The Lianshui Dance

My First Impressions of a Chinese County

Ongoing clatter of children, always busy ping pong tables and basketball courts, random flowers being given to their foreign teachers, smiles, the melodious bell ring; my soft bed where you want to sleep longer and longer, a little dusty windowsill, my newly bought mug with green liquid inside (a unique design) and quite spacious and luxurious apartment with a Chinese painting on the wall, soft carpets, perfect bathroom. They say it’s 4 stars. Hunger for Facebook or Blogspot which are blocked here… desire to update my status... crowds flowing to dining hall, crowds sitting at classes, crowds, crowds, crowds. I have arrived in China. I have arrived in Lianshui, a very small county of 1 million people, a part of Huai’an city in South East China. I have arrived at school where I will be teaching English.

One might wonder what changes I am going through if compared to my previous teaching experience at a private school in India/Hyderabad. Quite a lot:

- from small school with modern facilities to a very large school with quite poor facilities;

- from around 500 students in total to thousands of students

- from around 10-12 students in each class to 40, 50, 60 and even 70 students in each class;

- from students whom you teach literature and writing as their first language is English to students who have almost ZERO level in English;

- from juniors and always unpredictable and interesting-to-observe teenagers to smiling primary kids’ faces.

In fact, my life here is all about school. I live at a school campus, I see students out of my window, I teach here at school, I eat at school cafeteria. I always skip breakfast though which is at 6 in the morning (too early), but get down for lunch at 11 am and dinner at 5 pm. Even when I go out of the campus, I would always meet students roaming in the streets... Just like me... Even when I go to the local supermarket, I would meet fellow teachers checking new products, thinking of what to buy and finally not deciding on anything because it seems there is nothing better to do in this county than to go to a supermarket, meet people and somehow contribute to the collaborative shopping.

What I like here are people: shy, timid, smiling, blushing, leading to confusions and misunderstandings...just like me? Maybe... And when I get out of my room in the campus - busy with students who play ping-pong, basketball, roam around or treat themselves with ice-cream, march in lines when necessary - I would always face endless „hello-s”, „hi-s”, shy smiles and great excitement and pride in their faces once I have smiled or wished back. And it’s not only about students. People everywhere seem so genuine, so curious to say random „hello”, to smile at me, to touch me. Everywhere: at the supermarket, in school’s canteen, on streets as I am passing by. They help me without knowing how, without understanding what I want. They would get me in the car and drive me back to my school not understanding clearly where it is, but sympathizing with the fact that I am lost. And they would seem so proud of having helped me that after the ride they would treat me with snacks. It seems I should want to get lost in the streets more often to ‘taste’ this Lianshui culture even more.

The thing that fascinates me here (and I guess also elsewhere in China) is the very normal unity and harmony that you can observe in the evenings. People just come together in an open-air fields and dance, practice teiji or do other kind of exercise. It’s so normal just to follow the music rhythms and perform the same dance together in a perfect harmony turning it into such a normal habit as having lunch or dinner; so normal that they don’t even smile as they dance. I notice some seniors wearing serious, life-experienced faces with deep, thoughtful eyes. I look at their feet and they move with ease. They know the steps very well. Life has been a long dance for them.  

Some blocks further, there is a local teenage popstar performing on a stage. He illuminates the local area with sparkles of dance, joy and cheers. The young people still need to learn the steps to dance well. This is the charm of this tiny Chinese county. This is the charm of a life-long dance; The Lianshui dance.

Seven Days, Eight Flights: China-Barcelona-China

A trip to Girona (with all contestants).

There is one week of my life which still seems unbelievable as I look back at it. Seven days, eight flights, one night train, one night bus. That’s exactly what happened after I found out that I am one of the finalists of IEMed short story contest "A Sea of Words" and have been invited to the awards ceremony in Barcelona. Great! I am in China now. I said to myself. But in my mind, I knew, I would be there. And I was (except for the fact that I missed the ceremony itself). Now being back to boring Lianshui County (village) where nothing much happens, I am still living in those days and those planes: hectic, happy, rewarding.

