We have had an amazing experience in China. Through our travels we have seen places that most will not. Met people that we will never forget. Lived in a culture that rarely opens itself to outsiders. Being affiliated with the school has afforded us the opportunity to cross cultural boundaries and enter into the private lives of the Chinese students and teachers along with the surrounding culture. Our travels have opened our eyes to the world beyond our home town and with that we thank the beautiful people we have met and are so incredible gracious for they have provided us with a lifetime of memories.
One quick story before I sign off of this blog. We had an incredible good bye party this evening followed by dinner at a restaurant that was located in the middle of a pond. The ambiance was fantastic. The wooden huts were connected with bridges. Schools of carp swarmed around the edges of the walkways looking for handouts. I do want to share however that the food challenged us. The owner of the restaurant was dining with us and had ordered everything that could possibly be on the menu. We as good guests tried everything. The food included green bean jello, tofu/egg squares, cold chicken, pork and peppers, green beans, shrimp grilled with tea leaves, dove (including the heads), pork and potatoes cooked in a bamboo log, and a heaping plate of vegetables covered in cashews. I was trying the last dish when I chopped down on something that was squishy. An overwhelming sensation occurred in my mouth. I was salivating profusely and swallowed quickly. I politely shared that I was extremely full and placed my chopsticks down across my plate. I HAD EATEN A SNAIL!!! Just writing about it brings back the taste of earth/salt/paste/slime/........ (All in a single mouthful!)
Snail issue aside, we have had an absolutely phenomenal time in China and this experience has reinforced that we are all the same, we just live on different continents. Our students have formed lasting friendships and have vowed to return to this wonderful land. Freeman asked "How flat is our world?" Skyping as enabled us to form relationships with people on the other side of our world. We leave China with a more worldly sense of self and a passion for a culture that was nonexistent prior to this journey. Thank you to the people of China!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Birthday Boy
It is Wednesday morning and we were greeted by rain cascading into our open air patios. The air was cool and quiet. The sounds from crickets and frogs filled the sky. We are to attend a painting class this morning followed by a visit to Mr. Chen's wife's middle school. She too is an administrator, but her school is much smaller with only 2000 students. According to Yuki, her school is only 3 years old and absolutely stunning.
At about 8:30am the decision was made that we would not visit the school due to the rain. There was a fear of flooding and after our last experience in the typhoon, I am perfectly fine with canceling. I have been taught that in the Chinese culture, people that do not make promises. They made suggestions and allude to things but unlike Americans, who would make a plan and pretty much stick to it, the Chinese are much more flexible in their planning. We have had several variations to our original schedule, which is not a problem due to the lack of other items on our agendas while in China. It is just different from how we are used to operating. As Americans, we like to know what we are doing and when.
Today is going to be a fairly low key day. The students are planning a big birthday party for one of our students. He is having a terrific birthday. He is actually having two birthdays. One in China and then we are celebrating one again for his birthday in America. Yesterday, we went to a noodle shop for dinner where we were able to see the chef make the noodles from scratch. The Chinese students felt that the meal was expensive 10 Yuan ($1.50 USD) per person. If they only knew that the plate of pasta that we consumed would be about $15 in the US. Nevertheless, we had a great time at dinner and the birthday boy was honored. Mr. Feng brought up a birthday cake in the evening and we celebrated a small birthday party with a few Chinese students. The night ended in a cake fight with whipped cream and sponge cake smeared over everyones' faces. There was so much laughter and fun. The birthday boy received many gifts from his new Chinese friends. He was even graced with a green pea ice cream bar from one of his US travel mates, who actually thought she was buying green tea ice cream (the birthday boy's favorite). The birthday boy was so brave. He ate the green ice cream stating that it tasted like leaves. All in the name of birthdays. :)
The traveling is beginning to catch up with everyone. We are sleeping much more than when we originally arrived. Naps are taken advantage of, as are, early bedtimes. Today will be a good day to sleep due to our plans being cancelled. Right now the birthday boy is sound asleep! It has been a nice birthday. :)
At about 8:30am the decision was made that we would not visit the school due to the rain. There was a fear of flooding and after our last experience in the typhoon, I am perfectly fine with canceling. I have been taught that in the Chinese culture, people that do not make promises. They made suggestions and allude to things but unlike Americans, who would make a plan and pretty much stick to it, the Chinese are much more flexible in their planning. We have had several variations to our original schedule, which is not a problem due to the lack of other items on our agendas while in China. It is just different from how we are used to operating. As Americans, we like to know what we are doing and when.
