At the Great Wall 4/04/11
Campolindo Seniors and Mr. Benstein in Beijing
For all our senior parents, here’s a picture with all seniors and Mr. Benstein taken by Brian Goto in Beijing. Just in time for our memory boards! Thank you, Brian!
Update (4/28/11)
Good news regarding China trip pictures: One of the reps on the trip from GET, Colonel Bryan Shelburne, chronicled the trip with photos and videos of performance. Sue Carlson will be the contact person and he will be sending them to her soon. He said to allow about 3 weeks due to his travel schedule. He will send them in the form of CD/DVD which we’re hoping we could then offer to students to order copies (or put into a pre-determined site or up on our website). We may need a techie type to help with this…
Saturday, April 9 - Depart Beijing at 4:00 pm with China Air on flight no. CA985
Saturday, April 9 – Arrive San Francisco International Airport at 12:40 pm
They will have to get their luggage and go through customs and immigration at SFO, so you’ll have to wait a while in the arrival lobby.
Our hearts are full tonight!!! The joint performance with the school was outstanding! The Chinese students played beautifully. The Campo kids played their hearts out. Mr. Benstein shined with pride. It was so great.
I see these kids giggling and cajoling with each other during the day. They’re goofy and silly and fun-loving. And then they get their instrument in their hands, get dressed in concert attire, get on that stage…. and they are transformed from these silly kids into poised, talented, respectful young adults. It has been such an honor to be with them. They are all shining stars.
Jeremy Cohen was truly fabulous. In fact, he was quite the celebrity as dozens of students wanted his autograph. It was so charming. We always have an interpreter and explain a bit about each piece to the audience before they play. Jeremy is so eloquent and genuine when he speaks. He really captures the audience’s attention with his presence. Before he played tonight he said directly to the Chinese student musicians (I’m paraphrasing) … “The more we play music together, the smaller our world becomes. And the more united we are through music.”
Then the Chinese students played some wonderful music for us as well. They finished their performance with traditional Chinese music on Chinese instruments like none we had ever seen before. It was all so delightful. The room was filled with energy.
I didn’t tell you about last night. Barry Green and the Green Man group performed at the Conservatory of Music. The played several pieces that we hadn’t heard so it was a real treat to experience the bass’s in full form. They were so well received by the students there. Barry is such a fabulous leader for the students. He was inspiring to hear speak as well as perform.
The shopping seems to follow us where ever we go. Or is it the other way around? Well, the bargains are just too good to pass up I guess.
Tomorrow brings our last full day in China with more music to be played and enjoyed. Sue Carlson
SueIt’s Tuesday evening in Beijing which means it’s Tuesday morning in Moraga. Your kids are fine so you can go about your day knowing they are still alive and well.
We started our day with a Rickshaw ride through a Hutong district. Literally, Hutong means a well (like a water well) where families would dig for their water and then live around that well. Today in Beijing the meaning is more representative of alley ways where families live in a more communal environment. Anyway, we got to take a Rickshaw ride through these alleys and actually see behind the walls of one family’s dwelling. It’s a very different world here thats for sure.
From there we had fun shopping in a nearby alley filled with little store fronts. Mostly they sold souvenirs and gifts but we all had so much fun going from one place to the next. And we’ve all become pretty good at bargaining till we get the price we want. Which is half the fun of the shopping for most of the kids. They all gather back on the bus and compare at what price an item started and then what they actually paid for it. It’s a hoot listening to them compare stories.
Then we spent a couple of hours at the Capitol Museum. It was a huge modern museum with about 6 floors. Most of the exhibits were of artwork from the past centuries. Like porceline, jade, calligraphy, Chinese opera. Everything very interesting and displayed beautifully.
Next we got to go see an Acrobatic Show at a Chinese Theater. It was really fun and lively with acrobats performing amazying feats. Very entertaining and impressive.
