Last night I bought a memory stick for my digital camera, so I can now start taking pictures properly. If I had wanted to go into the Sony shop and buy one it would have been easy, especially as the shops stay open until about 9pm here, every day. However, Tao (the Chinese girlfriend of a Scottish guy who arrived here in february to teach English, and has decided to stay for a year), has a cousin who's 'in the business' and got me a memory stick for 180 Kuai. I think that is about fifteen pounds and, although I am not a hundred per cent sure it is authentic Sony, I could not decline her help and kindness and the stick seems to work perfectly.
Not only did she get hold of this memory stick for me, but she also picked me up on her moped on her way home from work (it's hilarious/terrifying to brave the roads of Wuhu on an electric moped!), and took me to her home where we ate dinner with her family. Once again, I tried foods I had never come across before, most of which were delicious. Apparently, cows stomach is good for girls' skin so, of course, I had to try some! I have noticed that Chinese people will often pick up the best bits of the dish with their chopsticks and place it in the little bowl of their guest or elder or friend. I had numerous things placed into my bowl last night - they are so hospitable here and I was invited to come back any time.
On the way back into the centre of town, Tao pointed out a little shop that sold DVDs and mentioned that any time I want to get a really cheap DVD (i.e counterfeit) she knows the guy who works there and, at night, would be happy to sell them to me. I must point out at this point that Tao is 24, very bright, speaks great English (helped by having an English-speaking boyf.) and is a trainee accountant working in a bank. It was really lovely to spend the evening with a girl, I must say!
After she dropped me off, I met up with the boys and went for a drink in the Overseas Student Garden. We are always a bit worried about going there because there's a Canadian teacher, jason, who works at another language school and frequents this bar but we really don't like him. He is tall, loud, nearing 40 and usually likes to dominate a conversation/room, plus he seems not to like China or the Chinese, which doesn't ingratiate him to many people here. Anyway, he wasn't there last night so we could relax a bit!
I have just noticed the time - I need to go for my mandarin lesson!
Last thing, quickly, is that I went to see The Banquet and, thankfullly, there were English subtitles so I could understand it!!! I would say it is worth going to see for the beautiful cinematography and fight scenes, but the story is quite slow-paced - Hamlet it ain't! x
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
My Heart Will Go On
I have been meaning to mention this in my blog for a while: In the Square, which is right next to Mirror Lake (and actually is a big circle), music is quite often played from hidden speakers. It is always calm and peaceful music, much like the music played in some airport lounges but a little less jazzy. About a week ago I noticed that the speakers were playing a really cheesy version of Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'. This would have been amusing enough on its own, but every time we have been to karaoke in China someone has sung this song, so I now associate it with comedy rather than the emotional moments shared by Leonardo Di'Caprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic. Still, Leo was my first celebrity crush, so he'll always have a special place in my heart!!!
Aside from that, I will finish this entry by mentioning what I did today - slightly more normal, perhaps, than talking about Celine Dion. I taught kindergarden this morning and, once again, they were super sweet. I really enjoyed teaching two- and three-year olds to clap, stretch and jump! This afternoon, I went to the gym, which was really good, and I also bought bus tickets for our trip next week to Hang Zhou. It is the October vacation for seven days from Saturday, so everyone in China has a holiday. We are taking this opportunity to do some travelling, which I am really looking forward to, even though it is going to be sooooo busy everywhere!
Aside from that, I will finish this entry by mentioning what I did today - slightly more normal, perhaps, than talking about Celine Dion. I taught kindergarden this morning and, once again, they were super sweet. I really enjoyed teaching two- and three-year olds to clap, stretch and jump! This afternoon, I went to the gym, which was really good, and I also bought bus tickets for our trip next week to Hang Zhou. It is the October vacation for seven days from Saturday, so everyone in China has a holiday. We are taking this opportunity to do some travelling, which I am really looking forward to, even though it is going to be sooooo busy everywhere!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
"Chinese Moon Cake We Like!"
I have just returned from filming my Wuhu TV debut. Joe, Ahmir, Merim and I all went to the local bake-your-own shop this afternoon and were filmed making the Moon Cake. Merim studied Chinese at University for one year so he was interviewed, which was highly amusing. Meanwhile, I focused on perfecting my delightful little doughy balls, which soon transformed into traditional Chinese 'Yue Bing'. The finished products were pretty good and tasted ok, too. The two fillings used were chesnut puree and red bean puree; not exactly the same as the cakes you find in the Three Cooks in England but surprisingly yummy.
We have asked for copies of the film because we don't have a telly in our flat, just a DVD player, so we'll need to watch our fifteen minutes of fame after it's been aired. I can't wait to see it - so randomly amusing, especially as we are all wearing bright orange polo shirts with Aston Language School printed on them.
From the little screen to the silver screen, I am being taken to the cinema this evening to watch The Banquet, a Chinese film based loosely on Hamlet. I don't think it has come out in england yet, but it is apparently it's set to be a bit of an international blockbuster. I'm not going to have a clue what's going on, of course, but I think the cinematography is meant to be amazing so it should be fun anyway!
Last night, I was treated to traditional dumplings or 'Jiao zi' at Rex's house. His mum cooked them for us and she was so hospitable and eager to feed me that I must have eaten about 20 of them! The dumplings tasted so much better than any Chinese food I have eaten in England, despite being everyday food to them.
I have been continuing with my chinese lessons this week and feel as though I am really progressing, albeit painfully slowly. Paul gave me a great way to remember new words through the use of images so I am using that as much as possible. The funnier the image the more effective it is in staying with you. For instance, the word for wine is 'pi jiu', with jiu pronounced like Jo. Obviously, I think of my Mum, Jo, when I hear the word wine (!!!!!) so, hey presto, I can remember this highly important word any time I please. Plus, there is the competitive element involved now: I want to learn enough to get up to Merim's standard by the time I leave!
I am going for a meal soon but, next time I write, I may well be a minor celebrity in the eyes of the general public of Wuhu! Who knows, I might not be able to walk down Walking Street without hoards of people calling my new Chinese name, Su Xiao Ya. This was given to me by my two chinese teachers and effectively means that my surname is Su (for Sarah) and my given name is Little graceful. I am well chuffed! x
We have asked for copies of the film because we don't have a telly in our flat, just a DVD player, so we'll need to watch our fifteen minutes of fame after it's been aired. I can't wait to see it - so randomly amusing, especially as we are all wearing bright orange polo shirts with Aston Language School printed on them.
