Dandong

In early May, CET arranged a class trip to the city of Dandong. We visited the Great Wall of China’s easternmost point, saw the Yalu River and North Korea in the distance across from it, ate at a Korean restaurant, and took a trip to nearby countryside where we saw stunning views, did a little hiking, and ate at a Manchu village.

On the last night in Dandong, we had some free time, so I took two classmates to visit the parents of my former teacher and good friend Mr. Xu. We spent several hours at their farm, ate delicious food, drank unbelievable amounts of beer and liquor, and had a great time. At one point, Mr. Xu’s mother asked my classmate Melvin how old he was and upon hearing that he was twenty three, announced: “You’re a kid! No hard liquor for you! Have some beer.” At one point, we toasted in honor of their son, who’d been offered a position in Singapore. At another, Mr. Xu’s father toasted to Bin Laden’s death. Sitting on the family kang yet again, enjoying good food and their warm hospitality, I felt such a sense of joy. How wonderful that three Americans, from Boston, Rhode Island, and Brooklyn, are bonding so closely with two middle aged farmers in Manchuria.