Romance of the Three Dumplings

Hi! I'm Adela Hurtado, a NYU student originally from Miami Beach in Shanghai for Spring 2013. Follow me in my journey across China, a dream I've had since the 6th grade when I read the novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and became an eternal Zhuge Liang fangirl. I love Virginia Woolf, Disney, gaming, South America, and all sorts of things! I hope you enjoy my posts about my experience!

[adelathehun]

Not the most beautiful picture, but the only one I have of this great night! After our competition, after karaoke with David Pe, after a party, I went on a little adventure...

I love these little unexpected happenings. I never thought I'd be sitting on plastic stools in the middle of the street, eating noodles at 3am with such interesting people. I had such a lovely time, and I can't possibly write down all that I feel here.

So much has been happening lately. I haven't been writing as often, but I've been busy with school projects and filling up my days with good times, big and small. I'm really happy here.

[adelathehun]

A couple of weeks ago we went to Yangzhou on a school trip. I'm not sure if I'd call it "fun," but "interesting." It was a time of reflection, at least for me. At Slender West Lake I would lag behind my friends and start thinking about things I haven't thought about in a while. I was feeling a bit confused about feelings that have quickly risen up in me the days before the trip, and I wasn't sure what to think. Was this moving on? Is this what it really feels like? I think it's something else. I've changed so much as a person in the last few months. 

I felt a new confidence in myself after the Banco Santander Brunch. I was ecstatic and proud of myself, but in Yangzhou I retreated into myself and thought and thought. It's more of a fear of the unknown, what might come in the future. I wondered what I actually wanted in life, what I wanted from people. I was a bit melancholic. 

So at Slender West Lake and Daming Temple, for much of the time, I thought. Slender West Lake itself is beautiful, even on a cloudy, windy day. It's a wide expanse of gardens, trees, water, bridges etc. Yangzhou's iconic Five Pavilion Bridge is there.

I loved walking with my friends and I enjoyed watching them laugh and take pictures of each other, as if I was an outsider looking in. You can get lost in there, and I did, mentally at least. My friends were there though to bring me back to reality to enjoy the moment. 

[adelathehun]

Our traditional Chinese dance performance for NYU's Variety Show! We did so well! Everyone thought we were so graceful and were clapping and "wow"-ing throughout the whole thing.

On top of that, WE WON FIRST PLACE! All the hard work and millions of practices were totally worth it. I'm really going to miss these moments with my friends dancing. I can't believe how one day I have no idea how to do any of these moves, I jokingly go through them, and now with my team I'm winning first place at the show! It's really amazing how much I've learned, how many new things I've experienced, and I'm so happy. 

[adelathehun]

Sometimes I think videos are better than pictures to express feelings. I took this short (and a bit messy!) video of a day I spent alone on the Bund near my favorite building, the Customs House. I caught it as it was ringing its bells.

I'm really glad I took it because I wonder how the city will change in the coming years. Now I have this moment of Shanghai recorded, the way it was when I was here. 

[adelathehun]

A tiny piece of the Summer Palace! Here are some of the dragon boats you can take across Kunming Lake. It's a huge complex, and very beautiful too. We were pleasantly surprised by how nice, natural, and spacious it was. It was full of trees and the water was sparkling. I'll post more pictures of the buildings, but one thing I can't imagine is how it all belonged to one person!

You see so many Chinese there now, but imagine how it used to be when it was the palace for the emperor (or empress, in Cixi's case)? What a view! I read that the emperors would take these elaborate, beautiful boats across the lake to arrive back at the entrance, and that's what we did too!

[adelathehun]

A small ride at the little amusement park in People's Square! My friend and I ended our day with a few nerdy rides. My favorite though is this swinging, swirling ride that goes high up in the air. It's really thrilling! 

I'm glad we took advantage of what a nice day it was and decided to go out (even in shorts, gasp)! 

[adelathehun]

His Excellency's shrine, where would it be found? Past Damask Town, where cypresses grow dense.   Its sunlit court, gem-bright greens—a spring unto themselves. Leaf-veiled, the orioles' sweet notes to empty air.   Thrice to him Liu Bei sued, keen to rule the realm:   Two reigns Kong Ming served—steady old heart   To die, his host afield, the victory herald yet to come   Weep, oh heroes! Drench your fronts, now and evermore. 

- Du Fu on Zhuge Liang's Wuhou Temple

After waiting for so many years, it's finally happened. I finally went to Zhuge Liang's temple in Chengdu, the same one I promised myself in elementary school that I'd someday see. 

I can't even begin to describe it! I was oddly calm, but perhaps it was because I had been preparing myself for this day for so long now. It was a great day, even if a bit cloudy, but once you were in the temple all the colors of the flowers and trees burst through and made you forget everything else. 

