As the days passed, the tensions within me tightened and the countdown began. About a week before departure, preparations had been underway. All of us had been building up the PowerPoint presentation that was to be presented on the 24^th of October. The next day, we were then busy with acquiring the skills of the National Day dance to be showcased after the presentation. Initially, the steps to the dance were tough to attain and there seemed to be some unhappiness amidst the erudition. However, it was a small misunderstanding and the dark clouds cleared. On Thursday, it was the promotion day and as well as my birthday. Nevertheless, all of us still came together to meet in the music room to practice one last time for next Friday’s performance. After which, the weekend was our final days left to pack our bags and gear up for the big day.

Finally, the countdown ceased and the big day arrived. After some final checks it was time to head down for the airport. We gathered at Changi Airport’s terminal 3 and checked-in our belongings. It was a midnight flight and we were departing as SQ800. We took group photos, Mr Tharmen and Ms Lim were there to send us off and we bid our parents/relatives good-bye. I guess at this point in time, many of us felt sad rather than excited. We went to the departure gate and the feeling of excitement aroused within me. After 2 years of wait, I got to sit on a plane again! As expected, the plane was delayed and we finally took to the skies.

We initiated our descend when dawn started to break. Bouncing above the clouds, the monumental display of orangey-red sunlight cracked in on the plane window panel is simply an inexpressible sight. We were back on solid ground at around 7am, retrieved our belongings and boarded the bus heading for Beijing 156 Middle School. The phrase best describes the weather: free air-conditioner. Despite the cool climate, sometimes it gets so cold that when we put on several layers of clothing, we look like Eskimos!

After entering the school compound, we toured the school I reckon many of us had nightmares consuming the breakfast there. After which, we participated in a handicraft class which we made 中国结. We then headed back to the 阅览室 for lunch. With some free rest time left to spare, most of us went outside and played basketball or if not sit on the stage chatting away. We had some physical exercise next, for which I played badminton with Daniel and Eric, followed which we attended an art lesson which was very captivating and interesting. We then met our counterpart families/buddies and nervousness seeped in. They were very formal and polite to a huge extent. That evening, I was stunned and surprised when they brought me to enjoy their country’s specialty: Beijing Roast Duck. Wow, I never thought that on the first night I would have such a thing!

Second day, after arriving in school we toured the classes and exhibition areas. I did not have any chance to take any photos as I forgot to bring the camera along with me. Then it was time to climb the Great Wall of China: Badaling. Well, I climbed another section of the Great Wall before was looking forward to this one. As usual, we would always sweat when we exercise but the cool weather forbid any sweat from occurring. We returned back to school earlier than scheduled. As many of our buddies had to stay back for extra lessons, we had a few ball games. Surprisingly, I had Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) for dinner. That day I think I had over-climbed steps.

Day 3, we each dissipated to our respective classes for sit-in lessons. There were: Language, Biology, Geography and Governance lessons. I chose Biology as science is important nowadays. They were learning about the animal cell and it was amazing how they could conduct an experiment with cheek cells in 40 minutes! I remember doing a similar experiment in secondary 1 or 2 before, as such it was a breather. After which, we took the public transport and headed for the Beijing Olympics Stadium (Bird’s Nest Stadium), Beijing National Indoor Stadium and Beijing National Aquatic Centre. We only managed to tour the inside of the Bird’s Nest Stadium and not the other two Olympic venues due to some reason. With some time remaining and that Tian An Men being closed the next day, we took the subway down and viewed it. Somehow we did not get to view the internal premises of the Tian An Men but we scanned the outside and headed for a KFC outlet where we rested our tired feet. I skipped the meal and watched others feast upon the fast food as I had eaten it the day before. After some fill and rest, we headed back to school via public transport by 4.10pm. As our buddies ended at 5.20pm, those involved stood together at the stage and Mr Ang joined us. As time flew, one by one we left and went home. Guess what, dinner that evening would be at Yoshinoya. I couldn’t believe it, it has had been 3 days and I have never tasted any home-cooked meal!

For day 4, we went to the Forbidden Kingdom by public transport and toured the palaces. It was quite crowded with tourists and locals. For lunch, we went to a restaurant near the school for which Beijing 156 Middle School hosted us. Well, I guess Mr Ang was not happy with me over the seating arrangement and I am apologetic about it. Anyway, the rain’s over and the sky’s blue again. We walked back to school and started preparations for that evening’s performance. I shall not go into detail as there are too many things to describe. Overall, it was great and I was satisfied with myself over the performance segment. We had a small briefing about Saturday’s outing and dinner was not surprising anymore to me – I still ate at Yoshinoya.

As for day 5, those buddies who had to attend extra lessons gathered, sat in with them and joined them for the first period which lasted 80 minutes. This was to have a sense of how their lessons were conducted. Jing Wen and I were in the same class as our buddies were in the same class and the first period was English. Unsurprisingly, their English standard that they were learning is comparable to the standard we learn at primary school, no offense whatsoever. I can understand as English is their second language, like Mother Tongue is our second language here. However, I reckon the teacher feared we were helping the students too much that she kindly invited us out, so we went to the stage and wait for Mr Ang or our friends to finish. Not long after, Mr Ang arrived and we headed for the 一楼会议室 away from the cold as he had the key to unopen. We waited for the others to stream in from their various classes and once everyone had gathered, we set out. We strolled along the streets near the school, aiding Eric in his search for an acoustic guitar.

