I have thought of writing something about my trip to China for a couple of months now, just never seem to get hold of time. When I flied back to Canada, exactly 3 days after I was on the Great Wall, I was late for school for 2 weeks, had to catch up and apply for university... The first impression when I got off the plane, was, "Wow, Canada was never this clean when I left it." The next thing popped out my mind when I saw my parents waiting out side the Terminal, "Wow, both of them lost weight!" In fact, I was wrong on both of the cases. Canada and my parents were the way as I left; it was China that made me think it that way.

Four months ago... There was me, my brown back pack and my Japanese tourist's hat when I stepped onto the plane. A plane to China, an old place I haven't visit in more than 5 years.... I remember I slept all the way, those stewardesses are not that attractive as usual, Canadian styles. It was a straight flight aimed right at Beijing Capital Airport. When I got off, my legs were swollen. I saw my aunt and uncle waiting outside for me. It kind of reminded me one of the Tom Hanks movies, his mother was waving at him while his dad stood at the back smoking. I sat in my uncle's car and thought of me five years ago. We stopped at a restaurant and ordered a hot pot, there were lamb, beef, fish, and some veggies. Interestingly enough, my uncle also ordered a plate or pork brain, and gave me a sign to have some. I declined but didn't feel any disgusted. There's a Chinese saying that, "into the village and follow its customs." My tongue was on fire and we hurried home after leaving 200 bucks behind. I called my grand parents immediately and told them I'll be back in a few days since my aunts are busy tomorrow. At the same night I decided to go back to my home town along the next morning.

Then there was the horrible trip I can't forget. The bus' air conditioner was broken, then there was me and 30 others tightly packed in the bus. I remembered my shirt was all wet, as the temperature raised up to 30C. There was a taste of copper in my mouth; I didn't know what it was. There was baby’s' cry, men’s' complaints to the weather and the traffic jam and a think smell of arm pits and sweat. I sat in the last row, far leftern corner, looking out trying to see something that would direct my attention away from this terrible bus... There was a point where I finally reached my home town, TaiYuan. I saw my 2nd uncle, with my cousin waiting for me...

I arrived at my grandmother's place; hot dumplings were waiting for me. Everyone was in tears when I came into the room, I dropped all the belongings in my hand and bowed down to my grandfather and also cried...

The next couple of days, I visited all my relatives, there was a party everyday for me. I was so glad that everyone remembered me. I didn't say anything as I felt embarrassed and sorry for not being there for the family for over five years. I remember the last time I stepped into my grandfather house, he led me to the living room and there were at least 20 watermelons lying on the ground and he would pick one where he think its ripe and pass it to me....

Next thing I knew, I was going back to the origin, where my grandparents had originated. I went back to their village and 'prayed' in front of the old yard. My grandfather told me it had the best FengShui in the village. FengShui masters once said that there will be very successful people walking out of the door of that yard....

Despite that my grandmother's health, she wanted me to see the temple range before I leave. With this, we left for the Fifth Point Temple Range. There was me, my uncle and aunts (the ones from BeiJing), my cousin and 3 others. There were over 100 temples within the mountain range. We stayed there for 4 days and visited over twenty temples. I prayed before Buddha and wished good luck, health and prosperity for the whole family...

Then on the last week before I left, I finally had time for my old friends. We went to a huge gaming palace, damn, I can't believe in my hometown we have something so advanced. But I just don't have the gaming nerves, I played couple of games and all came last. Hehe, I found some of the old memories riding bikes across the town. That's the feeling I can never feel in Canada, riding faster than cars surpass a stream of people. One of my buddies gave my a bottle of wine he had over 2 years, man everything was good except the ethanol have all turned into acetic acid, those study chemistry would know, it's vinegar. hehe.

On the day I left the town early in the morning, about 4 o'clock in the morning, one of my buddies still came. The last thing I was missing was the innocence we once had, they are long gone now, only cunning grew deeper. Friends are most valuable and hard to gain. I miss all my old friends from SA and China. All the best to them, best wishes. On the way back, I was stuffed with all the good food, peking duck, dongpo meat....... dumpling, hot pot, each new dinner party had became tortures to me. I noticed no matter how think the air was, how chubby had they become. Their love for me was always the same no matter where I was. I'm going to university soon, seeing all my family members giving their hope in me, and support me; I just don't know what to say.