From the little screen to the silver screen, I am being taken to the cinema this evening to watch The Banquet, a Chinese film based loosely on Hamlet. I don't think it has come out in england yet, but it is apparently it's set to be a bit of an international blockbuster. I'm not going to have a clue what's going on, of course, but I think the cinematography is meant to be amazing so it should be fun anyway!
Last night, I was treated to traditional dumplings or 'Jiao zi' at Rex's house. His mum cooked them for us and she was so hospitable and eager to feed me that I must have eaten about 20 of them! The dumplings tasted so much better than any Chinese food I have eaten in England, despite being everyday food to them.
I have been continuing with my chinese lessons this week and feel as though I am really progressing, albeit painfully slowly. Paul gave me a great way to remember new words through the use of images so I am using that as much as possible. The funnier the image the more effective it is in staying with you. For instance, the word for wine is 'pi jiu', with jiu pronounced like Jo. Obviously, I think of my Mum, Jo, when I hear the word wine (!!!!!) so, hey presto, I can remember this highly important word any time I please. Plus, there is the competitive element involved now: I want to learn enough to get up to Merim's standard by the time I leave!
I am going for a meal soon but, next time I write, I may well be a minor celebrity in the eyes of the general public of Wuhu! Who knows, I might not be able to walk down Walking Street without hoards of people calling my new Chinese name, Su Xiao Ya. This was given to me by my two chinese teachers and effectively means that my surname is Su (for Sarah) and my given name is Little graceful. I am well chuffed! x
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sazzle the TV Chef
I have to admit I am just a little excited about the prospect of appearing on local Wuhu TV as 'a foreigner learning to cook Moon cake'. The school I am working for is the only one in Wuhu that employs so many native-speaking English teachers, so Carolione, the manager, is approached any time the novelty of outsiders might be exploited for light entertainment. One such opportunity is coming up soon; there is a festival in China at the beginning of October, the name of which is translated into 'Mid-Autumn Festival'. During that period the Chinese eat something called Moon cake (it's everywhere in the shops at the moment), so how better to provide a laugh to the seven-hundred thousand plus people of Wuhu than to film clueless westerners attempting to join in with the festival preparations?! I am not sure if it is happening at all, to be fair, but just the idea is worth blogging!
Last Thursday, Joe, Ahmir and I all went to the local medical college to meet the Principal. Again, because we are foreigners even very busy people, like the principal of a university with a total of 7000 students and employees, are interested in meeting us - crazy!! We sat around a board-room table listening to the principal and others talk in chinese for ages and ate mini moon cakes. I think it was amongst the more pointless things I have done recently.
The weekend was busy, as usual. Joe and Ahmir and most of the foreigners have the weekends off (unlike Merim and me) so they are up for having a good night on fridays. I have a lesson at 8.20am on Saturday morning so I am not exactly in the same party mood. nevertheless, I joined them and it was a good night. It was Caroline's birthday so 25 of us (a strange mix of Chinese, Japanese and Western people) went to a Sichuan restaurant to start off the night.
...Merim has just given given me a pretty box that contains moon cake. He is a very lovely boy...
Anyway, the birthday meal was pretty good fun. There was a full bottle of Taiwanese vodka on our table at the start. By the end, the bottle was drained and the boys were even more excited about Karaoke than normal.
At about 11pm we decided to go to the Overseas Students Garden, which is a bar close-by. By then, I was the only girl in a group which consisted mainly of tipsy or out-and-out drunk English/Scotsmen . Therefore, when we got to the bar I was delighted to see familiar girls dancing to Puerto Rican music. Obviously I joined in - any excuse! - but not long afterwards, a cat fight broke out between a Ukrainian girl and another fiesty foreign female, so I left the dance floor. I was actually so surprised to see such violence - I haven't felt unsafe anywhere in Wuhu so far. Foreigners are just so uncivilised!
Ironically, 'foreigners' were cause for further embarrassment the next morning. I had had my first lesson of the day and was just about to go in for lunch when I was informed that I was going to have to pay my fair share for the replacement of the lock and keys for the main back gate of the building we live/work in. Apparently, Ahmir and Merim had been on a bit of an adventure after Rex, Joe, Stuart, Jamie and I went home. This had brought them back to Aston at about 2am in a state of blurriness to collect money for more food and beer, before they went out again until 6am. Somehow, they had managed to lose the main padlock to the gate, so the next morning the foreigners were in trouble from the man who locks after the building.
I must say at this point that no one can be certain of the facts, but both Ahmir and Merim were happy to pay for the replacement in the end.
I did not regret missing out on the all-night fun on friday because my first lesson had been with people from the medical univesity who teach English, which was far more tiring than I expected. They politely refused to do anything more than ask me questions because, apparantly, their English is very good already. Therefore, I had to talk for an hour and a half on England and its culture(s). I will have to do this every week, according to them!
On Sunday, I had another full day of teaching. The six-year olds loved the bingo game I played with them to help them learn the words for different items of clothes and the twelve-year olds were hilarious with their role-plays.
I had meant to go to the gym at some point on the weekend but I didn't have time. I joined A Power on Thursday and it's pretty good. There's spinning and a running machine, great showers and it's far more pleasant than running the streets of Wuhu. I just hope I see at least one other girl there next time I go!
On Sunday night, Joe, Ahmir and I went to a new Chinese restaurant. After ordering our food came and we were all very happy; tofu, chinese spinach, noodles, chicken and mushroom - yum. However, all of a sudden Joe pointed out that what I had between my chopsticks - half a chicken head (the inside of the head was facing me so I hadn't noticed). Immediately, our appetites diminished dramatically and we paid our 10 kuai (about 80/90p) and left!
Last Thursday, Joe, Ahmir and I all went to the local medical college to meet the Principal. Again, because we are foreigners even very busy people, like the principal of a university with a total of 7000 students and employees, are interested in meeting us - crazy!! We sat around a board-room table listening to the principal and others talk in chinese for ages and ate mini moon cakes. I think it was amongst the more pointless things I have done recently.
The weekend was busy, as usual. Joe and Ahmir and most of the foreigners have the weekends off (unlike Merim and me) so they are up for having a good night on fridays. I have a lesson at 8.20am on Saturday morning so I am not exactly in the same party mood. nevertheless, I joined them and it was a good night. It was Caroline's birthday so 25 of us (a strange mix of Chinese, Japanese and Western people) went to a Sichuan restaurant to start off the night.
