About a half hour before the arrival of the Chengdu Youth, organizers and many volunteers awaited their arrival at the hotel. Several volunteers, including me, had made signs saying "welcome to edmonton"-in Chinese and English, some wishing them fun and adventure, and a good stay. There was even a huge banner that almsot stretched out half a block ! That one was done by a family using watercolor. Talk about great teamwork!
While everyone was waiting in the room, I could feel the excitement and anxiety of the Chengdu Youths' arrival! (or maybe it was just me-I was barely still for a moment) People were talking about the plans, taking pictures, and checking their watches for the youths' arrival time. Everyone was excited! Then finally, someone announced "5 minutes until they arrive!" . Like a herd of elegant, galloping horses, we all marched down the stairs and waited at the entrance of the hotel to greet the Chengdu visitors with our smiles and banners.
...I have to admit, that was the longest 5 minutes I have ever waited. Everyone was standing behind the colossal banner, holding it up or holding their own signs, making lots of noise and watching every bus pass by. Finally at 8pm, the bus rounded the corner with beautiful and stunning decorations inside and the Chengdu Youths! I think we made so much noise that the whole city heard us!
After a few photo-opps and 'hellos!', everyone headed upstairs to mingle and eat. The Chengdu youths appeared not tired nor hungry at all-just a bit shy! After being served a wonderful meal, the welcome committee of parents and students began to socialize with the Chengdu youths (including me!). Their Mandarin was superb(duh! ha-ha)! I got to talk to the majority of the youths, and they range from the ages of 10-17. All of them were very polite and very sweet. After talking to some (there were two sets of twins), I decided to give my banner to them to keep as a souvenir; they really like it! I hope I can get to know all of them with the time I get to spend with them.
The Chengdu Youths also got their own pretty brown hats to wear! It was amazing. After the hardcore mingling, it was off to bed and the Chengdu youths gathered their belongings and headed off to bed. They thanked us and went off. I was so excited. Our once in a life time experience had finally began.
It must be tough for them to leave home and come here to a place where everything is so foreign and a language barrier exits with the people. That's why I'm glad the volunteers tonight (including me), along with many other volunteers who speak Mandarin, are here to meet them and help make this a trip they will remember for a life time!
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