Day 0
24/05/2014
Finally, the day we have all been waiting for. It's the first day of OELP! Maybe not the official first day but it's the first day we reach China. Firstly, we boarded the bus to the hotel where we will be staying for a day. When we arrived at the hotel, we got off the bus and the 师父 was taking our luggage snout. At this point, some classmates went forward and helped to take out the luggages. I felt that it was very helpful of them and I was glad to see this when we are only on the first day of our trip. Then, we went into the hotel and had our rest after the long flight.
Day 1
25/05/2014
Today is the official first day of our trip. Firstly in the morning, we boarded the high-speed rail to Hefei. The ride lasted for 4 hours and most of us were either sleeping or watching movies. No one was really interested in viewing the scenery outside. Me myself was also not appreciating the scenery and thinking back, I feel quite bad for not spending that time to view the scenery and learn more about what is happening in China. However, after the high-speed rail, we left the station and right after we came out, almost all of us smelt a burning smell. At first, we thought that there was something burning outside. However, we realized that it was not the burning of things. It was due to the massive amount of people smoking outside. I feel that they should stop smoking and and totally quit smoking as smoking is not only bad for them but also bad for others if they breath in the smoke that it gives out. Smoking is bad for ourselves as it damages our lungs. I also saw many litter on the ground such as the high-speed rail ticket or food wrappers. This is also very inconsiderate as the things that the throw on the ground will all be cleared by the cleaners and it will be very tiring and stressful for them. Anyway, after that, we had to take a short walk to our bus, which included crossing a road. However, the roads in China were very different from Singapore. The cars could go almost anywhere they wanted and us, carrying our luggages were all having a hard time trying to cross the road. It was rather scary as we do not know when a car might suddenly just turn in. Hence, we had to act fast. After that, we went to 三河古镇. We saw many old buildings where lifelike stay and it is also the place where many famous people like 杨振宁 and 孙立人 used to live. I learnt that 杨振宁 was the first Chinese man to win a Nobel award in physics. Also, at 三河古镇, there was a limited supply of electricity of water and they made a living by selling toys or food to interest the visitors. I feel that they are very pitiful and hope more people can help them in one way or another to improve their lives. After that, we went to have dinner before we check in to our hotel where we would be staying for 3 nights.
Outside high-speed rail:
Day 2
26/05/2014
Today, we went to 合肥45中 to observe their lessons. But on the way there, the guide introduced and explained to us many things about 合肥. For example, I learnt that VCD and washing machines all started from 合肥; although 合肥 is near 南京 and 杭州, the flat prices are completely different; the life in 合肥 is slower as compared to 上海、南京 etc.; 合肥 has a 35000000 population;in 合肥, the ratio is 1 person to 1 big tree whereas in 上海, the ratio is 8 people to 1 big tree. The name 安徽 came from 安庆府 and 徽州府 which forms 安徽. There is also a saying: 生在扬州，玩在苏州，死在柳州，葬在惠州。
After that, we arrived at our destination, 合肥45中. We went to hefei 45 zhong today for school exchange program. Firstly,we went to our group's class to learn with them. We had history and Chinese in the morning. The students there were rather proactive and always takes the initiative to answer questions asked. They were also very synchronized when they were reading although there was a total of 61 students in class. However, I feel that they were rather rowdy as during their free time, 10 minutes in between each 40 minutes lesson, they will be running around and making lots of noise during that period of time. Next, we went to have lunch at 三河酒家. The food there was relatively good as compared to the previous day. After lunch, we went back to the school and had computer and English lessons. The way their English lessons was conducted was rather different as compared to Singapore. They did not have English lessons like we do, whereas, they received articles and had to translate them into Chinese. This was rather a surprise as we did not expect their English lesson to be so different from ours. After English lesson, they performed a performance for us to welcome us which I think was rather thoughtful of them. They had performance such as guzheng and guitar. They also presented to us on the history and information on both Singapore and china. After that, we had quite of a shock. We were called to perform in front of the whole class. We were asked to sing 'counting stars' by one republic. Previously, they had asked some of us the pop songs that we liked and we really didn't expect that surprise performance. We were all very shy and did not really dare to sing out loud. However, the other two students that performed with us were rather active and sang with us. I can see the effort they put in for the performance. After all these, we went to our buddy's house.