...Merim has just given given me a pretty box that contains moon cake. He is a very lovely boy...
Anyway, the birthday meal was pretty good fun. There was a full bottle of Taiwanese vodka on our table at the start. By the end, the bottle was drained and the boys were even more excited about Karaoke than normal.
At about 11pm we decided to go to the Overseas Students Garden, which is a bar close-by. By then, I was the only girl in a group which consisted mainly of tipsy or out-and-out drunk English/Scotsmen . Therefore, when we got to the bar I was delighted to see familiar girls dancing to Puerto Rican music. Obviously I joined in - any excuse! - but not long afterwards, a cat fight broke out between a Ukrainian girl and another fiesty foreign female, so I left the dance floor. I was actually so surprised to see such violence - I haven't felt unsafe anywhere in Wuhu so far. Foreigners are just so uncivilised!
Ironically, 'foreigners' were cause for further embarrassment the next morning. I had had my first lesson of the day and was just about to go in for lunch when I was informed that I was going to have to pay my fair share for the replacement of the lock and keys for the main back gate of the building we live/work in. Apparently, Ahmir and Merim had been on a bit of an adventure after Rex, Joe, Stuart, Jamie and I went home. This had brought them back to Aston at about 2am in a state of blurriness to collect money for more food and beer, before they went out again until 6am. Somehow, they had managed to lose the main padlock to the gate, so the next morning the foreigners were in trouble from the man who locks after the building.
I must say at this point that no one can be certain of the facts, but both Ahmir and Merim were happy to pay for the replacement in the end.
I did not regret missing out on the all-night fun on friday because my first lesson had been with people from the medical univesity who teach English, which was far more tiring than I expected. They politely refused to do anything more than ask me questions because, apparantly, their English is very good already. Therefore, I had to talk for an hour and a half on England and its culture(s). I will have to do this every week, according to them!
On Sunday, I had another full day of teaching. The six-year olds loved the bingo game I played with them to help them learn the words for different items of clothes and the twelve-year olds were hilarious with their role-plays.
I had meant to go to the gym at some point on the weekend but I didn't have time. I joined A Power on Thursday and it's pretty good. There's spinning and a running machine, great showers and it's far more pleasant than running the streets of Wuhu. I just hope I see at least one other girl there next time I go!
On Sunday night, Joe, Ahmir and I went to a new Chinese restaurant. After ordering our food came and we were all very happy; tofu, chinese spinach, noodles, chicken and mushroom - yum. However, all of a sudden Joe pointed out that what I had between my chopsticks - half a chicken head (the inside of the head was facing me so I hadn't noticed). Immediately, our appetites diminished dramatically and we paid our 10 kuai (about 80/90p) and left!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
As I predicted, I haven't really kept very up-to-date with this weblog. On Sunday, I taught a class of 30 six-year olds in the morning, to which I sang songs and did mimes. I also was given the privilege of giving many of them English names, something I had done to one of two students before but never en masse in this way. It was quite surreal. In the afternoon, I had older students and the classes were shorter so I was able to enjoy it far more, despite having no assistant to interpret.
On Sunday evening, fifteen minutes earlier than planned, two excitable 16-year old students knocked on the flat door, ready to take Rex and me for a meal. I really did not want to do this after a weekend of teaching, but had been persuaded the week before after teaching them at No. 11 Middle School. Basically, they are just super enthusiastic to learn English and travel abroad, and I felt that it would be pretty rude to dismiss their invitation - the idea, after all, is to help them learn English so encouragement is pretty key. It was a pretty fun evening in the end because the restaurant was good (especially as one of the girls insisted on paying to our utter amazement!!!!) and we could all communicate fine. However, Rex and I did escape early by concocting a lie about needing to go and plan more lessons.
In reality we spent much of the rest of the evening by Mirror Lake and at The Doors bar where Ahmir and Joe met us. The Doors bar was established in 2003 (so it's about the same age as most of the centre of Wuhu) and is like a shrine to The Doors and many other pretty decent bands. It reminds me a bit of a scaled-down and far more rudamentry HardRock cafe because it has framed photographs of bands all over the walls. I like the atmosphere in there and they play mainly western music so it's a nice change from the chinese pop/R&B offerings that are played out through the tanoy in the supermarket and elsewhere around the city.
I am about to go to teach my first set of Kindergarden children (ages range from 'Baby' to 'Big 2', whatever that means). I am partly looking forward to having a bit of fun dancing and telling stories to toddlers but, simultaneously, I am dreading a class full of snotty cryling only-child brats (I have seen a few of those around and it's not pretty).
Because of this, I will 'blog' only one last thing. In the flat there now lives Paul, Joe, Ahmir, Kauli (Japanese lady who's been here since February but went travelling this summer) and also the new guy Merim. Merim is from Bosnia but he was a refugee and moved to Norway 12 years ago. He speaks amazing amazing, native-sounding English (he has also spent a bit of time in London) and seems like a good guy. I just really need some girls around me soon because the conversations do often err on the male side!!! x
On Sunday evening, fifteen minutes earlier than planned, two excitable 16-year old students knocked on the flat door, ready to take Rex and me for a meal. I really did not want to do this after a weekend of teaching, but had been persuaded the week before after teaching them at No. 11 Middle School. Basically, they are just super enthusiastic to learn English and travel abroad, and I felt that it would be pretty rude to dismiss their invitation - the idea, after all, is to help them learn English so encouragement is pretty key. It was a pretty fun evening in the end because the restaurant was good (especially as one of the girls insisted on paying to our utter amazement!!!!) and we could all communicate fine. However, Rex and I did escape early by concocting a lie about needing to go and plan more lessons.
In reality we spent much of the rest of the evening by Mirror Lake and at The Doors bar where Ahmir and Joe met us. The Doors bar was established in 2003 (so it's about the same age as most of the centre of Wuhu) and is like a shrine to The Doors and many other pretty decent bands. It reminds me a bit of a scaled-down and far more rudamentry HardRock cafe because it has framed photographs of bands all over the walls. I like the atmosphere in there and they play mainly western music so it's a nice change from the chinese pop/R&B offerings that are played out through the tanoy in the supermarket and elsewhere around the city.
