Aug. 21 - Fun for Everyone! (Even the Groundhog) [Day 6]

I can't believe the days are passing so quickly, just like they say time flies when you're having fun (in this case, we are flying way too fast for my liking). Today, our troop left to Royal Alberta Museum and toured the many sections. After a fast guided tour, we had free time to wander around. After my buddy and I grouped up with another pair, she quickly veered me away from the bugs section and we entered the Aboriginal room.

My buddies had felt a bit scared in there because there was no else in there but us and lots of people sculptures staring at us. We speed walked through the exhibit and went to admire the crystals and minerals. This seemed to be my buddy's favourite section.

When our big group got together at the front doors, we set off for our picnic. We walked past the government building's gardens and had a couple thousand photo shoots there. Walking straight forward from the museum, we reached a steep (when I say steep, I actually mean really really steep) hill (actually more like mountain), in which our picnic site was at the bottom of that mountain. In the beginning , I didn't think it was such a big deal so I gradually descended down the hill with my buddy. I saw a few Chengdu kids who started going down had fell down, but stood right back up. I started gaining speed (by accident) and I was racing off  the dirt path into the knee-tall grass, but I couldn't stop! I soon tripped and fell into mud (WIPEOUT), staining my pants and shoes.

When I reached the bottom of the hill everyone was asking if I was OK, and the Chengdu kids were trying to help me wipe the mud off my clothes (they were so kind!). Standing there I felt like the 10 year old Chengdu Youth from last year who had sunk into the mud (while catching frogs) and needed new socks and shoes. One of the kids spotted what she thought was a beaver, but turned out to be a fat groundhog. We surrounded its hole and started dropping crackers near the opening. To everyone's delight, it eventually came out and ate our crackers. We must've stood there for at least 15 minutes watching the fat rodent munch.

In the end, the groundhog had enough and left. We reached our picnic site and started playing with footballs, soccer balls, bubbles and jump ropes you name it. Then, we enjoyed pizza with loads of chilli sauce (again). This time, one of chaperones from Chengdu was joking around and said she restricted one of the boys from putting so much chilli on his pizza. 

He eventually got hold of the whole jar and made a run for it. Several Chengdu youths who were hungry for more chilli chased him down for the jar.

Following the lunch, we played games such as Flinch and a game they taught us which was similar to Duck, Duck , Goose. One person would walk around the circle of people and drop a pop can behind someone. That person would have to try to catch the it person before he reaches their spot. Whoever lost each time would have to perform in the middle of the circle. The losers had danced, recited poems, done cartwheels and sung songs. I eventually had to sing my ABC's. Once we got on the bus, my buddy and I right away fell asleep, along with half of the extremely tired bus.

Later, we went downtown and sat at the edge of the river (on dangerously unsteady rocks), watching the dragon boat festival. We were snapping photos and cheering for who knows what team. 

We then left for the Fringe to watch street performances. We also got a few bags full of fresh carrots from the farmer's market, in which everyone absolutely loved! One thing that happened at Fringe was when the performers who paint themselves and pretend to be statues, walked up behind my buddy and scared her. We all had a laugh about this. With some persuasion, she was finally brave enough to take a picture with the golden "statue". =D

After Fringing, we headed to a hot pot restaurant where everyone was excited to dig in. We could order whatever we wanted to put in the hot pot, there was a spicy side and a non-spicy side (thank goodness) to each pot. When  we were finished our dinner, one of the Chengdu youth went outside to get something on the bus. When he came back, he had carrots in his hands! They must really like them! He offered me one and I took it, they were good!

At the end, almost everyone got together for a giant game of Stella Ella Olla (which we had to teach them). It was very intense, we played it at least 15 times! We also taught each other hand and slapping games which filled the restaurant with loud laughter (I think it may have been a bit too loud though).

When the fun finally ended, everyone went back home to get ready for another day of F-U-N!

Megan

Goodnight! =D (Actually good morning....oh well)