Old Summer Palace

Yesterday evening we got a textmessage from our TN manager stating that we didn't have to go to work today. Instead we were going to do some sightseeing with someone from AIESEC and make a video. We got a text from Sky, the guy from AIESEC, which told us where to meet him at 10 o'clock. We still were clueless as about what we were going to do and why we got a day off from work.

So at 10 o'clock (or around 10) we met up with Sky and he took us to see the Old Summer Palace. It used to be one of the greatest and most beautiful gardens. So I learned. But the buildings were destroyed by the French and the British in the Second Opiumwar. Now only half stone buildings remain. The gardens weren't that pretty, because spring hasn't started yet.
We made two video's about the Old Summer Palace and that is why I know about the Second Opiumwar and such.. We needed to make a video of the Chinese zodiac and the old buildings that use to stand in the gardens. This was very difficult, because we didn't know anything about it. And since we did not know about this assignment, we didn't prepare anything either. Nonetheless I think we did a nice job. I had a chance to try out my English presentation skills and I think it went quite well. It was weird to do though.

After making the video Sky went home, while Kaho and I walked around the gardens a bit more. We wanted to go to visit a temple nearby, but it was already 15.30 and the temple closes at 16.00. So we went shopping instead. I phoned the other girls to ask if they wanted to join us. They did so after they had finished their class. I had dinner with Beth, Luca and Kaho. We walked around the shoppingmall and had a lot of fun. I was amazed by the amount of shoes Beth brought to China (I believe she said that she brought 16 pairs of shoes!, I brought 3 pair with me..). We went home after dinner, because Kaho was feeling tired. Tomorrow is another working day, so we should turn in early.