Author: Antonio Valverde | Contributor: Kash Brown
Today started off a little differently than usual. The night before, we were informed that one of our group leaders wouldn’t be joining us for the rest of the trip—she had tested positive for COVID. The following morning, one of the students who wasn’t feeling well the day before also tested positive. Our group leaders responded quickly and thoughtfully, bringing masks, antibacterial wipes, electrolytes, and medicine to help keep everyone safe. They wiped down the bus and reminded us to stay masked throughout the day. One of the chaperones even made a plate of food and fruit for the student who would be staying behind at the hotel. It was a moment of community care that set the tone for how we moved forward—together.
After breakfast, the rest of us boarded the bus for a full day of industry tours and cultural experiences. Our first stop was Airbus Tianjin. When we first arrived we were greeted with heavy security along with the disclaimer that were not allowed to bring our phones on the tour, however we were able to capture a few photos of the outside area.
We climbed four flights of stairs to get to the top floor of the factory for a full view. During the tour we were presented with deconstructed airplanes across multiple warehouse buildings. It reminded me of how in video games you can build your car and customize different parts of it. We saw half painted wings, detached tails, and suspended airplane bodies. We also learned that constructing an airplane at this company is a big collaboration effort with other countries as not all parts are constructed here in China. Over 75,000 to date.
After our tour, we headed to the Sea-Gull Watch Company. When we arrived, a tour guide greeted us and immediately directed our attention to the ground, where a giant sundial-style clock was embedded in the pavement. She stood at the 12 PM mark, raised her right arm, and explained that based on the sun’s position and the time of year, your shadow would point to the current time. A few of us took turns trying it out—it was a fun and unexpected way to kick off the visit. Then we headed inside to begin the tour.
We learned that Sea-Gull is one of the leaders in the watchmaking industry and it was prevalent in their rich history and attentive detailed designs. Before entering the museum we were presented with life size human operated clock on the floor that used our bodies and the sun to tell time. Another personal highlight for me was getting up close to the inner workings of the watches on display.
My favorite part of the day though would have to be learning how to make a Mahua which is considered a signature food of Tianjin. The Mahua consists of a twisted fried bread which can have a range of topping and flavorings added to it. Before we got to make our own Mahua’s we walked through a museum mapping out the history of this signature dish. We learned that the first Mahua was created hundreds of years ago and the same technique is still being used today. The process today has been expedited with the use of machines in order to quickly produce more but the initial twisting technique is still made by human hands.
When it was our turn to start making our own Mahua it proved to be quite difficult at the start but once I got the twisting motion down I was set. It was relaxing and therapeutic in my opinion getting the experience of making this delicious ancient pastry.
Afterwards we were gifted gift bags with Mahua and other goodies along with a framed puzzle. We were then released into a market where many boxes of Mahua made it back to the hotel with us. Overall it was a very eventful day of museums and good food.
From aerospace innovation to centuries-old snack traditions, Day 8 was a reminder that precision, creativity, and culture come in many forms. Whether we were watching planes take flight or twisting dough by hand, we walked away with a deeper appreciation for the people and processes behind the things we often take for granted. And as always—good food, good people, and new memories made the day one to remember.
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