Homestay pictures

Morning exercises in the park
Learning how to make pork dumplings
intestines, hearts, and tongues.. mmm...

Friendly park security guards
The "delicious" chicken feet

Chinese "Homestay"

As part of the IES curriculum, I was required to stay the night in a Chinese family's home. I was fortunate enough to be placed in my Chinese history teacher's house. The goal of the homestay is to experience what it is like to live a day in the life of the Shanghainese. We met up with our teacher and his son late afternoon and went to a restaurant where they ordered the food for us. I found out that the Chinese, similar to Americans, have a tendency to eat early around 5 or 6pm. I had the pleasure of eating chicken feet, pig feet, salted pork in vegetables, and a variety of other dishes that I didn't dare ask what they were. After this "delicious" feast of ours, our hosts brought us to get massages in a hair salon. Apparently any hair salon gives massages. It only cost us about $1.50 for 1/2hr massage. The next morning after a 7am wake up, we went to a park to practice tai chi morning exercises, fly kites (which is very competitive in Shanghai) and even ride a couple roller-coasters. Afterwards, we returned to their house and learned how to make and cook pork dumplings. I really enjoyed being able to experience the Chinese family culture that I have read about in classes for a few months now. In 15 days, I will be returning home to Villanova. I cant believe how fast it has all gone, but I am definitely ready to be home with my friends, family, and the comfortable American culture that I am used to. 

Pictures from the Chinese homestay to come...