Beijing – Kiev

It’s an early, sleepy morning. 5 am. I am waiting for the boarding at the gate of my flight in Beijing airport. Since I haven’t slept the night (lounging on a hard seat somewhere in the airport), I naturally feel dozy and exhausted. I put on my earplugs to let the music make me alert as I don’t... No, I don’t want to miss my plane! I must not miss my plane! Because that would result missing all the other seven planes, right? Some dum-dum pop music yells in my ears, and that feels good. I don’t take my earplugs out till the very boarding.

Only when I board the plane and settle at the window seat, I notice it’s raining outside. Moreover, I notice it’s STILL raining outside. I remember, it started already yesterday afternoon, and my wet feet can only confirm that it had been one of the most torturous nights at the airport having light autumn clothes on with two-years-ago-bought worn out boots that let the rainwater through. I don’t want to remember how I envied everyone who seemed smart enough to wear winter clothes. At least my eyes got warmth from them. But it didn't please my poor feet.

As I am on the plane and gazing at the rain for a while (until the plane gets ready to take off) I suddenly remember the French band Housse de Racket and their song “Apocalypso” which has the lyrics "It’s raining, imagine”, and I always want to sing “It’s raining in Beijing”. (Actually that song mentions “Pekin” in the French part of lyrics) That fits in this situation so well, and off in the clouds we are escaping all that depressing rain. The first heaven has been reached as I see shiny clouds and greet them with a brisk „Good morning!” We are heading towards happiness.

Kiev – Riga

Whenever I am flying back to Riga, the flight actually starts already in the boarding area as I am waiting for my plane. Seeing Latvian faces, hearing the native language – those are the first heralds that welcome you back home, that make you realize you have missed your home after all. And subliminally, you pay extra attention to the talks, people, and their mood about going back home. No, they don’t seem just random passengers; it feels like they are your mates, your folks from back home. Only once the home is reached and you split into different directions, they become your strangers.

There is a mother and a son who have just returned from India. Their badges on their hand luggage reveal that. There is a family of parents and two children, and an uncle (I suppose?) who mention Kazakhstan, India and Thailand in their talks, so I can’t figure out where they are actually coming from. Whatever the case, we all are heading to Riga in a very small air-plane that rather feels like a flying bus. 

Riga – Frankfurt

My flight to Frankfurt is at around noon the next day after I have returned from China. Before this flight I have submitted my documents for a new Chinese visa (as the one I had was a single-entry visa), left my passport at the embassy and with an identity card on a close look, I am ready for the next flight. I am in an aisle seat with two Latvian ladies in their thirties sitting next to me. They keep on discussing their plans in Frankfurt; it seems like a long anticipated vacation as they mention their jobs in Riga. I smile at a gentleman sitting in the other line behind me as he sleeps with an open mouth. 

Frankfurt – Barcelona

I need to spend around three hours until my connecting flight to Barcelona. What I like about Frankfurt airport is free coffee, tea, hot chocolate. It somehow compensates the fact that due to my visa issues I arrive in Barcelona much later than other finalists. In fact, I arrive when the whole ceremony is over (yes, it might sound ironic that I have travelled from China to actually miss it), but I am supposed to be on time for dinner. 

As we reach Barcelona, I hastily run towards the exit. This is the first time when someone welcomes me with a name tag in his hands. Yes, it’s my taxi driver hanging my name on a piece of paper. I notice him quickly. As we get in the car, I anxiously start asking him about the ceremony: did you like it? How was it? Has everyone arrived? Where is the dinner place? But only then I realize he has nothing to do with that. He is just a taxi driver. That makes me sit quietly and watch outside the window admiring the nightly Barcelona. Yesterday night I was in Latvia; the night before yesterday I was in China. I say to myself, and I can’t believe it. How manageable this world is! 