Unwittingly, I remembered the day before in the bus going home that I had spotted a hobby shop selling airplane models and kept that at the back of my mind. Finally we strolled past it and I peered from outside but since everyone was ahead, I did not want to held them behind. A few shops down we crossed the road and went into Mcdonalds. Having ate at restaurants for the past evenings, I decided to give it a miss. Next door was a shopping centre which we entered and I window shopped. I think the girls benefited the most from the shopping centre as they had spent a long time dolling up their nails, leaving Eric and I no time to shop for our items. We had to return back to school by 3.30pm so we rushed back once they finished at about 3.35pm. At least we got back to school by 3.45pm and it was a good workout from the shopping centre to the school. Well, I tagged along with Eric and Mr Ang after meeting with our buddies and I guess Mr Ang was not too pleased with me. He wanted me to get my item (which was a model plane) myself and with my buddy. Anyway I have already said ‘sorry’ and I have also gotten the model plane which looks awesome.

My buddy and I headed home and for once, dinner that day was home-cooked food! So far, I have heard stories of how my friends have had to endure the torturous meals and I must count myself fortunate to eat out. Anyway, it was not so bad, or not as bad as what some of my friends have described it to be. There was pork ribs (it tasted delicious), some vegetables and soup. Some dishes were so tasty that the parents could open a shop and sell them! Well, that also happened to be the only time I met my buddy, 苏小智’s mother. Wonder why? I only found out on the third day that the house that I lived in all this time is their holiday-home and they stay at a smaller house nearer the school. This also explains why I have been eating out all this while. His mother lives in the house nearer to the school and only he and his father lived with me. That day, under my parents’ request, I finally took several pictures of him and his family before his mother went back.

The last day, day 6. I decided to sleep in today and woke up at 8am, compared to the usual 5.45am. In the morning, I gathered that it was the only time I have to get some products here for my tuition teachers back in Singapore. Since Saturday we strolled past and entered a tea store, I concluded to buy tea leaves for them. 小智 had quite a bit of homework to complete so I went out with his father to a grocery centre nearby to get tea leaves. The packaging of the tea leaves in the boxes and the paper bag itself had a design so creative and distinctive designed that lures one with ease to purchase.

As for lunch, there was no more home-cooked meal and since小智’s father was not feeling too well, he and I went out to a steamboat fast food restaurant. One of its kind. The initial plan was to dine at a dumpling restaurant near the school and then I was free to shop along the street like the day before, I can understand and I do not force it. I guess I misunderstood小智 and he ordered too much meat. Somehow, he and I managed to consume most of the food except for one plate left. After lunch, we headed home and I retired back into my room and did some final packing. About 3.30pm, his father drove him and me to the school. Unexpectedly, the traffic was rather heavy and so it took about 45 minutes to arrive at the destination. 小智 and I went to the school to place my luggage after bidding小智’s father good-bye and thanking him for the wonderful memorable stay.

We then waited outside the school for小智’s friend to join us and we headed for the hobby shop once again. I had decided to buy another model plane as these were so difficult to find in Singapore. In fact, I have not spotted one shop selling these kind of models in Singapore at all. It was a good thing that小智 brought his friend along as he was good at bargaining. After purchasing, we strolled back to the school to collect my belongings and then we walked towards 4中 school. The time was 6pm and I was the earliest to arrive. The principal arrived at around 6.15pm and at around 6.23pm, 小智 and I bid each other good-bye. He left with his friend for dinner together.

At about 6.45pm, my friends started streaming in and each other waved good-bye to their buddies and their families. I guess Jia En and her buddy must have such a close relationship with each other that even she and her buddy were so touched that their tears fell from their eyes. So, we headed for the Beijing International Airport and checked-in. While checking-in, many of us realised that we had to spend our China currency here as we would not be able to use it in Singapore. Jing Wen, Lynette, Zavier and I went to Starbucks and got ourselves and Eric coffee and chocolate. Zavier and I went to Haagen Daaz to get ice-cream. Because of the currency, the prices here and Singapore had a huge difference. After finishing the edibles, we took the airport subway and went for our boarding gate.

I took many photos of the planes at the neighbouring gates as the plane at our gate had yet to arrive. They were so awesome in the night sky. I spotted a Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane that had just landed behind the plane that I was taking photos of and I knew that that had to be the plane we were sitting. After taking satisfied shots of the plane I was taking, the SIA plane taxied behind and I ran ahead of it, hoping to take a few shots of the plane entering the gate. The plane was just turning to the gate when I arrived and I managed to capture several beautiful shots of it coming to a halt.

Well, by now many of my friends would know my craze for planes. As the cabin crew was earlier than the plane’s arrival, they sat at the waiting gallery and as they were about to prepare for the flight, Daniel went up to them and requested for a shot. Hence, I would like to give special thanks to Daniel for capturing an unachievable shot of the captain and first officer on our flight. Departing as SQ801, the departure time of 0010, the plane pushed-back at 0006, took-off at 0016 and was in the sky by 0023.

This trip has hence allowed each and every one of us to bond with each other. Most of us had never knew each other before although we were from the same school and same level even. However through this trip, many of us understand and make friends with one another. I have also learnt some things about China’s education system which by ourselves is impossible to learn. Some of the system is so unheard of, it can only be learnt through the locals and students themselves.

Nevertheless, this trip has benefited me in many unforeseen and unimaginable ways.