I am about to go to teach my first set of Kindergarden children (ages range from 'Baby' to 'Big 2', whatever that means). I am partly looking forward to having a bit of fun dancing and telling stories to toddlers but, simultaneously, I am dreading a class full of snotty cryling only-child brats (I have seen a few of those around and it's not pretty).
Because of this, I will 'blog' only one last thing. In the flat there now lives Paul, Joe, Ahmir, Kauli (Japanese lady who's been here since February but went travelling this summer) and also the new guy Merim. Merim is from Bosnia but he was a refugee and moved to Norway 12 years ago. He speaks amazing amazing, native-sounding English (he has also spent a bit of time in London) and seems like a good guy. I just really need some girls around me soon because the conversations do often err on the male side!!! x
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Monday morning's wake-up siren
From my window this morning it looked like such lovely weather that I decided to go for a walk before my mandarin lesson, which started at 9.10am. I'm really pleased that I did because I got to see a new set of random things with which to begin my third week here.
I walked around Mirror lake, part of which is next to the road but it's still usually quite peaceful. However, this morning I witnessed roadrage Chinese-stylee: Two teeny-tiny cart/trucks (big enough for only one person; they are so amusing to watch trundling along) were beeping their horns as they fought for the leading postion on the road designated for bikes and all vehicles other than cars. It was so funny to watch this because I was walking only a bit slower on the pavement alongside them - somehow I don't think it was the sort of road rage that would bring on a heart-attack to its participants.
Chuckling to myself I carried on around the lake where I found mainly older people sitting in the shade. I imagine that many of them had been there since early in the morning because it's quite common to practice Tai chi around the lake and in the adjacent garden at about 5 or 6 am. I really need to make the effort to get up early enough to witness this. Near the little temple and seating areas around it, I noticed games of Chinese chess were being played by some and others were reading newspapers. To be honest, they did remind me a little bit of the Italian or Greek villagers who sit around the village square together.
At the end of the walk, which finished where the main shopping area begins, I could not help but slow down and watch as a uniformed band played rather up-beat but military sounding music as they raised the national flag. There were plenty of people watching respectfully but as I joined them I suddenly became aware of the irony that, as the Communist flag was raised, we all stood facing the entrance of the quintessentially Capitalist symbol; MacDonald's!
Anyway, this must have been a significant Monday morning because, shortly afterwards, an air-raid sounding siren went off for a while. It was a bit scary but no one else seemed bothered so I walked back to the flat just in time for the lesson.
I walked around Mirror lake, part of which is next to the road but it's still usually quite peaceful. However, this morning I witnessed roadrage Chinese-stylee: Two teeny-tiny cart/trucks (big enough for only one person; they are so amusing to watch trundling along) were beeping their horns as they fought for the leading postion on the road designated for bikes and all vehicles other than cars. It was so funny to watch this because I was walking only a bit slower on the pavement alongside them - somehow I don't think it was the sort of road rage that would bring on a heart-attack to its participants.
Chuckling to myself I carried on around the lake where I found mainly older people sitting in the shade. I imagine that many of them had been there since early in the morning because it's quite common to practice Tai chi around the lake and in the adjacent garden at about 5 or 6 am. I really need to make the effort to get up early enough to witness this. Near the little temple and seating areas around it, I noticed games of Chinese chess were being played by some and others were reading newspapers. To be honest, they did remind me a little bit of the Italian or Greek villagers who sit around the village square together.
At the end of the walk, which finished where the main shopping area begins, I could not help but slow down and watch as a uniformed band played rather up-beat but military sounding music as they raised the national flag. There were plenty of people watching respectfully but as I joined them I suddenly became aware of the irony that, as the Communist flag was raised, we all stood facing the entrance of the quintessentially Capitalist symbol; MacDonald's!
Anyway, this must have been a significant Monday morning because, shortly afterwards, an air-raid sounding siren went off for a while. It was a bit scary but no one else seemed bothered so I walked back to the flat just in time for the lesson.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Saturday's false start
Well, I didn't drink last night and I had an early night, even though it was Friday night and I would've loved to join in fully with everyone. The only reason for such stayed behaviour was that I was supposed to be teaching a class of teachers from the local medical college at 8.30 am. I was a tad nervous because they have a good level of English apparently and, so far, I have only been up against teenagers. I wanted to be on the ball and able to converse with them on an adult level, if at all possible and not sleep in like I did the first time I had a morning class.
Ironically, the teachers didn't turn up because they thought it started next week. So I now have until 10.30 until my class of 7-year olds to blog away.
Last night, Joe and Ahmir and I went to 'Restaraunt Street' for the first time. I suppose this street is what I think of when I think of China towns in England, but it's on a smaller scale and the real thing. There are the stereotypical colourful lights hanging across the street and Chinese people stand by the doors to greet people in. It's not pedestrianised like the main shopping street, 'Walking Street', so like most places here you have to keep a careful eye out for cars and bikes - they just don't seem to care about pedestrians! Most people can't afford a car in Wuhu so bikes really are the norm. However there are loads of taxis around and, like in Italy or France or greece, they are the most dangerous drivers of the lot.
However, if I had to be run down by a crazed Chinese taxi driver, I would like to be run down on Restaurant Street; it really is pretty cool. I think us foreigners are going to spend a lot of time there nearer Christmas because all the lights evoke the atmosphere of the festive season. We managed to order our food in our chosen restaurant, but it's still not an easy process without a native speaker to help. If you don't pronounce the word perfectly and with the exact tone, they seem not to have a clue what you mean. I don't think they're actually trying, frankly. Still, it means I have to perfect my pronounciation quicksmart.
After dinner, I managed to persuade Joe to come rollarskating with me. We met up with Paul and his chinese girlfriend there (Paul arrived from England to work here in February and insists that having a Chinese girlfriend/boyfriend is the best way to learn the language - sounds quite calculated, but I am sure he's right!). I was so chuffed that Joe came with me. He had not skated since he was about 13 and, if he was any good then, he is perhaps a bit out of practice because he wasn't exactly whizzing around last night. Still, he humoured me which was super sweet, and I got to pretend I was back at Farnham sports centre's rollar disco (I loved it when I was 8).
I have got a lesson now, so best be off (just realised the time!) x
Ironically, the teachers didn't turn up because they thought it started next week. So I now have until 10.30 until my class of 7-year olds to blog away.
