Tucson - Return

Students, staff, and parents checked out of the Beijing Best Western Hotel this morning and bussed to Beijing Capital Airport. The travelers then broke into flight groups and boarded their assigned aircraft.

After VERY long flights and some extended connections (some more extended than others), the groups arrived in Phoenix and finally boarded the buses to Tucson. The exhausted students were greeted by parents and friends. The trip provided an excellent opportunity for students to experience another culture's art, customs, language, traditions, and cuisine. The students were able to perform at locations with incredible backdrops and provide a sample of their own music to the Chinese people.

Thanks to staff, students, parents, and friends for providing suggestions and comments for this blog - JEM

July 2 : 01 Lobby of Beijing Best Western Hotel

July 2 : 02 Beijing Capital Airport Departure Terminal

July 2 : 03 Beijing Capital Airport Departure Terminal

July 2 : 04 Phoenix Sky Harbor Arrival Area

July 2 : 05 Phoenix Sky Harbor Arrival Area

July 2 : 06 Phoenix Sky Harbor Arrival Area

July 2 : 07 Phoenix Sky Harbor Arrival Area

July 2 : 08 Phoenix Sky Harbor Arrival Area


July 2 : 09 Phoenix Sky Harbor Arrival Area

July 2 : 10 Phoenix Sky Harbor Arrival Area

July 2 : 11 KOLD Return Coverage - Click Play Button

Beijing - Zoo, Tea House, and Banquet

Our last full day in Beijing! On the way to the zoo, we drove by the Olympic Park and saw the National Stadium (Bird's Nest). However, an overcast layer prevented a clear view of the architecture. Drove to the Beijing Zoo to visit the pandas and then off to a Chinese Tea House. A formal tea preparation demonstration was given. Be sure to ask your student about the surprise ending. After lunch, the students were given an opportunity to shop in downtown Beijing and to visit the street vendors. The more adventurous students tried some of the deep-fried critters on-a-stick. Our last dinner in China was the Roasted Peking Duck banquet. Ms Shane thanked all those responsible for a great trip.

July 1 :01 Beijing Olympic Stadium

July1 : 02 Beijing Zoo July 1 : 03 Beijing Zoo July 1 : 04 Beijing Zoo July 1 : 05 Beijing Zoo July 1 : 06 Beijing Zoo July 1 : 07 Beijing Zoo July 1 : 08 Beijing Zoo July 1 : 09 Tea House July 1 : 10 Tea House July 1 : 11 Tea House July 1 : 12 Lunch July 1 : 13 Shopping at Olympic Store July 1 : 14 Street Shopping July 1 : 15 Street Shopping Snacks July 1 : 16 Downtown Beijing Shopping July 1 : 17 Peking Duck Dinner July 1 : 18 Peking Duck Dinner July 1 : 19 Peking Duck Dinner July 1 : 20 Peking Duck Dinner July 1 : 21 Peking Duck Dinner July 1 : 22 Peking Duck Restaurant

Beijing - Great Wall

Wall Day - Two Great Wall locations, two performances! This morning we bussed to Juyong Pass about 50 km north of Beijing. First item of business was a group photo of the band in front of the wall. Then the band set up in front of a temple on the wall and ran through their stationary performance. Free time then allowed students to climb the wall. After lunch, we traveled another 10 km north to explore the Badaling section of the wall. After dinner, the band performed for the last time in China. Another high school band and several Chinese ensembles also performed with the Great Wall as the backdrop. June 30 : 01 Great Wall - Juyong Pass - CFHS Falcon Band June 30 : 02 Great Wall - Juyong Pass - Friends & Relatives June 30 : 03 Great Wall - Juyong Pass June 30 : 04 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance  

June 30 : 05 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance June 30 : 06 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance June 30 : 07 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance June 30 : 08 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance June 30 : 09 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance June 30 : 10 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance June 30 : 11 Great Wall - Juyong Pass Performance June 30 : 12 Great Wall - Juyong Pass  

June 30 : 13 Great Wall - Juyong Pass June 30 : 14 Great Wall - Juyong Pass June 30 : 15 Dinner June 30 : 16 Dinner June 30 : 17 Dinner June 30 : 18 Great Wall - Badaling June 30 : 19 Great Wall - Badaling  

June 30 : 20 Great Wall - Badaling Rehearsal June 30 : 21 Great Wall - Badaling, Festival Rehearsal June 30 : 22 Great Wall - Badaling, Chinese Ensemble June 30 : 23 Great Wall - Badaling, Chinese Ensemble June 30 : 24 Great Wall - Badaling, Chinese Ensemble June 30 : 25 Great Wall - Badaling Performance June 30 : 26 Great Wall - Badaling Performance June 30 : 27 Great Wall - Badaling Performance June 30 : 28 Great Wall - Badaling Performance