Hey everyone,
Since I last wrote to you, my friends and I have travelled from Chengdu to Shanghai, China; spent three adventurous and rejuvinating days in the westernized city of Shanghai; and finally, said a sad farewell to the mainland and travelled across the strait to the tropical island of Taiwan.
Thinking through my time in the various urban centers of China, Shanghai was by far the most cosmopolitan and what one would define as "westernized." Due to the city's high population of expats and its position as a major trading port, Shanghai seemed familiar- as if it was a New York City or another major American metropolis yet on the coast of China. Immediately upon our arrival, we explored the bustling streets of Shanghai. We first visited the Yuyuan Temple and Garden, a beautiful example of classical Chinese landscape architecture during the Ming Dynasty. If you could only have seen the smile across my face when I spotted a Starbucks at the site's exit (I do not think I've ever been more hopeful for or in need of some good ol' American food).
While in Shanghai we stayed at a hotel at East China Normal University. Every morning I explored the campus in my running.sneaks before heading off into the city with friends for the day. To our suprise we were at the same univeristy as the UVA Shanghai Study Abroad program; together we explored the French Concession- an urban area still reflective of the French influence when first introduced to China's trading port in the late nineteenth century. We ate our first American meal in three weeks in the Concession... pure delight. I will be forever more appreciative of the consistent accessibility to coffee, fresh produce, recognizable granola bar brands, and the always present sale of PEANUTBUTTER in the US.
With excitement and sleepy eyes we enjoyed the world renowned Shanghai skyline along The Bund during our last night in the city and in the country we came to not only respect but love.
On the morning of Tuesday June 11 we said our farewells to the mainland and flew "across the strait" to Taipei, Taiwan. Immediately upon arrival, we were greeted by the Taiwanese UVA alumni who recently established the UVA Alumni Association of Taiwan this past January. The president of this association and coordinator of our Taiwan visit David Lee treated our respected professor/global scholar and the group to an exquisite and delicious banquet at Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (I never knew a formal dinner could consist of ten courses and never expected the Taiwanese to drink so much red wine). Cheers = Ganbei
While in Taipei we quickly visited the second tallest building in the world, Taipei 101. More impressively the building was designed with an enormous pendulum that counteracts the tremor and potential destruction of earthquakes. However, even more fascinating was our meeting with the chairman of Taiwan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee Lin Yu-fang (also an alumn of the University of Virginia). It was very interesting to hear his perspective on Taiwan's political relationship with China, Taiwan's democracy, and Taiwan's trading relations with the US.
In 1950, the KMT government of China fled from mainland China during the Chinese civil war, a war between the Republic of China led by the KMT government and the Communist Party of China (CPC). The war resulted in two de facto states, the ROC (Republic of China) in Taiwan and the PRC (People's Republic of China) in mainland China- both claiming to be the legitimate government of China.
Today, much prejudice and political tension exist between the Chinese and Taiwanese due to the PRC's ultimate goals of reclaiming Taiwan as territory of China ( the One China Policy). In contrast to mainland China, the Taiwanese government is divided into political parties over the main dispute to establish Taiwan as an independent democratic country or to reclaim control of China.
Although the meeting with Chairman Lin Yu-fang was a great experience, my group and I could became frustrated with the language barrier and the evident use of the meeting as political propoganda. I wish I could have gotten a better grasp on the island's political structure and constitution (a document largely based on that of the US). The meeting was consistently directed to discussion of Taiwan's nationalism and democracy, its pro-USA stance,and its anger towards "those across the strait." Overall, the experience was more than beneficial as it largely expanded my knowledge of Taiwan and its relationship with the US.
For three nights we stayed in the city of Taichung. Taichung is located in western Taiwan. While in Taichung, we visited Sun Moon Lake for the annual Duanwu or Dragon Boat Festival. We visited a Buddhist temple by the lake and enjoyed the dramatic mountainous landscape of this tropical island. On our second day in Taiwan, we toured Tunghai University- a university founded by Methodist missionaries in Taichung in 1955. While there we met with students to discuss US Taiwan relations; we saw the famous I.M.Pei Luce Memorial Chapel; and we were treated to a delicious lunch and tea ceremony with the students and Professor Luang, a fellow UVA alumn.
Due to our amazing University and alumni, we were treated like royalty in Taiwan. It is a beautiful island that I would love to visit again.... its mountainous landscape, tropical coast, delicious seafood cuisine, and warm, friendly people will be greatly missed. I recommend all who can to visit!
Currently, I am sitting in the Hong Kong international airport waiting to board my ninth flight since traveling to the east hemisphere! My four friends (Eda, Pippa, McCullough, and Kiley) and I said our good byes to the rest of the group and are now headed to Hanoi, Vietnam to begin the adventerous trek from northern Vietnam to Laos to Thailand and finally to India! Cannot wait to tell y'all more about the crazy upcoming adventures while backpacking on our own through the unknown :)
Talk to you soon! Who knows what country I'll be in!
