A Greasy Day at the Tea Academy

So I mentioned the other day that I recently went on a trip to the Yun He Tea Academy, (Where I met my BFF.) It was a trip was set up by the International Office. They do a trip for the foreign teachers every fall and spring, and sometimes I can’t go. But this trip was to a Tea Academy, and y’all know I loves me some tea, so I made sure I was free.
I was expecting a laid back affair, so laid back that I didn’t even shower. I mean we had to wake up extra early, and it was just a couple of hours with my fellow teachers whom I didn’t need to impress (not that a showered Becky is an impressive Becky, but you know what I mean.) I mention this fact only because it would bite me in the ass from about the moment the trip began.
All together there were about 12 of us foreigners (both students and teachers) from our school, and we picked up 4 more teachers from another, so not too many people. There were also a bunch of Chinese people, a few of whom had cameras both digital and video. As soon as the bus started the engine, the cameraman started rolling video, much to my dismay.
The plan was we would sample some tea, watch a tea ceremony and have some tea inspired snacks for lunch. I don’t know why our motley little crew attracted so much attention, but everywhere we went we were photographed, interviewed and video’s. The tea institute was supposed to be a place of serenity and peace, but it was hard to find with cameras flashing in your face.

At one point we went into a small room, and outfitted ourselves in robes for a relaxing zen experience. We had some guided meditation by a psychology professor from Tawian, which could have been nice. He had a nice voice and a soothing manner, but it’s hard to relax and become one with your breath when you have the constant flash of cameras in your face.

I don’t know who the people were, or why they were there, but I’m afraid my face will show up in video’s and pictures all around China. At first we thought the school had arranged it all, but when we asked the guy from the international office, he was as ignorant as us to the reason for the cameras. We later learned that one of our guides, and the girl who organized it, worked for the government tea culture bureau and so we’re afraid this will go to all different parts of the country.
Great.