August 23rd, 2006 Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
Yesterday (the 22nd), I woke up a little before seven for 7:30 class. I can’t say I was particularly thrilled about that. I can say that sleep felt very, very good. We met in a classroom on the other side of the university’s complex. Only Rich’s classes met. International Studies met first, followed by Australasian Civilization. I think I will definitely enjoy both. All the classes will definitely be requiring a fair amount of work, but the seven weeks we are in Brisbane just focusing on school will help subdue whatever stress accompanies the reading and projects and reports. Everyone then gathered for chapel. Darren spoke and did a good job.
Missionary Anthropology convened afterwards, and I think this may be my favorite class. I think not being on Harding’s campus will free up the discussion somewhat, and Rich seems to a very open-minded person. I really think this is going to be a very meaningful and fulfilling class. He plans on taking us to different churches in Brisbane and meeting with a Jewish rabbi for some classes as part of the credit.
At 12, we again hopped on the ole bus and drove through the city, past ornately decorated gates and Tiananmen Square. We arrived at a very busy restaurant where they waiters yelled something akin to “Oopa!” as they brought the food, which was very good. A guy with a head full of hair and a thick beard joined us. His name was Daniel, and he had graduated from Harding in December. He has been in China since February (and will be here for a full year) teaching English with a mission program called China Now. I think I could do that.
Once we had sufficiently supped, we drove to a Taoist temple. One of the masters, dressed in a loose white shirt and black pants with a black hat, led us through the courtyards as Vince translated. It was a beautiful facility. People lit candles and bowed several times before different doorways, quietly praying. We went into a Spartan classroom where the master told us about Taoism. It began as a philosophy which, over time, became a prominent religion in China. It deals much with man’s relationship to nature and being at peace with oneself. It encourages healthiness and longevity of life. Taoism consists of many gods, and two different kinds: legends (such as god of thunder, etc.) and ‘real’. People can become gods if they perform good deeds in life for society. They believe in a “Do nothing” philosophy: if something is necessary, do it; if it is not, then don’t.
This discussion (which I found extremely interesting; I do still plan on sickin’ with Jesus, I’m just saying…) lasted for some time. A female master then displayed for us the art of Tai Chi, which helps achieve the peach and harmony required in Taoism. It consists of very fluid movements and it really seemed to be relaxing. It can be used as a form of fighting, but its main purpose seems to be as a method of relaxation. I really enjoyed that experience and am excited to visit the Buddhist temple in a few days (does Harding know we’re doing this?).
We had dinner in a very nice hotel. I visited with Leslie, a doctor who is traveling with us for our time in China. She’s taking some time off residency and is at the moment working with Dr. Hopper in the international programs office for Harding. She has my dream job: getting paid to travel. After China, she is going to Florence and then Greece with the Harding students, and will then be departing for Africa to survey a medical mission. Maybe I should talk to Dr. Hopper once I graduate.
Our entertainment for the evening was an acrobatic show. The way people are able to contort their bodies into the most unique positions never ceases to amaze me………or disturb me. I can’t imagine the hours these people put into training for this, because they were incredibly fit and were doing some pretty remarkable stuff.
Back at the hotel, I ran again before going to bed. It’s cool outside at night, and I can look around at the buildings and streets. It doesn’t always look so different from America, but there’s something about the smell and the atmosphere. There’s something about being in another country that is just refreshing.


TODAY, I didn’t have to get up so early. Statistics was the first class, and I DO NOT have to take it, because I am done with math FOREVER!! Anywho, I awoke at a little past 8 for an 8:45 class, which was Sociology. Today was Dr. Byram’s day. Wearing a very Hawaiian-esque shirt, he put one foot on a chair and leaned on his knee (this seems to be ‘his stance’: it was pretty cool) as he talked with us about our subject. Psychology met after chapel (after which I closed with a prayer). I am looking forward to these classes. Dr. Byram will expect quite a bit, but I know I will learn a lot. The two can connect so easily, and being in totally different societies than America will provide a perfect study for both classes.