Barcelona – Frankfurt

We will miss the flight. OMG, it’s 3.45. We arranged to meet downstairs at 3.40 when the taxi was supposed to drive us to the airport. I hastily put on my coat, take my stuff and get down to the reception where me and Andreas, a guy from Cyprus (we are the two unlucky ones whose flights are at around 6 am in the morning) should meet. Andreas is not there! I knew he would oversleep. I start troubling the poor receptionist. “Taxi, taxi, where is the taxi? I want to check out. Fast, fast, call to Andreas, Room 103,” I say everything at once and only after that I realize that nothing of my message has been understood as the receptionist doesn't even speak English. But still. Didn't we arrange that the residence books a cab for 3.40? I am in panic, but he is calm, peaceful, even confused, mumbling something in Spanish. Why? Doesn't he understand we are going to miss our flights??? Only then I notice a big watch hanging on the wall. I want to laugh. I want to cry. I want to kill myself. It’s 00.40. Feeling embarrassed, I apologize to the receptionist and go back to my room. I can sleep three more hours!!! Alarm clock rang only in my dreams, it seems.

I didn't miss the flight. Neither did Andreas. Moreover, have you been on a plane with two pilots – one in front, the other one sitting back? Well, the second one was sitting next to me as a passenger. He felt the necessity to boast about it to the flight attendant who didn't seem to care. It’s 6 am after all. 

Frankfurt – Riga

Again I am happy to stop at Frankfurt airport for many cups of hot chocolate. It’s not too long to wait till my next flight. I take a seat, pick up a book and hear one of the most beautiful melodies in the world – two Finnish guys are leisurely chatting and ohhh, this is still one of my favourite and definitely, the cutest language I have ever heard. I wish I could keep this cassette on longer, but the guys leave soon and so does my flight with me thrust in an aisle seat. I don’t like at all what the captain says, as we are approaching Riga. It’s rainy, cloudy, unpleasant weather. Can you change the course, then? I want to ask. But he steadily moves across Poland, Lithuania and finally lands in Riga.

Riga – Kiev

I have one full day in Latvia to go and pick my visa, have dinner at home, and pack my suitcase for… China. Two more flights and I will have completed my eight-sky journey. The flight from Riga to Kiev was actually very terrifying. Not because of the turbulence… or I should say – it was my own turbulence as I suddenly had a feeling I had forgotten all my extra Chinese money home. Don’t laugh! I kept those banknotes in a stocking (not to have everything in my wallet which was already stuffed with lats, euros, dollars). Of course, I would normally take that stocking in my hand luggage. I couldn't believe I had carelessly tossed it in my suitcase. That however becomes my hope as to where the money could have gone. Another option is that I have left it at home which means I would probably find it once I am back home again. But what would I do with Chinese RMB in Latvia? There is another option (which is the one I least expect): I have somehow somewhere lost it (no wonder, after all that packing-unpacking-repacking from-to China-Barcelona-China). So, with a hope for the very first option (that I have packed it in my suitcase) I leave for Kiev and then I need to keep that hope for another 13 hours till I would find out which option my dear stocking decided to go for. Luckily, for my mental situation, Kiev airport appears to be a complete mess as there is this bewilderment around terminals. I arrive in the terminal B, but I need to get to the terminal D where the flight to Beijing will be boarded. Well, even the airport employees seem to be unaware of how to help me and other passengers with connecting flights. They are sending us like lost luggage from one gate to other. Finally, a driver arrives and takes us to the terminal D by micro-bus  That at least helped dispel the stress about my missing stocking. 

Kiev – Beijing

Next to my worries about possible lost Chinese RMBs, I get another burden. Aisle seat. Especially when I am flying long distances, I insist on having a window seat as it’s more comfortable for sleeping unless I get an interesting neighbour to talk to. Thankfully, the latter happens with me this time. The middle-aged lady who sits next to me is indeed a nice person. She is so cute with her slippers and fear to travel on a plane. That makes me feel more experienced sitting next to her; next to the professor of Environment as I eventually learn. We start chatting and guess what – I am trying to speak my very, very poor and broken Russian (I have no other choice as she doesn't speak English). I am so bad that I laugh about my tempo, word choice and sentences that are mixed with Latvian, English and in the end I sound like a kid who has just started to speak. Or even worse. But I am determined to get my message across, and it somehow works. The lady invites me for a conference in Ukraine. I also get to know she is going to stay in China for one month to lecture at a university. 

After the nine hours journey and constant chatting with her, I am so dead tired and low in energy as if I had been running a marathon. This is the time to say “hello” to China again and find a well deserved surprise in my suitcase – my money stocking. I embrace it affectionately as if feeling sorry for having abandoned it in my suitcase. 