Dinner was like we have been having, family style. Usually we walk into the restaurant and pretty much “take it over” with our group of amost 70 people. But at this restaurant we walked up several flights of stairs then had individual rooms for each table of ten. So we had seven separate rooms which made it quite special. (Walking up any stairs today was accompanied with a lot of groaning with sore muscles from yesterdays Great Wall excursion.)
Everyone is having such a great time. Thank you for all the efforts you made to send your student on this trip. They are making memories that will last a lifetime I’m sure.
More to come soon. Sue Carlson
We headed out early Monday morning for The Great Wall. Everyone was so excited to get there. Some headed in the direction of a loop section and others headed straight up the wall from the parking lot. Our spirits were high but the steps were higher!!!! What a feat. As you can imagine there were a lot of tourists, and we fit right in. Most of us went up the wall for about 45 minutes and then turned around and came back down. Coming down is almost as challenging as going up. It is really steep!!! Megan Chen actually counted her stairs… 1618 one way. It was a great sense of accomplishment no matter how many steps each person went up!
From there we went to the site of the 2008 Olympic Village! We saw the Bird’s Nest and the Ice Cube and I’m sure you’ll see those pictures. The outside walkways were filled with tourists and street vendors who love to try and sell us stuff. Lots of picture taking and laughs.
We were then taken to a Tea House where we learned about some of the different teas that are found in China and learned how to properly “sip” tea, which is much louder than what you might think. Ask for a demonstration when they get home.
I have to tell you what a pleasure it is to see these great kids interact. They are ALL so special. They look out for each other, they laugh a LOT, they are very polite and respectful and you should be very proud.
Once again, I will say that everyone is healthy (we’re being careful about not drinking the water). The lunches and dinners are always served family style and in large volumes. Even though the food is VERY different than what they are used to, most of the time everyone can find something they like and we are certainly not going hungry.
Hello from everyone here. Sue Carlson
Update (4/03/11)
We had a great flight on Thursday. The 12 hours passed with some card playing, some movie watching and of course napping. As we passed over Russia we were in awe of the snow capped mountains and glaciers below.
Before we checked into the hotel, we were taken to a restaurant where they served traditional Chinese food. Many of us were a bit skeptical of some the entrees, but since it was served family style in the middle of the table it was easy to try a little of this and a little of that. We checked into our rooms at what was about 6 am CA time (9 PM Beijing) and got a good nights sleep.
Saturday we got a fresh start with breakfast in the hotel. Not the pancakes and eggs we are used to, but plenty to choose from. We boarded two buses and went to The Summer Palace. The traffic here is a far cry from little Moraga. I think I’ll never again complain about the jam up at Campo in the morning. Surprisingly, we never witnessed even a fender bender. There are bikes and mopehead and taxis and buses buzzing about with what seems like no regard for eachother. The hundreds of aces at The Summer Palace is unbelievably beautiful and we walked thru many of the structures. Then we went to the Pearl Factory and learned how they farm the pearls from oysters and then shopped in their show room. Temple of Heaven was our next stop and the beauty of the buildings had us in awe. We then headed to the Silk Factory where we saw the actual silk cacoons made my the silkworms and had a chance to do some more shopping of silk products. Our night ended with traditional Peking Duck at a restaurant nearby.
All in all, everyone is settling into the time change and enjoying the many different discoveries around us. The hotel is very nice. The weather has been mild which is great.
Tonight (Sunday) is our big concert so we have a pretty low-key day, as we prepare for the performance. Everyone is well, thank goodness. Don’t worry if you haven’t heard from your son/daughter. Communication via phone or email is a bit challenging. Rest assured everyone is happy and healthy. We’ll post some pictures later. Ai, Sue Carlson
Update (4/02/11)
China update from Sue Carlson: We had a great day exploring Beijing. We started at the Summer Palace where we learned some interesting history and saw beautiful structures. Later we went to the Pearl Factory. The Temple of Heaven was magnificent. And shopping at the Silk Factory was a blast. We topped off our busy day with traditional Peking duck. More tomorrow…
Update (4/01/11)
After a 12 Hour flight and a traditional Chinese dinner, they all arrived safely at the hotel in Beijing. As per today’s email from Barry Green: “Well we are official under way! Kids arrived (EXHAUSTED) last night-kinda like zombe’s some of them. But they went to bed at 10:00 p.m. our time and this morning my guess is they will be much better after a good night’s sleep. Today’s activities, is the best of the tourist days visiting the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and many historic sites in Beijing.
