We stopped at the Great Wall Research Station on King George Island.  About half the ship is Chinese so they were quite excited about the landing. Yesterday we were not sure if we would have permission to land there.  This morning we found out we had permission from the Chinese government, but the actual station had not granted permission yet.  Minutes before getting there, we got permission.  I don’t think there are any attractive research stations anywhere in Antarctica.  So, for me, this didn’t sound like fun.  Still, I went.  We got there and got briefed that we could go to the building with the museum in it.  There was a big bell and a piece of the Great Wall.  We could go look at those.  We could take pictures of certain things, but couldn’t take pictures of 99% of the station.  We couldn’t take pictures of any people at the station.  We couldn’t touch anything.  No other flag could be displayed except the Chinese flag.  What?  Who brings flags to display with them when they travel?  It took about 15 minutes to see everything we were allowed to see and take a couple photos.  We had an hour to spend there.  Then, out of nowhere, almost every Chinese tourist has a Chinese flag in their hand and several had flag stickers on their cheeks.  Ok, I stand corrected.  I might not travel with a flag to display, but Chinese do.  They were so excited and so proud.  They took pictures with their flags in front of everything.  They took pictures with their family.  They took pictures with their friends.  They took selfies.  They probably sent their pictures home to their friends instantly.  So much pride.  So much “look at me”.  So much joy for their nationality.  Even if we had gone to a US station, I don’t think I would have felt that much pride or have gotten that excited about it – especially if the US station was as unwelcoming as the China station was.  I would have been there without my flag, but would have taken some photos.  I think the tour would have been way more interesting if we could see the labs or see how people live and eat.  It would have been interesting to hear about the research being done or get a glimpse of what it’s like to live there. That would have been more interesting than a bell and a piece of the Wall.

 

It was interesting to see the excitement of the Chinese, their exitement of being there and the pride they have in their country.  They didn’t seem to see the control and secrecy.  They didn’t seem to see the unwelcoming attitude.  It’s difficult to see how they can be so proud of a country that controls them so much.  We were taught as children to value freedom and individuality.  And the lack of theirs seems so obvious to us.  Still their country provides jobs and heat and so much more.  They are taught loyalty and pride in their country.  How do we know one is better than the other?  We live in a country that is torn with so much hate and violence.  Their country won’t allow social media such as facebook and Instagram.  We look at that as a horrible offence to our freedom.  But, are they free of a generation that is addicted to social media?  I don’t know.  We have a generation that never learned to connect on a human to human level.  Is that better than a lack of freedom?  Or do they have the same issue of addiction on a different level?  Overall, I don’t think it’s an issue of better or worse so much as it’s an issue of familiarity.  What you were taught as a child, what you are familiar with is what you feel is better.  They travel a lot, but still seem to not be aware of other cultures and don’t seem to change.  I think when we travel, we get a new insight to the world around us.  I try to be considerate of the culture I am traveling to.  This doesn’t appear to happen with Chinese.  Maybe it is and I don’t see it.  And obviously some Americans travel and don’t learn awareness of other cultures or Americans might not have the reputation we have in other countries.  But for me, travel has been an exciting learning in culture, food, religion and beauty.