It’s time to find the bus station to my rural, remote village where I live (actually it’s a county, but sorry – I can’t call it like that with the village-like ambience it has). That becomes another adventure with fatigue and tears, but eh… that’s another story.

EU-China Year of Youth 2011: Workshop on Youth Volunteering

EU-China Year of Youth 2011 

Opening Ceremony, Brussels

January, 10-11, 2011

Audience: The workshop of volunteering gathered young people from China and different countries of Europe 

Meaning and impact of volunteering

In the first day of the workshop we tried to come to a mutual understanding of the term “volunteering” which was formulated as a definition on the second day of the workshop from the viewpoint of European Commission Task Force for the European Year of Volunteering. “Volunteering refers to all types of voluntary activity, whether formal, non-formal or informal, and which are undertaken of a person’s own true will, choice or motivation without concern of financial will,” said Jutta Koenig-Georgiades, the representative of EU Task Force for the European Year of Volunteering. 

Volunteering in China. On the first say we also learned about the framework of Chinese youth voluntary service development.  The representative of Chinese Association of Young Volunteers explained that volunteering in China dates 1000 years back, but in 1993 China volunteering organization was established and nowadays more than 30 million people are participating in this program. Program is mainly introduced through universities when students get opportunities to go on volunteering on different fields: education, farming, migrant work and work with migrant children. He stressed that migrant issues have become very important and migrant children need assistance. Other types of volunteering include:

- Chinese volunteers going overseas. Today there have been more than 500 volunteers sent abroad. They are mostly sent to Africa, Latin America, and Asia.  

- Volunteering in mayor events, like Olympic Games 2008

- Emergency rescue in volunteering where youth volunteers were very active

- Environment protection project which includes cleaning and propaganda of environment protection.

Partnerships. After the introduction of volunteerism in China European side was represented by Anja Bourgeous and Helena Kamencikova, the representatives of Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). They introduced the participants with Youth in Action program, particularly, European Voluntary Service (EVS) and opened the floor for discussions on possible cooperation with organizations in China as EU partner.

Personal Experience. The first day was highlighted by the presentation of Xu Benyu, Chinese experienced volunteer and nowadays Vice President of Chinese Young Volunteers Association. He shared his personal experiences on volunteering though not always pleasant experiences. One of them took him to very tough living conditions in mountains where the only light was a candle light, while other experience sent him abroad to Zambia when he met problems with his stomach as he wasn’t used to the local food. Finally, he was also a volunteer of Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. 

Volunteering for development

The second day of the workshop continued the discussion on volunteering. The first presentation introduced us to youth volunteerism and MDGs. It was presented by Mae Chao, Chief Volunteering Knowledge & Innovation Section, United Nations Volunteers (UNV). The presenter introduced the participants with UNV, explained the MDGs, as well as talked about online volunteering and how online volunteers support education of refugees and displaced persons.

The next speaker Matteo Sirtori from European Commission who introduced European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps confirmed that volunteering in the EU is on the rise. However, he also said that very young or non-experienced volunteers shouldn’t be sent to the field as the setting might be difficult for them.

Obstacles to volunteering

The next part of the discussion started with a short explanation on how the idea of EU-Year of Volunteering was born and developed. It was presented by Jutta Koenig-Georgiades, European Commission Task Force for the European Year of Volunteering. The speaker stressed why volunteering is important: “It’ an expression of active citizenship, it promotes solidarity, non-discrimination, harmonious development of society, sense of citizenship, rich learning experience”. She said that in Europe sport is the sector where most volunteers are engaged, followed by social services.

Further on the presentation moved to the obstacles of volunteering mentioning such as communication, problem of finding sustainable funding, lack of monitoring and information, lack of national volunteering strategies, lack of legal framework, for example, training and social insurance, increased professionalization (demand on volunteers to be more professional), lack of recognition of skills and competences gained through volunteering activities. Many of obstacles cannot be overcome by EC as volunteering very much depends on each country’s strategy and in some countries non-strategy system works too, but in some not. 

