When the clock struck midnight on February 23, my flight left the Egyptian capital Cairo heading for Beijing. I was about to start a 10-month program organized by China’s Public Diplomacy Association.

During this program offered to African journalists to better understand China and report on some important events, one being the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September, I gained a lot of knowledge regarding the culture, history, and features of this vast society.

Upon arrival, I first sought out the Egyptian community in Beijing, and met two journalists from my country who worked for Xinhua News Agency and China Global Television Network. Our gathering point was an Egyptian coffee shop in Sanlitun, a well-known meeting place for foreigners in Beijing. Most of our meetings were spent sharing experiences about life in China. Indeed, I was able to begin understanding the country through their stories. Plus, through those friends I expanded my circle.

I also struck up a relationship with some Chinese journalists while participating in activities with my African peers. They helped me appreciate the rich culture and eventful history of ancient China, as well as the massive developments over the last 40 years, both politically and economically

During my stay, I traveled to nine provinces and visited masses of cities. The place I was most connected with was Sanya due to its similarities to Sharm El-Sheikh, one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations, located on the Red Sea in Egypt.

Shanghai will also last in my memory. I discover that this city is not only distinguished for business deals, but has a colorful history illustrated by its fantastic museum, which tells the story of how Shanghai’s importance grew in the 19th century.

When walking in Beijing or any of the other cities I visited, I always felt history mixed with signs of modernity, mirroring four decades of hard work. I recorded many aspects of my life in china.

The Japanese have always been at the forefront at deploying (利用) robots to perform jobs that are traditionally done by humans. Over the past year, humanoid robots have been seen helping customers at the Mitsubishi Bank and even filling in for human science communicators at museums. Therefore, it is not surprising to hear that the country has the worlds first hotel that is staffed almost entirely by the Androids!

The aptly (巧妙地) named Henn-na (“strange” in Japanese) Hotel which opened its doors on July 17 is located at Nagasaki’s Huis Ten Bosch theme park. It is the idea of Hideo Sawada, a Japanese businessman who is fascinated by the possibility of replacing humans with robots. His aim is to have this futuristic hotel be run mainly by the intelligent humanoids.

Guests checking-in are welcomed by a family friendly English-speaking robot wearing a bow tie and bell-hop (侍者) hat. Though experienced at his job, he does request guests not to ask him “a difficult question” since he is after all, “just a robot!” Those seeking a more “regular” experience, can approach the human-like Japanese-speaking robot.

When ready, visitors can request the robot “porters” to help carry belongings to their room. Those that need to stow away valuables can hand them to a helpful robot who will place them inside an individual safe box in exchange for a small fee. A one-foot-high concierge (管理人) is available to provide information about the hotel’s amenities (便利设施), nearby attractions, and even order a taxi if needed.

So how much does it cost to live in this crazy cool hotel? It depends on when you decide to go. During the low season, guests can get away with paying as little $60 a night for a basic room. However, during the peak season when rates, are determined by an online auction, the price can get as high as $153.

In its best times on the nineteenth century, thatch (茅草屋顶) played an important role in protecting British homes from the weather. But new technologies since have led to a rapid decline in thatching and many of the thatched cottages that remain have been changed beyond all recognition by developers or have run into disrepair, a rather upsetting reminder of a bygone age.

A Welsh company, however, is trying to breathe new life into some of the last traditional thatched cottages in western Wales by repairing them and letting them out as holiday homes. Called “Under the Thatch”, the company is run by Greg Stevenson, who lives in his own thatched cottage in Ceredigion. An architectural historians by training, he repairs old buildings in old-fashioned ways.

All the cottages are in attractive locations around southwest Wales. Unlike most holiday homes, the cottages are let all year round---chiefly because Greg prices them lower than many holiday properties( 房屋) and he’d prefer that properties are rented just above cost price than not used at all. And with that comes a bargain or two: it’s common for a property to go for as little as£35 a night. Consequently occupancy for properties with “ Under the Thatch” is at 95 percent( the average in Wales is 35 percent)

Its success has meant that Greg has been able to buy up more old cottages and bring them back into the community. Greg has also diversified from offering only thatched cottages: he now lets out a variety of rare accommodations dotted around western styles , including a renovated(修复的) train carriage and two gypsy caravans which were used by Romanies.

Most of his thirty properties are run using environmentally friendly technologies. Including solar panels and recycled furnishings. But most importantly, what the cottages all have in common is that they bring back life to local communities. Spend a weekend “Under the Thatch” rather than in a holiday home, buy local food and visit nearby restaurants, and you will be contributing to the local economy.