Sin yee and I went together with our buddy as our buddies stayed rather close to each other. Firstly, we went to sinyee's buddy house, before going to my buddy house. Our buddies and their family members were very friendly and they offered us lots of things, like ice cream, honeydew, and a fruit that we never tried before, pipa. After that, we went to the 夜市, where they sell many things from shoes, to cosmetics, to bags and street food. Our buddies suggested to us many street food which are very famous but we couldn't try it as we were not allowed to as it could be dirty which might cause us to fall sick. However, we bought many other things such as lamps, hair bands and so on. After that, it was close to the gathering time so we had to go back to the school. During the car trip back, my buddy gave us things such as snacks and tidbits which we can bring back to Singapore. Her mum also offered to give me two big pots of tea leaves which is very expensive. However, as it was too expensive for us to keep and it was also a hassle to bring such a big box of teapots and tea leaves back to Singapore, we had to return it back to them and although they kept insisting that I keep it, I had to return it back to them. After that, we gathered back at the school and we were forced to part with our buddies. However, we agreed to chat with each other via email and keep in touch. Then, we went for dinner and went back to our hotel.
Hefei 45 zhong:
One of the performance by the students:
Pictures with our buddies:
5 things I love about RV ((explain based on school experience))
1) cleanliness
After the experience in hefei 45 zhong, I now feel that the toilets in RV are considerably clean and not smelly as compared to hefei 45 zhong.
2) the size of the classroom
I feel that the size of the classroom in Singapore is considerably big as compared to China. There is almost 60 students in a classroom which is almost the same size as ours in Singapore, when we have around 30 students. Hence, I feel that our classroom is considerably big as we have lesser students but the almost the same classroom size. Their classroom is rather cramp due to their small classroom size but large amount of students.
3) noise level
I feel that the noise level in our school is low as compared to hefei 45 zhong. We are not as rowdy as them and we don't make as much noise as them during our break times and don't run about.
4) canteen
We have a canteen in RV whereas they don't. Thus, whenever they want to have lunch, they have to go home just to have lunch and come back to have lunch which is a hassle whereas here in RV, we can just go downstairs to the canteen to have our lunch and go back for lessons immediately.
5) learning environment
The ration of students to a class is around 60 to 1 in china whereas in Singapore, the ration is around 30 to 1. This means that we can have a better environment to study in as there are lesser students and the teachers would be able to focus on each of us more and not on so many students. Thus, we would be able to study better and not lose concentration so easily.
Day 3
27/05/2014
We went to anhui museum and the intangible cultural heritage park today. At the anhui museum, we were brought around by a tour guide and we learnt about how many things evolved from past to present. The things/equipments that they used last time as compared to now are totally different. This shows how the things/equipments changes as technology improves. There was also a 文房四宝 part of the museum where we could learn more about how the things were made and how it improved as the time go by.
Next, we went to the intangible cultural heritage park to watch rooster fighting, horse and dog relay and the circus. The way they were treated were very cruel. The animals were forced to fight against each other and for example, the rooster had to fight against each other and their feathers were dropping as the fought. After that, we went to see the circus performance. We saw animals which are known to be ferocious, such as the tiger and lion, being abused by the performers. They were being hit by a metal pole and they don't even have their own right to fight back. They were being abused very cruelly and even when they tried to fight back, they were being threatened by the metal pole, and they might have even starved the tiger and lion so that they will listen to them. I felt that this was very cruel of them as the animals have their feelings, their emotions, their life. Although they aren't able to speak, they are still living things and should have their own choice. They should not be abused by the performers and have their own say. Although I know they also need to earn money to make a living, they could have other choices and not only abuse animal or such just to make money from it. They could work as waiters or study to earn a qualification to get a job. I feel that as long as thy put in effort to find a job, they will be able to find it and not work at the circus torturing animals.
Outside the museum:
文房四宝:
Colour: red
I chose red as it shows anger in it which depicts me when I watch the performance.
Symbol: :<
Same as the colour, I chose this symbol as I feel angry about what the performers did to the animals which was very cruel.
Image: 
I chose this image as I feel that the performers could go and find some other jobs which does no harm to animals or any other living things thus saving the animals.