Today is going to be a fairly low key day. The students are planning a big birthday party for one of our students. He is having a terrific birthday. He is actually having two birthdays. One in China and then we are celebrating one again for his birthday in America. Yesterday, we went to a noodle shop for dinner where we were able to see the chef make the noodles from scratch. The Chinese students felt that the meal was expensive 10 Yuan ($1.50 USD) per person. If they only knew that the plate of pasta that we consumed would be about $15 in the US. Nevertheless, we had a great time at dinner and the birthday boy was honored. Mr. Feng brought up a birthday cake in the evening and we celebrated a small birthday party with a few Chinese students. The night ended in a cake fight with whipped cream and sponge cake smeared over everyones' faces. There was so much laughter and fun. The birthday boy received many gifts from his new Chinese friends. He was even graced with a green pea ice cream bar from one of his US travel mates, who actually thought she was buying green tea ice cream (the birthday boy's favorite). The birthday boy was so brave. He ate the green ice cream stating that it tasted like leaves. All in the name of birthdays. :)
The traveling is beginning to catch up with everyone. We are sleeping much more than when we originally arrived. Naps are taken advantage of, as are, early bedtimes. Today will be a good day to sleep due to our plans being cancelled. Right now the birthday boy is sound asleep! It has been a nice birthday. :)
Monday, April 21, 2008
A Hairy Situation
We walked to the local salon yesterday. The girls decided that they wanted to have their hair washed at a traditional Chinese hair salon. In China, having your hair washed is a very common practice. Most people do not wash their hair daily. About every other day they will go to the salon and have their hair washed, moisturized, scalp massaged, body massaged, and then hair dried and styled. The men will also get a shave.
Upon entering the salon, the bustling establishment went completely silent. All eyes were focused on the six foreigners that had crossed the store threshold. Yuki began giving orders to the employees, that the girls wanted to have a 20 Yuan ($2.50 USD) hair washing and massage. (This was a pretty expensive hair washing in Chinese standards) The salon workers began to shuffle around and clear beds. I know that sounds unusual that you lay on a bed and not sit in a chair but the hair washing experience lasts approximately 30 minutes. The shampoo is the first to be applied, this is followed by conditioner and then oils to provide vitality to the hair. After the washing is completed, the salon employee then begins a full body massage. Giggles began to erupt from our girls. They were all ticklish and would break out into laughter.
The boys hung back initially until they made sure it was safe. Once all of the girls were lathered up and relaxed, the boys decided to join the hair washing experience. Before long, their eyes were closed and they were completely relaxed as the shampoo girls washed their hair.
After all was washed, conditioned and rinsed, came the blow drying. The locks of hair shimmered from the treatment. One of the boys did not want his hair dried. The Chinese stylist at this salon tended to pull out the curl in the hair and he had big brown curls that were already struggling to maintain their shape due to the extensive conditioning and oil treatment they had received.
As we were leaving, Yuki shared that this was the first time that anyone in that salon had every worked on a white person's hair. We take for granted that we are the oddity here. This was a unique experience for all parties involved.
Upon entering the salon, the bustling establishment went completely silent. All eyes were focused on the six foreigners that had crossed the store threshold. Yuki began giving orders to the employees, that the girls wanted to have a 20 Yuan ($2.50 USD) hair washing and massage. (This was a pretty expensive hair washing in Chinese standards) The salon workers began to shuffle around and clear beds. I know that sounds unusual that you lay on a bed and not sit in a chair but the hair washing experience lasts approximately 30 minutes. The shampoo is the first to be applied, this is followed by conditioner and then oils to provide vitality to the hair. After the washing is completed, the salon employee then begins a full body massage. Giggles began to erupt from our girls. They were all ticklish and would break out into laughter.
