Asian Adventure
As part of a leadership seminar at SVSU, I, along with 14 others, went on an adventure to experience Asian history, culture, and education. We spent 3 weeks visiting locations in China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. I had an amazing time and I want to share my experience with others. So without further ado, I present:
Confucius Is Calling From Inside The House!
Get Out Now!
***
A Journal of Love, Loss,
and a Trip to East Asia
By
Steven Michael Miller
Day 1 (Beijing)
I’ve only been on this plane for three hours and I’m already going insane. I’m convinced that the cry of a baby is God’s way of testing Human endurance. We’ve all withstood more than mortal laws allow.
***
This guy not only looks like, but sounds and acts like, Elson Boles. Joni agrees and it’s majorly creepy.
***
Ron Paul Land. It just sounds so magical.
***
Huh. I’ve always wanted to see the Alaskan Mountains.
***
“Welcome to Tokyo-Narita Airport. Enjoy your refreshingly non-Northwest connection to Beijing.”
***
We finally got off the plane and Beijing doesn’t really seem that different from the United States. You know, when I read Confucius Lives Next Door, Reid talked about how Japan didn’t seem much different than Washington when his family arrived. I kind of scoffed at that idea, but now being here in China and seeing that everything is in English and there are people from all over, I’m beginning to understand. Even at the hotel, it’s just small things that are different and make me say, oh yeah, we’re not at the Tittabawasee Four Pointes Sheraton. I’m hoping that the westernization of the East won’t affect our trip in a negative way.
Day 2
Today marks the beginning of our Chinese adventure. It was a long day. For some reason I’m having trouble sleeping. Could be jet lag, could be excitement. We met our tour guide, Kevin (It’s weird to me that people would have Western names in Asia), and went to Tiananmen Square, which is the largest public meeting place in the world. It’s big. We see a lot of movies and photos of the Forbidden City, but you never realize how large and awe inspiring that it is until you’re there in person. It was one of the most beautiful and frivolous things I’ve ever seen. With 9,999 rooms and extreme security (15 layer brick flooring), it all just seems borderline insane. It’s not even borderline. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be Emperor and living in a place like this. It must have been so lonely. The eeriness of the place is amplified by the fact that it’s empty. Everything was looted and taken to Taiwan by Chiang Kai-Shek. While there’s great beauty, it’s also a grim reminder of what happens when a ruler has absolute power and no accountability. So much time, labor, and money put into this compound, and what does it really amount to? To me, the Forbidden City stands as a symbol of the suffering of the people of Feudal China.
***
Rickshaws are fun. I think maybe I could live in a Hutong; however, they definitely seem like “fixer-uppers.” I feel bad we didn’t bring Mr. Woo a magnet.
***
The saleslady at the Pearl Factory called me fat. Not the best sales pitch. I still bought a black pearl bracelet for Grandma. I think she’ll like it. I kind of doubt the legitimacy of spreading ground-up pearl on your face. I’ll pass on the cosmetics.
***
As crazy as it may sound, I think I sympathize with the Dragon Lady. I imagine that it couldn’t have been easy being a concubine for the Emperor of China, or being thrust into importance due to being fertile. We see these places and assume that everyone was insane, but I think that everyone was lonely. Many of these rulers, and the women to an extent, carried the weight of the world on their soldiers. I can’t imagine how frustrating it would be to rule China, while a 5-year-old got all of the credit. As I walked along the man-made lake of the Summer Palace, it all clicked for me. The Forbidden City, the royal home, was so alienating and cold. I think we’d all want to get away from that. As I walked along lake and felt how peaceful it was, and then imagined how much more so it would be without it crawling with tourists, I understood her completely. We reach a breaking point where you sometimes put yourself in front of others, and I think maybe that breaking point was what was responsible for her disregard of the people. We’re can all be a little selfish.
***
I forgot to mention that we finally saw the fabled Marble Boat at the Summer Palace. I’m just going to lay everything out on the table and say that I felt it was grossly underwhelming. Though, I have to admit I’m not really sure what I expected from a “marble boat,” but still.
***
I was a little skeptical, but pineapple beer is delicious. I’d recommend that you probably avoid the lemon flavored.
Day 3
The guy at the Jade factory called me fat. I think that these “buying opportunities” are going to cause me to develop an eating disorder by the end of the trip.
