Day 12: Yuelu Mountain, Orange Island, James Finds a Soccer Field

The students reported that their second night with their host families went well. Many went out to dinner and then went shopping. All noted that their host families are so generous and they are being very well fed! Ms. Lu is in touch with all of the families and during the day some reach out to ask how our students are! 

James is in the spotlight today. James has been a grateful traveler and was delighted to find a soccer field by our hotel in Chengdu so he could play in the mornings. His favorite place that he's visited so far was the Summer Palace in Beijing, due to its beauty. 

We met at Yali early this morning and loaded a bus with our Changsha guide, Lisa, and Sonia. Our first stop was Yuelu Mountain. At the base of the mountain sits Hunan University, the alma mater of Chairman Mao. We toured a bit of the campus and then took a bus to the top of the mountain (much like East Rock) for a view of Changsha. We stopped for a vegetarian lunch halfway back down near a 1,750-year old Buddhist temple. James was happy about the unseasonably warm and sunny weather, and enjoyed the walk in this beautiful setting. 

We then drove to Orange Island that is in the middle of a river that runs through Changsha. The island serves as a large public park with an enormous stone bust of Chairman Mao at one end. We took a boat tour around the island which was a nice way to spend a warm afternoon. James loves being outside so he enjoyed this portion of the day. He said he loved the wind and the warmth, and the better view of the Mao statue. 

We had some more free shopping time in a popular part of Changsha after our boat ride. Boba tea and ice cream are consistent favorites on these excursions. Afterwards, we finally returned to Yali where host families picked our students up for the evening. 

James's Highlight of the Day: Walking and being outside all day. 

James's Challenge of the Day: Waking up. Yali students have to get to school at 7:30!