Home for Christmas

After 6 months away from family and friends, the Wendlings will be returning to Niagara from December 17th - January 7th.  For 3 weeks the Wendling's will look forward to staying with Me Mere and celebrating Christmas with Family.

Preparation for Christmas began with the Wendling family putting up their Christmas Tree in Suwon back at the beginning of November.  That may seem a little early - but we really could not wait for Christmas to come.  As well, since Korea is not primarily a Christian country you do not see the preparations for Christmas such as Nativity Scenes, Christmas trees, sales, Santa Claus and Christmas music.  At school, we do have a tree in the lobby and the various offices are decorated - but if you step outside the school you would not see any evidence that Christmas is on its way.

At GSIS there were many events marking the coming of Christmas - the MS Christmas Concert - which Justine and Kyara played in the bands and sang in the choir.

As well, Matteya, Ariel and Mia all participated in the Elementary School Christmas Concert,

Christmas time is also a break from school, so it is also a time for friends to say goodbye to each other for a few weeks, pictured below are the girls with their friends from school:

Justine, with her friends

Kyara with her friends, 

Matteya with her friends,

Ariel with her friends,

Finally, Mia with her friends.


So this Christmas, 14 suit cases and 14 carry ons made their way across the Pacific and back to Port Colborne.  (Hopefully we can find space in Me Mere's house.)  Upon arrival, the girls were able to see friends, play outside and enjoy their time at home.

Mia, Kyara and Ariel pictured with their cousin Summers.

Matteya tobogganing in H.H. Knoll park,

followed by Ariel,

The girls sliding, 

followed by the girls crashing.


As Kyara makes another sleigh run down the hill, it seems like the best time to say goodbye until our next blog entry.

To all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Beijing during Chusok

Beijing in the Fall?  Well since the Wendling's had never been there the time of year really didn't matter.  What mattered was trying to see all of the wonders and sites in Beijing, including:  the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Bird's Nest (Olympic Stadium) and anything else we could fit in.

One of the most interesting places in Beijing is in the centre of the City - Tiananmen Square.  Pictured above are the Wendling girls in front of the entrance to the Forbidden City which is across the street from Tiananmen Square.

The Forbidden City was the home to all the Emperors of China until the early 20th century.  It is called the Forbidden City as only the Emperor, his family and servants were allowed to enter and live within the City.  More will be written about the Forbidden City later.

Across the street is Tiananmen Square which is surrounded by a number of notable attractions which include, the National Museum, (pictured above),

The Great Hall of the People, (pictured above)

Mao's Mausoleum, (pictured above)

Monument to the People's Heroes, (pictured above)

During our time in China a situation kept reoccurring. At times in Asia we have been stopped by people who want to take pictures of our family.  It seems that a family with 5 daughters is a little out of the ordinary.  However, in China it took on a new level.  In fact, one day we were stopped by a family to take pictures, which was followed by another family, than another; 10 minutes later people were still taking pictures and we had a become another attraction.


Other times older people on the bus or subway would look at our family and then look towards Kevin or Rosanne and put up 5 fingers - at which point they would nod - usually they would smile and give us the thumbs up sign.

During the Summer of 2008 Beijing hosted the Olympic games, in fact we remember that occassion well as it was within the first few months of living in Korea.  Above and below you will find two of the sites for the Olympics, the Stadium, aka. the Bird's Nest, and the Aquatic Center.  Both places are quite beautiful and unique and a must see in the evening hours, due to unique lighting and architecture.

On another day in Beijing the Wendling Family went to the Summer Palace.  The Palace is known as the primary home for Empress Dowager Cixi, (funny thing is that in two places on Earth - Beijing and Vienna there was a ruler name Cici or (Cixi) who had a powerful affect on the culture during times dominated by male rulers).


Pictured below are the future rulers of the Wendling Family posing for the Royal Portrait.

The Summer Palace was a beautiful and peaceful place and it is easy to see why Empress Cixi spent as much time as possible here.  As well, there were influences of well over 500 years at the Summer Palace including a Pagoda, Buddhist Temple, and the Gold Mountain Palace.


In all the Summer Palace was a place of history and natural beauty and it is a popular place for tourists and residents of Beijing.  

Another day the Wendling Family spent time in the Forbidden City.  The Forbidden City was the Imperial Home to the Emperor, his family and his servants during both the Ming and Qing Dynasty.  Justine is pictured below in front of the entrance to the Forbidden City.