All the musical instruments arrived last night and I will give out the basses and cellos this morning after breakfast before we depart for our sightseeing at 9:00 a.m. Then tomorrow is our biggest full concert with the complete program at the Military Concert Hall… but morning is still sightseeing.”
Update (3/29/11)
Click here for the updated itinerary as of March 24, 2011.
Update (3/21/11)
Last Monday, the students received a China Trip Tour Information handout from Mr. Benstein to take home. It’s a very good brochure with travel advise and other valuable information how to prepare for this trip, like what to bring and how to pack for the trip and more. Please ask your student about it and if possible sit down with him/her and discuss the packet together.
For a quick review, here is our flight itinerary:
Our chaperones will be meeting with Mr. Benstein this weekend and we will be sending out airport and safety information, including a booklet prepared by GET with detailed traveling tips, sometime next week.
Since our students will perform with a Chinese host orchestra in Beijing, each Campo student should bring one small gift appropriate for their teenage counterparts. Maybe some Campo gear (hats, t-shirts) or a San Francisco Sweatshirt or Ghiradelli chocolates, some thing from our part of the USA. Price range $10-$20. One gift is fine. We do not know how the distribution will proceed. Probably one on one.
At the Russia-trip four years ago, California-themed playing cards and reasonable quality “California” t-shirts (available at Walgreens 3 for $10) were very well received. Other gifts were Ghiradelli candy, ball caps and CDs with local music.
If you have any questions in preparation for the trip, please don’t hesitate to contact Laura Chen. It might just be a question everyone is wondering about and we want to make sure everyone is well prepared to go to China.
Update (3/5/11)
Click here for the updated itinerary.
Update (2/26/11)
We were just informed by GET that the cost for the air ticket went up $42 due to taxes. Please mail a final check for $42 as soon as possible to:
Global Educational Tours, PO Box 47604, Indianapolis, IN 46247.
If you are paying by Credit Card and completed the credit card payment form, the amount will be charged automatically to your credit card account.
The land-only cost did not change.
Update (2/12/11)
Our final payment is due on Tuesday, February 15. Please mail your check as usual to: Global Educational Tours, PO Box 47604, Indianapolis, IN 46247.
If paying by check, the amount due is $576.00. (Note to land-only participants: This doesn’t apply to you, as your total should have been paid by now.) If you signed up for a single room, please add $270 to your final balance.
There’s another article about our orchestra students and the upcoming concert in Friday’s Contra Costa Times/Lamorinda Sun. This one puts the focus on the Green Man Group. Here is the link: http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_17351927?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com&nclick_check=1
We’re in the process of updating our Trip FAQ section to get ready for the trip. If you have any question, please feel free to contact Laura Chen and she will get us an answer and we’ll post it for everyone in the FAQs.
Update (2/10/11)
We’re enjoying a lot of publicity right now and with our on-going concert and raffle ticket sale, we just got over the hurdle of 7k in our fundraising efforts for the trip fund, $7,003.50 to be exact. Way to go!
Since we got rained out the last two occasions, we will give it another try at the Moraga Farmers Market this Sunday, February 13th from 9:00 to 1:00. Students will be playing live music and we will be selling raffle and concert tickets. Please ask your student to come and join us and the performing students there. Wear your Campo Orchestra T-shirt! (Free Girl Scout cookies for everyone who shows up!) A press photographer from La Puma will be there to take pictures of all the action and they will make us front page news the next week! So please be there – the more students show up, the better!
