Today was quite eventful. Unfortunately, as dad and mom forecasted, it rained for the better part of the day but not enough to stop us from having fun. We left the hotel at nine o'clock to go to the Chengdu Panda Sanctuary. The panda base is one of the most famous sanctuaries for pandas in the world and boasts a panda population of just over 60. Supposedly there are only 1600 pandas left on earth! We walked around the base and viewed giant pandas, giant panda cubs, and red pandas (similar size and look as raccoon). My friend Jen was extremely excited to hold a panda, however, the activity cost about $130 so she opted out.
On our way back from the panda base we stopped at a dumpling house near our hotel. No unique foods, just dumplings, it was delicious. After lunch we came back and read for awhile. Our guide Huyen came to pick us up at four o'clock. She took us to a saloon called 1983 to get haircuts. Only three of us went. Huyen is a very lively gal, she convinced me to get some crazy hair treatment that you all may see through the rest of my trips pictures. Essentially, they straightened and fried my hair with some stuff they use to do perms.
We were are the barbershop for a good while and had to rush back towards our hotel to get to our show on time. Tonight we went to a Changing of the Faces performance. The show is basically a type of Chinese Opera that Chengdu is famous for. There were various vocal and instrumental songs. There were also situational comedies, acrobatic, hand puppet, and fire blowing skits! We grabbed some McDonald's on our way back and now I'm going to go to sleep, night!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Day Eighteen
The first stop of the day was at a traditional Sichaunese tea house to interview a small group of retired citizens. We spoke to the group for about an hour and a half to find out how they live and what they do to stay healthy. We recorded their answers and jotted down notes to keep in mind for our visit to Hainan. In Hainan we will be advising a group of architectures in their development of a massive retirement community.
After our interviews we went to lunch at a Country Style Chicken restaurant, (knock off KFC), and then went to get massages. The massages weren't half as good as the ones that I've gotten in the U.S. but I couldn't complain, an hour and a half massage only cost 7 dollars!
Before going to dinner we came back to the hotel to dress up. The Chengdu CDC took us out to an elegant dinner. The dinner fell in line with many of the unique dishes we've eaten throughout this trip. The most unique plate we had was duck tongue... it kind of tasted like beef jerky. During dinner we were encouraged to drink a lot of a special Sichaun spirit (made with 5 "fruits") and Great Wall wine. The CDC directors gave each of us a small gift, ( ceramic plates with traditional art).
We came back to the hotel around eight o'clock and then left again to a bar crawl on the river that flows through Chengdu. Before going to sleep we jumped in the pool. Now time to go to bed. Night!
After our interviews we went to lunch at a Country Style Chicken restaurant, (knock off KFC), and then went to get massages. The massages weren't half as good as the ones that I've gotten in the U.S. but I couldn't complain, an hour and a half massage only cost 7 dollars!
Before going to dinner we came back to the hotel to dress up. The Chengdu CDC took us out to an elegant dinner. The dinner fell in line with many of the unique dishes we've eaten throughout this trip. The most unique plate we had was duck tongue... it kind of tasted like beef jerky. During dinner we were encouraged to drink a lot of a special Sichaun spirit (made with 5 "fruits") and Great Wall wine. The CDC directors gave each of us a small gift, ( ceramic plates with traditional art).
We came back to the hotel around eight o'clock and then left again to a bar crawl on the river that flows through Chengdu. Before going to sleep we jumped in the pool. Now time to go to bed. Night!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Day Seventeen
Last night one of the Sichaun University students, Salem, invited the USC guys to come over in the morning an play basketball before morning classes. Salem brought along his friends Rex and Deng, who together thoroughly kicked our ass in a game of three on three. After our game I picked up the laundry I had dropped off at the university a couple days before.
We came back to the hotel and jumped in the pool to cool down and then went to Pizza Hut for lunch, (my fourth time since I've been in China!). After lunch we met up with our professor to go to a Chengdu hospital where a man named Gregory Yingnien Tsang gave a lecture on smoking cessation to hospital staff. Before we left the hospital we were given a brief tour of the tobacco cessation department at the hospital.
To end the day we debriefed at the hotel and then went to a traditional Hot Pot dinner. Hot pot is a dining experience in which there is a boiling pot of oil in the middle of the table and various dishes are brought with foods to cook in the oil. It really isn't called hot pot for nothing, in fact it was probably the spiciest food I've eaten in my life. By the end of the meal I was sweating up a storm from all the hot peppers and oil. It's been a long day, night!
We came back to the hotel and jumped in the pool to cool down and then went to Pizza Hut for lunch, (my fourth time since I've been in China!). After lunch we met up with our professor to go to a Chengdu hospital where a man named Gregory Yingnien Tsang gave a lecture on smoking cessation to hospital staff. Before we left the hospital we were given a brief tour of the tobacco cessation department at the hospital.
