2017肇庆怀集下帅露营分享--Ms Sophia

The hustle and bustle of daily life can often leave one feeling stressed or just generally drained after some time. As a result of this people often try to find ways to wind down after a long day or even after a few weeks or months of giving it their all. Personally one of my favorite ways to de-stress is a fun filled camping trip to explore a new place or have a new experience. I often go camping all wound up and tired but by the end of my trip I usually get back home relaxed, revitalized and ready whatever life has in store next; and this last 2017 semester 1 AHA camping trip was no exception.

It was a bright, sunny morning when we left our school and set off for our destination. It took us about 2 hours but the time seemed to pass by so quickly since both students and teachers alike were enjoying themselves chatting, laughing, playing games and sharing snacks; the trip had gotten off to a good start. 

 Once we arrived in Xiashuai, which is a township in the huaji district of zhaoqing city, we were greeted by the smell of fresh air with the beauty and nature of the countryside scenery. 

Once we got off the bus and were all settled in our rooms we made our way up the mountain where we began picking tealeaves. The journey up the mountain was an adventure in and of itself, filled with narrow paths, rocky cliffs and canopy trails. 

Once we got to the tea grove we were taught the do’s and don'ts of picking tea. After a few minutes of tea picking we made our way back down to the village where we were then shown the process of drying the leaves and making them ready for brewing. 

By the end of the day we were back at our campsite with a bag full of dried tea leaves that we could boast as having been pick and dried by our own two hands. Now how many people can say that?

The next day we made our way up another mountain to Zhuliu village where we all put our hands to the wheel and helped the local farmers plant tea seedlings. It was a very interesting and fulfilling experience for both students and teachers. 

Later that evening some of the children and teachers from the local school came to our campsite to perform for us and in turn we also put on a few performances of our own which turned the night into a min festival of sorts. Everyone was having so much fun and enjoying themselves that all feelings of being tired from the day’s activities just seemed to melt away.

On the final day, instead of going out, we all gathered together after breakfast for a fun arts and crafts session where the kids were allowed to collect items from the environment which they then painted in fun and imaginative ways. The kids were in an artistic frenzy, painting beautiful and abstract designs on things like rocks, pinecones and twigs; one student even found a triangle shaped tile and painted it like a pizza!

 After lunch we headed back to the city having had an enjoyable and enriching three days. All in all it was a great experience.