Taking in the Culture of Harbin

Emperor From Laurier from Team Canada Peter Baxter on the Throne of the Golden Hawk and riding a camel at the Harbin Ice and Snow festival.

Dr. David Mai of the University of Ottawa

Besides the competition the best part of the Universiade is to see the student-athletes and Mission staff engaging in the Chinese culture. In the village we have had the opportunity to witness performances of the Peking Opera including some of the staff and athletes having the opportunity to get the opera make up artist paint up some of the team members. The Chef de Mission also took advantage of a camel ride at the snow and ice festival. The village has a Chinese

cultural and language centre to learn Mandarin and they also have a volunteer that spells your name in Chinese Characters. We also went out to a restaurant close to the village for an authentic meal. The village also has a Chinese Tea room with Volunteers that make you your tea flavour of choice. Tonight the Women's hockey team tonight went to the international skit night that was held in the Athlete Village entertainment Centre. Lots of friends made between nations and fun had by all.