To end the day we debriefed at the hotel and then went to a traditional Hot Pot dinner. Hot pot is a dining experience in which there is a boiling pot of oil in the middle of the table and various dishes are brought with foods to cook in the oil. It really isn't called hot pot for nothing, in fact it was probably the spiciest food I've eaten in my life. By the end of the meal I was sweating up a storm from all the hot peppers and oil. It's been a long day, night!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Day Sixteen
Today started a little later than the last couple days. We slept in until around nine o'clock and awoke to a room service breakfast! After breakfast we gathered to troops and went for a little trip to a local clothing market. I bought some athletic shorts to use at the hotel gym. On our way back we had lunch at McDonald's and then came back to the hotel.
Around two thirty we were picked up to go to the Chengdu high school we've been working with to do our last focus group. I was given a group of 10th grade smokers, all males. We discussed some issues regarding the school program and collected all their suggestions. The session went by a little faster than yesterday. A few of the students requested my contact information for future reference.
To end the day we went with our Chinese friends from Sichaun University to dinner at the Beijing Duck restaurant, ROUND 4! After dinner our friends took us to Ginli, an alley-like promenade with small concession stands and shops. The alley was lined with chinese lanterns on traditional style buildings. Tomorrow we're waking up early to play some basketball with some Chinese college students. Night!
Around two thirty we were picked up to go to the Chengdu high school we've been working with to do our last focus group. I was given a group of 10th grade smokers, all males. We discussed some issues regarding the school program and collected all their suggestions. The session went by a little faster than yesterday. A few of the students requested my contact information for future reference.
To end the day we went with our Chinese friends from Sichaun University to dinner at the Beijing Duck restaurant, ROUND 4! After dinner our friends took us to Ginli, an alley-like promenade with small concession stands and shops. The alley was lined with chinese lanterns on traditional style buildings. Tomorrow we're waking up early to play some basketball with some Chinese college students. Night!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Day Fifteen
Today was unlike any other. For the first time in my life I actually felt like a celebrity. We left the hotel around nine o'clock and were driven to the Pixian County CDC office. When we walked into our conference room there was a massive banner welcoming the University of Southern California group. During the CDC's presentation there was a camera crew taking pictures for what I assumed was the Pixian county local newspaper. At the end of the presentation we were allowed to ask questions and discuss any pressing concerns.
After the seminar we were driven to lunch at a Sichaunese restaurant. We ate Sichaun delicacies such as pig ears, frog, rabbit, and small fish (the entire things!). When we finished eating we walked along the lake on which the restaurant was situated.
Before saying goodbye to our friends from the Chengdu and Pixian CDC we visited the Pixian county hospital and a nearby town clinic. The hospital consisted of 300 staff members (approximately 120 active physicians, and they catered to about 400 outpatients a day). In addition to the hospital and clinic we also visited an immunization office that specialized in delivering vaccines to children.
Around three in the afternoon we came back to the hotel. My friend Fionna and I called our Chinese counterparts at Sichaun University (aka Washi U), to do some laundry at their school campus. When we got back we met with our teacher to discuss our term paper topics on tobacco in China, (my focus will be on tobacco advertising and marketing in China). After our meeting I booked a flight from Hainan to Shanghai for July 3rd. We grabbed dinner at a Beijing Duck restaurant and tomorrow we get to sleep in! Evie, have a safe trip to Hawaii and remember you'll be the closest family member to me! Love you guys, night.
After the seminar we were driven to lunch at a Sichaunese restaurant. We ate Sichaun delicacies such as pig ears, frog, rabbit, and small fish (the entire things!). When we finished eating we walked along the lake on which the restaurant was situated.
Before saying goodbye to our friends from the Chengdu and Pixian CDC we visited the Pixian county hospital and a nearby town clinic. The hospital consisted of 300 staff members (approximately 120 active physicians, and they catered to about 400 outpatients a day). In addition to the hospital and clinic we also visited an immunization office that specialized in delivering vaccines to children.
Around three in the afternoon we came back to the hotel. My friend Fionna and I called our Chinese counterparts at Sichaun University (aka Washi U), to do some laundry at their school campus. When we got back we met with our teacher to discuss our term paper topics on tobacco in China, (my focus will be on tobacco advertising and marketing in China). After our meeting I booked a flight from Hainan to Shanghai for July 3rd. We grabbed dinner at a Beijing Duck restaurant and tomorrow we get to sleep in! Evie, have a safe trip to Hawaii and remember you'll be the closest family member to me! Love you guys, night.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Day Fourteen
So I guess my vacation has officially entered the working portion of the trip. This morning we had a small breakfast in our room and were picked up to go to the Chengdu CDC offices. We were met at the Chengdu CDC by its vice president, Dr. Jaw. VP Jaw led an hour and a half seminar on his division's work and specialty departments. He also discussed Chengdu's history, geography, and demographic information. At the end of the seminar we were able to ask questions about health issues in Chengdu as well as other related concerns.