The boys hung back initially until they made sure it was safe. Once all of the girls were lathered up and relaxed, the boys decided to join the hair washing experience. Before long, their eyes were closed and they were completely relaxed as the shampoo girls washed their hair.
After all was washed, conditioned and rinsed, came the blow drying. The locks of hair shimmered from the treatment. One of the boys did not want his hair dried. The Chinese stylist at this salon tended to pull out the curl in the hair and he had big brown curls that were already struggling to maintain their shape due to the extensive conditioning and oil treatment they had received.
As we were leaving, Yuki shared that this was the first time that anyone in that salon had every worked on a white person's hair. We take for granted that we are the oddity here. This was a unique experience for all parties involved.
A bowl before history was written
We explored a museum on one of our trips and were able to experience artifacts from China's vast history. Some of the objects were 200 to 300 hundred years old. We then entered a section of the museum that held artifacts that were over 1000 years old. Passing one area, Mr. Gao stated that the bowl on display was 5000 years old. I was pretty impressed due to American history traces back a little over 200 years, that of course is not inclusive of the Native Americans historical contribution to our history. The next artifact was a bowl that was dated 8000 years old. My level of impressedness (if this could be a word) shot through the roof. Like a good tourist, I grab a photo opp and cannot wait to share it with those at home. The final bowl in the museum looked like an enormous clam shell. Mr. Gao shared that this bowl dates back to before Chinese history was written. That was absolutely amazing. To be in the same room as something that has been around that long is pretty humbling.
My eyes are wide open to the opportunities that this Language Exchange Program can grant our students. I am so incredibly thankful to be a part of this trip and in the company of such incredible young people.
My eyes are wide open to the opportunities that this Language Exchange Program can grant our students. I am so incredibly thankful to be a part of this trip and in the company of such incredible young people.
Education in China
What I have learned about the Chinese education system has made me even more thankful to be an American. In China, the goal of a student is to go to college. The family will pour all of their money into ensuring that the child will go to college. At the end of their middle level education, students take an exam. This exam determines their future. If they score high they go to a good academic college. If they do not score high, they then go to a vocational school. The vocational school offers one more opportunity to attend college. If you are a gifted artist or craftsmen, you can possibly go to college on that route but again the competition is fierce. To attend college from the art track, you have to produce a single piece of art in a specific amount of time. Failure to do so at the level of proficiency deemed exceptional, results in no further education and the entry into the world of work. As the program coordinator said "Life in China is hard for those without an education."
The high school that we are visiting works very hard to prepare students to have one more shot at college. The faculty however is also very realistic and with that they place great emphasis on being a good citizen after high school. The faculty teach one to two classes per day and the each class has 50 to 60 students.
Collaborative learning is not part of the pedagogical practices here. We have opened their eyes to a new way of teaching. In China, the teacher is the disseminator of knowledge and the students are the passive recipients of the information. Parents and students follow the rules of the school and do not challenge the authority. Parents want to please the school in the event that there may be an opportunity for their children to be placed into a college option.
The teachers here are absolutely fascinated by our collaborative activities. They were amazed that learning can be fun and that the students could smile during the learning process. The faculty is so eager to change. The teachers want to know how we knew to bring in the learning games and where they could find such information. I shared that I would email English Language Learner websites to them and they were so incredibly excited. Several teachers have asked that I continue to email them for they want to change their style of teaching to improve the level of learning that is occurring in their classrooms.
This experience has opened my eyes to how advanced our school system and our educational system truly is and how we should work to continue to open lines of communication with other countries. From our time here, we have impacted not only the students currently enrolled but we will continue to make a difference in the learning of students to come for the teachers have seen a new and innovative way to instruct.
The high school that we are visiting works very hard to prepare students to have one more shot at college. The faculty however is also very realistic and with that they place great emphasis on being a good citizen after high school. The faculty teach one to two classes per day and the each class has 50 to 60 students.