Love
Allie
Since I last wrote to you, my friends and I have travelled from Chengdu to Shanghai, China; spent three adventurous and rejuvinating days in the westernized city of Shanghai; and finally, said a sad farewell to the mainland and travelled across the strait to the tropical island of Taiwan.
Thinking through my time in the various urban centers of China, Shanghai was by far the most cosmopolitan and what one would define as "westernized." Due to the city's high population of expats and its position as a major trading port, Shanghai seemed familiar- as if it was a New York City or another major American metropolis yet on the coast of China. Immediately upon our arrival, we explored the bustling streets of Shanghai. We first visited the Yuyuan Temple and Garden, a beautiful example of classical Chinese landscape architecture during the Ming Dynasty. If you could only have seen the smile across my face when I spotted a Starbucks at the site's exit (I do not think I've ever been more hopeful for or in need of some good ol' American food).
While in Shanghai we stayed at a hotel at East China Normal University. Every morning I explored the campus in my running.sneaks before heading off into the city with friends for the day. To our suprise we were at the same univeristy as the UVA Shanghai Study Abroad program; together we explored the French Concession- an urban area still reflective of the French influence when first introduced to China's trading port in the late nineteenth century. We ate our first American meal in three weeks in the Concession... pure delight. I will be forever more appreciative of the consistent accessibility to coffee, fresh produce, recognizable granola bar brands, and the always present sale of PEANUTBUTTER in the US.
With excitement and sleepy eyes we enjoyed the world renowned Shanghai skyline along The Bund during our last night in the city and in the country we came to not only respect but love.
On the morning of Tuesday June 11 we said our farewells to the mainland and flew "across the strait" to Taipei, Taiwan. Immediately upon arrival, we were greeted by the Taiwanese UVA alumni who recently established the UVA Alumni Association of Taiwan this past January. The president of this association and coordinator of our Taiwan visit David Lee treated our respected professor/global scholar and the group to an exquisite and delicious banquet at Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (I never knew a formal dinner could consist of ten courses and never expected the Taiwanese to drink so much red wine). Cheers = Ganbei
While in Taipei we quickly visited the second tallest building in the world, Taipei 101. More impressively the building was designed with an enormous pendulum that counteracts the tremor and potential destruction of earthquakes. However, even more fascinating was our meeting with the chairman of Taiwan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee Lin Yu-fang (also an alumn of the University of Virginia). It was very interesting to hear his perspective on Taiwan's political relationship with China, Taiwan's democracy, and Taiwan's trading relations with the US.
In 1950, the KMT government of China fled from mainland China during the Chinese civil war, a war between the Republic of China led by the KMT government and the Communist Party of China (CPC). The war resulted in two de facto states, the ROC (Republic of China) in Taiwan and the PRC (People's Republic of China) in mainland China- both claiming to be the legitimate government of China.
Today, much prejudice and political tension exist between the Chinese and Taiwanese due to the PRC's ultimate goals of reclaiming Taiwan as territory of China ( the One China Policy). In contrast to mainland China, the Taiwanese government is divided into political parties over the main dispute to establish Taiwan as an independent democratic country or to reclaim control of China.
Although the meeting with Chairman Lin Yu-fang was a great experience, my group and I could became frustrated with the language barrier and the evident use of the meeting as political propoganda. I wish I could have gotten a better grasp on the island's political structure and constitution (a document largely based on that of the US). The meeting was consistently directed to discussion of Taiwan's nationalism and democracy, its pro-USA stance,and its anger towards "those across the strait." Overall, the experience was more than beneficial as it largely expanded my knowledge of Taiwan and its relationship with the US.
For three nights we stayed in the city of Taichung. Taichung is located in western Taiwan. While in Taichung, we visited Sun Moon Lake for the annual Duanwu or Dragon Boat Festival. We visited a Buddhist temple by the lake and enjoyed the dramatic mountainous landscape of this tropical island. On our second day in Taiwan, we toured Tunghai University- a university founded by Methodist missionaries in Taichung in 1955. While there we met with students to discuss US Taiwan relations; we saw the famous I.M.Pei Luce Memorial Chapel; and we were treated to a delicious lunch and tea ceremony with the students and Professor Luang, a fellow UVA alumn.
Due to our amazing University and alumni, we were treated like royalty in Taiwan. It is a beautiful island that I would love to visit again.... its mountainous landscape, tropical coast, delicious seafood cuisine, and warm, friendly people will be greatly missed. I recommend all who can to visit!
Currently, I am sitting in the Hong Kong international airport waiting to board my ninth flight since traveling to the east hemisphere! My four friends (Eda, Pippa, McCullough, and Kiley) and I said our good byes to the rest of the group and are now headed to Hanoi, Vietnam to begin the adventerous trek from northern Vietnam to Laos to Thailand and finally to India! Cannot wait to tell y'all more about the crazy upcoming adventures while backpacking on our own through the unknown :)
Talk to you soon! Who knows what country I'll be in!
Love
Allie