I read on a website that the suggested time for a visit is 1 hour and I don't think they could be any more wrong about this. We were the only foreigners there, and it was clear that the Chinese here spent so many hours here, as did we.

I finally came upon Zhuge Liang's golden statue, and here he is, with me holding my action figure that I've had since I was little. You can see the reflection of the outside, how green the trees were. It was really magical how beautiful it was, and how it was all dedicated to him and the other generals from the Three Kingdoms.

I loved seeing kids and adults walking around with replicas of Zhuge Liang's fan! I was really at the most sacred Three Kingdoms site, as my audio guide told me in my ear.

We walked around, buying a ton of Zhuge Liang merchandise, and I was touched when some girls practiced their English with me, asking where I was from and how long I was in China for. We two were the only foreigners in the area, so we got many stares! Not that I mind, but once again it showed me how much the Chinese take part in their cultural history. It's a great feeling, to be part of something huge from another culture.

I saw Liu Bei's mausoleum and tons of beautiful, colorful sprawling gardens of various types. The area was bigger than I had imagined! There were bonsai gardens, peach blossom gardens, etc, all filled with statues, small buildings, and tablets inscribed by ancient poets and generals. Flowers bloomed everywhere. I couldn't believe I was walking through so much history as well as loads of praises for Zhuge Liang. I was proud to have "known" him extremely well since I was young. I learned even more about him through the guide!

At one point I sat on a rock and started tearing up, nearly crying, and some tears came out of me. It was all incredibly beautiful and I couldn't believe I was finally achieving my dream after so long. I was already dreading having to leave. I said, "I'm coming back one day, right?" I definitely will. I can't imagine not. I cancelled the rest of the plans for Chengdu and spent the day calmly walking through the area. I cried on the plane back to Shanghai though. 

Zhuge Liang has been my role model since I was little, and one of my greatest inspirations. Now I can finally say I went to his most beautiful temple and I'm so happy that I was able to have the chance. I'm so grateful. On my desk is a little shrine I have set up to him  now, with the little figures and scrolls of his, as well as my own fan replica. Treasures to keep forever! 

[adelathehun]

Sometimes you need time for yourself, just to treat yourself. Today I was feeling the urge to walk around the Bund to take photos. I managed to grab a taxi and feel that old feeling of happiness that I get when being driven around. In New York I don't get driven around as much, the closest thing is the subway. I don't take taxis there. I love being a passenger in a car though, it's one of my pleasures since I was little. You get to see the sights, the buildings pass by, and of course, to daydream. 

Anyway, I took so many photos of my favorite building on the Bund, the Customs House. I stood on the edge of the Bund, leaned against the railing and stared out at the water. I saw the lighthouse towards the end of the Bund, and I've been meaning to check out its restaurant for some time now, so I went. It's an old lighthouse that now is a cafe/bar. I was led to the third and top floor, giving you a view of the Bund and of the Huangpu River Skyline. 

I enjoyed my orange juice and cheesecake as well as the ham and cheese sandwich that came later. I liked sitting there on my own to take it all in. Soon a group of three people came and couldn't find seats, it was somewhat crowded, so I let them sit in my corner. We ended up talking. David's been working in Shanghai for the last two years and he graduated from Penn State. The other two were coworkers of his that now want to go to the Zhujiajiao watertown based on my recommendation. We talked about my life, Florida, etc, and it was nice. 

I said my goodbye and walked on my own down the Bund again, then turned to East Nanjing Road. I went to an underground market and bought a couple of hair accessories from a, might I say, cute guy. He asked, "You can speak Chinese?" in Chinese and I said a little and we laughed. That made me buy the accessories, I don't know why.

Soon I came upon the huge Forever21, and purchased such a pretty blue dress that I feel amazing in! Feeling satisfied and on top of the world, I kept walking down the road and saw the sign for a Chamate, the Taiwanese restaurant chain that makes my favorite seafood rolls.

After gobbling those up (again), I again learned the ropes for grabbing a taxi, and tried out new tactics. I think I've leveled up to one level higher than "tourist." 

Upon arrival at the front gate, I bought some milk, then explored ECNU's other bookstore. It had loads of cute stuff, and I bought a pencil and a notebook featuring the Notre Dame Cathedral, another inspiration of mine. I looked around their book section and found yet another version of Three Kingdoms that I had to have.

It was a really nice day.

[adelathehun]

I just remembered how much fun Shanghai's Science and Technology Museum was. I've been to many museums, but I've never been as entertained or had as much fun as I had at this one. They did an excellent job in making their museum quirky, interactive, and informative, all at the same time.

Look at those giant bugs, just look at them. They were in the rain forest section, pretty much an indoor rainforest filled with waterfalls, caves, bridges, and all sorts of things. It was an adventure just to go through that section alone! 

