And that’s
how I woke up this morning. One moment in my dreams I was flying a plane and
the next thing I know, it was raining pandas and pandas. Cute fluffy toy ones.
Maybe it has some hidden connection to the panda souvenir shop in Xidan (see
photo below)…
My classmates and I passed by that shop when we were in Beijing (see my
Day 17 blog). There were pandas- Pandas, pandas EVERYWHERE!!!
Some of my classmates went to Beijing today to get more souvenirs and
gifts for their friends and family members. Maybe when my roommate comes back
from Beijing today, she’ll bring back a panda…
Anyway, since we’re on the topic, perhaps I should explain why the Giant
Pandas are considered as a National Treasure of China.
Over 2 million years ago, these Giant Pandas were found mainly in the
southern part of China. However, due to a loss of habitat and poaching, there
are now less than 1,000 pandas left in the wild.
In addition, paleontologists have uncovered fossil remains of the
ancestors of Giant Pandas which had lived in China over 8 million years ago. As
such, the Giant Pandas are considered “living fossils”.
Since these creatures are rare and originate from China, they became
China’s National Treasure and serve as ambassadors of peace. China sends these
pandas, usually in pairs, to other countries such as Austria, Japan and the
United States so as to promote friendship ties between their countries.
It must be really grand to be a panda. Not only are you able to laze
around and eat and sleep all day, you are also able to go overseas with a grand
title of Peace Ambassador and everyone loves you- The adorable fluffy you and
even the adorable, fluffy stuffed toy version of you. I envy such a life…
Well, I think this ends my blog entry for today. Here’s wishing you
pan(da)tastic dreams tonight!
Best regards,
Marianne
_____________________________________________________________________
Author’s Note:
References
(2011). Treasure of China – Giant
Pandas. Retrieved on 09 October 2012 from China National Tourist Office website
at http://www.cnto.org/panda.asp
Jeffrey Hays. (April 2012). Endangered
pandas: Loss of Habitat, Poachers, the Sichuan Earthquake and Captive Breeding.
Retrieved on 09 October 2012 from FACTS AND DETAILS website at http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=378&catid=10&subcatid=68
What country does the panda bear come
from?. Retrieved on 09 October 2012 from answers.com at http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_country_does_the_panda_bear_come_from
Giant Panda Bear of China. Retrieved on 09 October 2012 from China
Odyssey Tours website at http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/Chinese-Things/giant-panda-1.htm
Picture
of Baby Pandas playing retrieved from http://mycoolpix.com/files/funzug/imgs/wildlife/enjoy_panda_therapy_10.jpg
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