Update (2/4/11)
Our mandatory meeting is this Sunday, Feb. 6 at 7:30pm in the Band Room.
Please bring the following:
1. Passport of traveler
2. One 2×2 passport picture (recent passport style color photo, with full face, front view,no hat, and against a plain light background.
3. Visa fee in cash or check of $140 payable to Melinda Asuncion.
Please note: The visa fee has to be paid by Credit Card at the consulate when submitting our applications in person. Therefore, Melinda is going to pay our total fee in one transaction and we parents have to reimburse her. Please bring $140 in cash or a personal check made out to Melinda Asuncion. Music Booster cannot be involved in this transaction.
4. Special requirement: Documentations for a child with Chinese descent born in US
- A child with Chinese descent born in US applying visa for the first time should provide the original and a photocopy of either parent’s foreign passport or green card and Certificate of Birth besides other regular materials.
- A child with Chinese descent born in US applying visa who has got Chinese visa before could provide a photocopy of former visa instead of either parent’s foreign passport or green card or Certificate of Birth.
Dan Bolin from Global Educational Tours will be joining us via video conference to answer any questions.
If your student is participating in selling raffle tickets, please ask him/her to make an effort to sell them this week and hand any money to Grace Leng or Sue Carlson at our meeting on Sunday. We need this as an initial boost for publicity also for our concert.
Volunteers needed for concert on Feb. 24
We need 4 adults from this group to help with the ticket validation at the entrance that evening and with ticket sale at the door (if necessary – maybe we sold them all by then!). This is for about one hour before the performance: two persons at the entrance to the auditorium to check and tear up the tickets, and two persons in the lobby, one to manage the cash box for the ticket sale and another one to monitor our raffle prizes display and/or hand out raffle tickets.
If you can help, please contact Carola Ziermann by email cziermann@comcast.net or in person at our meeting on Sunday.
Update (1/22/11)
We need to submit the rooming list for China on Monday. Please have your student choose a roommate and post it on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the band room. Please no later than the end of Monday’s rehearsal (otherwise a roommate will be assigned).
The adults and chaperones on the trip also need to determine who they will room with (additional charge for singles at $30/day = total $270) and get back to Mr. Benstein by Monday. Lisa Kluzik, our head chaperon, will get in touch with you about that.
Since our ticket sale for the Benefit Concert on 2/24 has started, we will be handing out the two complimentary tickets for each student at the rehearsal on Monday. Please check with your student to make sure you got your tickets. If you need extra ones, please call 925-270-8083. The tickets are on sale for $10 only.
Please hold on with preparing to pay the visa fee for now. We are exploring the option to submit one total amount with the entire application package and then we each would simply submit a personal check to Music Booster.
Our third installment payment for the trip is due on Saturday, January 15. If paying by check, the amount due is $700.00. (Note to land-only participants: Pay only your final balance.) Please mail your check as usual to: Global Educational Tours, PO Box 47604, Indianapolis, IN 46247.
Our mandatory meeting is confirmed for Sunday, February 6 at 7:30pm in the Band Room. Dan Bolin from Global Educational Tours will be joining us via video conference so he can address any questions we may have.
At this meeting, we will be filling out the visa application forms so please bring a recent color photo 2×2 square inch and your passport, as information from your passport is needed for the form. The visa fee is $140.00 for US Citizens, payable by credit card, money order, cashier’s check or company check. Cash or personal checks are not acceptable. Please hold on with preparing to pay the visa fee for now. We are exploring the option to submit one total amount with the entire application package and then we each would simply submit a personal check to Music Booster. Click on Visa information for more detail information taken from the Chinese Consulate’s website or click here to view the visa application form.
Note to the Green Man Group: You’re welcome to join us at this meeting or send your completed form with photo and fee payment to Mr. Benstein since we need to submit ALL visa applications in one package altogether.