***
I climbed the Great Wall. I even have a shirt that proves it. The funny thing that Mulan never teaches you about the Great Wall is that it’s not really just a well-made perimeter fence around China; it’s a big mess. That movie also doesn’t teach you that most invaders didn’t scale the wall and fight soldiers to the death; they just walked through the gaping breaks in the wall. Looking down the 25ft wall, and then down the mountain slope, it’s hard for me to believe anyone could have scaled it if they want to. I can’t even imagine how they built the thing in the first place. The wall is simply breathtaking. Pictures could never do it justice in terms of size and craftsmanship. They say that hundreds of people died and that their bodies may or may not have been entombed in and around the wall; I felt like maybe I was going to suffer the same fate about ¼ ways up the wall. Despite the steps, it’s not walking, and in fact really is climbing. I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I told myself that I had to. I mean, when was I going to be there again? Saying that I climbed the Great Wall and stood on a platform on the highest point is much better story than “I went to the Great Wall, but I didn’t climb it.” I’m so glad that I stuck it out. It was such an amazing feeling to be there, and I think that, as silly as it sounds, looking down from the peak put my life into perspective in many ways. I’m really grateful for the experience in so many ways.
***
I think that if I was going to be buried in a tomb, I’d want it to be like a Ming Tomb.
***
I feel like the Peking duck dinner and the Kung Fu show was kind of a waste of my money. I was so tired that I didn’t even get to enjoy it. Though, I can say that I don’t quite feel so ashamed of my tiredness, as I saw Dr. Hinderer and the others dozing off, too. Maybe we should have had some of that “dessert” wine before the Kung Fu show. That stuff could have woken the dead. Of course Kyle and Thad loved it.
Day 4 (Hong Kong)
I’m sad that we only had one night in Hong Kong. It’s a bizarre experience to wander into a downstairs club in Hong Kong and be the only white people there, despite the fact that everyone there has Western names (if you can count Lancelot as a Western name) and the band is playing “Hotel California.”
***
I can’t even believe Thad’s fake Rolex. He was wearing it with his old watch. What a baller.
Day 5 (Taipei)
I’m watching Flight of the Conchords on the plane right now. Ironically, it doesn’t have anything to do with flight.
***
I would pay money to see a replay of the reaction on Margie and my face when we went on the balcony at the Chiang Kai-Shek memorial and all of those Buddhists turned and looked at us.
***
I had very mixed feelings about the Taoist Temple. I’m incredibly interested in Eastern religion, but I couldn’t help but feel extremely intrusive. Walking through, I thought about how personal something like worship is, and it just made me feel like I shouldn’t have been there. I felt like I was in the way.
***
Thad and I totally got the short end of the stick when it comes to rooms. I’m really not that impressed with the Grand Hotel now that we’re actually staying in it. The lobby is gorgeous, but looks can be deceiving. It reminds me a bit of the Bay Valley. Our window looks out into the hallway. That doesn’t even make sense.
Day 6
I’m incredibly impressed by the facilities and hospitality of Ming Chuan University. I’m jealous that we don’t have cool stuff like that at SVSU. I hope that Shih Hsin is just as awesome tomorrow.
***
Today, I’ve eaten, in no particular order:
- Eel
- Octopus
- Squid
- Snail
- Sushi Flavored Pringles
Kyle and I have also had the opportunity to sample more cheap beers of the world. We’ve devised a new ranking for the best flavored beer. It is currently as follows:
1. Peach
2. Pineapple
3. Grape
Grapefruit is a runner-up.
***
As I wandered through the Taipei Night Market, it occurred to me that Asia has a lot of weird smells. It’s not a constant olfactory condition, but once in a while there’s a pocket of stench that makes me want to vomit; it then disappears as quickly as it came. So bizarre. I’m glad that Crystal and Isaac could take us through the Market, but I hope the food I tried doesn’t come back and bite me on the ass.
Day 7
Pig’s Blood? Eww.
***
I don’t think I’ve ever met a more kind and friendly group of people than the Shih Hsin students. Their hospitality to us has been so overwhelming, that it makes me feel bad that SVSU does so little when they visit us. We went up to Mao Kong (a mountain) this afternoon and rode the Gondola there. I didn’t think that thing would ever end. It’s kind of neat that the gondola is part of their public transportation system, though I doubt that trip is all that convenient for people who live up there. When we got to the top, we visited this tea house, where we learned how to correctly brew tea. The view was spectacular, and I’m pretty sure that if I lived in Taipei, I’d sit up there and do homework just about every single day. The banquet was incredibly bittersweet. I think that people should always sing to each other. There is something about that act that is so much more personal than just some speeches and thank yous. While I feel that I’ve made some great, life-long friends, it saddens me that I might not see any of them ever again. Not to dwell too much on negatives, but I was incredibly unhappy by the way in which the evening ended. I realize that it was starting to get late, but being pushed out the doors seemed really rude and not very respectful to our hosts. Fortunately, we did get to get together with them one more time before the night was over. That goodbye was even harder.
