“From the moment I landed in Beijing with my group, my senses were overwhelmed by the rich history and modern peculiarities of Chinese culture. The structure of our time in China was well-orchestrated in that it gave us glimpses into its fast-paced urban life as well as the daily experience of its more rural citizens. Under the leadership of Creed Hyatt and his Chinese contact and interpreter, we spent a decent amount of time exploring Beijing – with all its tea shops, historical landmarks, and roadside vendors – and then traveled by bus along China’s wild roadsides to a smaller town where the door was open for us to step foot into the daily happenings of its residents. We also made the requisite trek up the Great Wall as well as the lesser-known Mt. Taishan, among other sites. I most appreciated the more intimate connections we had the opportunity to make – for example, spending the afternoon with Chinese students in Tiantan Park – as we were able to experience China on a more personal level and not simply stick to the over-trecked, sterile tourist routes. With depth, flavor, and a decent amount of walking and personal navigation, my 2010 adventure in China was one of color, culture, and strange tastes – for sure to be a travel experience I will not soon forget.”