We are having another fundraiser – a drawing for prizes with the winners to be announced at our Winter Concert on February 24. Drawing tickets are $2.00 each or 6 for $10.00. We will be selling them at the Moraga Farmers Market on January 30 but we also ask every Campolindo student going on the China trip to help sell tickets. Tickets are also available at Lamorinda Music in Lafayette. Information about the prizes is posted on our website’s home page www.campomusic.org and in the section Upcoming Events. Main prize: Ukulele in Campolindo colours!
We will be handing out tickets in the band room on Monday (1/10/11).
Please pick up a stack of 20 or more if you want to help. We issued 2,000 tickets to begin with and if sold, this means at least $3,330 for our trip fund. Unsold tickets can be returned to Sue Carlson before Feb. 23 so we will have them available at the door before the concert.
We are still looking for a company to fully sponsor a student.
Update (12/14/10)
The offical group photo is now available. Portraits are being shipped to the students who purchased at the time (should arrive via FedEx today) and those who didn’t are included on the website so they can purchase if they’d like. To access the website go to the photographer’s homepage at www.chameleonphotographix.com and scroll down. Click the view event button and follow directions. When prompted, key in Campolindo High School Orchestra as the username and 4629 as the password.
Our mandatory meeting to complete all visa application forms very likely will be held on Sunday, February 6, 2011 in the late afternoon. So please save the date for now. I will confirm this date in my email with the usual payment reminder in January (next due date is January 15, 2011).
Update (12/13/10)
A story about our students’ ongoing fundraising efforts was featured in the last issue of Lamorinda Weekly. China, here we come! Read it here.
Campo Music is happy to announce that we raised a total of $4,884.50 toward our China trip fund so far – we have $5,000 more to go!
“Why all this additional fundraising…?” From the total of our Music Boosters’ budget of $36,000 only $5,000 are designated for the China trip and this amount is being used for scholarships to students who otherwise could not participate. The remaining $31,000 are being used as usual for instrument purchase and repair, clinicians and guest artists who work and perform with our students, individual student lessons and more to benefit all students in our music program.
We need at least $15,000 to really make this trip happen – but we’re getting there! And by promoting our Campo music program as a whole, other contributions to our general fund are coming in as well.
To make a contribution to our China Trip Fund, please issue a check to Campolindo Instrumental Music Boosters and mail it to: Sue Carlson, 203 Corliss Drive, Moraga CA 94556. Please mention “China Trip” in the memo line. To make a donation to Music Boosters in general, please go to our page How to help for more information. Thank you.
Update (11/4/10)
Frequently Asked Questions about the China Trip are now on a separate page for easy reference. Click on the “Trip FAQ” tab, or visit
http://campomusic.wordpress.com/trip-faq/.
Update (11/2/10)
Click here for the revised itinerary. Please turn in a copy of your passport (pages with your picture) to Mr. Benstein by the end of this week. We’ll need to start the visa application process soon. Thank you!
Hotel in Beijing for Campolindo Orchestra is: Xiangda International Hotel,
No. 169 Guang’anmen Nei Street, Xuanwu District, Beijing, China, 100053,
Tel: 86-10-83172288, website: http://www.shangdahotel.com/
Update (10/22/10)
The first installment payment for the trip is due on Monday, November 1, 2010. If paying by check, the amount due is $700.00, make check out to Global Educational Tours.
Mail your check or the completed credit card form to:
Update (10/15/10)
Please check your passport to make sure that it is valid for at least 6 months past the return date from Beijing (= October 10, 2011). “Rent-a-Student” program has been launched, with those students for hire to do baby-sitting, petsitting, home repairs, painting, cleaning, gardening, tutoring, etc. around Lamorinda.
If you don’t have a passport yet, please order it now. Contact your post office for information how to get a passport. Please check our new FAQ section for detailed information.
We will be asking for a passport copy by November 18th to start the visa application process for the trip. In February, we will have a mandatory meeting for everyone actually going on the trip to fill out the visa application form. However, we will need your passport number in November to start that process.
There are still 4 or 5 tickets available for this trip, so anyone contemplating about joining the group going to Beijing can still do so. Contact Carola Ziermann or Laura Chen if interested.
