26th Apr 2011 - 00:00
Abstract
Trekking over 70km of The Great Wall of China in aid of The Springboard Charity was the opportunity of a lifetime, says reporter Maria Bracken who recently took on the challenge. We take a look at what some of the highlights were for the other fellow trekkers on their “unforgettable” journey.
I asked a few of the trekkers to come up with one fact about China that they found interesting, bizarre or simply tickled them. This is what they came up with. Darren Ungless - 3663 I found it interesting how the Chinese use their fingers in different ways to symbolise value rather than just relying on verbal exchange. Gemma Lockwood - DRP Group I was humbled by the strong community spirit of the Chinese people and how on weekends all generations gather in the parks to play cards, dominoes or just to socialise. David Noble - Gauntlet Insurance I was blown away by the whole tea experience in China. Not only by the sensual pleasure it provided but by the ritual itself. It is a proper social activity and a healthier alternative to the coffee shop. Watch out for my first Tea Cafe coming to a place near you shortly. Krishnan Doyle - Corecruitment Never quite sure what or who you were eating! Lorraine Wood - Arena Having walked for three hours along the wall, not seeing a soul apart from our group and then suddenly turning a corner and being confronted by a 5ft nothing Chinese man in trainers, a three piece pinstripe suit carrying a small, green Marks and Spencer's bag and a flask of tea!!! Rachel Kingdon-Saxby - Premier Foods I absolutely loved the community spirit of the Chinese people, from the village setting up a hotel at the Black Dragon Pool (cold though it was) to the communal toilets in the Hutong district. It's a cultural attitude that totally transcends politics, and I was charmed by it. Robbie Dickson - Compass Group The whole country is full of juxtapositions, whether that is a six lane motorway running next to a thousand year old wonder of the world or, a state of the art solar powered street light next to a cage of rather dejected looking chickens! The whole place made my mind boggle! Tim Adams - 3663 How the Chinese seem to think a full body massage means beating you to within an inch of your life. Stewart Smallwood - Elior The effect of challenge and adversity on team dynamics and personal behaviours was fascinating – first impressions mean nothing! Jay Ramsay - Corecruitment I found it interesting how we were served up black foetus eggs for breakfast!
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