We were picked up for lunch and ate what was called an ‘Emperor Lunch.’ We had duck again, along with fish and an amazing kind of tea. Not many in the group drank, but Dr. Byram and I were downing those glasses like we thought it was alcohol and we had emotional problems. After that Arabic coffee this summer in Israel, I think I can drink just about anything. I was telling a few people about my blog when Dr. Byram made a very good point: I should see if Rich will let that count as credit for his classes. When I passed it by him, Rich said, feigning frustration, “I think Dr. Byram should mind his own business.” He then added, “Actually, I think it’s a good idea. I think we should talk about it.” I think it’s a good idea, too.
We walked across the street from the restaurant and found ourselves in Tiananmen Square. It was large and filled with people. The great Memorial Hall sat on one end with an obelisk dedicated to Chairman Mao situated in front of it. We went on an underground road to the other side of the street where we entered the Forbidden City. I understand now why it’s called a city: it’s pretty large. We spent all afternoon walking through the different sections of the ancient emperors’ domain. Even though in places scaffolding and translucent tarps were set up over buildings for Olympics renovation, it was a very majestic place. The Chinese are very adept at intricate decorations. Motifs of dragons and lions can be seen everywhere. Gate after gate presented a whole new wonder to behold. These emperors had it made. I got a lot of my money’s worth out of my camera in there. Some of my pictures aren’t turning out as well as I would like. The sky is very bright, which isn’t ideal and it’s difficult to tell whether or not everything is in focus and visible through the viewfinder. Alas.
The Secretary of Defense of Kenya was visiting the Forbidden City that day. Rich and I were taking pictures of this magnificently carved stone mosaic when Chinese guards in white shirts and black pants started pushing us out of the way to make room for the special guest. In a very polite, Christian manner, we kind of pushed back. We had pictures to take. The secretary and his entourage were surrounded by these guards, who made sure no one got too close. I suppose I understand the need for protection, but I highly doubt the Secretary of Defense of Kenya is on anybody’s “Top 10 List to Assassinate before I Die.” On the way out, the street vendors were ridiculous. I haven’t experienced that kind of behavior since I was in the Old City of Jerusalem in 2001 (which was soon after the intifada broke out). One guy followed all the way down the street, hounding me to buy whatever he had. I was interested in two wooden lion statuettes, which were replicas of the stone sculptures that stood on the either side of some of the doorways in the Forbidden City. Partly because I wanted a souvenir from China and partly because I wanted this guy to leave me alone, I agreed to buy them for 80 RMBs. I handed him a 100, and he then shoved a little box of six or seven Buddhas making some awkward faces and ran away. I didn’t really want them; not because I have something wrong with it religiously (I have a statue of Poseidon from Greece at home), but because I found the little dudes a little bit unnerving. They kept smiling at me and it made me uncomfortable.
We ate dinner in Western and Chinese buffet. It was very good. It’s probably superfluous to say it, but American Chinese food isn’t the same as Chinese Chinese food. The latter is better. The shrimp and sesame chicken are, as my dear friend Ryan Reed would say, “succulent.” Patrick from Alabama and Daniel and I talked about sports and American Psycho (which I don’t recommend, but Christian Bale’s performance is pretty much amazing). The Byrams and all the girls (including a few of the guys) wanted to go to the Pearl Market. Rich, his mum, and the kids, along with five guys (Ashley, Greer, Derek, Daniel, and I) opted to go back to the university. The Littles crowded into a cab, and the rest of us followed in two separate taxis. Derek and I rode in one. Now that is the way to see Beijing. It’s much more of a cultural experience than that big ole bus. We flagged one down, gave him directions, and sped through the city. Derek and I discussed the intricacies and artistry of Tolkien as we went.
Rich and I ran together tonight. It was really good. We had a great time of conversation concerning problems in Christianity and the incredible need for unity. I felt very encouraged after talking with him and hearing his perspective on things. I have so many crazy thoughts and it’s good to have other outlets for these thoughts than my (very wise and thoughtful) parents. I will most certainly enjoy talking more with Rich as time goes on.
Tomorrow we have an early start, because we are spending the day at the Great Wall of China.