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Virtual China Bikers Group #1 Descriptions

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Virtual China Bikers Group #1 Descriptions
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From: "HKIS Middle School (General Account #1)" 

Dear KIDPROJ participants:

These messages come from Mr. Fischer's Hong Kong International School
biking group which began their week-long study trip of Southern China on
Monday, March 18th, 1996. There were some delays in getting this
information out because of some "fax" problems. More messages from this
group as well as other groups who are currently traveling will be posted
soon.
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Author: Mr. Dan Fischer, Group Leader
Bikers Group 1
Date: March 18, 1996
Location: Taishan, China
Activity: Background information

Taishanese people, the people whose town we are staying in tonight, know a
lot about America.  130 years ago the Americans arrived in this famine and
drought ridden town and lured thousands to work in America, building
railroads. Today there are 1.3 million American Chinese who call Taishan
their "mother city". More Taishanese call live in America than in Taishan.
This is the place American Chinese come-especially men- to find their spouse.
The night schools are full of young women, working on their English and
waiting for the paper that will allow them to move and join their husbands
in America.
This is a place rich in culture, history and ties to the west. This is
where we sleep. Day one.
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Author: Clark Randt,
Date: 3/18/96
Location: Taishan, China
Activity: General information

Our group, all 26 on bicycles, made stops at several rural villages in
which we were able to see first hand the lifestyles of the common Chinese.
To answer folks in Alberta Canada, the meat most often eaten is pork and
not as much beef. The only source of beef is water buffalo, not often
slaughtered because of its role in farming, pulling the plow.
In the evening we became weary from the mud and rain so we took a bus to
our hotel in Taishan. It wasn't the Ritz but it was comfortable and the
food was good. Later, in small groups, we walked around the city. Every
alleyway was filled with neon signs advertising various shops and goods.
Finally at 10:30PM it was time to go to bed .
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Mr. Phil Koester, Counselor/Small Group Leader
Observations of a Village Visit
3-18-96
Location: Taishan, China

While biking from Kong Hoi to Taishan our group of 26 happened upon an old
village. Off the road, down a dirt path, past a school yard full of excited
smiling children, we came to the town square of Tong Kong Hoi. The area was
50 yards wide and almost 200 yards long. Three story colorless concrete
buildings surrounded the dirt center. The architectural design had a
distinctive European flair, reminding me of the French Quarter in New
Orleans. In the center, on the dirt were several local Chinese men, shirt
less, shoeless, yet full of life and spirit playing volleyball. Many in our
group watched as they took turns setting and spiking the ball. They were
excellent volleyball player and had no trouble captivating the attention of
our group. Just as our group had no trouble captivating the attention of
the local Chinese.
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Author: Katie Farrell
Date: Mar. 19, 1996
Location: From Tai Shan to Kai Ping
Activity: A school visit

Today we left Toi Shan (also Tai Shan) for Kai Ping (also Hoi Ping) around
12:30. the road was relatively muddy and bumpy. Probably the highlight of
our day was a visit to Wu-Xi (woo-she) Middle School.
We all tried our Chinese and they tried their English. We snacked on
peanuts, and exchanged gifts. Later on we tried dancing, following their
feet carefully.
We introduced the chicken dance to them, the limbo and locomotion ..... as
well as a "mix" of songs we liked. They taught us different games that they
liked.
Overall I think we all had an interesting and fun experience.
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