Collaborative learning is not part of the pedagogical practices here. We have opened their eyes to a new way of teaching. In China, the teacher is the disseminator of knowledge and the students are the passive recipients of the information. Parents and students follow the rules of the school and do not challenge the authority. Parents want to please the school in the event that there may be an opportunity for their children to be placed into a college option.
The teachers here are absolutely fascinated by our collaborative activities. They were amazed that learning can be fun and that the students could smile during the learning process. The faculty is so eager to change. The teachers want to know how we knew to bring in the learning games and where they could find such information. I shared that I would email English Language Learner websites to them and they were so incredibly excited. Several teachers have asked that I continue to email them for they want to change their style of teaching to improve the level of learning that is occurring in their classrooms.
This experience has opened my eyes to how advanced our school system and our educational system truly is and how we should work to continue to open lines of communication with other countries. From our time here, we have impacted not only the students currently enrolled but we will continue to make a difference in the learning of students to come for the teachers have seen a new and innovative way to instruct.
A moment at McDonalds
As promised I will fill you in on the Mc Donalds experience, but first I have to share an incredible experience.
Sunday we toured a Chinese Temple call the West Mountain Temple. It was absolutely breath taking. The design was extremely ornate and the air was filled with the smell of incense. As we entered the temple, all in the spirit of assisting the Chinese economy, there was a trinket shop were we stopped and purchased lucky charms for our loved ones. Outside of the interior gate pictures were allowed but once in the prayer area, no pictures were permitted and there were many police regulating the praying.
We made our way around the temple complex and took many pictures by a 200 year old tree that produces two different type of leaves. It was a hybrid of some sort but enormous none the less. At the back of the complex, we peeked into a building and were greeted by a monk. He allowed us to take a picture with him. It was the neatest experience. I only hope that one day the students will understand the significance of having had our picture taken with a monk. I am so incredibly thrilled. At the completion of the pictures, a procession of monks came from around the corner. They were chanting and playing drums and gongs. Following the monks came another procession of elder women shroud in brown robes. These women were called the temple citizens. I asked why there were only women in the group and I was told that these women had the time to commit to being in that role. I was thinking it was probably because all of the men were around the corner drinking old man tea and playing Chinese checkers so the women had to do something to occupy their time. I was just saying... :)
Anyway, we followed the procession into the temple and were able to watch a ceremony. It was filled with song, incense and music. The colors of red (good luck) and yellow (not sure) filled the temple. At the base of the worship area were cages willed with swallows that were to be released at the end of the ceremony. We unfortunately were not able to stay the entire time because we had shopping to do. We did, however, purchase some incense and prayed to our gods in the prayer courtyard.
Then began the shopping.... We shopped for what felt like hours. We did experience one scare. At least it was a scare for me. I don't think the students had a clue. We went into this indoor market that was lined with vendors. The environment was congested and loud. The teachers that were with us had assigned buddy students with all of our kids. It still was overwhelming and I was very uncomfortable because I could not keep an eye on all my students in the chaos. Mr. Gao saw that I was getting agitated and rallied the troops into a retreat out of the market. Phew, I was much better. Later, Mr. Gao shared that there are a lot of thieves in that marketplace. Nice, just what we need. A mugging in China! I am so glad we left that area. We proceeded to an open shopping area which we could equate to Zona Rosa but not as nice. Our students had a blast shopping, shopping and more shopping.
At the end of the shopping strip was a Mc Donalds. It looked just like our Mc Donalds at home except the menu was in Chinese and the vegetables that come on your sandwich are carrots and cabbage. I had a spicy chicken sandwich which I believe had been spiced up with peppers from the Hunan area. It was the hottest chicken sandwich that I have ever experienced. I broke into a sweat eating and the gulped down a huge mouthful of Pepsi before I realized....there is ice in the soda. I asked Yuki to find out how they prepare the ice. I could feel my heart beating in my throat. The last thing that needed to happen is that I go down with stomach issues due to consuming ice. Yuki alleviated my fear by clarifying that the ice is prepared from distilled water. With that information I finished the drink and got another. So, any stomach issues will result from consuming soda for the first time in two weeks. The Chinese students love Mc Donalds but know that the food is not good for them. They actually like the french fries more than the sandwiches. Interesting how American food is corrupting all of our children. Maybe the blog should be How fat is our world???
