Day 1: After getting off the plane on which I learned to count to sixteen (shileo) from an annoying boy who spends his summers in Canton a Chinese lady from the UM program picked me up she had no knowledge of the required forms for customs (there were many) and we went back to the form tables many times. We took a while in customs and the most notable experience was my attendant trying to tell a Korean guy not to cut the line. The Korean guy did not understand what the lady was saying and interpreted it as the attendant selling herself. After that incredibly awkward run-in we got through customs and my shoe came untied, immediately the attendant jumps on the ground and ties the shoe while her friend attempts to amuse me but asking about the bathrooms on the airplane I quote “did u pee often times while in ze airboat.” Airport worker june 2006. After customs at the baggage claim the attendant called for more backup so she could run and get a cart without leaving me alone this amuser was silent as she checked me over making sure that my shoes were tied, pocket in and collar adjusted. After we got my bag I met up with Brent and Cathy who were very welcoming. In the car the first thing that struck me was the massive overhaul going on for the 2008 Olympics. Every spot of barren empty ground is becoming a swimming pool or track. Luckily, the children’s home was right near the airport so we got their within ten minutes Brent and company recommended that since I wasn’t hungry and the barbeque at Brent’s house was coming up I should go to the grocery store and stock up on American breakfast food and soda, after buying a few whole wheat muffins which the generic Beijing supermarket we headed back to the apartment. ON the way back the most striking thing I noticed was that all of the Chinese people were staring at us like we were a different species because they had never seen a white person before. After ten minutes of being gawked at we were back at the apartment playing cards before Brent’s bbq. At Brent’s bbq there were 4 guests, the volunteers (us) and his huge family of 4 kids, his wife and babysitter(s). 1 of the guests who wanted to be referred to as Grandpa was wearing a cowboy hat which he didn’t take off, a cowboy belt and cowboy shoes. The more fascinating thing was that he had two translators whom he had met in the supermarket. (A little suspicious.)The other guest whose name I didn’t catch ran a Boy Scout troupe and was speaking extensively about Boy-scout camp which Brent’s and his son were attending together. The third guest was the second guest’s neighbor who had tagged along and was constantly making wise crack in his southern drawl about playing backgammon over the back fence. The fourth guest was an interesting woman who led the China Care Branch in Tinnuen. Luckily, the first food I ate in China was not Chinese food. It was grilled ribs and chicken made by Brent and Brenton. The food was good and the conversation line of “Boy Scouts strengthens your child’s morality and belief in God.” Spoken in Nebraskan yawning noises was dominant. About half way through I fell asleep for two reasons Jetlag and boredom. When we went home I went to sleep in my floorly domicile during the racket of the girls watching 24. Tomorrow I start volunteering!

Roommates

Katie. 20 years old. Dallas, Texas

Rachel: 17 years old. CHicago

Lily: 15 nyc