Day Seven: Xian - Ancient Capital of the Great Chinese Dynasties

Our trip to date has been full of incredible insights and experiences that have opened the eyes of each member of our group. Over the next few blogs, we will be sharing some of the insights and reflections that students have submitted for the blog. 

Crossroads Reflections (Day 1-4)
Erik: In the past few days I've experienced something completely surreal as I helped pack the container that will be sent to Zambia. It didn't feel like a chore, it felt like a privilege that I was part of this experience that would impact the lives of countless people. Overall my stay at Crossroads has been one that I will remember forever.

Travis: When we were working it was good because we were doing something helpful for others and it wasn't something we had to do, it was something we wanted to do.

Shari: The highlight of the service trip so far would have to be working with other people from different grades to serve others and volunteer our time together to help those who really need it the most. 

Day 7 - Xian (Today's adventure through the eyes of students)

Stop #1-International School: Kaitlyn Smith
I really valued attending the Bodi International School because I was able to experience real life in China, not just it's ancient history or it's tourist attractions, but real people living their everyday life.

When we arrived at the school, we were greeted by the school principal and his translator, Iris. After an interesting speech about the schools' history and achievements, we were given the chance to attend a Year 9 English class. The RHAC students tested the knowledge of the international school students and Ben Razey and I had a conversation with some of them in front of the class. I met two girls, Zhou Jing and Wang Ziwei. They taught me some Chinese words and characters and I taught them some Australian slang and animals. These girls had been learning English for five years, so they really enjoyed being able to teach me about their own language. When our time was up, we exchanged contact details and gifts from our respective countries. Finally, we received a short tour of the school and played ping pong in their table tennis training academy.

Stop #2- Wild Goose Pagoda: Meg Brown
Peculiar in name yet able to be a spiritual connection. The origin of the pagoda is derived from legend of a monk who was to travel from India to China delivering highly sought after Buddhist relics. Passing through the desert he came across a goose, which in his time of desperation offered its blood for his famished state and flesh to consume, only requesting that the monk fulfils his quest in delivering the sacred relics. So, on his return to Xian, he named the pagoda after the wild goose as he believed it's offering was a sign of Buddha's spiritual presence in a time of need.

It is such a belief as this that has allowed individuals to overcome barriers such as language to join in the meaning behind its existence. The pagoda itself offers Buddhist statues and temples available for exploration in the extravagance of gold and jade. It was a sight all were absorbed within, allowing individuals to give their respect. With famous figures such as Confucius, the Jade Emperor and Buddha, fortune, future and truth are all aspects of a belief with the capability of blessing and further insight for all, with observation of other religions allowing insight to an altered ideology to a culture stereotypically classified and misconceived. From mental to physical, this was an experience and exposure to a site uncommon from the home of our own.

Stop #3- Shaanxi Museum: Benjamin Razey
This afternoon we also visited the Shaanxi Museum. The museum aimed to highlight the significant differences and similarities between each of China's major dynasties and also highlight major events/major practices that occurred within each dynasty. The museum was split into three large sections/dynasties: Qin, Han and Tang. Of all of the sections within the museum, I found the most interesting to be the Tang Dynasty as it had a large replica of a Grotto with a large Buddha statue in the centre, highlighting the religious background of the Chinese culture.

Overall, today was completely and utterly exhausting, but was also so interesting and fascinating. Not only has this trip been an amazing opportunity to serve and help those less fortunate than ourselves, but it has also been an incredible opportunity to learn and immerse ourselves in different cultures.