Update (10/08/10)
Campolindo Orchestra’s Rent-A-Student program has been launched. The Campolindo Orchestra has been afforded a tremendous musical and educational experience with an invite from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the International Fine Arts Institute to perform in Beijing, China during Spring Break 2011. This is a great opportunity for our young musicians and promises to be a musical and cultural experience of a lifetime!
The Orchestra will perform at three different venues in Beijing, with an audience of up to 1800 people. Music Director Harvey Benstein is going to prepare a selected western program with his students. Five symphonic band students will join the group – two flutes, a clarinet, a piano, and a bassoon.
While each student is paying for himself/herself, some students will need scholarships and there are other costs associated with the trip. A challenge is the logistics of the instruments. Students who play cello or bass cannot take their instrument on an airplane, so these large instruments need to be rented on-site.
To help earn money for their trip to Beijing, the Orchestra has launched the “Rent-a-Student” program. Here’s how it works: Please call Tessa Cunha at 925-360-9635 and they will send a student with the skills you need at the time requested. You pay the student directly for the services provided. For any additional amount you would like to contribrute to our general China trip fund, please make out a check to “Campolindo Music Boosters” with “China Trip” in the memo line. This additional amount is tax-deductible and Music Boosters will send you a receipt.
Donations can also be mailed directly to: Campolindo Instrumental Music Boosters, c/o Sue Carlson, 203 Corliss Drive, Moraga CA 94556. Please mention “China Trip” in the memo line.
Update (9/30/10)
We have filled the most important positions to help facilitate the China trip.
- Laura Chen will be our liaison to Mr. Benstein and Global Educational Tours
- Melinda Asuncion will join Sue Carlson for additional fundraising and
- Lisa Kluzik will be our Head Chaperone on the trip.
Please contact Laura Chen from now on with any questions regarding the trip. Her email address is ljchen2000@gmail.com. Please feel free to ask any question, no matter how trivial you may think it is (size of suitcase, packing of instrument, vaccinations, exchange rate…) as this may just be the question we all are wondering about. Some parents like to plan ahead or grandparents may want to get the right suitcase as a birthday or Christmas gift for their student.
We will also start a FAQ section soon to be published on our website.
Update (9/29/10)
Campolindo Orchestra going to China
An article about the Campolindo Orchestra is featured in today’s Lamorinda Weekly. Read it here: http://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue0415/Campolindo-Orchestra-Going-to-China.html
For more information on the Campolindo Orchestra’s China trip, click here: revised itinerary. Donations can be mailed to: Campolindo Instrumental Music Boosters, c/o Sue Carlson, 203 Corliss Drive, Moraga CA 94556. Please mention “China Trip” in the memo line.
Update (9/15/10)
TRIP REGISTRATION deadline is Monday, September 20.
Your completed registration form for the trip must be received latest by Monday, September 20, 2010. Please hand it in to Mr. Benstein with a $150.00 deposit by cash or check. Checks should be made payable to: Global Educational Tours.
Click here for General information/trip registration form and revised itinerary.
Update (9/7/10)
We are awaiting School Board Approval of our performance tour of Beijing (this should occur on Wed. 9/8).
Mr. Benstein is working with Global Educational Tours to refine the itinerary and keep costs within our original proposal. The trip to X’ian to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors requires a 12+ hour train ride (back and forth is 24 hours), alternately to fly there would cost an additional $330. So we will spend more time in Beijing and surrounds, concertizing in Beijing.
At this time:
- Check your passport. (Double check expiration date!!!!)
If you do not have one – apply for one this week (go to the Post Office, they will help you through the process. Beware of online passport services, there are extra charges involved with these.)
If you need to renew your Passport – do it this week (make sure it is current through May 2011).
- Parent Chaperones are welcome to join us – please let Mr. Benstein know your intentions by Friday, Sept. 10. We will be placing air fare deposits by next Monday.
