China: My Starting Point of Exploring the World

Attiya Toney
Benjamin Banneker Academy

The Temple of Heaven

Travelling all the way across the world is something I never imagined myself doing, until this summer. ... Visiting China provided me this the chance to be exposed to another culture in its traditional and modern state and it was an amazing experience.

While in the city of Luo Yang we went into a cave dwelling in which a ninety-year-old lady lived in for all her life. In order to get into the cave we had to walk down a long flight of steps through a small tunnel like structure. When we finally reached the bottom we found ourselves in the actual cave. I thought to myself this is truly an amazing experience. Being a city girl I never thought I would actually some day stand in an actual cave. The cave was divided into sections. There was a bathroom, bedroom, and room for sitting. On the outside there were plants, trees and flowers being grown. Besides the site, the most amazing thing was the old lady's fascination by me. I mean she was so fascinated by my size, color, clothing and the little jewelry that I wore. She made me sit beside her to talk. ....

In China, I saw some men using their little children to obtain money from the people on the streets. It kind of remind me of home. However, I notice from my peers that majority of them are completely ignorant to the poverty that exists back home. ...

My time there has enabled me to become more enlightened on the facts of how China truly preserves its history and culture. It's amazing to me how it managed to do this. For this I give them much praise and I respect them for that. Chinese landscape is very beautiful from the mountain ranges to the land plots in which they raise their crops. This country is truly amazing in all that it has. China is only my first stop out of the country but definitely not my last. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to see the country. Exploring and obtaining knowledge about distinct nations is a true goal that I wish to attain before I hit my senior citizen years. ...

Cave dwelling photographed from the top

Stairs down to cave homes