructure, which takes an hour and a half to walk around, was built in 1370 AD during the reign of the Ming Dynasty. At a height of 10 metres and a perimeter of 14 kilometres, this wall was built as a means of defence against invaders when Xi’an was a crucial hub of activity for the Silk Road. Enclosing the inner city as protection, it would be closed every night and opened every morning to the ringing of a bell, as an initiation for daily trade to begin. With turrets, every 120 metres, about two bowshots away, these buildings could house multiple soldiers in times of conflict. Bells situated along the wall had the ability to make over 90 different tones, more than the average piano.
After visiting perhaps the second greatest wall in China, the group embarked on a journey to the Muslim quarter and the Grand Mosque. Walking through these cultured streets, many different street foods were being represented, including a variety of deep-fried seafood, including squid, crabs and crayfish. The Grand Mosque was a short distance away, this magnificent place of worship being co-built by the Chinese government and early Muslim settlers, dating back to the 1st year of the Tian Bao period (742 AD). Over 1270 years old, the mosque features prayer rooms, gardens, areas for declaring sin and boarding houses. Because Islam only features a single god, Allah, many similar statues were present around the gardens and inside the many halls. We were lucky enough to see a mass prayer in action, as hundreds of Muslims flocked to a grand hall to declare their loyalty and belief in Allah.
Back through the markets, under a bustling roundabout and we found ourselves at the Xi’an Bell Tower. Smack dab in the middle of the roundabout, this temple was built during the Hongwu period in the year 1384AD. It features three levels and many designs now extinct in Chinese architecture, it is 36 metres tall and 1370 metres squared. In ancient times, the bell would be used to alert nearby people of danger, and to add a glamorously loud touch to any special events and celebrations. Now a mini-museum, it is home to many abstract pieces of art and ancient weaponry. Then, after dinner and a return to the market for some night shopping, it was off to bed!
Curtis.
Dear Mum, Dad, Josie and Shelby,
I miss you all and can’t wait to be back in Melbourne and start playing football again. I miss our house and Hampton. I sent a postcard with a more personal message than this, but sadly I think I will beat it getting back to Melbourne! Love Curtis
Dear Mom, Dad and Bennett
Although I am having a fun and educational trip, I do miss my electronic devices and also you three. You might get a postcard before I get back, but it is hard to tell if the Chinese and Australian postal services can beat me in 9 days. I will tell you guys much, much more when I return in a little more than a week. Sincerely, Griffin
