Felix's Blog

After a long flying trip across nearly half the globe, I finally made it to reach Richmond with other group members on July 14, 2007. Since there is a time difference, I found it interesting that when I departed from Shanghai it was 10 a.m., July 14; and upon my arrival in Richmond it was 10 p.m., also July 14. So it’s the longest day in my life with 36 hours and I just made a joke that if I were French, I would have been very happy to sing the Marseillaise to celebrate the National Day for a relatively long time.
The trip was kind of tiring but as we met our interns in the airport, we felt very happy because they welcomed us so warmly, and that really made us feel released from tiredness. And we became friends quick----although it was not easy for us to remember each other’s name.

Richmond is not a big city in population. I knew it before I came here but I was impressed when I overlooked it from the plane minutes before landing. It was beyond imagination. There are dots of light everywhere and the lights seemed to extend to faraway. Just like the star field falling onto the ground. It made me think: where on earth is the border of the city?
The day after the arrival, we took a tour around with the interns and I was amused to see so many beautiful building here and there. In China, there are distinctive structures only in certain areas, for example, in some tourist sites. But in Richmond, they are just everywhere and it was so difficult a task for me to find two buildings that looked the same.

It has been a long time since I updated my blog.
Last Saturday, 9:30 a.m., we departed GRC and headed for Busch Garden. It was the beginning of a wonderful day.
We reached the garden around noon. It’s amazing. Some of the girls in our group even started to scream at the first sight of the declining roller coaster. The most exciting event in the garden is the roller coasters. For it’s my first time to ride such a thing, I felt a bit tense. But when I was thrown into the sky, the world started to rotate. And with my heart beating fast, with the strong feeling of acceleration, I couldn’t help screaming. It was really exciting experience that I have never enjoyed.
I think the roller coaster is something quite America, something wonderful. No matter who you are, rich or poor, a simple folk or a congressman, you can let everything go and just scream! The theme park allows me to have another view of the American culture. It let me know more about an American way of entertainment, and the pursuit of excitement.

After about two hours’ ride from Busch Garden, the Virginia Beach was finally in sight.
As we entered our room, undrew the curtain, VOW~~, it was fantastic. The sky and the sea met at the very end of my sight, with snow-white waves lapping the golden beach. It was out of imagination and quite relaxing.
With our luggage settled, we went out to have dinner. And on our way back, it amazed us when we found there are T-shirts on sale with the pattern of “VIRGINIA BEACH” and the price was $10 for 5. Quite cheap. And we just have 5 people together. So be the uniform of our group.
The next day, I woke up early and couldn’t wait to step on the sands. I spent a whole day on the beach and had a lot of fun. The sands were soft, not as hot as I had expected.

We have stayed in VA Beach for two nights. When we were walking along the Beach Avenue in the evening, we often saw musicians and acrobats giving performances. Among them there was an acrobat who impressed me most. He was a strong man who played juggling with bowling balls and burning torches. He was very skillful and told lots of jokes. All of us enjoyed a good time.
I noticed that in front of every group of musicians or acrobats there was a board said “No tipping for the performances are already paid by the Beach Administration”. I think it was wise for the administration to do so. The administration spends money and provides entertainments. People enjoy them and become happier, become more willing to buy clothes, souvenirs, ice-creams and so on. It’s a win-win policy and reflects the American wisdom.

The other day, I went to an outdoor concert with Mr. Corio, who was the instructor of my academic writing course in Fudan University. The concert was held in Byrd Park, on Friday evening. Families went there with reclining chairs, food and drink. The sky was getting dark, as music flowing around. People chatted, listened and enjoyed. It was relaxing.
I don’t know whether it is true in US. But I guess a major concern in American life style is relaxing. In such an evening, people gathered in the park, met their friends there, and entertained themselves. Without tensity, without pressure, let everything go and enjoy the music. I do admire that kind of life.