Last night, Joe and Ahmir and I went to 'Restaraunt Street' for the first time. I suppose this street is what I think of when I think of China towns in England, but it's on a smaller scale and the real thing. There are the stereotypical colourful lights hanging across the street and Chinese people stand by the doors to greet people in. It's not pedestrianised like the main shopping street, 'Walking Street', so like most places here you have to keep a careful eye out for cars and bikes - they just don't seem to care about pedestrians! Most people can't afford a car in Wuhu so bikes really are the norm. However there are loads of taxis around and, like in Italy or France or greece, they are the most dangerous drivers of the lot.
However, if I had to be run down by a crazed Chinese taxi driver, I would like to be run down on Restaurant Street; it really is pretty cool. I think us foreigners are going to spend a lot of time there nearer Christmas because all the lights evoke the atmosphere of the festive season. We managed to order our food in our chosen restaurant, but it's still not an easy process without a native speaker to help. If you don't pronounce the word perfectly and with the exact tone, they seem not to have a clue what you mean. I don't think they're actually trying, frankly. Still, it means I have to perfect my pronounciation quicksmart.
After dinner, I managed to persuade Joe to come rollarskating with me. We met up with Paul and his chinese girlfriend there (Paul arrived from England to work here in February and insists that having a Chinese girlfriend/boyfriend is the best way to learn the language - sounds quite calculated, but I am sure he's right!). I was so chuffed that Joe came with me. He had not skated since he was about 13 and, if he was any good then, he is perhaps a bit out of practice because he wasn't exactly whizzing around last night. Still, he humoured me which was super sweet, and I got to pretend I was back at Farnham sports centre's rollar disco (I loved it when I was 8).
I have got a lesson now, so best be off (just realised the time!) x
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Tuesday
I have just got back from the uni running track. I was lucky enough to be joined by a class of uni students who arrived when I was ten laps into it. Although I seemed to be a source of some genial curiosity at first, I was actually quite pleased to have some guys to race, especially as they seemed just as competitive as me!
This morning, I had the second of my 2.5 hour mandarin lessons. Retraining your voice is so difficult but it's motivating when I get some positive feedback and the assistants actually understand what I mean over the lunch table!
After lunch, I bought a cheapy mobile phone. Everything is a lot cheaper here: Yesterday I went shopping with Rex and got some really pretty shoes for less than a fiver - a bargain and I am hardly likely to bump into anyone in Farnham with the same pair.
For the first time since arriving here, I think us teachers are going to cook for ourselves in the flat tonight. Every single lunch and dinner has been cooked for me, which has been fab because I really like the food, but it's not overly relaxing being stared at while you eat in restaurants (if, that is, you manage to communicate what you want in the first place).
I went for a walk along the river Yangtse last night with Joe, which was cool but, if I had had my own way (and if Joe was more of a man (!)), we would have gone to the rollar skating place really closeby - I love that the Chinese are so retro and cheesey with their Karaoke and rollar discos!!! Still, I'll try and persuade someone else to come with me soon. I am so glad we're all getting on well - the boys crack me up but I think will begin to miss the company of my girl friends soon (native english speaking girls, I mean). Still, they put up with me getting excited about bargain shoes so I can't complain!
I have to prepare for tomorrow afternoon's lessons with the junior high school kids this evening because I will be having another Mandarin lesson in the morning - they do keep us busy here.
I think I am going to 'super hyper mega global mart' with the boys now so best be off x
This morning, I had the second of my 2.5 hour mandarin lessons. Retraining your voice is so difficult but it's motivating when I get some positive feedback and the assistants actually understand what I mean over the lunch table!
After lunch, I bought a cheapy mobile phone. Everything is a lot cheaper here: Yesterday I went shopping with Rex and got some really pretty shoes for less than a fiver - a bargain and I am hardly likely to bump into anyone in Farnham with the same pair.
For the first time since arriving here, I think us teachers are going to cook for ourselves in the flat tonight. Every single lunch and dinner has been cooked for me, which has been fab because I really like the food, but it's not overly relaxing being stared at while you eat in restaurants (if, that is, you manage to communicate what you want in the first place).
I went for a walk along the river Yangtse last night with Joe, which was cool but, if I had had my own way (and if Joe was more of a man (!)), we would have gone to the rollar skating place really closeby - I love that the Chinese are so retro and cheesey with their Karaoke and rollar discos!!! Still, I'll try and persuade someone else to come with me soon. I am so glad we're all getting on well - the boys crack me up but I think will begin to miss the company of my girl friends soon (native english speaking girls, I mean). Still, they put up with me getting excited about bargain shoes so I can't complain!
I have to prepare for tomorrow afternoon's lessons with the junior high school kids this evening because I will be having another Mandarin lesson in the morning - they do keep us busy here.
I think I am going to 'super hyper mega global mart' with the boys now so best be off x
Friday, September 08, 2006
Wuhu's night life: the 'In' crowd and the 'locked out' crowd
I woke up at 7.30 on Friday morning. This would not have been an issue but I was supposed to start teaching at 7.45. Looking back, I think the mixture of Japanese sake and gin & tonic, plus a later night than originally planned, was of greatest hindrance on my ability to wake up in enough time to get my head around teaching four consecutive lessons full of 12- and 13-year olds.
Ahmir, Rex and I had set off to our first Japanese restaurant at 7pm the night before. The restaurants seem to close at 9pm in Wuhu so there's none of the European late-night dining here. In fact, everything seems to happen earlier in the day here! Anyway, it was a fantastic meal and I am slowly picking up titbits of Chinese, with the help of Rex and others at Aston School.
After a bit of sake, Ahmir and I decided to join Rex and his friends at a club, one of only about three in Wuhu. It really was like nowhere else I have ever been. It was like an English club in appearance but certain differences will stick in my mind for a while, I'm sure. For instance, tom and jerry was showing on the TV screeens when we arrived (random!?) and later on people danced in friendship groups around their tables to the Chinese pop/R&B that the DJ was playing, as opposed to on a dance floor. It was nothing like the drunken meatmarkets I experienced at Uni and, while there were loads of people there, it lacked the messy, sweaty, drunken atmosphere of the Wedge or similar clubs. Another difference was that you can buy a whole bottle of the spirit you want and they'll keep whatever you don't drink for you behind the bar with your name on it. That way, you can just come back and resume drinking next time - genius methinks!?
