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Photos and Text by Cathee Phillips
From May 12 through May 25, the Morningside College Choir is touring the People's Republic of China as official representatives of Sioux City, Iowa. They are joined by students and faculty from the Department of History and Political Science, as well as Morningside College alumni, President Reynders and his wife, Robin, and other staff members. This virtual journal of their adventures was updated as often as Internet connections allowed.
The thoughts and prayers of our group are with the people of the Sichaun Province, the epicenter of the May earthquake.
Follow this link to read student, faculty, and staff blogs.
(Last updated May 29)
May 13
After a 14-hour trip, the Morningside College group arrived safely in Hong Kong at 4 p.m. China time on Tuesday, May 13. Follow this link for more about May 13.
May 14
The students, their professors, alumni, and guides explored Hong Kong today, while a small group of six, including President Reynders and his wife, left for Fuzhou to visit Hwa Nan Women's College, which has historic ties with Morningside. Follow this link to read more.
May 15
The Morningside College delegation to Fuzhou was warmly received by the people of Hwa Nan Women's College. After a formal introductory meeting, the Morningsiders were treated to a tour of the college's campus, the original Hwa Nan campus, with the building that was built to resemble Lewis Hall, and the college's future campus, currently under construction. The wonderful day ended with a traditional banquet. Follow this link for photos.
Back in Hong Kong, the students and alumni, along with their professors and guides, toured the New Territories and went shopping, before boarding a train for Guangzhou. They had a great day, with the only problem being finding room for everyone's luggage on the train.
May 16
The Fuzhou delegation flew to join the tour in Guangzhou, while the tour group, already in Guangzhou, toured the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial and the Chen Family Temple. The first concert of the trip took place this night at the South China Normal University and was dedicated to the victims of the earthquake and their families and friends. The Chinese students and faculty were very excited to have us on campus, and the concert ended with both choirs singing together--it was a very emotional experience. Follow this link for photos. Follow this link for photos.
May 17
Today, the whole group woke up at 4:30 a.m. to catch a 8 a.m. flight to X'ian. After a late night and an early morning, everyone was glad to have some free time to rest in the afternoon. The choir's second concert took place this evening at X'ian Institute of Posts and Telecommunications. Upon arrival at the university, we were honored in a formal welcome ceremony. The concert was a joint concert, with university groups also peforming. Again, the people were exceptionally warm and welcoming. Follow this link for photos.
May 18-21
Due to technical difficulties, we have been unable to update the Web site daily. May 18-21 was a busy four days for the Morningside tour group. We visited the site of the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Muslim Quarter with its many shops, and the choir gave its third concert. Then we took an overnight train to Beijing, where we traveled to walk on the Great Wall and pass by the 2008 Olympic sites. In Beijing, we visited Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Our concert in Beijing was cancelled because of the three days of mourning (May 19-21) for the victims of the earthquake, during which no entertainment was allowed.
Follow this link for photos of May 18-19.
Follow this link for photos of May 20-21.
May 22-24
We took an early morning flight to Shanghai, where the Morningside College Choir presented their fourth concert of the trip. The next evening the group attended a Chinese acrobat show, featuring children ages 10-16. It was pretty amazing. On May 24, our last evening in China, the choir presented their final concert at the Children's Palace, where Chinese children take lessons in English, music, and art. Follow this link for photos.
May 25
On the morning of our departure from China, representatives of the Morningside College Choir and the political science class presented a donation from the Morningside delegation to the Red Cross, in support of the survivors of the earthquake.
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Flag of the People's Republic of China |
Morningside College Choir |
Hong Kong |
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