Sunday we toured a Chinese Temple call the West Mountain Temple. It was absolutely breath taking. The design was extremely ornate and the air was filled with the smell of incense. As we entered the temple, all in the spirit of assisting the Chinese economy, there was a trinket shop were we stopped and purchased lucky charms for our loved ones. Outside of the interior gate pictures were allowed but once in the prayer area, no pictures were permitted and there were many police regulating the praying.
We made our way around the temple complex and took many pictures by a 200 year old tree that produces two different type of leaves. It was a hybrid of some sort but enormous none the less. At the back of the complex, we peeked into a building and were greeted by a monk. He allowed us to take a picture with him. It was the neatest experience. I only hope that one day the students will understand the significance of having had our picture taken with a monk. I am so incredibly thrilled. At the completion of the pictures, a procession of monks came from around the corner. They were chanting and playing drums and gongs. Following the monks came another procession of elder women shroud in brown robes. These women were called the temple citizens. I asked why there were only women in the group and I was told that these women had the time to commit to being in that role. I was thinking it was probably because all of the men were around the corner drinking old man tea and playing Chinese checkers so the women had to do something to occupy their time. I was just saying... :)
Anyway, we followed the procession into the temple and were able to watch a ceremony. It was filled with song, incense and music. The colors of red (good luck) and yellow (not sure) filled the temple. At the base of the worship area were cages willed with swallows that were to be released at the end of the ceremony. We unfortunately were not able to stay the entire time because we had shopping to do. We did, however, purchase some incense and prayed to our gods in the prayer courtyard.
Then began the shopping.... We shopped for what felt like hours. We did experience one scare. At least it was a scare for me. I don't think the students had a clue. We went into this indoor market that was lined with vendors. The environment was congested and loud. The teachers that were with us had assigned buddy students with all of our kids. It still was overwhelming and I was very uncomfortable because I could not keep an eye on all my students in the chaos. Mr. Gao saw that I was getting agitated and rallied the troops into a retreat out of the market. Phew, I was much better. Later, Mr. Gao shared that there are a lot of thieves in that marketplace. Nice, just what we need. A mugging in China! I am so glad we left that area. We proceeded to an open shopping area which we could equate to Zona Rosa but not as nice. Our students had a blast shopping, shopping and more shopping.
At the end of the shopping strip was a Mc Donalds. It looked just like our Mc Donalds at home except the menu was in Chinese and the vegetables that come on your sandwich are carrots and cabbage. I had a spicy chicken sandwich which I believe had been spiced up with peppers from the Hunan area. It was the hottest chicken sandwich that I have ever experienced. I broke into a sweat eating and the gulped down a huge mouthful of Pepsi before I realized....there is ice in the soda. I asked Yuki to find out how they prepare the ice. I could feel my heart beating in my throat. The last thing that needed to happen is that I go down with stomach issues due to consuming ice. Yuki alleviated my fear by clarifying that the ice is prepared from distilled water. With that information I finished the drink and got another. So, any stomach issues will result from consuming soda for the first time in two weeks. The Chinese students love Mc Donalds but know that the food is not good for them. They actually like the french fries more than the sandwiches. Interesting how American food is corrupting all of our children. Maybe the blog should be How fat is our world???
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Raining Whales and Elephants
We spent Saturday touring the memorial park of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the father of China. The scenery was beautiful but the weather was becoming a bit sketchy. Rain began to fall about 11:00am and the winds began to pick up. We (Headmaster Chen, Assistant Headmaster Feng, the students and myself) then went to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's home and toured. The home was mini-complex with meeting rooms, dining rooms, bathing rooms, outdoor bathroom, and much much more. The history of this man is quite fascinating. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen was a very influential man in China. He played a key role in uniting China. His wife was very wealthy and became the Vice-President. ( this is the history as relayed by our program coordinator). My knowledge of China is very limited but growing daily. It is a country rich with history and rooted in traditions. I have been extremely impressed.