Upon arriving back at our flat, we found poor Joe standing outside looking more than a bit crestfallen. He had been on the landing for over an hour and a half because his key had broken off in the door. To cut a long story short, after a couple of hours we eventually got into the flat - Caroline was woken up and came from her house in a taxi to let us in through another entrance. Unfortunately, this episode did mean my sleep was cut short by too many hours for my liking!
However, they were so sweet and I really enjoyed teaching them. I think the point is that they remain children for a bit longer here, which is so refreshing to see and it makes the teaching process a lot more fun. Their standard of English continues to astound me as does their fascination in foreigners - I was surrounded at breaktime with children who wanted my autograph!!!!
After school I would probably have been quite happy to veg in front of a DVD or read a book but Ahmir and I were taken by Rex and Neil to Wuhu Guan Ji Si, which is a Buddhist temple about twenty minutes walk out of the centre of town. It is situated in a large, well-kept public park with a hill that emerges from amongst the trees, which we climbed and got great views of the sprawling city. Although I didn't see them, there are public exercise machines in this park and plenty of people go for runs and do Tai chi early in the morning there, too. I'll be returning soon - it sounds like just my thing! The Buddhist temple was really impressive but I wished I knew more about the religion and what the colourful drapes and statues actually meant.
On Friday evening Caroline took Paul, Ahmir, Joe and me out for a Korean meal. I think it was intended as a bonding exercise for her foreign teachers (or at least the ones who have arrived - we still are waiting for two more). She warned us that it was highly likely that we would appear in the local media at some point in the next few months; in magazines, on the radio or even on TV! We all found that hilarious, of course, but Joe seemed really quite keen to be cast as the 'gruff love interest' in a Chinese soap opera. Most of the Korean food was like nothing I have tried before. Strange and wondrous dishes that we all shared, with tastes similar to Chinese food but with their own distinct identities too.
At about 9pm we separated from Caroline and started drinking at the flat. The wine was called 'Great Wall' but we concluded that it may be 'Great Wall' but it is crap wine. We persevered though because we knew what was ahead for us that night: Chinese Karaoke. In China, it is really popular and most young people go quite regularly. The difference between the Chinese version and the version I have avoided participating in at home is that, in China, friends hire out little rooms and can take in their own drinks and snacks to make it a far more intimate affair. I cannot sing and I didn't think I would like it much but, if I'm honest, we all has a really good night. There were 8 of us in total and none of us took ourselves too seriously so it was just a good laugh - the cheesy Chinese videos for Western songs were so funny. I just can't wait until my next visit to KTV...! x
Ahmir, Rex and I had set off to our first Japanese restaurant at 7pm the night before. The restaurants seem to close at 9pm in Wuhu so there's none of the European late-night dining here. In fact, everything seems to happen earlier in the day here! Anyway, it was a fantastic meal and I am slowly picking up titbits of Chinese, with the help of Rex and others at Aston School.
After a bit of sake, Ahmir and I decided to join Rex and his friends at a club, one of only about three in Wuhu. It really was like nowhere else I have ever been. It was like an English club in appearance but certain differences will stick in my mind for a while, I'm sure. For instance, tom and jerry was showing on the TV screeens when we arrived (random!?) and later on people danced in friendship groups around their tables to the Chinese pop/R&B that the DJ was playing, as opposed to on a dance floor. It was nothing like the drunken meatmarkets I experienced at Uni and, while there were loads of people there, it lacked the messy, sweaty, drunken atmosphere of the Wedge or similar clubs. Another difference was that you can buy a whole bottle of the spirit you want and they'll keep whatever you don't drink for you behind the bar with your name on it. That way, you can just come back and resume drinking next time - genius methinks!?
Upon arriving back at our flat, we found poor Joe standing outside looking more than a bit crestfallen. He had been on the landing for over an hour and a half because his key had broken off in the door. To cut a long story short, after a couple of hours we eventually got into the flat - Caroline was woken up and came from her house in a taxi to let us in through another entrance. Unfortunately, this episode did mean my sleep was cut short by too many hours for my liking!
I had not had a shower, eaten anything or even put on make-up (!), but I did meet Rex and get to No. 11 Middle School by 7.43am on Friday morning. I was not feeling particularly inspired but that actually changed quickly. Indeed, Friday's lessons with the Junior high school was another eye-opener. From my experience of being at school at their age, I was not expecting such friendly, enthusiastic, playful adolescents. As far as I can tell, most 12 and 13 year olds in England are too cool, for example, to get excited by Girls vs Boys quizzes, to giggle at the mention of a famous and gorgeous popstar, or to volunteer that they love their mother and father very much; they are more interested in taking up smoking.
However, they were so sweet and I really enjoyed teaching them. I think the point is that they remain children for a bit longer here, which is so refreshing to see and it makes the teaching process a lot more fun. Their standard of English continues to astound me as does their fascination in foreigners - I was surrounded at breaktime with children who wanted my autograph!!!!
After school I would probably have been quite happy to veg in front of a DVD or read a book but Ahmir and I were taken by Rex and Neil to Wuhu Guan Ji Si, which is a Buddhist temple about twenty minutes walk out of the centre of town. It is situated in a large, well-kept public park with a hill that emerges from amongst the trees, which we climbed and got great views of the sprawling city. Although I didn't see them, there are public exercise machines in this park and plenty of people go for runs and do Tai chi early in the morning there, too. I'll be returning soon - it sounds like just my thing! The Buddhist temple was really impressive but I wished I knew more about the religion and what the colourful drapes and statues actually meant.
On Friday evening Caroline took Paul, Ahmir, Joe and me out for a Korean meal. I think it was intended as a bonding exercise for her foreign teachers (or at least the ones who have arrived - we still are waiting for two more). She warned us that it was highly likely that we would appear in the local media at some point in the next few months; in magazines, on the radio or even on TV! We all found that hilarious, of course, but Joe seemed really quite keen to be cast as the 'gruff love interest' in a Chinese soap opera. Most of the Korean food was like nothing I have tried before. Strange and wondrous dishes that we all shared, with tastes similar to Chinese food but with their own distinct identities too.
