Our China Dream Comes True

Last year when Grandma and Grandpa Copeland came to China, we enjoyed a cruise on the Yantze River, and explored different parts of China with them. We wished other members of our family could have experienced what we did, and hoped that one day we would get as many members of our family together to see this amazing country. Grandma Copeland went home from China to America with this fabulous idea of a "family China tour", and like anything else she does, she was ready to make it happen! So, a year ago the plans began. After a lot of time researching China, making telephone calls to travel agencies, and checking family schedules, the plans were made and 24 family members were on board to spend 10 days together exploring Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. The fact that we were able to spend time together as a family was great, but the tour far suceeded our expectations! It was an amazing trip that will forever be a lasting memory for those who were able to attend. Thanks to everyone for the memories!! Here are a few of our highlights......

The tour began in Beijing. Our two hour flight from Shanghai to Beijing was nothing compared to the 25 hour flight the rest of the group made from America. We all hit the ground running and literally did not stop for the next10 days......Our first visit was a tour of the Summer Palace.




John, Bracken, and Kade in front of some of the amazing scenery at the Summer Palace

Uncle Doug, Grandpa Copeland, Kent and Natalie quickly make friends with a local school group

Aunt Joyce, Uncle Doug, Grandma and Grandpa Copeland outside the Summer Palace
Cousins, Cousins, and More Cousins----the kids were amazing and so enjoyable!

The Copeland Family----Grandma, Kent, Alison, Grandpa and Kevin

The second day of our tour was a day we have waited for since we moved to China three years ago---an opportunity to hike the Great Wall together as a family. John and the boys have been to different parts of the wall before, but we have never been together. It was one of the most fasinating things we have ever done, almost undescribable!!! The hike itself was quite a challenge, but completely worth it when we were all able to reach the top. The wall seemed to be endless, and go on for miles. Kudos to the family members who made it to the top a lot faster than some of us, but happy to say we ALL made it!

After some good time spent on the wall, some of us opted for modern transportation back down to the bottom where we were able to do some good bargaining, and pose for some pictures with a few of the locals....

By far the most touching part of our tour was spent at an orphange not far from the Great Wall. The parents of these children are currently all incarcerated in prisons around China. Some of the parents have short terms to pay, but some are in prison for life. In any case, the children live here until the parents can someday again take care of them. Each of us brought different gifts to give the children to play with. However, the greatest humanitarian effort was displayed by Uncle Kent (Alison's brother). Kent is a dentist in Washington state. He brought several of his dentist tools, and set up a make shift dental office. It was amazing, and such a group effort...Natalie was his assistant, Grandpa held a flashlight near the patients mouth, and Uncle Doug held the chair just so for the patients. In the next several hours we were there, he was able to see several of the young children who were experiencing tooth pain, give consultations, and even pull up to ten teeth. The orphanage was so grateful as they had not had the funds to help the children with their dental needs. It was a unique experience for all of us to be involved in these efforts, and was so emotionally touching to each one of us. Thanks Kent for your example--it will never be forgotten!
This brave little boy ran up immediately after we arrived asking, "Where is Mr. Dentist?" He obviously had anxiously awaited his first visit to a real dentist.

This little boy was such a little trooper! He had the most dental work done, and tried to be so brave. We all cheered for him after his third tooth was pulled, and rewarded him with presents galore!

The kids in our group were fantastic and so sweet to play with the orphans and help to make their day a memorable one. Even with gauze hanging from their mouths, we could still see their big smiles.
Parker and Connor outside one of the may orphan "dorm halls." We were amazed and impressed at the cleanliness and organization displayed throughout the different areas of the orphanage. The directors were obviously wanting to make the best of a difficult situation.
Tyson and cousins start a great game of soccer with their new friends at the orphange.
A few of our new found friends with some of the toys we brought them.
Waving goodbye to our friends from the bus window---an amazing group of kids!
Our next day in Beijing was spent at Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Underground Palace and Sacred Way of the Animals. It was a full day to say the least, and we must have walked more than a marathon!
Our family outside the entrance to the forbidden city. Inside these gates truly does go on for miles.

The next day was probably the kids most favorite tourist spot---the Temple of Heaven. Ironically this spot is also a popular spot for elderly retired Chinese people. Here you will find Chinese people exercising in a variety of ways---Tai Chi, Chinese aerobics, stretching, and other unique activities. It was a happy park of "groupies" of all sorts.

DANCING, SINGING, EXERCISING, STRETCHING, YOU NAME IT

Parker and Tyson get a few stretches in......

but nothing compares to this man's stretch that continued for at least the next 25 minutes (and he did it with ease!)

