On a sunny morning, surrounded and intoxicated by the natural landscope in Baiyun Mountain, our smile is sunny as well as the sun.

Envious? Come and join us to enjoy the special local beanpod featured by spring in the Baiyun Mountain.

Even the American youth marvels at our magnificent Guangzhou higher education mega center.

What about these two lovely female lions? We two are not in the shade.

Quick,our new family member---Klarissa couldn’t wait any more to sweep all her favorite Canton Dim-sum.

The folk arts and the building style of the Chen Clan Temple impress us a lot.

“Mr.Sun Yat-sen is China’s Washinton!”Though knowing little about China, Matthew, Scoff and Klarissa know Mr.Sun Yat-sen well, the initiator of Zhongshan University. See, we are full of vim and vigour, taking the spirid of Mr. Sun Yat –sen.

“We are a team!” Limited though time is, our friendship will last forever.

Any clues that we are not a family? Klarissa actually looks like our younger daughter. This is a family picture.

A traditional Chinese female！“I want to buy a cheongsam.” When we met the first time, Klarissa told me that she wanted to buy a traditional Chinese cheongsam. Now, dreams come true. Klarissa can put a complete end to her China trip!

“Thank you for everything. When you come to America, I will host you with our warmest welcome in return”.

Saying goodbye to our beloved Klarissa, my family and I couldn’t help grieving at her leaving silhouette. Transient as the four-day homestay program seems to be, it had offered us an invaluable experience as the host family.

Aiming at understanding the real life of local citizens better by living with them, the 2005 Root-searching group joined a four-day homestay program in Guangzhou this summer. My family was honored to be selected as one of the host families and could not wait to present the most breathtaking side of Guangzhou with its unique sceneries and customs to Klarissa, our new family member and a would-be student of UC Berkeley. From the outstanding Guangzhou higher education mega center to the classic campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, from the antique alley of Xiguan to the up-to-date commercial streets for dresses, from the Baiyun Mountain to the Pearl River, we have been to various places in Guangzhou and shared our thoughts on the tremendous changes of China. Klarissa fell in love with the home-cooked-potato at her first taste for the local Cantonese cuisine. She was also amazed at the magnificence of the Guangzhou University Town and the scenery overlooking from the top of Baiyun Mountain. On our trip to the wedding dress street, she was so surprised to find out so many brilliant evening dresses that she regretted  “There are no more high school balls”, since she will step into university in the near future.

The warm and fragrant greeting of “Good morning!” in Cantonese naturally made her a real part of our family. Everyday, she acts just like my parents’ little daughter rather than a family guest. And we are surprised to find out that, even though she was brought up in different geographic areas, we share a myriad of things in common, including ancestor, appearance, language, and the favor for Chinese traditional culture. If we could stay together for more time, surely we could enjoy the profound essence of Chinese history and civilization further more.

Nothing can arouse more excitement and inspiration than going back to one’s hometown. During her stay at my home, Klarissa told us that she would like to take part in the student exchange program with Chinese university in her school years. She also has packed for herself a beautifully decorated cheongsam, the recipes of Sichuan spicy fish, a Chinese seal with her Chinese name on it, and the collection of photos, etc, which have recorded her stay in Guangzhou. As for us, we have recognized the value of Chinese culture from a brand new perspective through this program and have become more aware and proud of our identity as a Chinese. Besides, all of us have harvested a precious friendship across the Pacific.

As a host family for the 2005 root-searching and homestay program, we have exchanged many handshakes with overseas Chinese from different countries. This program has enabled us to promote the image of Guangzhou to the international community, to pass on Chinese tradition and culture, and to build up a bridge of friendship between China and the rest of the world hand in hand.

Editor: Alessia                            By: Sherry Ou                     Source: OCAO