At about 9pm we separated from Caroline and started drinking at the flat. The wine was called 'Great Wall' but we concluded that it may be 'Great Wall' but it is crap wine. We persevered though because we knew what was ahead for us that night: Chinese Karaoke. In China, it is really popular and most young people go quite regularly. The difference between the Chinese version and the version I have avoided participating in at home is that, in China, friends hire out little rooms and can take in their own drinks and snacks to make it a far more intimate affair. I cannot sing and I didn't think I would like it much but, if I'm honest, we all has a really good night. There were 8 of us in total and none of us took ourselves too seriously so it was just a good laugh - the cheesy Chinese videos for Western songs were so funny. I just can't wait until my next visit to KTV...! x
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
A morning on my own
Wuhu is a really pleasant city and I am noticing this more and more.
This morning, Joe and Ahmir had their classes, which started at 7.45. Luckily, mine are this afternoon today so I got a morning on my own. I normally relish the prospect of going for a stroll on my own, getting a bit of fresh air and thinking about pressing issues of the day or, more often, nothing at all. But, once again, I felt pretty self-conscious that the walk, initially, was not massively relaxing.
Nevertheless, I was a girl with a mission; I needed to buy loo roll for the flat and also some milk, so I simply had to face Walking Street and get to Century Mart (one of the two big multi-storey supermarkets in town - Joe calls it Super Mega Century Mart because this suits it so well). Today, it is sunny and warm, and there is even patchy blue sky visible from beyond the grey sheet that usually covers Wuhu.
As I walked out of the building and into the street I was met by lots of people selling food, - melon on sticks, noodles and unsavoury looking sausages - books and newspapers. There was one old man sitting curled up and playing what I think was some sort of solo Chinese Chess.
My sense of direction is not spectacular but I managed to find the supermarket without a problem (although I had to follow closely the man in front, in order to cross the road without sustaining injury from the taxis, carts, bikes and buses that hurtle past with little regard for the lanes of the road, let alone pedestrians) .
Once I left Century Mart, I walked around one of the big landscaped lakes that Wuhu boasts, called Mirror Lake. Everything is very new here and it is well-kept. You are not allowed to walk on the grass or amongst the trees, just along the paved paths and around the large, open areas that are adorned with bizarre statues and typically Chinese temples. There are a lot of people out walking at 10am, which I was sort of surprised to see - people of all ages, apart from school-age. I am going to have to take one of the pedaloes out on the lake for a spin soon!
Hopefully, this is building up a picture of the sort of place Wuhu is. I feel totally safe here, just entirely ignorant - like I am a two-year old again, with only very basic means of communication and little appreciation of social norms. However, this is truly the best motivation to learn to speak Mandarin so I am not feeling negative about it!
I think I can here Joe and Ahmir, back from their lessons. I hope they went well, or at least better than some of yesterday's lessons. It'll be lunchtime soon (eating at noon is going to take a bit of getting used to!) so I best go.
Sazzle x
This morning, Joe and Ahmir had their classes, which started at 7.45. Luckily, mine are this afternoon today so I got a morning on my own. I normally relish the prospect of going for a stroll on my own, getting a bit of fresh air and thinking about pressing issues of the day or, more often, nothing at all. But, once again, I felt pretty self-conscious that the walk, initially, was not massively relaxing.
Nevertheless, I was a girl with a mission; I needed to buy loo roll for the flat and also some milk, so I simply had to face Walking Street and get to Century Mart (one of the two big multi-storey supermarkets in town - Joe calls it Super Mega Century Mart because this suits it so well). Today, it is sunny and warm, and there is even patchy blue sky visible from beyond the grey sheet that usually covers Wuhu.
As I walked out of the building and into the street I was met by lots of people selling food, - melon on sticks, noodles and unsavoury looking sausages - books and newspapers. There was one old man sitting curled up and playing what I think was some sort of solo Chinese Chess.
My sense of direction is not spectacular but I managed to find the supermarket without a problem (although I had to follow closely the man in front, in order to cross the road without sustaining injury from the taxis, carts, bikes and buses that hurtle past with little regard for the lanes of the road, let alone pedestrians) .
Once I left Century Mart, I walked around one of the big landscaped lakes that Wuhu boasts, called Mirror Lake. Everything is very new here and it is well-kept. You are not allowed to walk on the grass or amongst the trees, just along the paved paths and around the large, open areas that are adorned with bizarre statues and typically Chinese temples. There are a lot of people out walking at 10am, which I was sort of surprised to see - people of all ages, apart from school-age. I am going to have to take one of the pedaloes out on the lake for a spin soon!
Hopefully, this is building up a picture of the sort of place Wuhu is. I feel totally safe here, just entirely ignorant - like I am a two-year old again, with only very basic means of communication and little appreciation of social norms. However, this is truly the best motivation to learn to speak Mandarin so I am not feeling negative about it!
I think I can here Joe and Ahmir, back from their lessons. I hope they went well, or at least better than some of yesterday's lessons. It'll be lunchtime soon (eating at noon is going to take a bit of getting used to!) so I best go.
Sazzle x
Ordering dinner when no one speaks English...
Wow, today has been so interesting.
As I said earlier, I taught my first lessons this afternoon. They are each 45 minutes long and I had three in a row - it's pretty tiring but I actually really enjoyed it. I am not usually a person who stands up in front of a crowd unnecessarily but I think that is why it is so good for me to do this!
Chinese school children in Wuhu are not used to seeing blonde English people (or westerners at all, for that matter) and I think this novelty factor will work in my favour (at least at the beginning of term when the poor things haven't been overloaded with work quite yet - their days are 7am to 5.30pm!). In two of the three lessons I was applauded when I entered the rooms and loads of kids asked me to be their friends when I asked them to introduce themselves - talk about an ego boost!!! Still, I would rather that than them ignoring me or refusing to do as I asked.
I think my boss, Caroline, has given me many of the nicer, well behaved classes (she seems to favour girls) and I felt bad when Ahmir and Joe told me about their less-than-delightful first day's experiences. However, I think we will all improve as we go through the semester and start with more structured lessons.
I must say, the children talk amazing English - I totally underestimated their abilities when I was planning the lessons. I have been told not to mention certain things by Caroline, which is unsurprising considering the country I am in. However, many of them seemed interested in the culture of England and where I come from.
What will be difficult to sustain is talking in a clear and concise manner all the time, even to the assistants, if I want to be understood. Still, I guess I will come home and mumble and waffle less!