The next speaker Willem de Boer, Chairman of Code-X International, continued speaking about more concrete obstacles of volunteering taken from the experiences on a volunteering organization. He first introduced Code-X, an organization founded in 2002 and spoke particularly about Dutch branch of the organization. Since he had had an experience with sending Dutch volunteers to China and receiving Chinese volunteers in the Netherlands, he outlined obstacle in both parts. For Chinese obstacles might be visa, the difficult Dutch language, culture and the direct attitude of people in The Netherlands whereas in China this is a problem the other way: Chinese people being ashamed to tell that job has not been done well, let volunteers understand that they have done a great job. It’s also an obstacle to find a good host organization in China where English would be well spoken and understood, as well as to get long term visa because until now volunteer work has not been recognized as a good reason for a long term visa in Chinese embassy.

Conclusion

Designing programs, as well as rewarding mechanism is very important in volunteering work. As to Europe, Youthpass was mentioned as a good example for recognition and rewarding. The workshop ended with a great encouragement for volunteering gained from the bright orange bracelets distributed to everyone and equipped with a common slogan for the EU Year of Volunteering  “ Volunteer! Make a difference!”

Day 12: Last goodbye's and....my big Award

Last goodbye's

On the very last day I woke up later than usually as I had had an online meeting according to European time and therefore it finished at 6 in the morning in the end. However, I didn’t do anything special on my last day, just went for the last shopping and somehow this day turned to be special anyway: I met Marina, a nice Russian girl who loved travelling and was now living in America. After talking to her I found out that she was also supposed to come to work in the same village as me in Egypt…hmm, the world is really small…and I must say it was really like a destiny to meet her.

Last goodbye to Alex and Marina and I went to my dear friend and travel partner Tomoko to have the last dinner with her in her university café. The time to leave had come. I luckily spent all my Chinese money on delicious noodles and didn’t even save any single coin to keep as a souvenir. To be honest – I feel better carrying less stuff with me. It was hard once again to say bye to Tomoko. I really hope we will meet again. That is a true friendship and that is a nice feeling to go to a foreign country and find friends there…

My Award

These days in China were my award. My award in old and true friendship (Tomoko), in beautiful scenery, in famous touristic spots, in new information and knowledge, in new people, in high feelings and excitement (EXPO and Brainstorm), in delicious food, in souvenirs I bought…it all was my award after the hard working days in Egypt saving money for China every day, eating less than wanted, spending less than wanted and working much more than wanted. But it was worth it and I felt proud of myself after handling all visa and money issues to make this trip happen! Something big has been achieved and it’s a good feeling that makes it worth living and going though the same suffer again and again to deserve a sweet dessert afterwards.

China Day 11: Forbidden City and the rain

Forbidden City

Waking up at Alex place, my lovely host from the previous time in Beijing. I had a clear plan for today: finally to visit Forbidden city. Since it was national holidays’ time when I had just arrived in Beijing it wasn’t a good idea to do it that time. But now on my last full day in China I wanted to see the famous spot which is included in UNESCO World heritage. The visit was really impressive and I liked the feeling of really being in a small city with its walls, museums, arts and culture and even restaurants and shops. A city inside a city with its special cultural feeling and borders and tiny corners where to get lost.

Sudden meeting

After a few hours spent there it was time to leave not only because of my arranged meeting with my Chinese Couchsurfing friend, but also because it started raining. So, I was walking quite fast to Tiananmen metro station to meet her when suddenly a random Chinese girl joined me and asked how I had enjoyed my visit. My first impression was quite scary thinking “she probably wants something from me, to offer some services or booklets”. Otherwise, why do people start suddenly talking to you on a street and even joining my fast way of walking? And then I realized I am wrong. She was really interested in me. She started talking because she just wanted to get to know me. And that was something I had forgotten and hadn’t experienced in Europe. Moreover, I had avoided such situations in Egypt as it usually came from guys. But now this girl who was also tourist in Beijing came to me and started a conversation. After the first confusion moment I became open and it was interesting to find out that also for her who lives far away from Beijing it’s a great experience to come to her capital and visit the famous spots.  I would have loved to go for a coffee with her as she proposed, but I had a meeting and I had to say goodbye to her…however, it was a nice sudden meeting and a moment to think.

The next meeting was with my Couchsurfing friend. We were exploring the local bookstore and then had an ice cream in McDonalds. After that it started to rain heavily, and the day turned so wet and grey that I decided to go home while Sophie had to go for another meeting.