Day 8 (Seoul)
I think that every Laundromat needs someone like Howard. And by that, I mean someone that sits in an undisclosed location and watches you for hours on end with video cameras while you wash your clothes, periodically calling to talk. I bet Howard was just lonely. Not to worry though, because he made a new friend in Toni.
***
So I accidently hit the button on the bidet while I was getting ready for bed. It started spraying out of the bowl and getting all over the bathroom door. That thing really gets some distance. Fighting the water to turn it off was a little reminiscent of an I Love Lucy gag.
Day 9
The lecture at Kyung Hee this morning was so boring, I think that time stopped. I really liked getting more information about the North/South Korea relationship, but I think it was just a little too much. Even the professors looked like they were physically in pain when the presenter switched over to the second 40-slide PowerPoint. Here are some methods I used to stay awake:
- Switching positions in my seat
- Taking a swig of that nasty tea
- Using the patented Kyle Deming Church Pen Drop trick
- Biting the inside of my cheek
- Thinking about what I was going to do with the rest of my summer
- Taking notes on the presentation
Suffice it to say, those things in concert got me all the way through. It was rough. I also had no idea that North and South Korea had a relationship, much less and trade and manufacturing one.
***
The trip is really starting to catch up with me. I’m so exhausted. I think maybe I could use some of that Eastern Medicine. I need to get stuck with needles or thrown in a freezer, or something. I can’t believe that guy’s name was G. Love.
***
We had another bidet incident. This time the bidet worked as a well-placed pranking tool. Those things are like Super-Soakers. Kyle never knew what hit him.
Day 10
I wonder what it would be like to be that first group of South Korean soldiers to uncover and explore those tunnels under the DMZ. It was an eerie feeling for me, and it’s been turned into a tourist attraction. To think that there’s something right under your feet and you didn’t even know it. Who knows what would come out of the tunnels and when? Scary. I’m also a little uneasy about how everyone acts like the Demilitarized Zone is a magical land of wonders. But then again, I guess if I was in Seoul’s position, I’d try and look on the bright side of things, too.
***
I like beef as much as anyone else, but 4 meals in a row of Korean barbeque is a little excessive. If I have to eat it one more time, I think I’m going to scream.
***
I can’t believe the tour guide asked Dr. Hinderer if he’s tried Viagra.
***
I felt really after Margie’s talk with us. For the record, I stayed awake the whole time, but it was a challenge. I don’t think that we, as a group, are partying too much by any means. I think the travelling is just finally catching up with us. We’re all so tired and we have another week to go.
***
I can’t believe we met a woman from Saginaw in the middle of Seoul.
***
We stumbled into the rehearsal for an Andre Kim fashion show at Daesung Palace. Awesome.
***
We found this restaurant downtown called the Matching Mole, which sold “American” food. I should have known better. My dinner was really awful and I was jealous of Tammy’s spaghetti.
Day 11 (Kyoto)
Green tea ice cream is perfection. The United States needs more vending machines.
***
Sufjan Stevens is possibly the perfect soundtrack for riding the bullet train. I’d recommend his Illinois album for such an adventure.
***
Being in Asia makes me want to shave. Beards just aren’t popular here.
***
It’s incredibly difficult to use a urinal in a swinging-door bathroom on a moving train. Just saying.
***
The nightingale flooring in Nijo Castle was an interesting concept, but I think that the constant noise would drive me crazy. The squeaks seriously did sound like birds chirping. Color me impressed.
***
It’s incredibly cool that President Gilbertson is on the trip with us for the rest of the way. I’ll be interested to see how it will change the group dynamic. My dinner was awesome; I didn’t know that beef coated in egg could taste so good.
***
Thad has been vomiting all night. I feel really bad for it. Margie and I went on an adventure to find Ginger Ale to no avail. It sounds like others have gotten sick too, so I’m a little worried we’re going to have an epidemic on our hands. Toni and I are going to pop into the 7-11 downstairs and hunt for some “feel better” foods. Wish us luck.
Day 12
I got up this morning to just go for a walk. Exploring Kyoto has been one of the nicest and most relaxing things I’ve done all trip. Getting up early and just walking until breakfast. I found a couple of really cool shops. Most things were still closed, as it was 7am on Sunday, but I found some cool prospects.
***
I left my bag at the restaurant during lunch. Yuka was kind enough to make the trek back with me to get it. I think I might have found myself in some trouble had my bag (containing my money and passport) disappeared. Yuka paid for a cab to get us back; so nice of her.
