A quick shot of the MZS students and teachers after landing in Bali. With visions of falling snow, they couldn’t wait to arrive in the northern hemisphere. Ally is standing in the second row, second from the right.

A picture of the group after purchasing souvenirs from a government owned shop in Xi’an, famous for its replicas of terra-cotta warriors and reproductions of ancient furniture. Before buying souvenirs, the students  recreated their own terra-cotta warrior using the same strenuous process of molding, drying, and firing that the shop’s artisans use to make reproductions for sale. Ally is standing in the back row, directly under the light on the right.

The students and teachers rode bicycles around the Xi’an City Wall, which is 13.7 kilometers from start to finish. Ally is standing on the far right straddling a yellow bicycle.

Ally, Mae, and Ms. Tammy riding their bicycles.

Xi’an beyond the City Wall. Xi’an’s smog index was high, but not as  high as “Smogageddon,” a term used by news outlets to describe Beijing.

The group practiced tai-chi with an 87-year-old martial arts’ master on the City Wall. Everyone was more than happy to learn and participate.

A photo-op with the Terra-Cotta Warriors. The students and teachers are scattered among replicas that are strategically positioned in front of a backdrop. Ally is crouched down in the front row, second from the left (wearing the burgundy scarf).

Ally standing behind a bronze replica of a terra-cotta warrior.

Ally and Jemimah were the only two students who were brave enough to eat chicken head and brain. Ally stated that the head tasted like chicken meat and the brain tasted like butter.

The group of students and teachers rode the bullet train from Xi’an to Beijing. Jordan, Cleone, Tilly, Iona, Aurelia and Ally being silly and passing time on the six-hour ride. Ally is seated on the far left.

China’s bullet train can reach a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

Beijing’s air quality index reached above 500 when the group arrived on the 1st, but the country didn’t issue a red health alert until six days later. December 7th was the first time in China’s history to declare a red alert. During those six days, it maintained a “burgundy alert,” which indicates “very unhealthy” conditions. China’s multi-tiered pollution index stops at 250, which is considered “dangerously high” and would deem a red alert. As mentioned above, the air quality was double that during the MZS trip.

A flock of MZS pandas (and a penguin) near the Temple of Heaven. Ally is in the very back with her panda hat covering her face. Brrrr!!

By this time, the students were sporting panda hats AND masks.

Ally all dressed up for Beijing’s zero degree weather and smog.

This picture was taken outside the Forbidden City. If you notice, none of the Chinese people are wearing masks. That’s because they only wear masks when they are sick and want to protect others from getting sick. Ironically, they don’t use masks to protect themselves from smog.

Winter at the Great Wall of China.

Ally, Tilly, and Charlotte (with Mr. Shaw and Mr. Gary in the background) trekking up the Great Wall. Everyone is wearing multiple layers of sweaters and jackets to block the cold during their 10km hike. Ally is standing on the right.

Another view of the Great Wall. The group was incredibly lucky to have clear, blue skies that made it easy for them to enjoy the views that stretched on for miles and miles.

It snowed the week before, making the wall slick and icy, but those conditions didn’t stop the MZS flock of pandas (and a penguin) from enjoying it to the fullest.

Weeks before the trip, all Ally talked about was wanting to build a snowman on the Great Wall of China. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, there was nothing left but compacted snow and ice. Fortunately, the remains of a snowman was left for her to enjoy and photograph.