China Day 10 and 11: Shanghai Circus and 18 hours on a train

The day started early because we had just 1 day to see the main spots in Shanghai. Agenda went like this:

-Checking out of the hostel

- Visit of Yuyuan garden surroundings and the marketplace

- Sending postcards :)

- Lunch 

- Walk along the Bund

- The People’s Square

 - Sudden meeting in the rain with 2 other Chinese younsters and joining them for a Chinese tea tasting

- Sitting at McDonald’s

- Tomoko leaving to the airport to take her flight to Beijing, I am wandering around until the time to go to Shanghai Circus.

The Shanghai Circus was really a highlight of the day. It was professional performance with lots of amazing tricks and surprises. I hadn’t been to circus for a long time and this was something what was really good one and came on time.

Neverstopping train

After the circus it was time to leave Shanghai and take my night train to Beijing. That was another challenging experience as the trains there are not comfortable, rather opposite - they are a bit cold and damp and very crowded. However, I was expecting to be in Beijing in the morning, but…the morning came and the train was moving and moving and never stopped. Midday came, afternoon came and it was still moving and I started to get worried. I went to the man who seemed to be responsible there and he showed me 6 on his fingers; we couldn’t communicate as I didn’t speak Chinese. In the beginning I thought it was still six hours to go, but after contacting Tomoko she managed to find out that the train was late and it should arrive at 6pm in Beijing. So, it was 2 more hours left in the train. I was really exhausted and tired and a bit ill too. And the only thing I could do was sitting and waiting and looking out of the window…sometimes you need also such moments, however this wasn’t the right time as I felt sick and also started to get hungry…after all it was 18 hours spent in a train.

Chinese dinner, Japanese atmosphere

The train arrived and I was happy to feel my feet again. It was evening already, getting dark and Tomoko had invited me for dinner with her Japanese and Chinese classmates. It was a really nice restaurant and a nice atmosphere that reminded me of the times in Japan. This is nice thing what Asians have: eating together and sharing food, stories and becoming closer to each other. Also the interior of a restaurant is appropriate for gathering in groups as the rooms are separated. 

China Day 9: The last day in EXPO: from Asia to Middle East, then to Pacific and finally to Europe

Countries/Pavilions visited: Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Oman, Israel, Qatar, Morocco, Palestine, Pacific, Malaysia, Cambodia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, UN, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, Ireland, Libya, The Netherlands, France

(1)Nepal: let’s start with Asia today! Nepal was nice with a tower that was leading up and up till the point where you could see the surrounding Pavilions from the top.

(2) India: nice feeling of India with videos and many bazaars over there.

(3)Sri Lanka: a man who is making an elephant.

(4)Oman: once again I got affirmation to visit this beautiful pearl in Indian Ocean. Very beautiful landscapes there and also presented in an appropriate way.

(5)Israel: the pavilion with the most pleasant and romantic time while queuing thanks to the loquacious birds under the trees. Inside pavilion there was a special lamp theatre.

(6)Qatar: I liked this Pavilion most of the Arab country pavilions I visited. The country was presented with a good current culture baggage, for example, henna drawings on hands.

(7)Morocco: a huge white 3-store building with something different in each floor. From music and video materials you go further and explore the local market with different traditional goods, after that you finish your visit with multimedia exhibition.

(8)Palestine: joint pavilion; it showed the traditional crafts work.

(9)Pacific: and now I started to enter a new world after Asia and Middle East and some European pavilions. It felt it to be greener, fresher and filled with a different passion and culture. 

(10) Malaysia: lots of greens, birds twittering, free chocolate to taste :)

(11) Cambodia: big stones and great attempts to show the country with its monuments. Nice souvenirs to buy in the end of the visit. 

(12) New Zealand: impressive dark tunnel with sounds of thunder and a real Christmas tree (not the one as for Xmas) in the end of the visit.

(13) Indonesia: large pavilion with lots of information for all kinds of needs: business, tourism etc.

(14) Singapore: video of daily life in Singapore.

(15) Australia: it will always have its uniqueness with the cute figures of kangaroos and koalas. 

