So today was the last day of this wonderful shenanigans-filled trip called CSP. 'Woke up in the morning...' and hit breakfast as usual. The Best Western hotel definitely lived up to its name, treating us to a greasy continental breakfast - no complaints here. As the closing ceremony would be held today, we wore our infamous pimpsuits for the last time. Today would also be the second, and final, group discussion we would have, held at the famous Jiao Tong University in Shanghai. Instead of performing group presentations, it was a simple Q&A with Meghan as our MC (we love this term).
I actually learnt quite a lot from this session, and most of it was from our mainland friends. I think it was Chunping who really drove the point home when he noted that China really has only been developing for the past thirty years since the implementation of its open-door policy in 1978 by Deng Xiaoping, and as such, the rest of the world shouldn't be so harsh on China. Furthermore, it was a common theme throughout our discussion that for China to have accomplished so much and gotten so far in the past thirty years is nothing short of amazing. Of course, the generic, but nevertheless true, theme of friendship was touched upon by all - I don't think anyone left CSP without an awesome group of friends. We filled out a form which asked us a few questions about our experience, and headed for lunch (forgot where, in the university lunch hall perhaps?).
Afterwards, we toured the campus, and again, noted the humungous spaces all large Chinese universities seem to have. This one even had a 'river' with weeping willows hanging over it. We visited the university museum (can you believe they have their own museum?) which was so boring nobody took photos of it. After the bludgiest hour of the trip, we headed towards the auditorium where the closing ceremony would be held. Stupid photos were taken before it began, obviously.
The ceremony opened as predicted with the perennial sponsor (never picked up his name, sorry, thanks for your sponsorship though!) and his daughter, who started the program (huge thanks to you also Ms Leung!) making speeches, and thanking the organisers and presenting them with deserved awards. Over the course of the ceremony (said this, cause I don't remember the order), we sang, for the last time as a CSP delegation, the CSP song (can we just ponder, how lucky we are?) and were surprised by William's slideshow of photos he'd taken throughout the trip. Audible 'woah!' from the entire delegation when the kung fu kick photo starring Carrie and Gino was put up. Obviously. It was also Amanda and Kristina's moment of glory, finally being asked to present an award on behalf of our group. Hurrah!
Li Lei, Sophie and Connie also got their time on stage, amid raucous cheering on our part - thanks guys. Ceremony over, we headed back to the hotel for dinner and the farewell party.第四组 yea!
Nothing much to say about the dinner, except that I'd taken a whole steamed fish for myself (yum!) and Monica had taken another for the table to share (nobody touched it). The farewell party featured a well dressed Clark Kent and four lovely ladies in qi paos.
Each group performed on stage, and we pulled off our skits amazingly well. The Group 1 choir pulled off a parody of the CSP song and one performed a traditional ethnic minority dance (I think), Group 3 pulled off a dance number, Group 6 did a long skit about their group, Group 2 did a variety of things (songs, ballet), while Group 5 did another set of skits. Our group performed three skits. The first was about the inherent nature of 'outstanding' people and the 'simple-minded' ways the organisers kept us in line, literally. Of course, it would not have been the same without a brilliant impersonation of Paul Lee by my roommate Billy, or of Ms Li by one of my clowns, Carrie.
The second skit, focused upon the boring nature of the lectures we were forced to endure, how to get through them. Had to professor it up for this one.
The third and final skit clearly made a point about the efficiency of photo taking during the trip. Go Tina!
The ceremony ended with our presentation of a CSP Group 4 cup (thanks to Jasmine, who put in a huge effort to get it done before the trip ended) to Ms Li.
Group 4 baby!
And so, the CSP farewell party ended. But it was not the end of the night - it was just the beginning. After Krissy's quick beer run, which we hid in a pillow case, we walked more than a few blocks to this karaoke joint. Now seriously, Australia, take a look at this, and copy it, cause the k-bars we have in Sydney are just plain filthy compared to this.
Yes, we need ground to floor speakers, leather couches, spot lights, fantastic decor and coffee tables.
The place was so sweet, each room even had its own private toilet facility. Oh, and one last thing - a complimentary buffet always goes down well.
Most of us were still feeling full after dinner, but that didn't stop us. There was this awesome green milk tea thing, sweet as. The embodiment of CSP really is in singing, I don't know how to explain it but if there's anything that connects people, it's through song and finding our Chinese roots and connecting to other Chinese people was no exception.
We mangled Apologize by OneRepublic, sang as one through 朋友, and sang ourselves hoarse through a seven minute version of 北京欢迎你. By the time it was 4am, we were sad to leave as we knew that in just a few hours time, many of us would never see each other again. We trudged back to the hotel, giving up any hope of catching any meaningful sleep that night. That's not to say we didn't have fun doing it though ;).
Cool elevator shot.
Auxiliary Officer Carrie at attention!
Jacqie's always ready for a photo, though Billy may not be.
It was still ridiculously hot at 4am in the morning, I could feel myself sweating as we walked back. Seriously, how nuts is that? We thought about getting an early breakfast at McDonald's after a quick hour's nap but that idea fell apart when we all woke up too late to make that happen. Emotions were high as we made our way down at the crack of dawn to the hotel lobby as friends s aid their goodbyes and promised to keep in touch through Facebook. I was seriously so sad when I boarded the bus with the rest of the people who had to fly to Hong Kong to end their CSP experience. Saddest photo I ever took (I can't believe Jingjing and Annie are actually smiling?!?!?!). Miss you all.
The sadness continued with our packed breakfast, it wasn't the greatest I've ever had. Eric performed one last time on our bus trip to the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (SPIA).
A few of us managed to get on the earlier flight to Hong Kong, so I grabbed two packs of beef jerky for the short wait. I scrounged around the airport for another panda for Krissy, but we couldn't find one as cute as mine. A quick chat to the Aussies on the trip, Glen and Sisi sucked up the rest of our time at the airport. I waved goodbye to Connie and William as the escalator took me down to the plane. An hour or so later we touched down at Hong Kong airport and passed through immigration uneventfully. Kenny had his luggage stolen somewhere along the way, so he was left without anything the poor bugger. As everyone said their final goodbyes, we posed for one last photo.
Although CSP was, I guess, over, that didn't stop us planning a CSP dinner that same night at Mong Kok. We would eat at a dai pai dong,
browse the Temple Street markets, search for a showing of The Dark Knight that began before midnight, and eat durian (first time, didn't like it, thanks clowns)
at Langham Place.
William helpfully drew me a map that would get me home (and what a glorious map it was), after we couldn't justifying going home at 3am in the morning after the Dark Knight showing which would begin at midnight. The following day would be spent on impulse in Macau before I had to leave for Sydney that night. A few of my friends gathered to send me off, and to make sure I didn't get hungry on the way home with their special snack pack just for their 'sai lou'.
I miss you all so much.
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