My panda journey to Chengdu

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I am Sovana Thapa. a medical student from Nepal, studying MBBS at the China Three Georges University in Yichang, Hubei province and have dreamed about pandas and being able to play with them.

Then, last summer two close friends and I decided to go to Chengdu to see the pandas. We knew the trip would be expensive so we had been saving a little money since the previous year.

When summer vacation came we set out on our trip by first taking a train from Yichang to Chongqing, where we spent one whole day wandering around. The next day we headed towards Chengdu and got there about 6:00 pm and were all so tired that we decided to find a hotel first.

After taking a shower we all went out to walk around the city at night time. It was a different and most interesting time and we could see beautiful parks, tasty food and buildings with lovely lights. Even though we were still in the same country it felt as if we were in a creation of the gods. Then, after a long, tiring day we ate some fried rice and went to sleep.

The next morning we woke up at 6:00 am and took a local bus to the park, and I was so excited that I would finally see one of the world's loveliest creature, the panda. In childhood I used to be so happy seeing a panda even if it was just on the National Geographic Channel, but here I was ready to see them live.

The best moment came when we reached the area and could see many pandas all around, with some playing, some eating and some just sitting. I was dancing and jumping and calling them again and again in excitement. We were also busy taking photos with them. We kept on watching them for half an hour because they looked so cute and I wanted to take one with me.

As soon as we got out I phoned my sister and mother to say that I had seen a panda and told my mother to get one for me too. She was laughing to hear this and seeing me so happy. My friends gave me a small toy panda that I still have and it is one of my best collections.

Sometimes, being student with little money can cause hurt, but something is still better than nothing. I’m thankful to the Chinese government for preserving the pandas because the presence are so priceless. A year has gone by but the memories we have still put a smile on our faces and refresh us and make us happy. My trip to Chengdu and seeing the pandas was and will be one of the best moment of my life. Thanks to everyone for making it possible.

The author is from Nepal and is currently studying?MBBS at the Three Gorges University in Yichang, Hubei province.

The opinions expressed do not represent the views of the China Daily website.

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