We are family

It is a journey of acclimatization and discovery for the ten children as their experiences at the village vary a lot from the ones they have back home. To start with, the challenge the children had to face was to understand the local accent. The next two hurdles that the children had to cross were the differences in the living environment and food. Due to the cold weather conditions and space constraint, the children had to get used to the fact that everyday activities such as sleeping and dining revolve around a 炕 （ａtraditional concrete heater which resembles a cement bed）. Homemade buns and noodles, which is a simple fare to the children but is a delicacy to the hosts, formed their staple. Fortunately, the children easily adapted to the locals and their way of life.

The children never failed to be amazed by a host of first encounters such as having lessons in the local school, helping in the harvesting of carrots, rounding up of a herd of goats, rides on a mule and the releasing of 孔明灯。
Without high tech devices, they also learnt to be contented with just playing simple games using the things around them to pass time.

Though not having much, the hosts made the best out of what they have to provide for their guests. The earnestness in which hospitality was extended to their guests is also touching. It is unforgettable to see how a host’s mother washed the feet and cleaned her little guest up as if he were her own. The theme of parent-child relationship is also explored in this documentary as we catch a glimpse of the differences in parenting styles in the two cultures.

During the stay, the children formed bonds with their hosts. When it was time to bid farewell, there was much sadness and reluctance. However, as the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, ‘You and Me’ , which is also used as the ending song in the movie echoes the sentiments of the children, ‘ …you and me, from one world, we are family…’ Though apart, the children have a deep affinity with one another because of their unforgettable shared experiences.