China thru new lens

Opportunities come in all shapes and forms when you are open and receptive. I'm here in China as a member of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (DC based) team creating a documentary of African and Caribbean people living in China. Amazing, incredible, magnificent are some of the adjectives used to describe the experiences we've had over the last week. I think everyone of my colleagues and friends should visit China. A paradigm will be shattered. We read about the 10% per annum growth, the history, the people, the food, the architecture and never in a million years could I have imagined the beauty of this place. I am grateful and humbled.



Walking through the gardens of the Temple of Heavens with trees 500 years and older was an eye opener and I reflected on the guango tree at Liguanea that was so unceremoniously chopped down without a piece of sculpture to show for its years of existence. Climbing the Great Wall was an accomplishment. Going up was challenging, coming down was frightening. Never in a million years would I think I was able to climb sooooo many steps, but guess what? Not only did I climb the steps, but I went to one of the highest points.



A week in Beijing seemed longer because the days were long, intense, and extremely rewarding. We interviewed with Ambassadors, government officials, University professors and students, and the icing on the cake was a visit to the Olympic village to get a first-look at all the wonderful designs, technology, and themes for the upcoming 2008 games. We had a bird's eye view of the "NEST"!



Feast on these photos and stay tuned for details of the Beijing and Shanghai experience.