This new found sport was all the kids favorite. The inventor of the game was actually here at the park that day. He taught the kids the rules of his sport. Each one learned to catch the rings around their neck, and LOVED it!

Grandma and Grandpa with several of the grandkids in front of the Temple of Heaven.

Our next stop was a silk factory, where we were led through the steps of collecting the silk starting from the actual silk worm itself to the making of beautiful silk products.

After we learned the basics, we were given an opportunity to show some silk stretching skills. Together we did a pretty great job stretching the silk to fit a queen size comforter.

However, these four women obviously have had a lot more practice!! Even though we thought we had done a pretty good job with the silk stretching, we were happy we were give the opportunity to buy merchandise they had made,and not our own attempts.

Our next adventure was the Hutong tour----a bike ride through an ancient Chinese village. When we arrived at the village, our chariots awaited.....

Kent and Natalie get comfy as their "chauffer" prepares for the journey through the Hutong city.
We winded down small, narrow, streets until we arrived at a local family's home. We were all invited inside their home to experience what its like to live as a local. Our new "local friend" was excited to pose with Lauren inside her modest, but very clean and comfortable home.
Finally, our last sight seeing experience in Beijing was the most anticipated by the boys----The Olympic stadium--The famous "Birds Nest," and the "Water Cube." Just seeing the oustide of the stadium was not enough for our sports enthusiasts, so we talked our guide into getting inside for a closer peak. The kids loved playing on the field and remembering only a year ago when the Olympics were held here.




Our Beijing experience had now come to an end. We had seen it, and seen it well!!!! We headed to our next adventure in the city Xi'an. However, an even bigger adventure awaited us that night as we would be riding the soft sleeper night train. We had never taken an overnight train before, but had heard from friends it was a "must-do experience." We weren't sure what to make of this statement, but found the train suprisingly comfortable, and the kids loved the excitement the train brought.

Train transportation in China is the most economic, and most popular mode of transportation. Here are the crowds that welcomed us upon arrival into Xi'an.
Mary and Katie Conley, two friends who joined our tour, exit the train in Xi'an. We loved having them travel with our family. They both added so much enthusiasm to the group!!

Grandpa and Grandma exit the train in Xi'an. Grandma and Grandpa, as well as Kevin and Angie, transported extra luggage the entire time in China packed with American exported goods for our family. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa and Copeland family----you're the best!
Our guide Henry, awaits our family upon arrival in Xi'an. Ironically our guide in Beijing was also named Henry. Both Henry's were fantastic, professional, and very patient. They did an incredible job for the group!

We spent the entire day at the Terracotta Warrior's Museum in Xi'an. Our guide knew every fact imaginable. However, none of us could get over the fact that a simple famer had accidently discovered this unknown world while digging his underground well.





And of course a trip to Xi'an is not complete without visiting the Terracotta factory as well. Two people were particularly overjoyed with this part of the tour---Tyson and John. Tyson because he was able to make his own Terracotta Warrior to bring home for a souvenir, and John because he is a proud new owner of his very own life-size Terracotta Warrior best friend that can welcome everyone to our home (Alison=no comment).





From Xi'an we all took flights back to Shanghai. The next five days our family loved playing host to our family members, and introducing them to the great city of Shanghai. They continued to go non-stop touring Yu Gardens, The Bund, Pearl Tower, Jade Budah Temple, seeing a Chinese Acrobat show, getting Chinese Foot massages, and shopping at the markets. We enjoyed the convenience of having several of them stay at our home, as well as a hotel nearby. Our favorite evening was having all 24 members of the group together at our home for dinner (thanks Anna!). Parker's favorite part was having his cousin, Connor spend a day with him at Shanghai American School, and participate in a dodge ball tournament that night! It was sad to see the tour bus pull away from our home yesterday, taking everyone to the airport for their various flights to the USA. We LOVED every minute we had together, and will never forget having you all here. Thanks for making our China dream come true!!

China 2009

(Starting from top-left to right)

Grandpa Copeland, Grandma Copeland

Bracken, Taylor Smart-Copeland, Angie Copeland, Kevin Copeland
Connor Copeland, Uncle Jerry Rigby, Aunt Shelly Rigby, Jace Balls

Austin Rigby, Natalie Copeland, Kent Copeland, Alison, John

Parker, Allison Rigby, Lauren Copeland, Tyson, Kaden Copeland

Members not pictured: Aunt and Uncle Joyce and Doug Garner, friends Mary and Katie Conley