It's Monday again, which means another week has passed me by. This is the beginning of the 3rd week with the APSA/Jump! program. It has been an overall busy two weeks around Beijing with Cultural Excursions around Beijing (Tian'an men Square, Olympic Park and even the National Museum of China) . This weekend was my first weekend with the kids and groups 1,3 and 5 went to Huanghua Cheng. I first went there as part of the staff retreat, but now I return with kids camping for 3 days 2 nights.
The group left by chartered bus and takes about 3 hours before we reach the bottom of the mountain. We called for a small transport cart to take all our camping equipment up the mountain to our camp site. I ran up the hill to purchase 20 entrance tickets as well as overnight stay fee. After everyone entered the gate, that was the beginning of the hike up. Mr. Wong, the cart driver was nice enough to let me ride up on the cart with the camping gear! This was scary and great at the same time. I did feel bad for the rest of the group because they had to carry their backpacks, sleeping bags and sleeping mat up the mountain to the camping spot. Mr. Wong was really nice, he kept saying is this speed okay and we chatted in general about what were we doing there. I reached the camping spot in no time and started unloading the cart. Mr. Wong left after making sure everything was settled and told me to call him if I needed anything.
I waited for the group to get up to the spot which took about 20/30 mins. When everyone reached the spot, they all dropped their bags and started resting. I felt so bad, but someone had to go up with the cart, and I was the only Asian looking staff that weekend so Mr. Wong was like 'you, come on the cart.' When another facilitator wanted to go on, he was like 'No, too dangerous'. This is the first time being Asian helped in Asia even though everyone knows I am not a native.
Once we all were a bit more rested, we started putting up the tents and getting ready for dinner. The kids had to learn how to cook so we mainly chilled and supervised as they learned how to chop, dice, cook and clean up the camp site before we called it a night.
Saturday morning, I was in charge of the 4:30am morning meditation--(OMG! SO EARLY) but it was really nice once you settle into the quiet and calm morning. I left the group of 10 to one of the unrestored portion of the Great Wall that drops off at the lake and made them climb a portion of it. We then proceeded to have a silent 'meditation' time where they would reflect on everything that has happened. I really value this because it really was beautiful where the world around you is just so captivating that you can't help but take it all in and wish that time did stand still so you can forever capture that moment.
After everyone was done reflecting, we went back to camp to get ready for breakfast. As the day proceeded, we did different activities and even went boating around the lake for an hour. I also had to run back down to pay for the bonfire that we wanted to have. After that was all settled, the kids had the Iron Chef Great Wall challenge which meant each group had to cook dinner and feed the team as well as us facilitators. My team decided to pasta with pepper tomato sauce with a fruit salad for dessert. They won the best taste portion which I was really proud of because I didn't even help them. They took on the challenge themselves and I think they all learned about teamwork.
After the cleaning up, we headed towards the bonfire. It took forever to start the fire because the park just gave us huge blocks of tree trunks instead of actual wood that would burn quickly. Tim and I had to think of ways to start this all up because they also only gave us 1 small bottle of light fluid! We torched up a ball of tissue paper as well as gather a bit of small branches for the base. It took about 20 mins, but once it caught fire, it was awesome! I spent most of the time tending to the fire because I'm a pyromaniac lol It was just so pretty! This is my 2nd bonfire I've partaken in all my life. Around the bonfire we had smores, ghost stories told and even played 'werewolf' which is similar to mafia.
As the night was winding down, some of the kids asked for another morning meditation. I was surprised because I didn't think they'd want to wake up so early again. This time it was a smaller amount of student (7 instead of 10) but, I thought it was something I should do for them. I told them okay I'll do it and instead of bringing them to the same spot, I was thinking of bringing them to the cliff/lake area in a different portion of the mountain which took about 30 mins to walk to. I was a bit sick, but still I thought when else would they be able to come back and do this.
I woke up the next day feeling a bit better but feel that the cold I have is going to stay a while. The kids woke up and we started our journey to the cliffs. As we walked on the small paths that lead us deeper into the forest, it was weird not to think about what it must have looked like thousands of year ago. I also thought this forest along the path was a great place for thieves to hide and steal from people. We eventually reached the cliffs and I made them cross the streams and choose a rock to reflect. As an activity, I also made them pick a rock that represents them in some way. I told to put all their fears, nightmares and whatever they didn't like about themselves into the rock. Once, they have done that, I made them stand around the lake and when they were ready I told them to throw the rock as hard and as far as they could. This was to represent them throwing away whatever was holding them back. Once they have thrown that rock, it won't ever follow them and they had to leave that behind. After that, I made them pick up another rock that represented them and told them that this rock was going to keep all their hopes, dreams and achievements they wanted in life or out of the program. This rock they will keep and bring home as a constant reminder of what they want to achieve. This meditation had a different tone because it was really somber and actually meditative. One of the students cried while we reflected as well as throwing the rock.
I also participated in this rock throwing because I feel it does help as both physical and emotional reminder to ourselves of where we are currently and to remember who we want to be. The rock I kept is shaped like a heart with little cracks and it's not perfect but, I feel it best represents me and what I want. I really did enjoy this weekend thoroughly even though I did end up getting a cold. This experience overall not only makes me take a walk outside my comfort zone, but it also allows me to do things like shape these kids mind and reflect on all their experiences. They may be young, but that does not mean they have not been through things whatever they may be. I appreciate this experience and can't wait to hike up the Mutian Yu section this coming weekend with the kids.