***
We visited 5 Buddhist temples today. I can honestly say that it was probably one temple too many. My favorite by far was the Temple of 1,000 Buddhas, despite the fact that its name is false advertising; it actually has 1,001 Buddhas. We almost lost Kyle again. We went to leave the rock garden temple and he was gone. He got locked inside. He was in the bathroom. Oh, Kyle.
***
Yuka helped us pick out dinner and I think she made some good choices. She’s really great, I’m glad that a past RF from Japan could come show us the ropes.
Day 13 (Hiroshima)
Happy Birthday, Dr. Hinderer! President Gilbertson gave him a little scare. Hilarious.
***
Oh, rainy day.
***
There’s nothing like beer and manicures to end a relaxing day.
Day 14
I threw up on the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. I should get that airbrushed on a shirt.
Day 15 (Tokushima)
We almost lost Margie on the bullet train. They decoupled the cars while she was up at the vending machine. Oops.
***
The Awa Adori dance was really fun. It’s been difficult to communicate with our guides, because they don’t speak much English and we don’t speak much Japanese. Oh well, we’ll “Make it work” as Tim Gunn would say. I came home early because I’m still not feeling well. Getting stomach flu is like getting socked in the stomach. I feel so thin, though!
Day 16
I don’t think I would like living in Tokushima and going to Shikoku. I can’t really put my finger on why. We had a lot of fun today, between volleyball, tours, and that ridonkulous Buddhist Temple on the back of the pickup truck. President Gilbertson’s tearful goodbye with Mrs. Satoh was incredibly sad, and it made me think about the relationships I’ve made on this trip. The people around me will be lifelong friends, and many of us have bonds that will never be broken, no matter what direction our lives lead. I think that this is probably the most important aspect of Robert’s Fellows; Relationships.
***
The children were more interested in us than the Naruto Whirlpools. The feeling was mutual. Just the wrong time of day, I guess. The ones we did see were cool. I feel bad for those jellyfish caught up in there.
***
I feel that I was extremely lucky to get to experience our visit to the Buddhist Temple. We got to watch a prayer and take part in a tea ceremony. Eastern tradition and culture is just so fascinating, and today has made me want to practice Buddhism more frequently. I’ve found that I’ve smelled of incense since I landed in Beijing. Curious.
***
I just knew that Dr. Hinderer was sandbagging with the whole Karaoke thing. He had a dance routine and everything. That sly devil.
Day 17
I don’t think that any trip I’ve ever taken could compare to this. Going to Japan has always been a dream of mine, and Robert’s Fellows has made that dream come true, and then some. I can’t wait to come back again to see and learn more. I would like to thank Donna Roberts, Dr. Hinderer, Dr. McCue-Enser, Dr Boye-Beaman, President Gilbertson, the Board of Fellows, my wonderful RF 9s, and everyone else who made this trip possible for me. This has truly been a life changing experience in which I’ve learned about leadership, community, education, culture, and history. Robert’s Fellows is clearly a unique and once in a lifetime educational opportunity, and I hope that this program continues with the same excitement and energy, but also with some new ideas and perspectives that each class can bring to the next. I hope that Saginaw Valley can keep its relationships with Ming Chuan, Shih Hsin, and Shikoku, and build a stronger future with Kyung Hee. As a final thought, I would like to see future Roberts Fellows work at a slower pace. I realize that there is so much to experience, but no one can get the full depth of what they are doing if they do not have time to rest and reflect. I know that our group had particular problems going into the 3rd week. Travelling is hard and we all opened ourselves up and let our guards down, and eventually it just wears you out. I would also like to see us continue with our East Asian friends, but branch out to some new locations, much in the way the RF9 group did with South Korea. It makes things fresh and unique not only for the class, but for the faculty, as well. In closing, I would once again like to thank everyone for their time, dedication, and generosity. It’s not always easy, and we are all sometimes difficult to work with, but you’ve given me a lifetime of memories. I have truly found my Inner Dragon.
Ancient Chinese Secrets
1. Always look down.
2. Never stick your hands in the elevator door.
3. You can always barter down.
4. Everything is an International Incident.
5. Tammy doesn’t do anything.
6. Be cautious of Korean Restaurants serving “American” food, or you’ll end up with kimchi pilaf.
7. Don’t drink the water.
8. Dr. Hinderer is an all-knowing Oracle.
9. The Marble Boat is dumpy. Marble Boat is also an adjective to describe anything that you found to be less than you expected.
10. Nothing makes you feel thinner than a stomach flu.
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