Mr. Chen took us to a lovely restaurant in the mountains. The seating area opened up to a beautiful view of a fishing pond and the lush greenery of the mountains. At this time the rain was beginning to pick up at this point. I said to one of the students that we have never seen rain like this. The program coordinator turned to me and said "Yes, it is raining whales and elephants." I asked him if he meant cats and dogs and he indicated that that was about an hour ago. We are on to whales and elephants now. The meal was incredible. We dined on chicken, duck, fish and pork. We consumed steamed spinach, tufo, and broccoli. This meal was a surprise birthday party for me. After we had eaten, the song Happy Birthday began to boom from the stereo system and a beautiful birthday cake was brought to the table. It was covered w/ fresh pineapples, kiwi, and berries. I later learned that the cake had to be brought in from another town because the town that we are staying in does not have a cake shop. I was very impressed and surprised. The students were pretty tickled. They knew about it all along. Turkies!
After the dinning, we went to the hot springs. The students swam in pools of steaming water. It is always refreshing to be with children. They can make friends with anyone. Our five students were swimming and playing and eight Chinese teenagers swam over and were trying to swim with our students. Now mind you, we do have two fine swimmers from our swim team on this trip so they were teaching the Chinese teens the butterfly stroke, the breast stroke, and how to do handstands in the water. The pool was filled with laughter and smiles. I was not swimming. I was braving the weather. Did I forget for mention that the typhoon had hit. The rain was pouring down at a much more dramatic rate. As a matter of fact, they were predicting 20 inches of rain with this typhoon. Nervous yet?
After standing in the rain and wind for about 40 minutes, Yuki and I decided to go to a small shelter that overlooked the hot springs and have afternoon tea. Yes, I was enjoying hot tea with milk, while eating bread and mango jelly, in the MIDDLE OF A TYPHOON!!!!. It is almost too funny to share.
The hot springs ended with a bit of a scare. One of our students, how has low blood sugar, got a bit overheated and became extremely faint. All of could think of is, I am in China and I have a student that is going down! Oh boy this is going to be a good phone call home. I requested that the servers bring orange juice. The came with freshly squeezed orange juice adorned a little pretty pink umbrella. I wanted to laugh. You stopped to put an umbrella in the drink!!! Do you know I have to call her parents!!!!!! Needless to say the OJ brought her back. Thank god for the First Aid Classes! After the initial crisis was diverted we headed back to the school.
The rain was coming down in horizontal sheets. I have never in my lifetime seen such rain. It was pouring off the hills like waterfalls and splashing onto the road. We could not open the windows in the van because the rain would drench us. As we were progressing towards the school the water was rising in the roads. Cars were creeping by with the water half way up the tires. We were about 15 minutes from the school and the van stalled out. I was trying to be brave but my heart was in my throat. We sat in the road while the driver revvd the engine for about 5 minutes trying to push the water out of the system. I had the students roll down the windows due to the fumes that were accumulating in the van. I weighed our options of getting wet or suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. I chose wet. The driver received a roaring ovation when he got the van working and was able to get us across town. We pulled up to the shopping center across the street from the school entry way. The van could not make it across due to the water. Our interpreter said we were going to have to walk.
We poured into the torrential rain, hauling umbrellas, bags and other trinkets we had purchased and crossed the road in calf deep water while bracing ourselves against the winds. I know you are thinking, did this really happen, but let me assure you that all six of us will vouch that we had quite a wet day. Once crossing the street, we made our way up the alley to the school gates. We walked back to our dorm and changed into dry clothes. The winds were beginning to die down and the rain was lessening. About an hour later, the air was cool and the rain had stopped.
