We Went to China

July 7, 2010 by Ashley Gonzalez

No, no, no we did not go to China, as in the country, but we did head our way to China Town. All 140 of us.

Just imagine taking all the kids on a train that we had to transfer about 4 times just on the way there due to service issues. And for any of you with doubts, the answer is no. We did not leave not one, single kid behind at all today. When we finally reached our destination we split into two groups. One was going to eat at the Chinese restaurant first and the other the park and then we switched. It was hectic and chaotic. But delicious.

As the kids passed fish markets, baskets of odd produce and an Asian community completely unbeknown to them, they walked and stumbled in amazement at a culture completely not their own. Surprisingly, these kids have lived in New York all of their lives, but rarely stepped out of the borders of their own neighborhoods. To them, everyone was Chinese and lived by the laws of a monk. Bowing, always peaceful, and full of old age wisdom.

But whether to their disappointment or pleasure they were greeted by a culture similar to their own. Food markets, loud yelling, another language other than English, and adults who sat in their doorways and bargained over fruit.

The park was diversified and they had a blast getting wet in a fountain, jumping all over the playgrounds, shooting some hoops, and kicking the ball around.

At the restaurant I could not help but stay silent in thought watching these kids. Their restaurant manners for their age could use help. Afraid of sesame seed chicken and fried rice they loudly criticized the food and one or two even flat out said, “i’m not eating that!” So used to their culture, their world, they already show signs of being offended of others not of their same kind. After awhile they struggled to learn how to eat with chopsticks and eventually were licking their bowls and taking leftovers back with us.

At the end of the day I had the pure pleasure of watching one of the kids in my class get ready to take her and her 6 year old sister home. They walk home alone, or rather the little on is carried on a hip. All the kids in my class, more so the boys, cooed and ahhed over her and made every attempt to be her best friend. They were so kind and sweet that I was blessed with seeing a beauty I’m sure they would not even recognize.