Travels in China 2008
Great Wall & School Visits
What is more evocative of the perseverance and ingenuity of ancient China than the Great Wall? So, with high anticipation we prepare for our adventure with the absolute best tour guide we can imagine, our own Dr. Lu, who relates that his grandmother climbed the Wall with him at age 87. Obviously we couldn't complain too much when our quadriceps screamed at us as we huffed and puffed our way up one of the recognized man-made wonders of the world.
The perfectly clear, sunny day only adds to the joy of the experience as we walk side by side with huge crowds of people from every country marveling at the architectural and construction challenges inherent in building a 4,000-mile fortification in rocky, mountainous terrain that did protect the integrity of the Chinese civilization for thousands of years. Vast vistas of trees turning every shade of red, orange, and brown greet us in whatever direction we gaze at the serpentine wall that leads off into the distance beyond where we could possibly follow.
Exhilarated, we carefully descend the steep and worn steps and rocky pathways for a short visit to the Wetlands Environmental Park and Museum partially funded by Golden Courage International. One of the three primary goals of Golden Courage is environmental preservation to provide a healthy and safe environment for future generations. As the sun is setting over the horizon and the ducks and geese are gathering in the marsh, we stroll around the 15-acre Wetlands Park, which is helping to create a new level of awareness about this issue by providing a sanctuary for a wide assortment of endangered species and offering a serene, natural setting for local people and visitors alike to appreciate.
Early the next morning we prepare for our visit to the YanQing Middle School, the site of the greatest number of Golden Courage programs. It is here that construction is in progress to provide greater meeting space and accommodations for future visiting scholars who will offer enrichment programs of every sort for our children. Again we are generously met with enthusiasm at a special ceremony in our honor and a full program of speeches and a variety of musical performances by the gifted and excited children.
Over the past few months, we have been preparing to join the children on stage to sing the song, "Hand in Hand," the theme song from the Seoul, Korea Olympics at the end of their program. Led by our own talented Mira Maislen on the guitar, we step onto the stage and stand between the children, each of us holding the hand of one of our children as we sing, "Hand in hand we stand, All across the land, We can make this world a better place in which to live. Hand in hand we can, Start to understand, Breaking down the walls that come between us for all time."
With tears streaming down our faces, we all feel the truth of these words in our hearts. Yes, each one of can make a difference in the life of a child and in the connection between China and the U.S. And Golden Courage is providing us with this remarkable opportunity to channel our good intentions in a very efficient and effective manner. We are proud to be part of this large vision for the creation of a safer, healthier planet for all of the world's children.
Many blessings,
Lucinda Kurtz and the Golden Courage Family