CK Link - Theatre of Dreams for Calvin

Unexpected Returns - DC & Baltimore Trip

What a tiring but very meaningful and enjoyable trip for this past weekend!

Some highlights before the trip
- My first visit to the US capital
- Meeting AIESECers from LC George Washington (GW)
- Meeting Fr. Gene Geinzer, an old friend I met in Beijing in Baltimore
- Visiting Baltimore and Loyola College, the "home" and where my respected former boss Fr. Ron Anton used to work
- Having Cindy as a traveling companion (my friend studying abroad in USA)

Itinerary
April 23
- supposingly we're catching the bus at 8am to DC but we missed it by 2 minutes (!!!) but we paid for another bus and arrived in DC at around 1pm
- Then we visited some museums/art gallery with LC AIESECers and some other AIESEC alumni in DC
- Dinner & Party with AIESECers at George Washington Campus area
April 24
- Headed to Baltimore with a coach, and arriving at about 10:30am
- Touring National Aquarium, Little Italy and downtown area
- Went to Loyola College in Baltimore
- Stayed at Ignatius House
April 25
- Took the MARC train from Penn Station of Baltimore to Union Station in DC
- Visited the National Geographic HQ, International Spy Museum
- Rushed to Chinatown for bus to NYC
- Arrived NYC at 9:15pm

Thoughts/Feelings after trip
1. AIESEC-wise: Although it's not really a reception activity for my traineeship, I treated that as a very good mean for integration wit local members, as well as learning a lot more about the AIESEC culture, DC culture and networking within the organization. Also, again, thanks for LCP Andrew Martin and other GW members, I witnessed the power of AIESEC network and the passion of the new blood. Of course, not to miss the party we had...

2. Excitement in GW campus - with the Cops!
When we're having the home party, somehow someone threw up and attracted the attention of the campus police and we were forced to stop the party and followed by ID checking....well, the treatment for non-GW members/alumni was a line from the cops - "Get out from that exit and I dun want to see your faces again!" So, we left the party apartment without any further trouble.

3. What a great museum trip for Me, a history-majored master student
I love the Arthur Sackler Gallery in DC - having a lot of artifacts from Asian cultures, Buddhist statues from India, Tibet, exhibits from Silk Route, Chinese ancient art pieces/antiques...I learnt much more about the Asian cultures, unbelievably from an US museum. The international Spy Museum was a place allowed me learning a lot more about the history of the US - KKK's anti-minority approach, anti-communist propaganda in the Cold War period (videos from the time, etc)

4. Excellent Discussions on Christianity at Loyola Baltimore
I had long been educated in Christian schools and interacted and interested with the religion. With the night staying at Loyola College, I had a wonderful time with a Chinese priest who studies in the college now. It strengthened the knowledge I learnt from schools and at the same time created a lot more thoughts to me...that was really a surprise - to have some spiritual moment for me.

5. Exchanges and touched discussions/Self realization Process
Since we're taking the buses, I had a lot of discussions with Cindy - lots of exchange about HK's policies, histories and exchange of thoughts of development in Chinese economies, and the most powerful and touched discussions for MYSELF - 1989 Tian An Men...I realized that it still stroke me a lot and it still made me emotional when I have to talk about it...after these discussions, I really have another valuable gain - self-recognition as a HK citizen and Chinese, not politically at all, but it's more like a personal feeling just simply being a "yellow-skinned decedent of the Dragon - a Chinese" and the hope for our country - no matter what regime is it. It's about MY country.

6. Importance of Friendship/Interdependence of human being
Seems to be big words, but the trip reminded me again the welknown Chinese sayings, "Counting on friends when you are away from home". Without the help from so many individuals, my trip would not be as meaningful, interesting and rewarding as it is now. I do not have a faith yet, but I do want to say thanks GOD for granting me this.

7. "Si Nian" (Chinese, meaning "Missing")
There was certainly something which would have added much more value to my trip - most of all is if I could have Cinde with me. I have to admit, I do miss her very much but as I promised her, we would be traveling together in the world. I keep my promise and I will keep it...I'm preparing and learning to be a more resourceful and better traveler, as well.

Looks like it's the time for me to pause for it now...

posted by CalvinCK @ 12:19 AM