Day 4
28/05/2014
Today, we took a 4 hour bus ride to 黄山 after breakfast. After the 4 hour bus ride, we finally arrived at our destination! We went to have lunch before we went to board the bus for the cable car ride. We went to take the cable car up to 黄山 and we went to the hotel to put down our things before we proceed to conquer 黄山! We then began our journey up 黄山 climbing up all the flights of steps. After climbing flights after flights of stairs, we finally reached the top of 黄山! The view was breathtaking. We took lots of photos of all the scenery which was 👍👍. It was getting late hence we had to leave the place and head back down to our hotel for dinner. On our way down we saw a man wearing a rat costume and we even took a photo with him. We were also singing songs on the way down and it was extreme fun. We even caught the sunset on the way down! After having our dinner, it was time to sleep as we had to wake up at early the next day to catch the sunrise.
In the cable car:
Huangshan:
Huangshan with the teachers:
Photo with man in rat costume:
Photos while climbing and singing on the way down the mountain:
Sunset:
Day 5
29/05/2014
We woke up at 4am today to see the sunrise. The guide told us that there was only a 50% chance to be able to see the sunrise but nonetheless! all of us woke up to view the sunrise. We climbed a little and waited for the sunrise. The sunrise was really, really, really nice and spectacular. It was totally beautiful. After that, we were given time to explore 黄山 ourselves. We went to place our things back at the hotel before we went to explore. We climbed for a while before we found a place where we could sit down and relax and we took lots of photos. After that, we went to have breakfast before going with the tour guide to explore other parts of 黄山. By chance, we met an RV senior who graduated in year 1967 and we even sang the school song at the mountain with him. He actually still remembers the school song! He really makes the school proud! After that, we took a cable car back down. Then, it was time to go on to our next destination, Hongcun Ancient Village. The village was built for the 汪 family. We were told that due to superstition, the people will place the mirror on the left, the vase on the right, and a clock in the middle which stands for 终生平静, peace for their entire life. We also learnt about 马头墙, which can help when there is a fire and when the fire breaks out, it won't spread to the houses around it.
Sunrise:
Picture with RV senior:
Cable car on the way down:
Hongcun:
Positions of things on table:
Day 6
30/05/2014
Today, we went to Xidi Ancient Village. The houses were rather similar to those in Hongcun. One interesting fact that I learnt is that there was a circular table in every house which could be split into a semicircle. If the flat side of both semicircles are against the walls, it means that the owner of the house is not home and the person should leave. If the tables are placed together in the middle of the house, it means that the owner is at home.
After that, we went to Huishang Big House. From the name of the house, we know that the house is indeed very big and grand. After all these, we had a 2 hour cultural talk after dinner by 胡善风教授 who is the 黄山学院副校长. This lecture made me learnt a lot more about Anhui which I have never known before.
Entrance at Xidi Ancient Village:
Inside Xidi Ancient Village:
Day 7
31/05/2014
Today, early in the morning, we went to Tunxi Ancient Street to shop! We bought quite a few number of things for our family and friends back in Singapore. However, the time given was rather short and we couldn't really look around to shop for what we want. After that, we took a bus ride to 杭州 to have lunch. After that, we went to take the West Lake Cruise. It was very nice seeing the scenery along the way on the cruise. After that, we walked to Yue Fei Mausoleum. There was a statue of Yue Fei and many people were paying respect to it.
After that, we took a long bus ride to Pudong airport. We were all singing and playing on the bus. I guess everyone did not feel like leaving China after all the days we spent as a class thus everyone wanted to make the last day even more memorable and have fun together. We reached Pudong airport and went to have dinner separately. After that, we checking in and we were then notified that our plane is delayed by one hour, and we got a $130 coupon for food. However, as we already had our dinner, we bought food at Burger King and gave it out to strangers whom we see on the way. We still had some coupons left over so we bought ice cream to give out to others. Time passed by so fast and it is time to say goodbye.
View from West Lake Cruise:
At Yue Fei Mausoleum:
To end off, this trip was really very memorable. It is an awesome trip which bonds our class together even more. This trip really taught me lots of things and I hope everyone too! Hope we will be granted another chance to go on a trip as a class again and refresh our memories together as a class.
Last but not least, a class photo on top of Huangshan.
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