Today was our only full day in Hangzhou. It is such a beautiful, green city with a much smaller population of about 4 million people. In Hangzhou unlike in Beijing, you can actually see the sky!
We started our day with a 3.5 hour LGM meeting. It was a simulation of a Global Agenda Council on Water Scarcity. We were each given roles in either business, civil society, or government. I played the role of executive director of the China Water Affairs Group. In less than 4 hours, my group of 22 teenagers solved the issue of water scarcity in China. Amazing! Of course, it was just a simulation and not all of our solutions would actually work flawlessly, but it was still really cool seeing all of us put aside our differences to work towards common goal. I really enjoyed the simulation, and so did the rest of my group.
We went out for lunch on Old Town Street after the simulation. It was ridiculously hot (upper 90s), and so humid. We wanted to duck into the first Chinese restaurant we saw because we were craving air conditioning, but the picture menus had unrecognizable food. We didn't want to take any chances, especially because a few GYLC people have gotten sick from Chinese food. We finally decided to go to Häagen-Dazs because it was a recognizable brand (and it was BOILING outside). Fortunately, we found a restaurant right next door that served pizza - and it was actually good pizza! We were all so relieved to have (good) Western food again. We went next door to get our Häagen-Dazs ice creams, and then before we knew it, it was time to get back on the bus.
(Azahn, Me, and Ayesha in the pizza restaurant)
(Mariana, Jay, and Miguel)
(Miguel and Azahn)
After lunch we went to visit a tea plantation because China is famous for its green tea. It was so hot that the last thing anyone wanted to do was sip boiling tea, but the plantation turned out to be really interesting. We had a few minutes to take a look at the plantation and pick a green tea leaf or two, and then we were led into a cool room to drink tea and talk about the Chinese culture surrounding the green tea.
(Tea Plantation)
(Chinese Green Tea)
We had a very determined saleswoman talking to us about the green tea. I learned that one of the reasons that Chinese people in general are so slim is because many of the Chinese drink green tea with each meal. The tea washes out toxins, etc. from the food. To prove that this was true, the saleswoman poured liquid iodine into some water (which subsequently turned brown) and then put tea leaves into the water. It was so amazing to see - the water cleared up instantly! This had a huge effect on people- many bought a lot of tea, whether they thought it tasted good or not. I didn't really like the taste of the tea, but it made me feel really good and healthy when I drank it.
(The excellent saleswoman)
We left the tea plantation and went to the West Lake for a boat tour. I sat with Adam on the bus, who has started to become one of my best friends here - he's really cool.
(Me and Adam)
When we got to the West Lake, we found a Chinese lady wearing a hilarious t-shirt. Adam was adamant that he get a picture with her. Here it is - we were all wondering if she really knew what the shirt said...
We had a boat ride on the West Lake, which was so fun. The view was beautiful, and the breeze from the lake was much appreciated.
(I wish that was our boat...)
(My Venezuelan buddies, Juan and Miguel)
(We saw the actual view that is on the 1 yuan note!)
(Avery:)
(View from the boat)
(Detail on the boat)
(On the boat)
(Adam:)
After the boat ride on the famous West Lake, we had some free time before dinner at a nearby restaurant. A lot of people chose air conditioning over the outdoors by waiting inside the restaurant until dinner, but the rest of us figured that since we came all the way to China, we might as well see as much as we can. It was hot and muggy, but we had a really fun walk along the lake. We even met some interesting people along the way, and posed for random people's pictures.
(A lot of people take their wedding photos at the West Lake because it is so beautiful)
(Adam made some friends...)
(Avery, Katty, Me, Adam, Azahn, Jay, Victoria, Miguel, Katie, Sarah, Chava, and Miles)
(Pictures with some randoms...)
(Cute boats along the lake edge)
(Scenic path around the lake)
(Adam was really into this fancy car - there are a lot of really nice cars in China)
We got a chance to go back to Old Town Street after dinner to actually do some shopping. The street was bustling as locals and foreigners shopped and haggled.
(One of the colorful stores on Old Town Street)
The street was so busy that Katie and I got separated from our group. We had a lot of fun walking around together and became even closer friends.
(With Katie)
We were so tired after such a full day, but had to go back to the hotel to pack. Next stop: Shanghai!
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