Shandong Memories, 2005

Qingdao 2005
Originally uploaded by sheilaz413.

Adam finally gave me a CD of everyone's photos from the Shandong trip. Looking back through them brought back a lot of really great memories. Of all the three minor trips I took prior to my departure for SE Asia, the Shandong trip was definately the one that was the most fun & left the best memories (and if you're curious, the trip to Beidaihe ranked 2nd). All seven of us in the Shandong trip got on marvelously well and had a great chemistry with each other. To an extent, there was also a great balance in personalities: there was Tom - the charming South African, Adam - the fumbling Brit, who, despite of his lack of charm (ha!), is more or less a good guy at heart :) (Adam, you can thank me for my generous description of you!), Rachel - the lively one who can say the funniest things at the funniest times, and Chris - the walking war history textbook. In short, it was very refreshing to be with a group of intelligent twenty somethings who got along well and traveled well together. In trips like these, I think the places we go only act as a setting. The important thing is the time you spend with your travel mates, understanding the lessons they teach you, & living to the fullest extent every minute which will become the sweet memories that will forever bring a smile to your face & your heart.