Because it is the weekend the dorms and kitchen were closed. Most of the students travel home for the weekend. Dinner was brought in from a very unique dining establishment called KFC. Our students were so excited. They consumed an amazing quantity of food. It was a little taste of home in the orient. Apparently, KFC is considered quite a delicacy here, along with, McDonalds. That is another entire story for another posting. :)
Mr. Chen took us to a lovely restaurant in the mountains. The seating area opened up to a beautiful view of a fishing pond and the lush greenery of the mountains. At this time the rain was beginning to pick up at this point. I said to one of the students that we have never seen rain like this. The program coordinator turned to me and said "Yes, it is raining whales and elephants." I asked him if he meant cats and dogs and he indicated that that was about an hour ago. We are on to whales and elephants now. The meal was incredible. We dined on chicken, duck, fish and pork. We consumed steamed spinach, tufo, and broccoli. This meal was a surprise birthday party for me. After we had eaten, the song Happy Birthday began to boom from the stereo system and a beautiful birthday cake was brought to the table. It was covered w/ fresh pineapples, kiwi, and berries. I later learned that the cake had to be brought in from another town because the town that we are staying in does not have a cake shop. I was very impressed and surprised. The students were pretty tickled. They knew about it all along. Turkies!
After the dinning, we went to the hot springs. The students swam in pools of steaming water. It is always refreshing to be with children. They can make friends with anyone. Our five students were swimming and playing and eight Chinese teenagers swam over and were trying to swim with our students. Now mind you, we do have two fine swimmers from our swim team on this trip so they were teaching the Chinese teens the butterfly stroke, the breast stroke, and how to do handstands in the water. The pool was filled with laughter and smiles. I was not swimming. I was braving the weather. Did I forget for mention that the typhoon had hit. The rain was pouring down at a much more dramatic rate. As a matter of fact, they were predicting 20 inches of rain with this typhoon. Nervous yet?
After standing in the rain and wind for about 40 minutes, Yuki and I decided to go to a small shelter that overlooked the hot springs and have afternoon tea. Yes, I was enjoying hot tea with milk, while eating bread and mango jelly, in the MIDDLE OF A TYPHOON!!!!. It is almost too funny to share.
The hot springs ended with a bit of a scare. One of our students, how has low blood sugar, got a bit overheated and became extremely faint. All of could think of is, I am in China and I have a student that is going down! Oh boy this is going to be a good phone call home. I requested that the servers bring orange juice. The came with freshly squeezed orange juice adorned a little pretty pink umbrella. I wanted to laugh. You stopped to put an umbrella in the drink!!! Do you know I have to call her parents!!!!!! Needless to say the OJ brought her back. Thank god for the First Aid Classes! After the initial crisis was diverted we headed back to the school.
The rain was coming down in horizontal sheets. I have never in my lifetime seen such rain. It was pouring off the hills like waterfalls and splashing onto the road. We could not open the windows in the van because the rain would drench us. As we were progressing towards the school the water was rising in the roads. Cars were creeping by with the water half way up the tires. We were about 15 minutes from the school and the van stalled out. I was trying to be brave but my heart was in my throat. We sat in the road while the driver revvd the engine for about 5 minutes trying to push the water out of the system. I had the students roll down the windows due to the fumes that were accumulating in the van. I weighed our options of getting wet or suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. I chose wet. The driver received a roaring ovation when he got the van working and was able to get us across town. We pulled up to the shopping center across the street from the school entry way. The van could not make it across due to the water. Our interpreter said we were going to have to walk.
We poured into the torrential rain, hauling umbrellas, bags and other trinkets we had purchased and crossed the road in calf deep water while bracing ourselves against the winds. I know you are thinking, did this really happen, but let me assure you that all six of us will vouch that we had quite a wet day. Once crossing the street, we made our way up the alley to the school gates. We walked back to our dorm and changed into dry clothes. The winds were beginning to die down and the rain was lessening. About an hour later, the air was cool and the rain had stopped.
Because it is the weekend the dorms and kitchen were closed. Most of the students travel home for the weekend. Dinner was brought in from a very unique dining establishment called KFC. Our students were so excited. They consumed an amazing quantity of food. It was a little taste of home in the orient. Apparently, KFC is considered quite a delicacy here, along with, McDonalds. That is another entire story for another posting. :)
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