This actually probably works out well when you are trying to describe the “China experience”.....because the country just seems to carry a “vibe” that feels chaotic, frantic and busy. Having said that, everyone seems very happy, friendly and stress free....maybe they actually really like it that way!?!
Anyway, got up at about 7am...and felt surprisingly good after a full night’s sleep (maybe this means no jet lag?) The first item of business was to start unpacking and get the apartment set up. One thing that quickly became clear is that I am not exactly the best “suitcase packer” in the world.....as proven by the fact that I did not pack a couple of pretty important items; namely toilet paper and coffee.
This is certainly not the best way to start your day....but on the positive side, forgetting (the one item in particular) helped to prioritize my “to-do’s” on my first full day in China! Further, and trying to stick with the whole "bright side" of things, I did pack 3 bathing suits (which is great considering that even the locals do not recommend swimming in the ocean here) as well as two pairs of Heather’s clean patnties (yes...Darren, Claude, Garry, Tim, Brad et al, who as they read this are thinking up their “oh so hilarious jokes” I am fully aware that from the outside looking in, this might appear a little creepy).
Anyway, back on topic, Miranda is a godsend, and has made settling into China 1000 times easier. She showed me around the college, where to get a good breakfast, where the local market is, where our classes are etc. etc. etc.
First Major “Chinese” Lesson – How to Cross the Street
OK, the first lesson for me....was how to cross the street? The “idea” over here is that you are to go slow and steady when crossing a street. This, of course, is against every instinct you have! Generally when cars are racing at you, I think most of us would think it is best to run for it!!!! However, the logic behind this "slow and steady theory" is that if you walk slowly across the road, drivers have the ability to swerve around you. If you are running and “darting about”, they cannot predict where you will be, and might hit you by accident! (it sort of feels like a real life game of frogger).
Believe it or not, once you get over the terror and fear, this system actually seems to work pretty well. Plus as one of the students said, if drivers were to stop for every pedestrian, it would take them hours to go 4 blocks. (Yes, I can now also officially confirm that there are A LOT of Chinese people over here).
Next up, Miranda gave me a quick tour of the college grounds (more on the college grounds and student/teacher life in future postings), and then her (....and my future class) took us on a tour of the local area around the college as well as the beach, the Olympic soccer stadium, and the Qinhuangdao Ancient Marketplace (pictures below).
Then in the afternoon, one of our previous students from Medicine Hat (Ranier) met us and took us to Beidaihe, a very famous summer tourist place (it is kind of “part” of Qinhuangdao....sort of like a Redcliff/Medicine Hat idea) Again more on this city in some other posting. First stop was their famous pearl marketplace (lots of Russians come here in the summer). Heather (...and in fact any woman who likes to shop) would feel like they have died and gone to heaven here – and even I managed to find some gifts...which is a good start, given that I hate shopping (but note it helped to have Miranda there telling me what is not tacky....and, more importantly, Ranier there to help negotiate for me).
Anyway....the pearl market is basically 3 stories of booths/stores/people selling pearls and other items from the sea (the red things are coral necklaces and stuff)
After shopping...and let me tell you – Miranda (again probably like all women) is a professional shopper!), Ranier took us to meet his family. They treated us to tradition Chinese feast at a fancy restaurant “to thank us” for teaching their son last year. (I have to say, the kindness and hospitality of the Chinese people is completely overwhelming – and we could learn a lot from them in this regard).
The restaurant we went to was also in Beidaihe and was called Toast Beer City....the meal was really something else – lots of seafood and traditional Chinese dishes. We even had a “Big” Beer, and of course had many toasts! Ranier’s father is head of the hospital, and his mother manages the largest hotel in the area (2000+ staff!). David was also with us (bottom right hand seat); he is a teacher at E&A College and was in Medicine Hat last winter for 4 months visiting us.
I am told that all the fancy restaurants have private rooms where guests gather to have special meals....needless to say, we felt pretty special!
NB: I do not know the names of any of the dishes....so far my Chinese consists of Ni-Haw which I think means “hello”, and shi-shi which I think means “thanks”......but while I might not know the names of the dishes, I do know they were really good.
Another pretty full day, and so after dinner, we headed home. I got my internet set up (piggy backing off of Gis’s wireless network) which was great as Heather and I were able to have our first Skype call...free video calls halfway around the world...this still blows me away and tough to understand the economics there!...... anyway, as the call ended I was basically asleep
!
Hey glen do those grinch chafe in the Chinese heat?
ReplyDeleteClaude.....