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It was at Wang Fu Jin that the eclectic taste for the exotic surfaced among our students. A couple of the students ate insects and were given macho titles.
Moses Teow or affectionately known as ‘Moses the Great’ said his favourite part of the trip was eating the cricket. He did not stop there.
“I ate starfish, it tasted like deep fried fish and was crispy like potato chips…it was delicious,” said Moses.
Jonathan Yeo however, did not share Moses’ sentiments, he took the opportunity to do a lot of shopping at the night market.
Prior to touring Beijing, the students spent their time at Hope Foster Home. Being with the babies there tugged the heartstrings of our students.
“Some of them have holes in their lips, exposed bladder. It’s a pity they are abandoned and suffering,” said Moses.
“Some of the children looked happy at the home, I felt pity looking at them,” said Jonathan.
The students helped to weed the garden and wash the toys.
“We have to weed, as weeds compete with plants for their food and kill them,” said Moses.
“We also play with the children,” said Jonathan.
These students were aware of the condition of the children. Thus, felt what the home provided for these abandoned babies was a noble gesture.
“The people at the home are helping the kids by giving them food, taking them out for walks and playing with them. They call their nannies ‘a-yi’ because they have no mother and father,” said Moses.
The weather in Beijing was around 10 degrees, very cold compared to Singapore. Moses was certain he was going to turn into a block of ice.
The guests of the home slept in yurts, there they wrote their nightly journals and made their beds.
When asked which their favourite place to visit was, their answer was
unanimous - Forbidden City.
They certainly want to go back for a second visit.
“It’ll be nice to go back there again, can eat more than two crickets and visit the
children,” said Moses.
“I would like to go back for holiday and visit the foster home,” said Jonathan.
For most of the students, this was their first trip away from home but one thing’s for sure, it would not be their last.
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