After a 2 hour flight to Canada, and another 13 hour flight to Beijing, Larkin O’Hara and her family finally landed in China for a three and a half week stay. While there, she experienced many adventures that she will carry with her forever. Her parents are dance teachers at James Madison University, and while overseas they taught dance to students in China at various universities.
“While my parents taught, the students that were not in class, as well as some of the faculty members, took my sister and I around the community. They showed us the culture, and where the locals go.” O’Hara said.
The statue of Mao Zedong, the tallest statue in China was one of the high points of O’Hara’s trip. While in China she also saw red pandas in a wildlife reserve.
“My favorite part was climbing mount Emeishan, in Chungdu. While we were walking my mom was ambushed by some overly friendly monkeys that wanted her food.” O’Hara recalled.
While visiting Bejing, the Chinese capital, O’hara heard the famous Bell Tower that is rung every hour by a worker. Although the trip was not all fun and games, O’Hara also had some low points over the summer too.
“The heat was excruciating, one day it was 104 degrees! And the mosquitoes were absolutely killer. The night we slept in a monastery was the worst! They had netting up around the beds to keep out the bugs, but they were little to no help.” O’Hara said.
After the end of the O’Hara’s trip in China, and over 48 hours of traveling later they returned to Harrisonburg all in one piece.
“The trip was something I will remember for a long time. I hope to return in the near future.” O’Hara said.

[nggallery id=64]