After a brief tour of the Chengdu CDC's new building we came back to the hotel to change into more casual clothes for our focus group activity. When we got back we also exchanged into new rooms so that we could all have beds, ( at the same low price we were already paying). We grabbed some dumplings as appetizers from a street vendor before going to KFC for lunch.
When we got back the vans were there to greet us again. They drove us to a Chengdu high school the research department has been working with on a wellness program for high school students. I was given a translator, Maggie, and a Chinese student counterpart, Vivian, who is studying about Health Insurance for her undergrad. The high school student groups arrived around 3:30pm and we began our focus group promptly. In case you're wondering what the point of the focus group was I will explain.
The USC MPH research department, three years ago, developed an anti-tobacco and pro-mental health program to be implemented in high schools. The program was immediately implemented in Chengdu and other major cities in China. Unfortunately, some schools were unable to continue offering the program to students, however, others continue to offer the course to vocational students (they are given very little time aside from their rigorous studies to do these kinds of activities). The program emphasizes techniques for self improvement, stress management, and various tools for social development.
The purpose of our focus group was to survey and interview a small number of the kids involved in the study to find out what their opinions were on the program, (what parts they did or didn't like and any suggestions they may have). My group consisted of seven students. Their preferences and suggestions weren't too far from the answers we expected.
After the focus groups we came back to the hotel with the our Chinese student assistants for a short debriefing. Each group talked about unique points that were brought up in their groups. When we were done with our debriefing I worked on some travel stuff for the last part of my trip (Haikou, Hainan to Shanghai). Finally, I caught a late dinner at Pizza hut with our instructor's assistant Ann. I'm looking forward to another long day tomorrow. Night!
After a brief tour of the Chengdu CDC's new building we came back to the hotel to change into more casual clothes for our focus group activity. When we got back we also exchanged into new rooms so that we could all have beds, ( at the same low price we were already paying). We grabbed some dumplings as appetizers from a street vendor before going to KFC for lunch.
When we got back the vans were there to greet us again. They drove us to a Chengdu high school the research department has been working with on a wellness program for high school students. I was given a translator, Maggie, and a Chinese student counterpart, Vivian, who is studying about Health Insurance for her undergrad. The high school student groups arrived around 3:30pm and we began our focus group promptly. In case you're wondering what the point of the focus group was I will explain.
The USC MPH research department, three years ago, developed an anti-tobacco and pro-mental health program to be implemented in high schools. The program was immediately implemented in Chengdu and other major cities in China. Unfortunately, some schools were unable to continue offering the program to students, however, others continue to offer the course to vocational students (they are given very little time aside from their rigorous studies to do these kinds of activities). The program emphasizes techniques for self improvement, stress management, and various tools for social development.
The purpose of our focus group was to survey and interview a small number of the kids involved in the study to find out what their opinions were on the program, (what parts they did or didn't like and any suggestions they may have). My group consisted of seven students. Their preferences and suggestions weren't too far from the answers we expected.
After the focus groups we came back to the hotel with the our Chinese student assistants for a short debriefing. Each group talked about unique points that were brought up in their groups. When we were done with our debriefing I worked on some travel stuff for the last part of my trip (Haikou, Hainan to Shanghai). Finally, I caught a late dinner at Pizza hut with our instructor's assistant Ann. I'm looking forward to another long day tomorrow. Night!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Day Thirteen
I am now in Chengdu,China! This morning we packed up and left to the airport at 9am. The flight left at 11:30am and it took just over two hours. Our friends from the Chengdu CDC met us with smiles...and two minivans for our luggage. We arrived at our hotel, the Crown Plaza, around 3:30pm.
When we got to the hotel we walked around and got a quick bite at a fast food restaurant down the street called Dico's (kind of like KFC). After lunch we came back and napped.
Around five o'clock we prepared ourselves for a focus group training session. A group of Chinese students from Washi University (in China) met up for the meeting. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half and we discussed what we will be doing tomorrow, (mainly interviewing high school students to evaluate the anti-tobacco program developed by the USC China Seven Cities Study).
Once we finished our training session we had a bite to eat. We also jumped in the pool for a little. Tomorrow will probably be a long day. Good night/morning!
When we got to the hotel we walked around and got a quick bite at a fast food restaurant down the street called Dico's (kind of like KFC). After lunch we came back and napped.
Around five o'clock we prepared ourselves for a focus group training session. A group of Chinese students from Washi University (in China) met up for the meeting. The meeting lasted about an hour and a half and we discussed what we will be doing tomorrow, (mainly interviewing high school students to evaluate the anti-tobacco program developed by the USC China Seven Cities Study).
Once we finished our training session we had a bite to eat. We also jumped in the pool for a little. Tomorrow will probably be a long day. Good night/morning!
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