China Trip (9/24/2007)
The UCLA Spirit Squad had an
exciting adventure touring and performing on a ten day trip to Soul
Korea, Suzhou, Nan-jing, Yang zhou and Shanghai, China from
September 9th through the 18th. As a first
year member of the Dance Team I had no idea how life changing representing
UCLA abroad could be.
Performing and representing
UCLA in China was an incredible experience. Our first performance in
particular I will never forget. When we arrived at Communications University
in Nan-jing on the evening of September 12th we were instantly
greeted with warm welcomes. As we made our way off the bus we noticed
that a crowd of students had already assembled in a nearby stadium awaiting
our performance. We were all exhausted from a long day of touring and
bus rides but our feelings of fatigue soon faded as we began to walk
onto the stage and heard the roar of excitement take over the audience.
I will never forget that feeling. I quickly realized this enthusiasm
was not due to anything we had done, or even to what we were about to
do, it was simply due to what we represented. It was in this moment
that I understood what it meant when people described UCLA as a “world
renowned university.” This welcoming feeling was not only present
in Nan-jing but everywhere we performed. The overwhelming appreciation
for our presence enabled our team to perform with more energy and enthusiasm
than previously thought possible. My experience performing in China
proved that there are very few things that a language barrier can actually
prevent from being expressed.
Amid our busy performance schedule
we were able to visit some of the most amazing tourist attractions of
cultural and historial significance near Shanghai including The Humble
Administrator’s Garden and the Suzhou Museum in Suzhou, The Dr. Sun
Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Ming-xiao-ling Mausoleum in Nan-jing, and
Slender West Lake in Yang-zhou. Among these, the Humble Administrator’s
Garden in Suzhou was my favorite. The Humble Administrator’s Garden
is one of the largest of all classical gardens in Suzhou with landscaping
so breathtaking I felt I had entered into a fantasy book. The garden
is centered upon a great lake where lily pads the size of beach balls
looked as if they had been tediously placed in the water. The lily pads,
as well as the many pavilions, bridges, and trees contributed to the
overwhelming feeling of serenity. The beauty of the garden not only
lies within its walls but in the fact that this peaceful place survives
in a city with a population of well over two million!
When we arrived in Shanghai
on September 14th I could hardly wait to get settled and
start sightseeing. There were numerous architecturally unique modern
skyscrapers as well as buildings of traditional Chinese style. It is
the combination of modern and traditional Chinese styles that made Shanghai
unlike any other city we had seen in China. It is no wonder why The
Tourism Festival was held in such a multi-cultural metropolis like Shanghai.
The Shanghai Tourism Festival
and its opening parade was a highlight of our trip. Twenty three
elaborate floats and more than twenty diverse theatrical groups from
all around the world came to Shanghai for the event making the city
a representation of diversity around the world. In a single moment I
could smell the making of great Chinese cuisine as I watched Brazilian
dancers in elaborate headdresses move to the beats of a mariachi band
playing the sounds of Mexico. At times I just had to sit back and take
it all in. I had never seen such diversity of culture expressed in one
place. Even before the parade began our team was dancing, tumbling,
and stunting in the excitement. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered
in the streets to watch the parade and I can honestly say I do not think
a single one was disappointed. It was not only an enriching educational
experience but one of the best times of my life.
Touring China and representing
UCLA abroad was an experience I will never forget and will continue
to value for years to come. I brought back many things from China though
the most important can not be carried in a souvenir bag. I acquired
deeper friendships among teammates, cultural understanding, and even
a few words in Chinese!
-Kristle
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