A Meaningful Afternoon

At 12:45 pm on 18th of July, all of the 15 Chinese teachers and some students from Siggy's Listening and Speaking class along with our two enthusiastic and respected teachers Siggy and Carrie gathered in front of Yale gym to catch the school bus to go outing.  We were very excited because we were going to spend a very meaning and interesting afternoon. Firstly, after about 50 minutes drive, we came to a very beautiful beach whose name I don't know. Though it was a little bit hot that afternoon, seeing the clean blue sky and endless and peaceful sea, we didn't feel the scorching heat at all. We ran frantically to the beach, and some of us even rolled up their trousers to their thighs (Look at Sunny in the picture) and took off their shoes (Look at me) and rushed into the shallow sea water. A lot of people were sitting or lying on the beach taking sunbath leisurely. Some kids and theirs parents were swimming in the sea or splashing sea water happily. What a pity I didn't bring my bathing suit. Otherwise I would have a swim in the endless and beautiful sea. So we just walked on the sand or in the shallow sea water and made all kinds of gestures taking a lot pictures. Anyway, we enjoy ourselves quite a lot. 

               

Standing in the shallow sea water, I was so excited and happy. Look at the beautiful blue sky in the distance and the endless peaceful sea! Fabulous, right?

After staying on the beach for half an hour, we got on the bus for our next destination--the Peters Memorial Woods. On the bus, we were told that we may be luck enough to see some animals such as deer, bears or even boars in the woods only if we keep quiet when walking in the woods. Led by the two teachers, we went into the woods with a lot of curiosities and excitement, hoping we might really be luck enough to come across a deer or even a bear, never a boar. Walking in the woods, we found there were so many not too big trees, a clean brook and even a small wooden bridge. The air in the woods is really fresh with a lot oxygen. It is really a big natural oxygen-bar.

Walking quietly in the woods for about 15 to 20 minutes, we looked here and there with a lot interest to see if we could be the luck guys to see one or two animals. But to our disappointment, we were not the luck people. We didn't see any animals at all. What a shame! Anyway, hiking in such a beautiful and quiet place is a really pleasant thing.

Though we didn't see any animals in the woods, the next thing we did that afternoon really made all of us cheer up. Carrie invited us to visit her house which is quite near the woods. After about 10 minutes drive, we came to Carrie's house. Seen from the outside, the house is a little bit old. It is a two-story house. After walking inside, we found it is a really tidy, cozy and even romantic-looking living place. We just visited the first floor. On the first floor, there is a tidy medium-sized kitchen which is on the left side right after you go into the house,a sitting room with sofas, coaches,a tea-table,a fireplace,an rocking chair and even a small goldfish bowl. On the first floor, there is also a bathroom. Looking at the following picture. Carrie smiled a broad smile. You can well imagine how happy Carrie was when so many of us visited her house.

 What really struck us was the big courtyard in the back of the house. I think it must has the size of more than half of a football court. Really big, ha?  The courtyard is all surrounded by fences. In the courtyard, there are several big old trees. Between two of the big trees, there hung a hammock. And under the shade of the two trees, there are several arm chairs and a table. You can well imagine how comfortable, romantic, leisure and carefree Carrie must be when on one of the fine mornings or afternoons, she lies in the hammock reading novels or sits in one of the arm chairs with her family members listening to music and taking snacks. In the big courtyard, we even found a little place on which some vegetables such as pumpkins, tomatoes and some unknown vegetables are growing. What's more, there is a small rectangular house in which there is a big long table and some chairs are surrounded the table. On the table, there are some candles. Carrie told us when some friends or relatives come to visit them, she would entertain them in this small house. What a place!