[adelathehun]

In Beijing we were lost at one point, unable to find our hotel. This man, who normally gives rickshaw tours, offered to take us there even though it was a bit far from where we were.

One of the things I've noticed about China in general is the kindness of people. I know I'm generalizing, but I have not met someone who hasn't gone out of their way to help me in times like these. Maybe I'm too used to people's indifference, but I've been honestly touched by the friendliness here.

We ended up having a bit of a tour by the Beihai Lake and it was beautiful! 

[adelathehun]

After the Great Wall, a fun Beijing Opera at the Liyuan Theater, we went to DaDong's for the best Peking Roast Duck in Beijing. We were not disappointed! The duck itself was soft, melting in your mouth, and delicious. The waiters showed us the proper way to eat the duck (you fold it up in this dough), but I don't know if I'll master it!

It was delicious though and now I can say, "I had the best Peking Duck in Beijing!" 

[adelathehun]

Another amazing view from the Great Wall! 

And me contemplating.

[adelathehun]

The Great Wall, what a sight at Mutianyu! I feel as if I've done it all now, haha! 

(as you can see I have a gold medal for my heroic efforts in climbing it)

[adelathehun]

Just as I'm arriving at Hongqiao Train Station to get on a bullet train to Beijing! I'm really excited for what's to come!

[adelathehun]

A poster I found while exploring a shikumen site as part of our photography class field trip.

I'll have to write more about the shikumen, but I really loved this poster. I was tempted to take it with me, but at the same time I wouldn't want to change anything about this place The poster is special because it's a remnant of a past time, one that's quickly fading away as these uniquely Shanghainese houses are being demolished. 

[adelathehun]

I can't describe the feeling of having your photos printed out on beautiful paper! For our photography class, we all went to these buildings, all dedicated to photography, and printed our photos. 

It's really exciting and interesting to see your photos come out in physical form, out of these giant printers, after having them be on your computer for so long. I've never felt it before! We were all pretty excited. Here are the two that I had printed out, you can't see the other one as well in this picture though, haha.

I asked to print my window photo on the paper it was recommended to be on instead of printing it with the other photo on that one's paper to save money, I wanted it well done so I said I'd pay extra!  

After it was printed out and we put my photos on the pile, my professor and I stared at my window picture. He told me (I'm not phrasing it as well), "This is the only photo that reached professional status. It's the lighting, the texture, the feelings, everything. It has a story. When I first saw it I was like, "Wow! What is this?" It's really beautiful and successful." I didn't know what to say other than thank you!

We waited for everyone else to have their photos printed, and I looked through the catalog of different papers, trying to feel the differences between each one. Then Barbara, my other professor, told me that they're covering the extra cost of my photo, and not to worry about. I protested, but he and Barbara said not to worry about it.

What a day! I can't wait to have them put up at the school. I still have to think of names, hm...

[adelathehun]

A guest speaker we had for our US-China Relations class was Li Bijian. He's a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which basically carries out China's foreign policies. He's been working all over the world, in places like Uganda and Afghanistan!  

One of the things that struck out to me was how frank, genuine, and open he was when talking about his thoughts about life and China. He genuinely believes that open communication is key to solve many of our problems, and I agree. That's why he's honest with us, he said, he didn't want us to have any misconceptions. He even asked us questions about what we thought, what we would advise about current situations!  Li went over China's relations with other countries, its current problems, but also about how far China has come over the years. He thinks China will improve, saying, "I'm a diplomat, but I'm also an idealist."

 Someone raised his hand to asked about Li's time in Afghanistan. He told us that the security wasn't great at the time when he stayed there from 2006-2009. He spoke about his very close, good friend, a minister at the Indian Embassy, who was killed when the embassy was bombed. It took two days to find his body.  

"The night before, we were having dinner, talking about India-China cooperation, and the next day he was gone."  

We were all completely silent; we weren't expecting this type of story. Maybe we expected an assassination attempt, or a close call, but not a good friend dying in that way. To work in places like Afghanistan, he told us, you need to have courage and sacrifice for the greater good.  

After everyone left I went up to him to say thanks for his great lecture, how touched I was, and we ended up talking quite a bit! I mentioned how I'm going to the Sichuan area, and he got excited, telling me about his hometown there. He was disappointed that I was only going there for a day, but he told me about how great the food was, how many historical sites there was to see, the temples, the people, etc--you can tell he has a lot of pride for his hometown! He even told me that near his town there's a mountain pass that Zhuge Liang passed through every time he launched one of his northern campaigns!

He wants to go to Peru one day. He said that's the only continent that he hasn't been to yet, but he'll try to go next time he's assigned to North America.  

I asked what the name of his hometown was, which is a very small town in the Sichuan area, and he wrote it down for me on his notebook. "Jiange." I said would go someday, and I will.