Global Tours will set up individual/family accounts and you will pay them directly.
Information will be forthcoming concerning a “shadow Tour” which includes everything except air fare for parents/family members who wish to come along.
Also airline/hotel information will be forthcoming.
We are fortunate to include Jeremy Cohen as a guest soloist on our tour (www.violinjazz.com and Quartet San Francisco). Jeremy is a three time Grammy Award Nominee, with extensive knowledge of the Music of the America’s – from Jazz to Tango’s; as well as virtuoso classical chops. He will provide clinics and insights for all of our students.
The Orchestra is going to China! (9/3/10)
This is a well deserved invitation for our Campolindo Orchestra to play in Beijing and it will be an exciting musical and cultural experience for our young musicians.
Orchestra Parents, please note: There is no payment due at this time. We will email details about how to proceed by mid to end of next week (Sept. 9).
If folks signed up to chaperone they are on Mr. Benstein’s list. All parents are welcome! We will be able to add parents up to the time we start setting up the payment (in about a week).
Please check this page frequently for all related information. The page will be updated as we go along.
Spring in Beijing (8/17/10)
We have been afforded a tremendous musical and educational experience for the Campolindo Orchestra with an invite from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the International Fine Arts to perform in Beijing, China during Spring Break 2011.
Please click here to view Mr. Benstein’s letter to parents and musicians and the student/parent interest form. The form must be returned by August 30th, 2010. The tentative itinerary can be viewed by clicking Beijing Itinerary.
This promises to be a musical and cultural opportunity of a lifetime!!!
Update (1/22/11)
We need to submit the rooming list for China on Monday. Please have your student choose a roommate and post it on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the band room. Please no later than the end of Monday’s rehearsal (otherwise a roommate will be assigned).
The adults and chaperones on the trip also need to determine who they will room with (additional charge for singles at $30/day = total $270) and get back to Mr. Benstein by Monday. Lisa Kluzik, our head chaperon, will get in touch with you about that.
Since our ticket sale for the Benefit Concert on 2/24 has started, we will be handing out the two complimentary tickets for each student at the rehearsal on Monday. Please check with your student to make sure you got your tickets. If you need extra ones, please call 925-270-8083. The tickets are on sale for $10 only.
We started our day with a Rickshaw ride through a Hutong district. Literally, Hutong means a well (like a water well) where families would dig for their water and then live around that well. Today in Beijing the meaning is more representative of alley ways where families live in a more communal environment. Anyway, we got to take a Rickshaw ride through these alleys and actually see behind the walls of one family’s dwelling. It’s a very different world here thats for sure.
From there we had fun shopping in a nearby alley filled with little store fronts. Mostly they sold souvenirs and gifts but we all had so much fun going from one place to the next. And we’ve all become pretty good at bargaining till we get the price we want. Which is half the fun of the shopping for most of the kids. They all gather back on the bus and compare at what price an item started and then what they actually paid for it. It’s a hoot listening to them compare stories.
Then we spent a couple of hours at the Capitol Museum. It was a huge modern museum with about 6 floors. Most of the exhibits were of artwork from the past centuries. Like porceline, jade, calligraphy, Chinese opera. Everything very interesting and displayed beautifully.
Next we got to go see an Acrobatic Show at a Chinese Theater. It was really fun and lively with acrobats performing amazying feats. Very entertaining and impressive.
Dinner was like we have been having, family style. Usually we walk into the restaurant and pretty much “take it over” with our group of amost 70 people. But at this restaurant we walked up several flights of stairs then had individual rooms for each table of ten. So we had seven separate rooms which made it quite special. (Walking up any stairs today was accompanied with a lot of groaning with sore muscles from yesterdays Great Wall excursion.)
I’m having trouble attaching pictures so I’ll try again with this email. If not, please know I tried.
Everyone is having such a great time. Thank you for all the efforts you made to send your student on this trip. They are making memories that will last a lifetime I’m sure.
More to come soon,
Update (4/04/11)