(16)UN: a stop after finishing Pacific area and before going one more time to European area. No special comments here, lots of information.

(17)Finland: the impression of whiteness, purity and innocence as the Pavilion was all covered white with a magician in the middle making tables fly and doing other magical activities. Impressive landscapes of Finland and Helsinki on the background.

(18)Estonia: cute pavilion with many pigs inside. What’s happening there? You can give your vote for the issue that seems to be the most important for you to save our planet within ‘Better city, better life’ topic and leave your vote and win a trip to Tallinn.

(19) Norway: to be honest I was waiting in a line because of the cheerful and good-looking guy with a Norwegian flag in his hand taking care of the queue and after certain time letting new people in. Also, the nice Norwegian indie music on the background (like Royksopp) made me linger there. The Pavilion itself showed beautiful landscapes of the beautiful country.

(20)Ireland: you can see a real concert here or at least get a feeling of it while standing in front of the big screen and seeing U2 and other Irish bands playing live. There is also a very interesting way of comparing the living room now and many years ago. Nice way of showing how the lifestyles of people have changed thanks to the technologies.

 (21) Lithuania: similarly to the last Expo in Zaragoza, also here you can play basketball. :)

(22) Libya: time to sit and view landscape show.

(23) The Netherlands: lots of orange color, also smells so good there as it's possible to buy fries. Nice place for taking a rest.

(24) France: long queue to wait and impressive views in the Pavilion and the feeling you are in a green posh garden and later on - expensive city. 

This was my last Pavilion in the last day of Expo. It had been a long day with lots of information. I started with Latvia, my original country and ended with France which by coincidence was my next destination after China. But now on the late evening it was time to go back to the hostel and take some rest before exploring Shanghai the next day.

China Day 8: the Second Day in EXPO

Countries visited: Japan, UK, Canada, Brazil, USA, South Africa, Egypt, Italy, Africa Joint Pavilion

(1) Japan: what this unique country means first is waiting around 2-3 hours in a long queue before you get in. After that Japan gives a very rich impression. There’s everything: cute Japanese ladies, nature beauties, tea drinking traditions, technology achievements with a robot who is playing a violin and a stage performance in the end. It was worth waiting in the line as you spend a lot of time in the Pavilion itself.

(2) UK: the long lines were bigger than the actual value of the Pavilion. In the end the UK Pavilion attracted with the peculiar pavilion building which nobody could guess what it is made of and what it shows inside unless you come in. Once this truth had been found out, you appreciate the great work invested and the idea, but the Pavilion itself wasn’t that special. However, after exiting the pavilion it had a nice relaxation area given for people to take a rest as well as you could wave your goodbye to David Bekhem, or to be more precise – his statue.

(3) Romania

(4) Canada: it attracted me with some indie music inside pavilion, then it led further to green city life with opportunity to use bikes and cycle there. Lots of water and a very touchy movie of life in Canada.

(5) Brazil: the feeling of Rio was there! The live city is around you! And also a feeling that you are in the football stadium.

(6) USA: It attracted with a very informal presenter from the beginning which was kind of American style, then there were couple of videos to see: people from street trying to speak Chinese; important people in America (including the president Obama) speaking about the importance of EXPO and the topic it dealt with this year; a touch video of how dreams can come true through lots of failure, but with lots of struggling.

(7) South Africa: nice place to take a rest in the cozy armchairs

(8) Egypt: to be honest I was expecting more than just putting up the ancient Egyptian heroes probably taken from Egyptian Museum. No current culture there, all information based on ancient Egypt mainly. Even the salesperson seemed bored there listening to his iPod and not paying attention to the customers who might have wanted to buy something.

(9) Africa Joint Pavilion: so much tribes and culture. Sometimes the joint pavilions seem more successful than individual ones as they give more feeling of the country. And especially in Africa joint pavilion you really feel like in Africa meeting African people, seeing the traditional buildings and places for rest, buying traditional souvenirs in a market place.

(10) Italy: lots of small elements exposed in 2 floors, miniatures of life, all fields covered what present Italy: fashion, pasta, shoes, Italian restaurants etc.; all kinds of brands, nice and posh and in the end the advertisement of EXPO Milano 2015.