After the lessons were over, I came back with Joe and our assistants in a taxi (they seem to get a taxi for a five minute walk all the time). My assistant is called Rex and he is pretty cool. He's twenty and speaks very good English. It has been great to have him to help with interpreting at times but also just as moral support because he is really encouraging and friendly.
So, we got back to our flat (which adjoins Aston school, our base for teaching a lot of the time) at about 6 and were pretty peckish. We eat a communal lunch at noon everyday with the chinese assistants, foreign teachers, Caroline and the cook. There are about 10 of us around the table so it's quite sociable (I just wish I understood a word of what they were saying!) . We chatted for about an hour over a cup of tea, then I decided to go and check out the running track. Joe and Ahmir came with me - normally I am fiercely independent but when so many people stare at you in the street, it was nice to have them by my side. The running track is at the University, which is about a minute's walk from the flat. It was so nice to use up some energy but I think I will bring my MP3 player next time (thanks again, Alex!) because the scenery doesn't change much.
I am really loving the challenge of this trip at the moment, at least. It really is so different. The obvious touristy challenge is to order food in a restaurant when you have no idea how to string a sentence together and no one in the place can speak English any better. This challenge confronted Joe, Ahmir and me when we went out for dinner tonight. I was determined to make it work and we eventually explained our desire for pork, chicken and vegetables with rice to the poor sods who ran the place. To our delight, ten minutes later out came a pretty tasty meal for the three. Moreover, it cost us the equivalent of one pound fifty (including drinks) I actually got a buzz from communicating using smiles, nods and a few key words - it was quite an experience anyway!
For now, I am going to go. I just spotted another cockroach and so I think I might retreat to the Kitchen for a drink!....x
As I said earlier, I taught my first lessons this afternoon. They are each 45 minutes long and I had three in a row - it's pretty tiring but I actually really enjoyed it. I am not usually a person who stands up in front of a crowd unnecessarily but I think that is why it is so good for me to do this!
Chinese school children in Wuhu are not used to seeing blonde English people (or westerners at all, for that matter) and I think this novelty factor will work in my favour (at least at the beginning of term when the poor things haven't been overloaded with work quite yet - their days are 7am to 5.30pm!). In two of the three lessons I was applauded when I entered the rooms and loads of kids asked me to be their friends when I asked them to introduce themselves - talk about an ego boost!!! Still, I would rather that than them ignoring me or refusing to do as I asked.
I think my boss, Caroline, has given me many of the nicer, well behaved classes (she seems to favour girls) and I felt bad when Ahmir and Joe told me about their less-than-delightful first day's experiences. However, I think we will all improve as we go through the semester and start with more structured lessons.
I must say, the children talk amazing English - I totally underestimated their abilities when I was planning the lessons. I have been told not to mention certain things by Caroline, which is unsurprising considering the country I am in. However, many of them seemed interested in the culture of England and where I come from.
What will be difficult to sustain is talking in a clear and concise manner all the time, even to the assistants, if I want to be understood. Still, I guess I will come home and mumble and waffle less!
After the lessons were over, I came back with Joe and our assistants in a taxi (they seem to get a taxi for a five minute walk all the time). My assistant is called Rex and he is pretty cool. He's twenty and speaks very good English. It has been great to have him to help with interpreting at times but also just as moral support because he is really encouraging and friendly.
So, we got back to our flat (which adjoins Aston school, our base for teaching a lot of the time) at about 6 and were pretty peckish. We eat a communal lunch at noon everyday with the chinese assistants, foreign teachers, Caroline and the cook. There are about 10 of us around the table so it's quite sociable (I just wish I understood a word of what they were saying!) . We chatted for about an hour over a cup of tea, then I decided to go and check out the running track. Joe and Ahmir came with me - normally I am fiercely independent but when so many people stare at you in the street, it was nice to have them by my side. The running track is at the University, which is about a minute's walk from the flat. It was so nice to use up some energy but I think I will bring my MP3 player next time (thanks again, Alex!) because the scenery doesn't change much.
I am really loving the challenge of this trip at the moment, at least. It really is so different. The obvious touristy challenge is to order food in a restaurant when you have no idea how to string a sentence together and no one in the place can speak English any better. This challenge confronted Joe, Ahmir and me when we went out for dinner tonight. I was determined to make it work and we eventually explained our desire for pork, chicken and vegetables with rice to the poor sods who ran the place. To our delight, ten minutes later out came a pretty tasty meal for the three. Moreover, it cost us the equivalent of one pound fifty (including drinks) I actually got a buzz from communicating using smiles, nods and a few key words - it was quite an experience anyway!
For now, I am going to go. I just spotted another cockroach and so I think I might retreat to the Kitchen for a drink!....x
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
China, three days in!
So, I arrived in Wuhu, China, on Monday and it is now Wednesday. I have so much to write down and recall from just these few days! However, I am aware that I have only one hour until my first lesson starts so I will not have time to blog until my heart's content, unfortunately.
I will be teaching high-school children aged 16 or 17 this afternoon and, considering the excitement us 'foreigners' stirred up when we visited the 'No. 11 Middle School' this morning, I am actually pretty nervous about returning to teach. The schools are huge here and the classes often consist of 60 kids. We saw young children in lines doing drills on the concrete play area this morning with their teacher blowing a whistle at them - quite a sight. I have never taught anyone before but, thankfully, there will be an assistant by my side and today is only a relaxed introductory session. Plus they seem to respect their teachers a bit more than students in England do.
I will definitely be writing more in the next few days. I intend to go back to the beginning and recount my first hours and experiences of China. For now though, I am just pleased I have been able to set this blog up ok and can access it from the school's computer room.
let the adventures commence...!
I will be teaching high-school children aged 16 or 17 this afternoon and, considering the excitement us 'foreigners' stirred up when we visited the 'No. 11 Middle School' this morning, I am actually pretty nervous about returning to teach. The schools are huge here and the classes often consist of 60 kids. We saw young children in lines doing drills on the concrete play area this morning with their teacher blowing a whistle at them - quite a sight. I have never taught anyone before but, thankfully, there will be an assistant by my side and today is only a relaxed introductory session. Plus they seem to respect their teachers a bit more than students in England do.
I will definitely be writing more in the next few days. I intend to go back to the beginning and recount my first hours and experiences of China. For now though, I am just pleased I have been able to set this blog up ok and can access it from the school's computer room.
let the adventures commence...!
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