Inside the main gate their were many palaces, and palace entries.  Far within the Forbidden City are the homes of servants and the Imperial gardens.  In order to be allowed far within the City one must be a trusted servant of the Emperor.  Today anyone can go in - as seen by Ariel and Mia pictured below.

By far the most beautiful part of the Forbidden City is the private gardens of the Emperor.  Kevin and Rosanne are picture by one of the "specially created trees" which were seen as both nature and art.  The trees are unique in that early on in its development the trunk and/or root system would be cut in order to create a unique shape.  Then, if determined acceptable, it would be transplanted to the Emperor's garden.


Below, the Wendling girls are showing what the water pots were not intended to be used for.  In fact, the large water pots were placed outside of building in case a fire started.  The water would be used to put out a fire, and hopefully save a building.   (Not for cooking the youngest sibling.)

In Beijing the Wendling Family had many opportunities to see cultural, artistic and architectural sites.  The Chinese culture is far from being a simple and easily understood phenomenon due to the number of influences and long history.  Rather, over time the Wendling's are discovering that the Japanese, Korean and Chinese cultures have many similarities -- yet all of these cultures, and in particular the Chinese culture, are very diverse and exciting.  


In a way that is similar to realizing that someone from Vancouver is different from someone in St. John's who is different from someone in Timmins.  So remember that next time you try a new "Chinese restaurant" and expect that all food will be the same.  

Well, that's all we have for you this time.  Stay tuned as our adventure will be continuing. 

The Wendling's at the Great Wall of China

Earlier this Fall the Wendling family had an opportunity to spend 10 days in China.  Specifically they were in Beijing and Xi'an and had the chance to see some of the most fascinating sites in the world.

On one of the days the Wendling's had the chance to experience the Great Wall of China.  As you look at the pictures it is hard to believe that such a marvel or wonder was created over 2 000 years ago.  In fact, the pictures do not do justice to how awesome the Great Wall is.

Above is Kevin, standing on a guard look out which points towards the valley which this portion of the Great Wall protects.  The part of the Great Wall has had parts rebuilt so that tourists are able to safely see and climb the wall.

Pictured above the is the Wendling family at the base of an incredible climb to the top of Baulding Mountain, and what a climb it was.  (see below)

 After a very full day a Baulding the Wendling family needed to head back to Beijing to see much more of the city.  Truly, the Great Wall of China was one of the Greatest sites seen by us while in Asia.  As we jump for joy and say goodbye we hope you will stay tune for our next adventure.

The Terra Cotta Soliders in Xi'ian

Prior to coming to Korea to teach the Wendling family knew very little about Asia and its Historical treasures.  Like many people we had seen pictures or heard about The Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.  However, the is much, much more.  In fact, during a trip to China back in September the Wendling family had the opportunity to travel to Xi'an to see the Terra Cotta Soliders. 

The Soliders, aka the Warriors, were discovered back in 1974 by local farmers who were digging a well.  However, they are believed to be created around 200 BC during the reign of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.

The Soliders as seen above, were created by many, many artisians over 50 years.  The Soliders are one part of a large community that were created to accompany the Emperor after his death.  In fact, as you get closer to his burial tomb there are not just Terra Cotta Soliders - but also Animals, Acrobats, Artists and others who were to join the Emperor in the afterlife.

Although the soliders are all very similar, standing 6 ft and having roles of soliders, archers, chariot drivers and generals still the statue above was very, very different compared to all the others.  However, the detail of the statue should be noted as well the fact that of all the statues only one was in tact after being unearthed.  Usually, after the soliders were uncovered by archeologists, the pit of broken statues and pieces of people were similar to what is seen below:

In total there are 4 pits containing Terra Cotta Soliders, the first pit, pictured below behind Rosanne and Mia, is the largest and was found first.  This pit is 230 meters long with 11 corridors and contains over 8 000 Figures.  Truly an impressive sight!!

The remaining three pits are not as large, but contain more weapons and more archers and chariots.  As well, it appears that archelogists were a little more patient when working on the pits 2, 3 and 4.

If you look at the figure above you can see the detail that was placed in each Warrior.  It is believed that there were 8 moulds used to create the head and that the bodies were similar for each role in the army.

One of the most uniques exhibitions at the Terra Cotta Solider site are there two puppets.  These puppets were created for the 2008 Olympics in Bejing as part of the Ceremonies.  

To truly guage the size of these Marionettes look at the picture above and note Rosanne and the girls standing approximately 3 stories above the feet of the figure.

Well, that is all from Xi'an.  The Wendling Family will continue to be on the move as they head back to Beijing for time to sight see in the City and to go to Baulding to see the Great Wall of China.