Today’s update has been written by one of our students:
Today was our first day in Harbin! We started the day bright and early, eating breakfast at 6:30 a.m. and getting on the bus to the bullet train. We said a sad ‘see you later’ to our Beijing tour guide before entering the train station, excited to ride the bullet train. The train ride was exceptionally smooth and quiet, which I should have expected seeing as bullet trains rely on magnetic repulsion rather than traditional tracks. The views were absolutely spectacular. I was honestly stunned by the beauty of the farms and more rural areas. Truly, looking out the window was like staring at a beautiful, masterfully crafted painting. If it weren’t for the numerous pictures I took, I might not have believed my eyes.
The stunning sights continued as we made it to our stop in Harbin. The European, specifically Russian, architectural influences were clear the moment we stepped off the bus to the hotel, which, mind you, is rich with history and absolutely beautiful (the dining area included—I’m very excited for breakfast tomorrow!) Our tour guide, Nico, then brought us to the city’s main street. The brick roadways, smell of food, and bustling area, along with the cooler weather, truly reminded me of Boston in the best way possible. We visited statues, monuments, and even a bookstore before we stopped for snacks.
Afterward, we met Sunny, Nico’s daughter, and we did a little shopping. Sunny is a 13-year-old preparing to graduate sixth grade and move into junior high in a month or so. Speaking with her helped me and my travel mates improve our Mandarin as we got to know her better. She was a bit shy at first, but by the time we met up with one of her friends and went to dinner, she had really come out of her shell, and a friendship blossomed. Honestly, Harbin is shaping up to be my favorite city so far and it’s only been a day. Between the familiar weather and architecture along with the wonderful cuisine, I’m positive I’ll have a good time here (the ice cream shops at every other corner also definitely help its case). All in all, it has been a wonderful day, and I’m excited for what tomorrow brings.
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