Exploring the Middle Kingdom: UOG students to tour China, Tibet and Mongolia

A handful of philosophy students at the University of Guam will be traveling to Asia for the summer as part of community service for credit in their philosophy track. Members of the public are invited to share in their journey and travel along with them to China, Tibet and Mongolia, visiting some of the world's most mysterious lands steeped in ancient cultures and history that dates back for eons.

The 22-day-long trip starts in Hong Kong followed by an itinerary full of site-seeing through the world's most populated country and into the remote parts of inner Mongolia.

The days counting down to the big trip on June 8 are flying by and those interested must act fast and attend the last few organization meetings held at UOG.

The travel opportunity to China, Tibet and Mongolia has been part of the Philosophy program for some 16 years, but it will likely be the last taken to the region, says Prof. Kim Skoog, who coordinates the trips and is nearing the homestretch of his philosophy career at the UOG.
Previous visits

You can visit China any time but exploring the tranquil elevations of Tibet is like no other trip, Skoog says. It's a totally unique, beautiful, and amazing culture with "mind-blowing" religious traditions, he says.

"Tibet is unique, pure and simple -- the religious images, statues, temples and palaces are found nowhere else," he says. "They stand alone."

Tibet is also known for its history of occupation. The nation was invaded in the 1950s by China with a deliberate attempt to eradicate its culture and religion during the Cultural Revolution, he says.

"China has since apologized for (that)," Skoog says. "Like Tiananmen Square, but in massive numbers, defenseless Tibetan civilians and monks were gunned down. The people themselves and their religious devotion and commitment; it is very inspiring and contagious. "

Like Tibet, Mongolia has a distinctive culture and feel to it, Skoog says. "While Tibet overwhelms you with its spirituality and religiosity, Mongolia pushes you with its ruggedness and, at times, brutality," he says. "It is a raw experience compared to the subtle and delicate spirit of Tibet."



The food served is a dominance of meat washed down with very strong alcohol, he says.

"There are no French-like sauces to titillate the palate; it is raw and unapologetic protein," he says.

While on trips to the region, the group witnessed a "testosterone-dominated" society where the men still ride on galloping horses, Skoog says.

"Fortunately, they have ceased to try and conquer the world, and their weapons and leather war outfits are retired to museums," he says. "Surprisingly, its people are very warm and ready with a friendly smile. They sincerely take an interest in their guests and the laughs come hard and deep after a few hits of their alcohol."

During the three-week trip, travelers also will hit a number of tourist destinations including the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Terra Cotta Warriors.

While it's been over a decade since former Sen. Robert Klitzkie has joined the UOG group, he still clearly recalls the adventure he had participating in the three-week-long trip.

"You're in the Himalayas with some fantastic scenery," he says. "Tibet itself, everywhere you walk, there's something really interesting happening, from the architecture to the temples."

"Things don't change that fast in Tibet," he says. "It's not Manhattan. It's a little rougher around the edges, but it's worth it."
Cost and prep

The trip costs $3,000 -- plus or minus 10 percent. That covers all the transportation, food and water, housing, entrance fees, visas and other basic requirements. Additional money may be needed for tips, gifts and other expenses, which will be the responsibility of the traveler, Skoog says.

Students and community members attending are to feel relaxed in order to enjoy the tour, instead of worrying about covering the day-to-day costs, he says.

The group also will be visiting banks where they can use credit cards for money advances to use during the trip.

Skoog advises those participating to check with the Centers for Disease Control website for any travel advisories and precautions needed before taking a trip to the Asian region.

For the most part, the group will be staying in Western hotels, eating hotel food and drinking bottled water, so there's minimal exposure to disease, he says.

"You don't have to be in superior health (to go)," he says. "(There's) no jogging, trekking, hiking required, though the altitude requires decent health (and being) able to adapt to new environments."

If you have any medical conditions, you should check with a physician as well as with Skoog since the third leg of the trip will be in higher altitudes.

The next meeting will be held on April 18 for new people interested in attending the trip.
Last trip

The last time a trip to these regions were held was in 2005 and it could be the last as Skoog is looking toward retirement in the future.

"There's no sign this sort of trip will continue after I leave the campus," he says.

In the next year or two, there could be a trip to southern India planned, which will entice the many who attended other trips taken only to the north of that country.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog